CBI response to Winter Covid Plan

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said:

“For the Winter Plan A to be a success, the government needs to learn the lessons of the summer to ensure people are confident in living with virus.

“Key to this will be boosting the confidence of workers to go to work; of customers to go to shops; and of businesses to stay open.

“Business is clear that the government must leave no stone unturned in its efforts to keep the economy open. The UK’s world leading vaccine programme should underpin these efforts, but just as important will be maximising the role that monitoring, therapeutics and free, mass testing can play in driving confidence.

“The government can also support responsible businesses by utilising all the available covid secure tools at our disposal, from good hygiene and ventilation processes to the use of face coverings.

“Finally, confidence requires certainty. Clear forward guidance for firms about what measures will be introduced under Plan B should infection rates rise will maximise their ability to plan with certainty. Transparency about how and when those decisions will be made is essential.”