CBI RESPONDS TO TIGHTENING COVID RESTRICTIONS

CBI RESPONDS TO TIGHTENING COVID RESTRICTIONS

Deborah Fraser, CBI South West Director, said:

“Increasing infection numbers, coupled with the identification of the new Covid variant, means the Government must act to protect public health.

“But tightening restrictions across many areas provides a torrid end to an already tough year for many businesses.

“There is now a growing need to re-evaluate Government support in January to ensure firms can survive through to the Spring and beyond.

“While the vaccine rollout and efforts to increase mass rapid testing offer hope going into 2021, it is clear challenges will continue well into next year. Steadfast support should continue to help struggling firms and lay the foundations for the economic recovery.”

CBI RESPONDS AS OXFORD/ASTRAZENECA VACCINE APPROVED FOR UK USE 

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said:

“Approval of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is hugely positive news, and a real feather in the cap for the UK life sciences sector. It adds another weapon to the UK’s pandemic arsenal, bringing us one step closer to returning to a more normal way of life.

“This is not the end of the battle, though. Rising infection rates and new strains mean tough precautions remain necessary in the short-term. Businesses understand this and continue to do their utmost to protect their staff and customers.

“In turn, Government must continue to do all it can to protect businesses. It must ensure ongoing restrictions are grounded in evidence, continue to roll out an improved testing regime which will enable more parts of the economy to reopen safely, and ensure financial support for the hardest-hit sectors remains in place until the pandemic is past.”