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Covid-19: Business
12 May 2020
Lead MP
Alok Sharma
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyEmploymentCulture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 36
At a Glance
Alok Sharma raised concerns about covid-19: business in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government have introduced new covid-19 secure workplace guidance to help employers and workers return safely to work. This includes measures such as working from home where possible, maintaining social distancing, managing transmission risk when 2-metre distances cannot be maintained, reinforcing cleaning processes, conducting a covid-19 risk assessment in consultation with workers or trade unions, and displaying notices showing adherence to the guidance. The Government have consulted approximately 250 stakeholders and provided an extra £14 million for the Health and Safety Executive.
Alok Sharma
Con
Reading West
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.
Alok Sharma
Constitutional
14:01:00
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.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
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.
Drew Hendry
Lab
14:01:00
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Andrew Percy
Con
Asked about financial burdens on constituents due to travel companies refusing refunds for holidays or flights, requested public campaign on consumer rights regarding refunds.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Darren Jones
Lab
Bristol North West
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Stephen Metcalfe
Con
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Newcastle upon Tyne North
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Steve Brine
Con
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Rosie Cooper
Lab
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Edward Timpson
Con
Eddisbury
Asked if guidance had taken into account businesses interacting with vulnerable customers or staff, emphasising need for safe reopening plans in these scenarios.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
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.
Alok Sharma
Con
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.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Proposed a positive advertising campaign encouraging public support for local small and medium-sized businesses as a way to revitalise the economy post-lockdown.
Alok Sharma
Con
Agreed with the importance of supporting local businesses. Mentioned ongoing digital campaigns across Government aimed at promoting support for local enterprises.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
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.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North East Scotland
Inaudible speech but raised concerns about the Chancellor’s announcement regarding the jobs retention scheme and why 200,000 workers were excluded from it.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
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.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
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.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
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.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
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.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
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.
Alok Sharma
Government
14:01:00
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.
Government Response
We aim to ensure workplaces are safe and save lives; guidance applies to all businesses, with support for small companies. Emphasises collaboration between employers and trade unions, increased HSE funding, and the right of workers to report unsafe conditions. Urges employers to support flexible working arrangements. Responded to several MPs including Maria Miller regarding guidance for pregnant women, Jim Shannon about the quarantine rule’s impact on aviation and tourism, Jerome Mayhew confirming safe return to work guidelines for tradespeople, Sarah Olney providing an overview of available financial support measures for businesses, James Davies explaining timeline and safety concerns for opening tourism and leisure facilities, Mohammad Yasin directing interested parties to write for further details on declassification process, Sara Britcliffe thanking her for supporting local businesses, Kim Johnson discussing HSE funding and employer obligations, Dean Russell endorsing publication of risk assessments online, and Nick Smith confirming that guidance would be issued before reopening such sectors. 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.
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Assessment & feedback
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