Coronavirus Appeal tops £15 million as DEC charities use UK donations to help protect the world’s most vulnerable people

A member of the medical staff takes the temperature of a beneficiary in a health clinic in Mogadishu on Saturday 16 May 2020. The infrastructure in Somalia is struggling to cope with COVID-19.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Coronavirus Appeal has raised £15 million since its launch on 14 July and DEC charities are now starting to use these funds to help people in the world’s most fragile states protect themselves against Coronavirus.

The DEC is made up of fourteen charities, including Tearfund, Concern, Red Cross and Save the Children who are all fundraising in Northern Ireland.

Aid being delivered with funding from appeal donations includes:

• In Yemen, Oxfam will be supplying clean water, handwashing facilities, hygiene kits and public health messaging; Action Against Hunger will be supporting health facilities and a mobile clinic with health services, including identifying and treating malnutrition.

• In Syria, World Vision will be supporting a dedicated Covid hospital and health facilities with handwashing stations, PPE and other services, as well as providing households with soap.

• In Somalia, Plan International will be installing water tanks and handwashing facilities at health centres and schools near camps for internally displaced people and Islamic Relief will be setting up screening stations to carry out surveillance and early detection at primary healthcare centres.

• In South Sudan, Tearfund will be supporting health and nutrition centres as well as reaching out to people within church communities raising awareness about the need for improved hygiene practices and social distancing.

• In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ActionAid will be installing handwashing facilities in households and Christian Aid will be targeting communities with health and hygiene information.

• In Afghanistan, ActionAid will be providing households with hygiene kits and will be establishing handwashing stations.

• In the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, Save the Children will be providing care to children and families with Covid-19 at its 60-bed Isolation and Treatment Centres; the Red Cross will be supporting health facilities and Age International will be helping older people and their care-givers.

Today the UK Government announced a further £5 million of Aid Match funding to the Appeal. This support will double the impact of future donations from the public and will ensure that DEC charities working on the ground can reach even more of the world’s most vulnerable people as they face the coronavirus pandemic.

PayPal users have also been key supporters of the DEC Appeal, having raised £600,000 and counting, generously donated through a dedicated fundraising page and ‘give at checkout’.

Ruth Koch, Tearfund Director in Northern Ireland said:

“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported the DEC Coronavirus Appeal so far. Together people in Northern Ireland and across the UK have raised £15 million which is fantastic.”

“As ever, people in Northern Ireland and across the UK have demonstrated their generosity and compassion. Every donation will give vulnerable families living in the world’s most fragile states the help they urgently need to face the silent threat of coronavirus.”

The DEC Coronavirus Appeal will help the most vulnerable people in six of the world’s most fragile states: Yemen and Syria; Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Afghanistan. A total of 24 million displaced people live in crowded camps and settlements in these countries. The appeal also includes the world’s largest refugee camp – in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where more than 850,000 Rohingya refugees have sought sanctuary.

The 14 DEC member charities are already present and working in these places and they urgently need more funds to further scale up their operations and save lives. They need the UK public’s help to: provide families with clean water, soap and information on keeping themselves safe; provide frontline medical and aid workers with equipment and supplies to care for the vulnerable and sick; and ensure families get enough food to prevent malnutrition, particularly amongst children.

‘Wet-led’ (non-food) Pubs secure reopening date - Hospitality Ulster welcomes date for reopening of all pubs

Hospitality Ulster has welcomed the announcement by the NI Executive that ‘wet-led’ (non-food) pubs will be allowed to reopen in Northern Ireland from 10th August. 

Despite the reopening of hotels, restaurants, food-pubs and beer gardens at the beginning of July, a date for the reopening of wet-led pubs was previously withheld causing great concern and financial hardship for many business owners. 

The naming of a date has brought a sense of relief for many publicans, who will still find it tough to return to any form of profitability under the current social distancing guidelines. 

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster said:

“Whilst we would have liked an earlier date, it is welcome news that our wet-led pubs finally have a date for reopening. These pubs are at the heart of our local communities and have experienced significant financial difficulties since closure in March. Confirmation of this reopening date will now allow these businesses to plan ahead and make sure they can get back to business in a safe way for both staff and customers alike.”

“We know that reopening will be just the first step in a very long journey back to normality. After months with no custom or income and a growing number of bills, the financial viability of many of these pubs is at risk and they will require ongoing support in the time ahead.”

