Calls for business support
THERE are increasing calls for the Government to introduce a business support package as many are feel ing the pinch because of uncertainty surrounding the growing Omicron outbreak.
Speaking on the Today programme yesterday, Shadow chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves said businesses need more support to get them through difficult months.
She said: “If the Government are going to put in place further restrictions, then it is essential that businesses and workers are supported.
“There’s so many practical things the Government could be doing right now. For example, sorting out sick pay.
“Many, many people are having to isolate at the moment, for many that is inconvenient.
“Self-isolating is a choice between doing the right thing for your health and public health and being able to pay the bills.
“Nobody should be in that position and when we are almost two years into the pandemic, that is still the reality before too many working people in Britain today.”
David Page, chairman of the restaurant group Fulham Shore, said new emergency rescue packages are needed regardless of whether the Government introduces new measures to stop the spread of Covid as there is already a “lockdown by stealth”. He said: “The Chancellor needs to do something very, very quickly because I am not sure any of the Cabinet understands cashflow. And cashflow is the problem at the moment, of the last week or two and of the next ten days, near London, and near the city centres.
“These businesses have no cashflow, they are paying staff, they have got to pay their suppliers.
“It’s a bit of a disaster area for smaller businesses over the last two weeks. So, Rishi needs to do something in the next 24 hours, I think.”
When asked whether the Government needs to do something even if no lockdown is announced, Mr Page said: “Absolutely. This is lockdown by stealth and by Government advice to stay away from crowded areas, which may be a very good idea health-wise but it’s ruining a lot of small businesses.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid told The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One at the weekend that it was “not quite right to say the Government’s not doing anything at all”.
He said: “I completely understand businesses now coming forward to say ‘I’m hard hit,’ and they have every right to make those representations to Government.
“The Chancellor and his team are listening, I think the Chancellor has done an excellent job throughout this pandemic in dealing with this and no doubt he will keep things under review.”