Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 26 April 2021

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Forward Look

  • From next Friday there will be further relaxations to the current Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland. This includes the reopening of all retail, licensed and unlicensed outdoor hospitality, gyms and swimming pools for individual use, and the removal of curfews on takeaways and off licenses. From today, close contact services will reopen and a return to outdoor competitive sport will be permitted.

  • According to the BBC, the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be expanded to include the 35-39 age group from next Friday. Pop-up vaccination clinics to target areas of low vaccine uptake will be opened “in the next week or two”.

  • The Executive Office Committee and the Economy Committee have agreed to meet concurrently with the Interim Head of the Civil Service, Jenny Pyper to discuss the High Street Taskforce on Wednesday 16 June.

  • The European Parliament will vote next Tuesday to ratify the post-Brexit EU-UK trade agreement. The PM has repeated claims he will end trade barriers between NI-GB.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has announced that a review will be conducted on strategic planning policy on renewable and low carbon energy projects.

  • Monday marks the beginning of the Department for the Economy’s Apprenticeship Week with a range of virtual events hosted by different stakeholders including Further Education colleges.

  • An independent review of how the Education Authority supports children with special educational needs is to take place “as soon as possible” according to the Department of Education. The Department is also seeking views on revising the current criteria for pre-school admissions: LINK.

  • The Department for the Economy has said “good progress” has been made on the development of a high street voucher scheme. July has been reported as a potential target date.

  • Question Time will take place on Monday for Health Minister Robin Swann MLA and Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA. Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA will answer questions on Tuesday.

  • The Executive Office Committee will hear a briefing from Junior Ministers Gordon Lyons MLA and Declan Kearney MLA on Brexit issues on Wednesday.

  • The Environment Committee will hear evidence from Clare Bailey MLA on her Climate Change Private Members’ Bill on Thursday.

  • The Health Committee will also meet on Thursday to continue its scrutiny of the Health and Social Care Bill, which has been given an extended committee stage along with the Severe Fetal Impairment (Amendment) Bill.

  • The Communities Committee will continue its consideration of evidence as part of scrutiny for the Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill on Thursday.

  • Cabinet Office Minister and Brexit lead, Lord Frost will give evidence to the Westminster European Scrutiny Committee on Monday.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will meet on Wednesday to continue its inquiry into Brexit and the NI Protocol. Separately, the Committee has launched an inquiry into the experience of ethnic minority and migrant communities in Northern Ireland.

  • Westminster’s Treasury Committee has given Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP and former PM David Cameron until May 6 to respond to its inquiry into the Greensill Capital lobbying scandal.

  • The NI Chamber of Commerce will host an online interview with BBC Director-General Tim Davie CBE next Thursday: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • The Department of Health has published an update on its Covid-19 Response Strategy. A Commissioning Plan for Community Pharmacy for 2021-22 has also been agreed.

  • The Department of Finance has announced that applications are now open for a one-off £50,000 grant to assist businesses in a range of sectors including hospitality, leisure, and manufacturing.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has said her department has commenced drafting legislation to ban conversion therapy alongside the work being done in the LGBTQI+ Strategy.

  • Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe TD has announced the establishment of a Commission on Taxation and Welfare to independently consider revenue raising whilst meeting the costs of public services. Minister Donohoe has said he will resist attempts to rebalance global corporation tax if it affects Dublin’s ability to undercut its rivals.

  • Westminster Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer MP has resigned in opposition to the government’s Overseas Operations Bill which does not protect ex-soldiers who served in Northern Ireland. A bill providing equivalent protections is expected to be brought forward by the NIO after the Queen’s Speech.

  • Downing Street has axed plans for televised White House-style press conferences. The PM’s Press Secretary, Allegra Stratton will become the PM’s spokesperson on the COP26 climate summit. Jack Doyle has been appointed Downing Street Director of Communications.

  • Lord McFall has been elected as the new Lord Speaker and will take up post on Monday 3 May.

  • Former Senator Ian Marshall has lost out in his bid to return to the Seanad with a vote-share of 34%. Filling the two vacant seats are Fine Gael’s Maria Byrne and Fianna Fail’s Gerry Horkan.

  • An Assembly All-Party Group on Homelessness has been established.