“Many of these wet-led pubs are small, family owned businesses who will struggle to get around the negative impact of the pandemic, however, with a reopening date, they now have a fighting chance. We know that with the current social distancing guidance, it is going to be very difficult for these businesses to return to profitability, but at least they now have an opportunity to save livelihoods and their businesses.”

“The full reopening of our industry comes with responsibilities and we will support the full force of the law being brought against any premises that deliberately ignore the social distancing rules.”

“We will continue to engage with the Executive, asking them to introduce the power of closure for any rogue premises and to bring forward an earlier reopening date for wet-led pubs in that context.”

Imaginative place-shaping can drive economic and social recovery

Cllr Stevie Corr, Chair, NILGA Place-Shaping and Infrastructure Network

The faces of our cities, towns and villages will have to undergo a significant transformation in the recovery from the impact of coronavirus, local councillors have been told.

Speaking via Zoom at the Northern Ireland Local Government Association’s monthly Executive meeting, Ciarán Fox from the Royal Society of Ulster Architects spoke about the pressing need for more innovative and imaginative place-shaping which can fully ensure small businesses can return to trading, people have enough room to adequately socially distance, and ensure access for all as the economy and wider society opens up again post-lockdown.

During the coronavirus lockdown, the RSUA and a range of public sector and private sector organisations launched the #OurChangedPlaceNI initiative, encouraging people to share their ideas and plans on social media of what changes they would like to see in their local physical environments.

Cllr Stevie Corr, Chair, NILGA Place-Shaping and Infrastructure Network said:

“Today was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and explore how we can shape our cities, towns and villages post-lockdown. Covid-19 has presented serious issues to our communities and revealed challenges to how we can sufficiently socially distance going forward. By engaging in collaborative discussions like these, we can work to develop solutions and plans for better shaping our local areas.

“The #OurChangedPlaceNI initiative is welcome and it opens up the conversation and debate about the future of our physical environment. As the need to socially distance continues, wider and larger spaces will be needed to fully support businesses like bars, restaurants, and cafes and allow them to maximise how many customers they can safely welcome. By working harmoniously with pedestrians, public and private transport, and cyclists, we can allow businesses more space to operate and drive the post-Covid social and economic recovery.

“By transforming our local areas and taking new approaches to our place-shaping, we can also encourage active travel like cycling and walking, beneficial for both the environment and the wider public health. Out of coronavirus has come a further opportunity to design our areas for the benefit of our environments, citizens, local economies, and public health, and we now have a unique chance to reshape our communities for the mutual benefit of everyone who lives in them.”

Potential to create thousands of skilled jobs by establishing local PPE supply chain, Ministers told

Paul Clancy, Chief Executive, Derry Chamber

Executive Ministers have been urged to urgently review how Northern Ireland procures its personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line workers and establish a local PPE supply chain.

The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce has written to Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA, Health Minister Robin Swann MLA, and Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA urging the Executive to adopt a new and sustainable strategy for procuring PPE which is more secure, readily available, and develops stronger supply chains locally, creating thousands of jobs in the process.

At the beginning of the pandemic in March, over 450 NI companies repurposed their operations to meet serious PPE shortages within the health service, including several North West-based firms. While Northern Ireland has now passed the first peak of the virus, it has become clear that much higher levels of PPE, on a much more frequent basis, will be necessary for thousands of front-line workers across the health service as well as other sectors in the economy.

Paul Clancy, Chief Executive, Derry Chamber said:

“Covid-19 exposed serious problems in how Northern Ireland sources and procures its PPE stocks. When the virus looked like it might possibly overwhelm our health service, there was a scramble to get equipment from halfway across the world. While we are rightly proud of local companies like O’Neills, Bloc Blinds, Nuprint and many others who pivoted their businesses to ensure our doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals had the PPE they needed, the Executive now needs to put in place a comprehensive strategy which will ensure we have a strong, secure and consistent stream of PPE.

“As this virus naturally peaks and troughs, and until a vaccine is developed, PPE will become a feature of daily life. With the economy and other sectors of our society gradually reopening, PPE will be used by a wider section of frontline workers than just our healthcare staff. However, it is not sustainable for Northern Ireland to continue to get its protective equipment from countries like China when we need a more readily available supply chain closer to home.

“Local companies have proven that they have the expertise and skills to fulfil these orders, but they need support from government and assurances that they can win significant public procurement contracts before they commit to the long-term investment and permanently reconfiguring their business operations.

