Local leaders should have fought against flawed lockdown

THE decision by local government leaders in West Yorkshire to be so supine in accepting Tier 3 status for the region beggars belief.

It is abundantly clear that lockdowns, whether national or local and for whatever length, are no cure for Covid.

Leaving aside the deprivation of liberty and draconian punishments, there are many things local leaders could have considered.

Among them; the misery and redundancies being inflicted on a healthy working age population; the increase in deaths at home now and in the future from missed appointments, especially for cancer patients; the mental health impact from loneliness and isolation; the disruption to children’s education from stop start schooling and of course, the evisceration of the local economy, not least among small businesses that support so much local employment and spending.

Instead, unable to grasp what many of the local community have now grasped, that coronovirus is only dangerous to the elderly or clinically vulnerable, they’ve adopted a strategy of take the money and dodge the scrutiny.

Moreover, it’s inevitable that much of the money the local councils have demanded will disappear in the endless back holes of consultants, committees and action plans.

Of those that are struggling, who will ever see a penny? Few, I’d wager.

From: Beckie Hart, Regional Director, CBI Yorkshire and Humber.

ON the new Tier 3 restrictions for West Yorkshire, public health comes first, and getting a grip on rising infection rates is vital for confidence, which is critical for the UK’s economic recovery.

Improving co- ordination between local and central government is vital if the threetier system is to succeed. The ongoing lack of clarity is costing businesses.

Firms affected need to clearly understand what restrictions apply and how to access the support package quickly and effectively, allowing them move with speed to protect jobs and livelihoods.

Clear communication and transparent evidence for new restrictions is essential to instilling confidence and ensuring compliance. Firms also want to see criteria for a tangible pathway to the timely easing of any new restrictions. This will be vital for enabling firms to remobilise supply chains and be ready to reopen.