  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP has launched a new taskforce between the Treasury and the Bank of England to examine the case for a new central bank-backed digital currency.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Covid recovery, finances, Programme for Government, climate action & housing top agenda at Partnership Panel

NILGA President Cllr Matt Garrett (Belfast City Council)

NILGA President Cllr Matt Garrett (Belfast City Council)

The Northern Ireland Partnership Panel held its second meeting of 2021 virtually this week (21st April).

The Forum provides a policy and action platform between the Stormont Executive and the 11 local councils on key common policy & investment matters. 

Chaired by the Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey MLA, the meeting focused on actions aligned to the pandemic recovery roadmap and improving co-operation on public services provision. 

Members of the Partnership Panel discussed the Programme for Government, Community Planning and Climate Action, as well as new investment programmes such as the Shared Prosperity Fund.  Local government representatives also briefed Executive Ministers on the Civility in Public Life campaign, developed in partnership with colleagues in England, Wales and Scotland, highlighting the issues of harassment and resilience in public life, while Executive Ministers engaged with local government on a number of new programmes and strategies. 

NILGA President, Councillor Matt Garrett (Belfast City Council), commented: 

“With restrictions across the region easing and cautious optimism on the vaccination and wider medical front, all tiers of government now require new ways of working collectively and in partnership. Changes required need to fully recognise council-led investment priorities at a local level, including direct financial support for Community Plans.  NILGA hopes that this one public purse leadership approach can be strengthened - so that our councils and wider government can deal with investing in our economy, our environment and essential public services, particularly for those in greatest need, right across the region.

“Substantial funding is now being promised via post-EU, post-Covid investment funds. NILGA and local government input into the early stages of discussions has called for far greater design, coordination and monitoring at a local government level, because our councils know how to get the highest return on investment, what the biggest local priorities are and who is in greatest need.

“Through NILGA and the Partnership Panel, it is essential that councils and our local communities are at the centre of any to new investment and the new Programme for Government.”

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA said:

“The relationship between central and local government is vital as we all work to deliver for our people and communities. The Partnership Panel provides an opportunity to discuss key issues of public concern and improve coordination between departments and councils.

“The Covid-19 response has demonstrated the importance of this joined up approach when it comes to public service planning and delivery.  Local government has played a very active and important role over this past year and will continue to play a vital part in social and economic recovery.

“We discussed how we can continue to work together for the benefit of everyone. It is important we all regard collaborative working as the default position.’’

Positive Life welcomes £200,000 boost to support families with young children impacted by HIV

Chief Executive of Positive Life, Jacquie Richardson

Chief Executive of Positive Life, Jacquie Richardson

Positive Life, Northern Ireland’s only dedicated charity supporting people living with or affected by HIV, has welcomed crucial funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to support family-focused services.

The £200,000 grant will fund Positive Life’s ‘+Family Support Project’ which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of families with children under the age of twelve affected by HIV through all stages of the long-term condition.

The funding for the project will see the continuation of individual, peer and family supports, child & family activities, as well as providing practical help such as support with benefits and financing, counselling, and complementary therapies.

The extension of funding for this service for the next two years will enable Positive Life to continue to play a leading role in supporting people affected by HIV in Northern Ireland at a time when Covid-19 has sharply increased demand for the charity’s services as levels of anxiety and uncertainty have noticeably risen among families affected.

Chief Executive of Positive Life, Jacquie Richardson said:

“At Positive Life, we know that to deliver the best possible support for our service users a collaborative, whole family approach is needed. Our +Family Life Project offers practical, wraparound support, provides information and guidance tailored to specific needs, and ensures continued support throughout.

“This funding is hugely welcome and very timely as we have seen demand for our services increase five-fold during the pandemic and had been worried that Covid-19 would restrict access to funding for our services.

“The pandemic has presented our service users with a whole host of triggers for trauma memories, feelings of vulnerability and helplessness, and concerns around access to services, so this funding will be absolutely essential to supporting them and their whole family unit through the time ahead.”

The National Lottery Community Fund NI Director, Kate Beggs said:

“We are really pleased to award Positive Life an additional £200,000 National Lottery Grant to continue their +Family Support Project, which has been making a real and meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across Northern Ireland.