“A local PPE supply chain could also create thousands of highly-skilled, more secure jobs, at a time when we are entering a deep recession and redundancies are very likely. It would also reward companies who stepped up to the challenge at the start of the pandemic and give them long-term, secure contracts to manufacture crucial equipment for our frontline workers.

“Northern Ireland, and the North West in particular, has a highly-skilled manufacturing and textiles base which would only too happily take part in this supply chain. Other countries like Scotland quickly created local supply chains at the start of this crisis, prioritising and calling on local companies to provide the vast bulk of their long-term PPE stocks. This benefits frontline workers by providing sustainable and high-quality PPE but also supports our regional economic recovery and has the potential to create thousands of jobs.

“We are urging Executive Ministers to work on a cross-departmental basis to set up a Northern Ireland PPE supply chain which ensures we have a constant stock of protective equipment for our frontline workers, supports firms which have been significantly impacted by Covid-19, and provides new and highly-skilled jobs at a time of unprecedented economic upheaval.”

FE College Principals welcome return to work for learners on Training for Success Programme

Speaking on behalf of the Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland, Michael McAlister, Principal and Chief Executive of South West College has welcomed the recent announcement that learners on the Training for Success programme can start to return to their work placements:

“The announcement by the Economy Minister that learners on the Training for Success programme will be able to return to their work placements is a really positive development which marks an important step in the economic recovery. After a period of much uncertainty, our learners can once again look forward to returning to their workplaces in a safe and controlled manner.” 

“Throughout our colleges, more than 4,000 learners avail of the hugely important and successful ‘Training for Success’ programme. Work placements are vital in developing a range of practical and employability skills. They also provide learners with much needed on the job experience. We need to maximise these opportunities so that our learners can utilise their skills across a range of important sectors.”

“Going forward programmes such as these are going to be vital so that our young people can develop the tools and confidence to find work in an increasingly difficult market.” 

Hospitality Ulster calls for Power of Closure for hospitality businesses that flout Covid safety guidance as it seeks the reopening of all licensed premises

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster

Hospitality Ulster has called for the power of closure to be introduced for those in the hospitality sector who ignore Covid safety guidance, as it seeks the reopening of all licensed premises.

The organisation says that it is now time to put responsibility for Covid safety on individual premises and not penalise responsible licensees of ‘wet-led pubs’ who have obeyed the requirements to remain closed - despite the fear of bankruptcy.

Covid safety is everyone’s responsibility. Individual premises that deliberately ignore the safety guidelines should be penalised, Hospitality Ulster has stated.

Whilst it understands that the pressure of looming bankruptcy is forcing some wet only pubs to open against the NI Executive’s closure order, the organisation said it cannot condone this action or indeed any illegal activity. These desperate actions highlight the need to reopen all pubs under the same rules as food-led pubs and restaurants.

Severe disappointment has also been expressed about reports that some premises have taken it upon themselves to ignore social distancing and Covid safety guidance despite repeated reminders that the coronavirus remains a significant threat to public health.

Hospitality Ulster says that the sector has come through a particularly dark time in the past few months and that those small number of premises that flout the guidance place the whole sector in jeopardy when they need to show leadership.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“We need a date that we can get the whole hospitality sector back up and running. This includes the introduction of a date for wet-led pubs, who, so far, have failed to figure in the decision making of the NI Executive.”

“To save jobs and livelihoods it is vital that the power of closure is a sanction that is brought forward to make it clear to everyone, particularly any problem premises, that the responsibility of beating the spread of coronavirus rests on them. If they don’t take the appropriate actions now, then everyone will suffer.”

“A strong message needs to go out to those who don’t think adherence to guidelines are required. They are, and they are important, firstly for the safety of staff and the general public, but also for the economic future of the sector. We are grappling to survive and shouldn’t do anything that might hinder a safe return. The future of the entire industry and in particular wet-led pubs are in the hands of those already open and every effort must be made to comply with the NI Executive’s Covid guidance.”

He added:

“If there are premises intentionally ignoring the safety guidance then they should be reported to the authorities immediately, whose hand should be strengthened to close premises who deliberately breach the guidance.”

“Ignoring the safety guidance is simply unacceptable and the lack of interest and attention to detail will ultimately have a direct impact on getting everyone open within a safe and responsible timeframe.”

