Small firms expecting a quick lift

FIRMS are urged not to “drop their guard” on safety as more people return to work today amid hopes of a rebound in business activity.

The Federation of Small Businesses said around half of smaller firms expect revenues to increase in the next three months, the highest since the summer of 2015.

A survey of 1,700 business owners said almost three in five expect their performance to improve. But one in seven fears they will make some or all of their staff redundant this quarter.

FSB chairman Mike Cherry said: “It’s fantastic that our shops, hairdressers and gyms can get back to doing what they do best all over England from today.The certainty provided by the Government’s road map is filling many small business owners with confidence.”

But TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “As we reopen the economy, we must not drop our guard on workplace safety. If workplaces aren’t Covid-secure, coronavirus cases could spiral out of control again.”