Business wants guidance as unions issue warning

Business leaders called for answers to practical questions as unions warned that their members would be put at risk by a return to work without proper precautions.

Firms said they also want to know if the job retention scheme paying the wages of furloughed workers will be extended beyond June.

Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace, including clarity on the use of PPE.”

John Philips, acting general secretary of the GMB union, said: “If ministers want the economy moving again, we need strict rules on hygiene and social distancing, enough PPE for everyone and regulations employers can’t just ignore if they fancy it.”

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union advised members not to work if they felt unsafe, claiming that a surge of passengers would have “potentially lethal consequences”.

Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: “Never mind being led by the science, the British response is now being led by the money.”