The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has written a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson — accusing the government of leaving businesses 'in limbo', and demanding immediate action 'to prevent widescale job losses'.
In an address to the nation yesterday (16 March), Johnson urged the public to avoid large gatherings and crowded places such as pubs, clubs and theatres. But unlike in many other Covid-19-affected countries, there has not been an official government lockdown. Therefore businesses do not HAVE to close.
Many businesses have accused the Prime Minister of putting them in a situation where they cannot claim insurance, and therefore thrust into great uncertainty and potential financial hardship.
In his letter, dated 17 March 2020, Khan said that a meeting with businesses leaders had concluded that they needed "much more rapid and ambitious action" from the government, in order to support the economy.
Included in the action that Khan is demanding to see from the government is:
- A single cabinet minister responsible for dealing with the economic impacts of coronavirus
- A single portal that brings together advice for businesses
- Further extensions in support for statutory sick pay and benefits for those who are unable to work (including the self-employed and freelancers)
- Special support for those working in the gig economy
- Further action to help businesses with their cashflow, and support available to cover lost revenue
Said Khan to Johnson in his letter:
I cannot stress enough the urgency of the need for these measures. There is no time to waste. We are facing not just a public health crisis but an economic one, and if the government fails to act immediately, I fear thousands of businesses, and hundreds of thousands of jobs and livelihoods, may be lost, with severe and long-lasting social, economic and fiscal consequences.
The government is assuring the British public that it is 'following the science' of the pandemic.
