Covid: Where is government support for business? - Chamber

The silence from the Prime Minister on additional support for businesses impacted by the pandemic and collapsing consumer confidence has been described as 'deafening' by local business leaders.

During Wednesday's news conference, the Prime Minister and England's Chief Medical Officer urged the public to be cautious if they socialise before Christmas, amid record UK Covid cases.

Boris Johnson said he was not shutting pubs and restaurants but advised people to "think carefully before you go".

Chris Whitty went even further than the Prime Minister and urged the public not to "mix with people you don't have to" as he warned that more Covid records would be broken as the Omicron variant surges.

This warning came as the UK recorded 78,610 new Covid cases on Wednesday - the highest daily number reported since the start of the pandemic.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) said:

“England 's Chief Medical Officer was loud and clear in his call for caution around socialising as Covid cases hit record highs yesterday. The silence from the Prime Minister and Chancellor on any additional support for businesses impacted by the collapse in consumer confidence caused by this, was deafening.

“Businesses want to play their part to help protect the NHS and save lives. But this cannot be at the unnecessary expense of jobs and livelihoods. The hospitality, live events and tourism sectors - and the people within them - have had to endure incredibly challenging conditions over the last 21 months and are now losing this crucial Christmas trading period.

“The Government must set out their plan for proportionate support for impacted businesses short term and in the event that restrictions continue or even tighten into the new year. Our Plan B - A Blue Print for Business Support sets out the immediate steps that the government could take to reassure and enhance support for businesses. ”