Coronavirus: Work-at-home change will ‘derail fragile recovery’

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Business groups have reacted with dismay to the prime minister’s call for people to work at home where they can.

It marks a change in policy following a government advertising campaign to get people back to work where safe.

Discouraging people from returning to Covid-secure workplaces “risks derailing an already fragile recovery”, said campaign group London First.

The CBI said that it was a “crushing” blow that would have a “devastating impact”.

“The new restrictions must be regularly reviewed to minimise the damage to the economy while safeguarding the health of the nation in the round - not just physical health, but mental health and our economic health, said London First chief executive Jasmine Whitbread.

She also called for the government to extend business rates relief and to introduce a “targeted” version of the furlough scheme, which is due to end on 31 October.

As well as the change in stance on working from home, Boris Johnson also confirmed that pubs and restaurants in England will have to close at 22:00 from Thursday to stop the spread of the coronavirus. He warned that the new measures could last up to six months.

Ms Whitbread said: “A targeted version of the furlough scheme would help those hardest hit in leisure, retail and hospitality.”

‘Crushing blows’

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn told the BBC: “We know we need to avoid a second national lockdown at all if we possibly can, but I have to say these are crushing blows.

“The impact on people who are coming back into their offices, the impact on city centres, so dependent on the bustle of city life, our creative industries - this will have a devastating impact on people and businesses.

“And I think that the answer for business, and what I’m hearing in my conversations this morning, is make it a short, sharp shock if it has to happen.”

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Appearing on the Emma Barnett Show on Radio 5 live, she said she was speaking to the programme from her office and that “about 15%” of her people were in.

“They’re excited about coming back, we need to plan to bring more people back. It’s good for morale, it’s good for learning, it’s good for creativity and so many businesses are feeling that, so this is a backward move that won’t be welcomed, and let’s make it as short as it needs to be.”

Roger Barker, director of policy at the Institute of Directors, said the spread of coronavirus was not wholly predictable, but the “back and forth” on office working would cause “frustration”.

He added: “Business leaders are eager for the government to focus on the foundations, issues like childcare, public transport, and getting the testing system firing on all cylinders.”