“Through their work, Positive Life has developed excellent connections and partnerships with the community and statutory sectors enabling societal change and helping to ensure that the stigma of living with HIV is addressed.”

Allstate NI recognised for corporate responsibility leadership

Business in the Community Deputy Managing Director Lisa McIlvenna congratulates John Healy, Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland on achieving CORE: The Standard for Responsible Business accreditation.

Business in the Community Deputy Managing Director Lisa McIlvenna congratulates John Healy, Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland on achieving CORE: The Standard for Responsible Business accreditation.

Allstate NI has earned Business in the Community’s CORE Silver Status accreditation for excellence in corporate responsibility. The recognition is Northern Ireland’s only standard for honoring a company’s community engagement, responsible leadership and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

With 2,400 employees in Belfast, Strabane and Londonderry, Allstate NI is the biggest tech company in Northern Ireland and is a leader in its communities, promoting diversity and fostering an inclusive culture.

CORE is an independent accreditation designed to verify best practices in corporate responsibility and sustainability. It benchmarks Allstate NI against other leading business and public sector organisations in Northern Ireland.

Allstate NI performed best in the Responsible Leadership category, a practice highlighted as clearly embedded within the company’s culture. Business in the Community commended Allstate NI’s employee-led culture and its commitment to promoting diversity.

With a long-standing reputation for giving back to local communities, the company was praised for its structured approach to identifying areas of engagement that link both business need and employee concern.

Last year saw Allstate become the first company in Northern Ireland to be awarded the Silver Diversity Mark by Diversity Mark NI for fostering inclusivity through its hiring and workplace policies, with a focus on supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Managing Director of Allstate NI John Healy said:

“We integrate social and environmental concerns into our operations and take our responsibility towards supporting our local communities seriously. These practices are reflected across every area of our business model, and we are pleased to see them highlighted with Business in the Community’s CORE Silver Status accreditation.”

Deputy Managing Director at Business in the Community Lisa McIlvenna said:

“It is fantastic to see Northern Ireland’s largest tech firm awarded our Silver Status accreditation. The CORE framework recognises companies with a clear commitment to integrating corporate responsibility into the way they do business, and we are encouraged to see Allstate NI embedding our key practices into company policy.”

UK Community Renewal Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and replacement of EU Structural Funding in NI - Brown O'Connor Communications One Page Brief

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What is it?

  • The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is the UK Government’s proposed long-term replacement of EU Structural and Investment Funds and a key part of the government’s levelling-up agenda across the UK. This new Fund, intended to be launched in 2022, will operate throughout the whole of the UK and the government has committed to at least matching EU receipts through it, on average reaching around £1.5bn a year.

  • However, investment from EU Structural Funds will continue to be spent by local areas until 2023.  To bridge the gap between now and 2022, however, the government has announced the UK Community Renewal Fund, an additional £220m of investment.

  • The UK Community Renewal Fund will help inform the design of the UK Shared Prosperity through funding of one-year pilots, but the funds are distinct with regard to design, eligibility and duration. Successful UK Community Renewal Fund bids will be for 2021-22 only.

    What does it mean for Northern Ireland?

  • Between 2014 and 2020, Northern Ireland received around €3.5bn from the EU in the form of EU Structural Funds and the Common Agricultural Policy. These included programmes like the Investment for Growth and Jobs; the European Social Fund; PEACE IV; and INTERREG VA.

  • Given its importance to the NI economy, there has been considerable concern about the loss of European funding. Invest NI, for example, typically received around £100m a year from EU sources and have warned about the substantial loss to their coffers. This could result in a scaling-back of the services they can provide to businesses. There has also been a reported lack of engagement on the Fund. A formal consultation on the Prosperity Fund was promised in November 2018 but has still not taken place.

  • An initial £11m will be allocated to NI. The government will accept bids from a range of local applicants, including but not limited to universities, voluntary and community sector organisations, and umbrella business groups.

  • Projects and applications will be awarded on their plans to promote investment in skills; investment for local business; investment in communities and place; and supporting people into employment. These will include work-based training, upskilling and retraining, promoting digital skills, supporting entrepreneurs, encouraging decarbonisation, promoting rural connectivity, and improving green spaces.