“A focus on these measures will only be for a short while in the grand scheme of things, and if we do what we need to do now, then we’ll be out of the woods quicker.”

BELFAST NURSE JOINS TEAM OF MEDICS TACKLING COVID-19 IN WORLD’S LARGEST REFUGEE CAMP

A nurse from Belfast has joined a team from Save the Children in Bangladesh to open a new isolation and treatment centre, providing lifesaving care for refugee children and adults suffering from suspected COVID – 19.

Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh, is the largest refugee settlement in the world, housing nearly one million Rohingya refugees who fled brutal violence in Myanmar. Families live in overcrowded conditions, making social distancing nearly impossible. There are only 18 intensive care beds in the entire Cox’s Bazar district to serve a population of more than three million people, including Rohingya refugees in the camps.

Rachel Fletcher from Belfast travelled with fellow London nurse Rachel Cummings, to Bangladesh with Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit, a team of international specialists who respond to deadly disease outbreaks across the globe, including Ebola, Yellow Fever and Cholera. They have been working for months with local staff and volunteers on the ground to build the centre, securing personal protective equipment, and training staff to receive patients in the facility.

Rachel is supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee Coronavirus Appeal which was launched last Tuesday and has already raised £13.5 million. The DEC brings together 14 of the UK's largest charities to respond to international crises quickly. It will raise money for the world's most fragile states and the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, where Rachel is working.

Ms Fletcher is an NHS Nurse who trained in Northern Ireland and worked in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. In 2014 she spent almost a year fighting the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and more recently was deployed to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in Yemen.  She will manage the facility in Cox’s Bazar, working with local staff.

She said: “It’s been a race against time to get the centre ready. Conditions are tough. We’re here to support local health teams and walk with them on this difficult journey, particularly when faced with the impossible decision of who gets a hospital bed and who doesn’t, when resources are stretched.”

A recent report found that 40% of children living in the camps were afraid of dying themselves or losing a loved one to the virus. One in ten households in the camps also have at least one individual above the age of five with a chronic illness or disability. These individuals are at increased risk of complications or death if they contract COVID-19.

The new isolation centre is intended to provide up to 60 beds, and offer care for moderate to severe cases of people with suspected and confirmed COVID-19. The centre will be staffed by an expert team of more than 100 health professionals and support staff.

Rachel Pounds, Head of Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit, said:

“We just don’t know how this virus will play out in a congested refugee camp where children are already more vulnerable to infectious diseases because they lack access to regular healthcare, vaccinations and adequate daily nutrition. This in turn makes them less able to fight off the virus if they get infected.”

“One of the most important parts of our Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo was community engagement and awareness – and this will be essential again for our COVID19 response in Cox’s Bazar. One of the best ways to slow transmission rates is to empower children and adults with the information they need to protect themselves and to understand how they can safeguard vulnerable family members from the virus.”

“The international community must urgently step up to support the Government of Bangladesh and ensure much needed funding is allocated for Rohingya refugees and the host communities of Cox’s Bazar to protect them against the impact of COVID-19. Inaction could lead to a disastrous and preventable loss of life.”

New survey highlights strong relationships key to wellbeing in Northern Ireland

Duane Farrell, Chief Executive of Relate NI

A UK wide survey has revealed that almost 60% of people in Northern Ireland believe that relationships with loved ones is what has got them through the health crisis.

The survey by leading UK relationship charity Relate, shows across couple, family and social relationships, people have had a range of ‘relationship realisations’ – many positive and some more challenging.

The parent relationship proved to be key with over half of respondents expressing that they feel closer to their parents than before.

The survey also highlighted:

• 31% of respondents in Northern Ireland who have a partner believe money will be the biggest issue for their relationship as a result of lockdown.

• 54% of respondents in Northern Ireland have enjoyed not having the pressure to socialise.

• 48% of the Northern Ireland respondents say they feel more comfortable having open and honest conversations on difficult issues with loved ones compared to 36% in Scotland.

Relate conducted the Covid-19 Relationship Survey across the UK in June with over 2,000 people participating. In Northern Ireland 102 responses were received.

The survey results have been released to coincide with the launch of the first ever National Relationships Week, beginning today. The charity is hoping to start conversations on relationships, about how they have helped people during the Covid-19 period, or to discuss issues that may have been pushed aside in the midst of the pandemic.

