Speaking after the Government announcement this week, Small Firms Director Sven Spollen Behrens noted his disappointment that a working from home recommendation has been issued.
"Of course, we acknowledge the public health situation we find ourselves in but since the outset of this pandemic, small firms have always been at the forefront of following the guidelines such as the work safely protocol to the letter.
"Government must now look at the longer-term picture of what the response will be when spikes of Covid flare up. Continuous systems of openings and closings are not sustainable in the longer term. This will affect the rejuvenation of small towns and villages all over the country who rely on office workers for trade."
"Financial support must now be firmly on the table in regard to closures including the continuation of EWSS, PUP and commercial rates waivers. Small business will continue to support the work safely protocol, including the return to remote working to an extent, but office work must be allowed to continue for those workers for whom it is a necessity," Small Firms Director Sven Spollen Behrens commented.
