Fears for Black Country businesses ahead of second national lockdown
MPs and business leaders have spoken of their fears for Black Country firms as a second national lockdown comes into force at "the worst possible time".
Boris Johnson has announced stringent new national lockdown restrictions from Thursday after scientists warned that half a million people were being infected with coronavirus each week.
Infection rates have been rising across the country and talks were set to begin on moving parts of the West Midlands into Tier 3 this week, however the tiered restrictions are now being scrapped in favour of a national lockdown.
The measures for England will see everywhere except essential shops and education settings closed for a month.
The Government will extend furlough payments at 80 per cent for the duration of the new lockdown measures, however business leaders have called for further support.
Corin Crane, the chief executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said the restrictions would into force at the "worst possible time" for businesses already struggling with the effects of the first lockdown.
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Mr Crane said: “These new restrictions come at the worst possible time for businesses already battered by the initial lockdown, subsequent social distancing restrictions and tough trading conditions.
"Throughout this, we have continued to call for clarity and are disappointed that much of this debate has taken place via media briefings rather than detailed government announcements.
“Right now, many sectors are struggling and we are calling on the government that the new restrictions being imposed are commensurate with any new support packages.
"We continue to be here for our members and will continue to fight hard for the information and support they need.”
And Jane Stevenson, the Conservative MP for Wolverhampton North East, said she wants to see as many businesses as possible remain open.
She said: "With any restrictions I've consistently called for as light a touch as possible to keep the virus in check - no Conservative is comfortable with limiting people's freedoms.
"The Government does have to make some really tough decisions, and remain flexible as the infection rate changes.
"It appears we do need to act now because projections in many areas are awful, but I don't see why an area like Cornwall should be further restricted when rates are so low. Instinctively I'd prefer to stay with a tier system.
"I certainly don't want to see schools and universities close again and I want as many businesses as possible to remain open with safety measures in place.
"We've done a pretty good job in Wolverhampton so far, and while we are all frustrated we just have to keep looking out for each other and do our bit to stop the spread of Covid-19."
But Councillor Mike Bird, the Conservative leader of Walsall Council, said the priority should be saving lives.
He said: "It's alright people worrying about the economy but is the priority to save lives or the economy?
"My first priority is to save people's lives. This is still killing people, the restrictions are there for a reason."
The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said: “I know that the lockdown decision will do further harm to our already fragile economy, so I will continue to support businesses and fight for job protection and creation.
“Alongside the extension of furlough, there will also be grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses that have to close.
“Clearly businesses need time to plan for and implement these changes, so I have already pressed Government to publish these details urgently, as well as clarifying what other support is available. I will share these as soon as I have them, and will be able to respond more comprehensively once we have these details. But it goes without saying that if there are gaps in support or extra funding is needed for certain sectors, then I will fight your corner.”
Concern
Meanwhile John Spellar, the Labour MP for Warley, called for further investigation into how the disease is spreading in order to set appropriate restrictions.
He said: "What I'm particularly concerned about is ensuring as many people as possible are kept in work as I've said several times in these debates, the impact of mass unemployment is dangerous especially for an industrial area like the Midlands, as is poverty and disruption of education and disruption of normal medical services.
"We need to look at where the disease is spreading, in Sandwell it's quite clear it's in workplaces and family contact, not through hospitality and certain types of workplaces.
"More firms are clearly taking more precautions and being more careful.
"We do have to get that balance right between protecting health and looking at how the disease is spreading and what we can do to protect the economy."
Michael Fabricant, the Conservative MP for Lichfield, urged people to stick to the rules to help minimise the amount of time a lockdown will be needed for.
“Nobody wanted another lockdown and a few weeks ago government scientists were advising the government that it could be avoided if everyone stuck to the rules on a regional basis," he said.
"Sadly, they didn’t, though in Lichfield and Burntwood we did in the main. Just two weeks ago, I was discussing with Matt Hancock whether Lichfield and Burntwood could remain exempt from rising above Tier 1 restrictions.
“But in the last 10 days infection rates have soared with the very real risk that Covid would rip through our communities and completely overwhelm hospitals resulting in them having to turn away patients. The lockdown which begins on Thursday will help prevent that from happening. If we all rigidly stick to the rules, the lockdown will end on December 3rd. If selfish people ignore them, and infection continues to rise, restrictions will have to continue.
"Some have claimed that if we had had a national lockdown earlier, it needed have only lasted two weeks. This is completely contrary to all the medical and scientific advice both then and now."
Mr Fabricant also said there are reasons to be positive, such as the extension of the furlough scheme and the ongoing vaccine trials.