Chief Executive of Relate NI, Duane Farrell said:

“Relationships are clearly central to our health and wellbeing. The survey findings highlight the crucial role that all types of relationships have had during the lockdown period, from parents, to partners and friends. In so many cases we can see that relationships are what have gotten us through lockdown.

“Without doubt, Covid-19 has been the biggest test to relationships in recent history. Many families and friendships were put under new pressures, but the bonds were also vital for many to get through this life-altering pandemic.

“We are also encouraged to the see that many couple-relationships have been strengthened during lockdown. This has been a testing time for many couples, with lots of them working from home and often with insufficient space, creating the possibility of new challenges and expectations between partners. With over 50% people saying they do not believe their relationship will change post-lockdown, it shows that many in Northern Ireland have bolstered their relationships during the health crisis.

“As we move into the next phase of the pandemic, now is the time to focus on new strengths many have built into their relationships and the benefits of opening up to loved ones to strengthen bonds further. This is why we are launching the inaugural Relationships Week. It will encourage those across Northern Ireland to celebrate the best of their lockdown relationship realisations and address the more difficult ones.

“Relate NI is encouraging everyone to start a conversation about their relationships this week, whether it’s to thank someone for their support during lockdown or to begin addressing issues that have been swept under the carpet in recent months.”

In Northern Ireland, Relate NI have recently partnered with 15 other mental health charities, the Public Health Agency and the Departments for Communities and Health to deliver the Covid Wellbeing NI hub, an online resource with tools to help cope with the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and wellbeing. To find out more or for advice on maintaining good relationships visit: https://covidwellbeingni.info/

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead / Week Commencing 20 July 2020

Forward Look

• Health Minister Robin Swann MLA is to propose making face coverings mandatory in all shops next week. It will be discussed at the Executive on Thursday.

• Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA announced proposals to reform liquor licensing laws in NI including changes to later opening hours for pubs and Easter trading arrangements. A Bill will be taken through the Assembly with the new legislation expected to be in place by Easter 2021.

• Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Stormont yesterday and met the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council has been announced for Friday 31 July in Dublin.

• PM Boris Johnson is today expected to unveil £3 billion of extra cash for the NHS in England to help it prepare for a potential second wave of Covid-19.

• The UK Government unveiled its blueprint for policing trade between different parts of the country after the post-Brexit transition period ends. Stormont is set to get powers in areas such as air quality and animal welfare which is currently regulated at EU level.

• A report by MPs on the NI Affairs Select Committee into the New Decade, New Approach deal has warned of the danger of devolution being “blown off course” and called for the UK Government to set out a financial plan to deal with problems posed due to Covid-19. A one-page brief on the NI Affairs Select Committee Report on the New Decade New Approach Agreement is attached.

• MPs on the NI Affairs Select Committee have also questioned if the government can meet its promise of "unfettered" trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

• The second meeting of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Specialised Committee took place in Brussels yesterday. The UK Government intend to provide further guidance to businesses in NI in the “coming weeks”.

• Regulations were laid in Westminster to allow for same-sex religious marriages to take place in NI from September.

• Recruitment for the new Head of the Civil Service in NI has opened. Applications are open until Wednesday 29 July at 12 noon. Further information can be found here.

• Julian Lewis MP has been elected Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee despite the government expecting Chris Grayling MP to be elected. A report on Russian Interference in UK Politics could be released next week.

• The Irish Government has launched a public consultation on remote working. Further details can be found here.

• PM Boris Johnson is to propose moving both Houses of Parliament to York while the Palace of Westminster is refurbished.

• Paul Kennedy will be appointed as the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards on Tuesday 21 July.

• The findings from Phase 1 of the clinical trials of Oxford University’s Coronavirus vaccine will be published in the Lancet medical journal on Monday 20 July. Promising news has been reported. 

• The CNO will brief the Health Committee on Thursday 23 July.

• The All Party Group on Autism will meet on Monday 20 July.

• The All Party Group on UNSCR 1325, Women, Peace and Security will meet on Thursday 23 July.

Other Stories this week

• Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD sacked Agriculture Minister Barry Cowan after 17 days in the role. Mayo TD, Dara Calleary has been appointed to lead this Ministry.

• Apple and the Irish Government won their appeal against the European Commission’s tax rulings.

• Sandra Duffy, Sinn Féin Councillor on Derry and Strabane District Council has been elected Chair of the North West Regional Development Group.

