Firms urged to help in coronavirus fight

Business leaders in the North East are calling on local firms to give as much flexibility as they can to employees during the latest coronavirus lockdown.

The North East Chamber of Commerce, the region’s biggest independent business organisation, says the measures would ease the pressure being experienced by schools and help reduce the spread of the virus.

Schools are currently catering for significantly more pupils than during the first lockdown after the Government eased the rules on which children are still allowed to attend during the latest lockdown.

They are now open to youngsters where just one parent is a key workers and the children classed as vulnerable.

North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive James Ramsbotham said: “As schools and colleges adapt to remote learning and an increased demand for places for vulnerable and key workers’ children, it’s important that the business community continues to do whatever it can to relieve the pressure on parents and our region’s education providers.

“Businesses should be proud of everything that they are doing in combating the virus and enabling people to work flexibly or from home wherever possible during this crisis. We encourage North East businesses to share best practice and to do whatever they can to support employees and parents as we all pull together to reduce transmission of the virus.

“The whole region needs to give one final push towards overcoming the challenges of this pandemic.”