Covid-19: Business

The new guidelines aim to create a collaborative working environment, building confidence and trust between employers and workers. Employers must conduct risk assessments and share results with their workforce. The Government will not hesitate in using enforcement measures for businesses that do not follow the rules.

Thank you for your comments and constructive discussions. The guidance aims to ensure workplace safety while saving lives; people who can work from home should continue doing so. We acknowledge some confusion but the Prime Minister's statements about manufacturing and construction apply as those sectors are already open. Employers and trade unions are collaborating effectively, with HSE support increased for enforcement. Parents must consider flexible working arrangements with employers. Unsafe workplaces should not be reopened; workers have a right to report concerns to HSE or local authorities.

Acknowledges the importance of ensuring businesses in Keighley adhere to new guidance. Emphasises the need for small businesses, which are vital to the economy, to be supported as we move towards reopening. Confirms that guidance applies equally to all businesses.

Welcomes the emphasis on health and safety but stresses the need for clarity, especially regarding UK-wide application of advice. Advises against cold restarts without support measures in place. Highlights gaps in furlough scheme coverage and calls for protection for those left behind. Urges extending consensus-building to devolved nations.

Responded to questions regarding the Health and Safety Executive, provided information on guidance for employers across the UK, emphasised consensus-building with devolved nations. Mentioned £14 million additional funding for health and safety efforts.

Asked about financial burdens on constituents due to travel companies refusing refunds for holidays or flights, requested public campaign on consumer rights regarding refunds.

Acknowledged the importance of protecting consumers' rights to refunds within 14 days. Mentioned discussions with Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Competition and Markets Authority on consumer issues.

Inquired about support provided by the Government to businesses struggling to buy necessary equipment for workplace safety. Asked how workers would be supported in dealing with potential workplace disputes related to these guidelines.

Confirmed extension of job retention scheme and availability of loans and grants for businesses. Emphasised the role of ACAS in helping employees resolve issues they are unable to address themselves.

Called on everyone, individuals and businesses alike, to stay alert and follow rules to keep R rate down, emphasising that defeating the virus will take months rather than weeks.

Agreed with the need for caution and gradual reopening of businesses. Highlighted the importance of staying alert to keep R rate down and protect lives.

Discussed challenges faced by aviation industry due to quarantine measures and requested detailed plans from Government for supporting this sector. Acknowledged extension of job retention scheme until October.

Acknowledged difficulties in aviation sector but noted that a broad set of support is available for businesses across the economy, including corporate finance facilities and loan schemes.

Asked about Government’s message to commercial landlords who are facing challenges in collecting rent from tenants receiving rate relief or various linked grants due to the pandemic.

Recognised challenges faced by commercial and other landlords. Mentioned availability of corporate finance facilities and loan schemes for landlords, with some taking advantage of them.

Asked how Government would ensure that people in the shielded group do not face an impossible choice between returning to work or breaching public health advice. Suggested use of job retention scheme for this group.

Stated that guidance requires employers to consider particularly vulnerable individuals and adhere to existing equalities legislation. Emphasised the importance of protecting those at higher risk.

Asked if guidance had taken into account businesses interacting with vulnerable customers or staff, emphasising need for safe reopening plans in these scenarios.

Acknowledged the importance of considering vulnerable individuals when developing guidelines. Mentioned requirement for employers to monitor wellbeing of employees and take into account protection measures for those at higher risk.

Inquired about challenges faced by businesses just above the £50k threshold in areas with high rateable values. Suggested a higher threshold, particularly for areas with above-average rateable values.

Acknowledged challenges faced by hospitality, leisure and retail sectors. Mentioned one-year rates holiday for businesses in these sectors and urged them to take advantage of loan schemes like the Bounce Back scheme.

Proposed a positive advertising campaign encouraging public support for local small and medium-sized businesses as a way to revitalise the economy post-lockdown.

Agreed with the importance of supporting local businesses. Mentioned ongoing digital campaigns across Government aimed at promoting support for local enterprises.

Asked the Secretary of State to look into issues facing pregnant women, particularly regarding furlough and paid leave. She urged for clearer guidance to help employers understand their responsibilities.

Expressed concerns about the 14-day quarantine rule's impact on aviation and tourism connectivity between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, France, and the UK mainland. He asked for an impact assessment and whether the rule would be temporary.

Asked if it was time for tradespeople to get back to work safely, highlighting their importance in small businesses. He welcomed the guidance allowing such workers to return provided they follow precautions.

Inaudible speech but raised concerns about the Chancellor’s announcement regarding the jobs retention scheme and why 200,000 workers were excluded from it.

Asked for specific guidance for health service businesses such as dentists and physiotherapists that had been excluded from other forms of Government support but are vital services.

Inquired about the opening of tourism and leisure facilities safely once the covid alert level is low in all parts of the UK, with a focus on July’s timeline depending on reducing the R factor.

Asked for clearer guidance and a speedier declassification process to ensure that legitimate businesses do not fall through the net regarding Government grants based on business rate classification.

Thanked all businesses in her constituency for their swift response during lockdown and asked for assurance that they would be supported and utilized safely in the recovery process.

Asked whether guidelines on social distancing were being followed by employers, suggested better resourcing of HSE inspectors to check safety measures before businesses reopen, and advocated for worker-first policies.

Suggested that all businesses should publish their risk assessments online wherever possible to build confidence with workers and customers. He emphasised transparency and safety.

As secretary of the APPG on beauty, aesthetics, and wellbeing, he asked for clear guidelines on PPE before businesses in these sectors reopen to protect both staff and consumers.

Welcomes the reopening of garden centres from tomorrow in West Worcestershire and asks if the government is considering relaxing rules to allow high streets to have similar opening hours as those on the internet.

Welcomes the reopening of garden centres from tomorrow, stating it will provide an opportunity to restart the economy. Acknowledges the point made by Harriett Baldwin and confirms that he will continue to review the situation.