    Timelines and applications

  • The UK Government will oversee a project competition directly. Bids should be submitted by applicants to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by noon on Friday 18 June 2021 to UKCommunityRenewalFund@communities.gov.uk

  • Throughout July, the government will assess bids. It will then announce successful projects for the UK Community Renewal Fund from late July onwards. The first tranche of funding will then be made available. In November/December 2021, mid-point monitoring reviews of projects will take place before the Community Renewal Fun finishes at the end of March 2021. The second tranche of funding will be paid some time in Q1 of 2022.

  • While there is no limit to the funding you can apply for as part of the £11m fund, applicants should note that this is a competitive process, and the UK government will be looking to select a portfolio of different size projects, covering a range of themes and geographies, subject to the volume and quality of proposals received.

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 19 April 2021

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Forward Look

  • A host of relaxations to the Covid-19 regulations will begin taking effect from next week. These include the reopening of close contact services from April 23 and the reopening of licensed and unlicensed outdoor hospitality, gyms and swimming pools for individual use, non-essential retail and the removal of curfews on takeaways and off licenses on April 30. May 24 is the indicative date for the reopening of all indoor hospitality, the return of indoor group exercise with limited numbers and domestic gatherings indoors.

  • Ireland’s Department of Finance is to host a virtual seminar on International Taxation on Wednesday 21 April. Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe TD will open the event. See more here: LINK.

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin will update NI Chamber members on the current and future economic and policy issues impacting businesses on Thursday 22 April. To register: LINK.

  • Onsite training at further education colleges will resume for some close contact subjects from Friday 23 April. Guidance from the Department for Economy is available here: LINK.

  • Question Time will take place on Monday for the First and deputy First Ministers and Education Minister Peter Weir MLA. Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA will answer questions on Tuesday.

  • Northern Ireland Questions will take place in Parliament on Wednesday. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will hear evidence on Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • The Education Committee will receive an oral briefing from the Children’s Law Centre on Special Educational Needs Education on Wednesday. Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA will brief the Infrastructure Committee on Covid-19 and current issues and the Financial Services Union will present at the Economy Committee on bank branch closures also. Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will brief the Health Committee on Thursday.

  • The All Party Groups on Autism and Cancer will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

  • Robin Newton MLA is to bring forward legislation to outlaw puppy farming. Lucy’s Law, which makes it illegal to sell pups without a licence, has already been enacted in England and Scotland and is due to become law in Wales in October.

  • Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has launched a consultation on a proposed Private Member’s Bill to include teachers in fair employment legislation. The deadline is June 10. To respond: LINK.

  • Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee is expected to publish a review of the 2009 Defamation Act. Plans are currently being finalised and the Department will outline an amendment bill by the end of this year.

  • Voting in the Seanad by-elections will close on Wednesday 21 April.

  • Westminster’s Treasury Select Committee will launch an inquiry into the Greensill Capital lobbying scandal and the appropriateness of HM Treasury’s response to lobbying next week.

  • The new Lord Speaker is to be announced on Wednesday 21 April and is expected to take office on Saturday 1 May.

  • The Department for Economy is seeking a new chairperson for Northern Ireland Screen. The successful applicant will begin a five-year term on July 1.

  • The European Commission will present a revision of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) on Wednesday 21 April.

Other Stories this week

  • The Executive Office formally pledged to pay for the Trouble’s pension scheme through Stormont’s Department of Finance. The outlay over the next 20 years is estimated at £1.2bn.

  • UK Brexit Minister Lord Frost and EU Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic have met in Brussels to seek solutions to the Irish Sea Border.

  • The cross-party UK Trade and Business Commission held its first evidence session this week. Featuring NI MPs Claire Hanna, Stephen Farry and Paul Girvan and business representatives including NI Retail Consortium Director Aodhán Connolly, it will reconvene again later this month to examine the economic impact of food checks on the Irish Sea Border.

  • Figures from Ireland’s Central Statistics Office have given the first indication of the NI Protocol’s impact on trade. February saw a sharp increase in cross-border exports, jumping from €145m (£125.9m) to €283m (£245.9m), while trade between ROI and GB appears to be down.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA officially launched the JobStart employer incentive scheme at a cost of £20m.

