Burnley and Pendle businesses hit by local lockdowns call for more support

During a virtual Zoom meeting, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, Annaliesse Dodds listened to local traders and workers on how to save jobs and livelihoods during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, especially in areas where extra measures have been brought in due to a rise in cases.

In East Lancashire, extra restrictions were imposed in Pendle, which has the highest infection rate in England at the moment, as well as Burnley, Rossendale and Hyndburn to stop residents meeting other people in their homes, gardens or other indoor venues.

Ms Dodds called on the Government to have a “flexible approach” to supporting businesses affected by the restrictions. She said: "We called for support for self-employed people, but the critical time is now - now that we are still in this crisis. We feel that the Government hasn't got a grip of the fact that the big challenges are still out there. We need to have a targeted approach. If the support is there we can prevent businesses and jobs going to the wall."

Miranda Barker, the chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We need support for those businesses who have got themselves ready to reopen, they have restocked – there are an awful lot of food businesses – and they are literally now having to throw things away because they are not getting the take-up.

“We really need to try and campaign for some extra support for areas that are on this semi-lockdown now because they have got costs they just weren’t able to prepare for.”

The meeting also heard from Kevin Whitmore, from the Built Environment Communications Group. Mr Whitmore said: "My business is related to real estate. 2020 has been very V shaped, however, there is still an appetite for people to invest. Apart from my business, we do need to see the Labour party to come out and say it is safe for parents to send their children back to school in September.

Lancashire County Council's Labour opposition leader, Coun Azhar Ali, who is also a school governor, said: "Schools do need additional funding to get them ready to welcome children back."

Responding, Ms Dodds stated: "When it comes to schools, Labour seems very clear - we desperately want children to go back to school because of the impact it has on parents, especially women. We have also seen an enormous impact on children's development during lockdown.

"Pupils returning to school does mean strong engagements with teaching unions, parents and governors to try and sort this out. I want children back at school after the summer holidays. I want the testing regime in place so every parent has the confidence to send their kids back."

Taking to Twitter after the meeting, Ms Dodds said: "Great to hear from businesses in East Lancashire this morning. The message is loud and clear: many Lancs businesses will struggle without the targeted support Labour is calling for."