The president of British Chambers of Commerce has told Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take a “sharper approach” to restarting the UK economy.
In her letter Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith sets out a series of measures to help, claiming businesses face “the most difficult trading conditions in post-war history”.
The letter from the leading business group follows their recent research which points to a sustained economic difficulties with almost a third of businesses expected to make redundancies in the next three months.
The letter reads: “Prime Minister, a successful restart of the economy demands bolder and more ambitious action.
“We face a difficult winter ahead – even without a significant resurgence of the virus itself.
“If the Government wishes to avoid mass unemployment, significant levels of business failure, and long-term economic scarring in our communities, we urge you and your colleagues to act now.”
The letter notes that local restrictions are a “single largest blockage” to restarting operations, with BCC research suggesting more than half of businesses (52%) see it as a key barrier.
Baroness McGregor-Smith called for “support for businesses shuttered by local restrictions” – in the form of grant funding and wage support, not saddling firms with further debt.
She added: “Government should place the highest possible premium on alternative measures that maintain the economy and keep businesses open.”