• The Disasters Emergency Committee launched an urgent appeal to help millions of people living in fragile places such as Yemen and Syria affected by Covid-19. Further information can be found here.

• Eason announced that they do not intend to reopen stores in Northern Ireland again. 144 jobs have been affected.

• The NI Retired Police Officers Association have proposed that an independent commissioner be appointed to deal with Troubles relation investigations.

• PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne offered an unreserved apology to journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey for raids on their homes and businesses in 2018.

• Chris Sherrard, Editor of Belfast Live has been appointed Reach PLC’s Audience and Content Director for Ireland.

Consultations

• Consultation on Remote Working in Republic of Ireland Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Deadline 7 August.

• Consultation on Bereavement Leave and Pay Department for the Economy. Deadline 10 August.

• Consultation on proposals to further amend the law relating to the retention of DNA and fingerprints in Northern Ireland Department of Justice. Deadline 28 August.

• Consultation on amending Human Trafficking legislation Department of Justice. Deadline 1 September.

• Consultation on Further Education Support and Charging Policy at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) DAERA. Deadline 11 September.

• Consultation on Development of an Adult Restorative Justice Strategy for Northern Ireland Department of Justice. Deadline 11 September. 

Only three in ten businesses ready for Brexit, says new survey

Paul Clancy, Chief Executive, Derry Chamber

Only three in ten businesses in the North West say they feel ready for Brexit, according to a new survey.

The survey, carried out by the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, also found that 71% of businesses feel the government has not engaged enough with Northern Ireland businesses or helped them prepare for the changes and impacts of Brexit.

Some businesses have also reported making specific preparations in anticipation of Brexit including setting up operations and moving some services to the Republic of Ireland, or reducing their exposure to the EU.

The Northern Ireland Protocol will take full effect on 1 January 2021, with the deadline for an extension to the transition period having already passed at the start of July.

A new report published this week by members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons has criticised the UK Government for leaving local businesses in the dark over its approach to post-Brexit trading and customs arrangements and says greater engagement with businesses is urgently needed.

The new report also calls on the government to urgently clarify how NI businesses will continue to have unfettered access to the rest of the UK single market and ensure that any new costs associated with complying with the new regulations are wholly covered by the government.

Paul Clancy, Chief Executive of the Derry Chamber, said:

“This survey paints a deeply worrying picture of where businesses are at in terms of Brexit. After the impact of Covid-19, which is still affecting local companies despite the gradual re-opening of our economy, businesses have little to no capacity to deal with another crisis in the form of Brexit uncertainty. Our members are financially and resourcefully drained, but they are also totally in the dark about what is required of them come 1 January 2021.

“The figures coming out of this survey are seriously concerning but not surprising – 78% say they have made no preparations for Brexit; 71% say the government hasn’t helped them to prepare; 72% feel the voice of business is being ignored throughout the negotiations; and a fifth of companies say they have already lost opportunities because of Brexit. Our survey again reiterates one crucial point – businesses need urgent clarity. Our members are uninformed and unprepared for what the next six months may bring.

“We welcome the publication of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee’s report into the NI Protocol this week and we fully support its recommendations. In particular, we support the call for the government to cover any and all new costs of doing business between NI and the rest of the UK, and more clarity over how unfettered access will be secured if the government doesn’t secure a waiver from export declarations and exit summary declarations.”

Mr Clancy also urged the government to engage with local businesses as a matter of urgency, saying:

“We are also calling on the Northern Ireland Office to publish the terms of reference of its Business Engagement Forum as soon as possible. If this is the main body through which businesses here are engaging with the UK Government on Brexit issues, then it must be a priority to have North West representation on it to give our region a voice at the table, given our proximity to the Republic of Ireland and our members’ reliance on cross-border trade and business.

“Companies in the North West have been consumed by coronavirus for most of 2020 and they are now crying out for clarity and support over Brexit. The majority of our members are small or micro businesses. Another Brexit crisis and the potential for a no-deal exit on 31 December, coupled with the ongoing impact of Covid-19, may signal the death knell for many of them. Urgent financial and educational support is needed to prepare our members and guide businesses here through the transition period and beyond.

“Now that the deadline has passed to extend the transition period beyond 31 December of this year, it’s time for the government to step up and tell business in Northern Ireland what is required of them, otherwise the consequences will be seriously damaging.”