SAFETY PLAN READY TO UNLOCK BRITAIN
Cash to help high streets reopen as PM puts country on the path to normality
BORIS JOHNSON has unveiled a series of crucial moves to start steering Britain safely out of lockdown at the start of June.
Ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting tomorrow to make the final decisions on easing restrictions, the Government has
revealed a package worth hundreds of millions of pounds to allow normality to begin to return and the economy to get going again.
New measures include investment in high streets and the transport network to make them safe to use again.
They will also unveil an advanced trace and test system with 25,000 contact tracers recruited as part of the largest virtual call centre operation in the country.
Other measures include a risk assessment report which shows Parliament can return to normal business and end the hybrid arrangements when MPS return from their recess on June 2.
There is also a plan to ensure rough sleepers do not return to the streets.
A Downing Street source said: “The Prime Minister will hold Cabinet to update his government on the ways we will slowly begin to ease restrictions for certain sectors.
“Whilst no changes are expected before June 1, it is understood that this week will see guidance and advice in relation to the sectors that are covered in step 2.
“This will include an update on the new test and trace programme, an announcement on schools, and potentially an update on non-essential retail. The Prime Minister will advise the public on what the data and research are telling us, mapped against our timetable for unlocking the country.”
The move comes amid growing pressure on the Government to get the economy going again after Chancellor Rishi Sunak warned this week that the country and world face “a recession like no other before”.
The decisions on coming out of lockdown follow the latest figures appearing to confirm government optimism that the UK can be near to normality by July.
Yesterday it was revealed just 12 per cent of critical beds have coronavirus patients, down 17 per cent from the week before.
There were 282 deaths from coronavirus reported bringing the total to 36,675. A 12-yearold child with underlying health conditions was among the dead.
Tests though are still running well above the government target of 100,000 a day with 116,585 reported for Friday and just 2,959 confirmed new cases. A key part of the new safety measures is a £50million fund for councils to support their high streets to get safely back to business.
It will support a range of practical safety measures including signs, street markings and temporary barriers.
High Streets Minister Simon Clarke MP said: “As we begin to slowly return to normality, the re-opening of our high streets will be key to kick
starting our economic recovery. Many businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging and this shows that they are ready for the challenges ahead.
“That’s why we are providing an extra £50million for councils to support a range of safety measures that will help get these businesses back on track and ensure that people can enjoy their time visiting their high street safely again.”
The fund is in addition to the £3.2billion package of support announced for councils to help them deal with the immediate pressures they are facing.
Cllr Kevin Bentley, chairman of people and places for the Local Government Association, said: “This funding will building on ongoing work to implement measures to help communities and high streets to transition to a new way of life.”
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced £283million has been made available to increase the number of bus and light rail services as quickly as possible so that people who need to travel can do so safely.
Around 3,400 people including British Transport Police officers, Network Rail and train operator staff have been deployed at stations to help passengers travel safely.
An app from start-up tech company Zipabout will provide journey information about how crowded trains and buses are.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “It will be able to text you to say ‘please don’t get on the 8.10am today as it is looking too busy to travel. We expect you on the 8.18am instead’ and then manage crowds that way.”
Mr Shapps also said he would work to “level up” Britain and work for the North. This will include a £1billion upgrade to a major road link, the A66, which runs across Northern Powerhouse, from Teeside to Cumbria.
The new test and trace system is set to launch at the end of this week, with 25,000 contact tracers recruited as part of the largest virtual call centre operation in the country.
A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “A test and trace system allows us to isolate new infections so that we can control the spread of this virus, which will be vital while coronavirus remains present in the UK.
“As we continue on the road to recovery, this will mean that in time lockdown will no longer be necessary for the vast majority and instead it will be possible for there to be a targeted lockdown for a small number of people.
“For this to be effective, everyone will need to play their part.”