  • Openreach announced a £100m investment in Northern Ireland to maintain and expand the ultrafast full-fibre broadband network. It will create 100 apprenticeship roles and connect a further 100,000 premises to the network.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA laid out a Strategic Framework for Rebuilding Health and Social Care Services. See more: LINK.

  • Close contacts of confirmed Covid cases will now be asked to take a PCR test within 48 hours of identification, the Department of Health has announced. Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said he fully anticipates a first delivery of the Moderna vaccine in May. Meanwhile, the Nightingale facility at Belfast City Hospital has been stood down and all Covid-19 patients are to be cared for at the Mater Hospital.

  • The Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Independent have launched surveys to identify the top law firms on the island of Ireland. The closing date for both is 21 May, with publication planned for November 7. To register: LINK.

  • RTÉ’s Laura Hogan has joined the Belfast news team temporarily as the broadcaster seeks a new Northern Correspondent. Applications close on Friday 23 April.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

GLL welcomes dates and clarity on reopening of indoor leisure

Regional Director of GLL Gareth Kirk

Regional Director of GLL Gareth Kirk

Reacting to The Executive’s review of the Pathway Out of Restrictions, Regional Director of GLL Gareth Kirk said:

“The confirmed dates for reopening gyms and swimming pools are a vital step towards rebuilding public health and wellbeing. We at GLL have been anxious for some time now about the mental and physical health of our population after a year of restrictions on their ability to exercise. We can now begin preparing staff, reheating swimming pools and finalising Covid-19 protocols to ensure a secure return to indoor training on April 30.”

“There is no doubt that many challenges lie ahead on the road to recovery, not least for the health service in tackling hospital waiting lists and predicted missed cancer diagnoses. Encouraging people back into exercise and challenging them to live better, healthier lifestyles will be crucial to our build back. If we are to resume this position in the community, it is essential that our reopening is for good.”

“It is clear from the huge demand for outdoor fitness classes this week that people are desperate to get active again. People have spent too long sitting at desks and being inactive while working from home. Now is the time to begin helping our citizens look after their health again and we look forward to welcoming our many members back to do so.”

Londonderry Chamber welcomes Covid relaxations but calls for continued Executive support for businesses

Londonderry Chamber of Commerce President Dawn McLaughlin.jpg

Reacting to the announcement of indicative dates from the Executive on the reopening of the economy, Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin said:

“This is a welcome announcement and the first step in the journey back to normality. We are very pleased to see swift movement on the likes of close-contact services from next week and the reopening of all retail by the end of April is very positive. After a tough four months, local retailers and our high streets will welcome the return of customers and shoppers once again.  

“It is also a relief that the Executive has listened to the concerns of business today and come to a sensible and workable agreement on the reopening of hospitality and tourism. The reopening of outdoor hospitality, both licenced and unlicenced, by the end of this month is a common sense decision by Ministers and gives businesses ample time to prepare and order stock. While the reopening of indoor hospitality is now planned later than expected, it is crucial that everything is done to make sure that our pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels can reopen on 24th May without any further delay.

“It is also vital that the Executive continues to financially support those businesses and sectors which remain shut until they can stand on their own two feet, that Ministers work hard to provide certainty and clarity for these sectors, and that a strong ‘shop local, support local’ message is adopted which will help our hardest-hit businesses get back on their feet.”

NI Executive announce relaxation of Covid-19 Restrictions - 15 April 2021

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Today, the First Minister and deputy First Minister have announced a series of relaxation of Covid-19 lockdown measures, agreed by the Executive.

The package of relaxations are as follows:

From April 23:

  • Resumption of driving instruction and theory tests;

  • Driving testing can resume;

  • Re-opening of close contact services including training;

  • Re-opening of outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres;

  • Resumption of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) on an indoor and outdoor basis in gatherings of up to 30 people;

  • Outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated will be extended to include squad training;

  • Competitive outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated, with participant numbers not exceeding 100 and no spectators permitted can return and

  • Static band practice/rehearsal will be permitted in agreed outdoor locations.

From 30 April:

  • Increase the numbers permitted to gather in Domestic Setting Outdoors – to 15 people from no more than 3 households;

  • Reopen all of retail;

  • Reopen and permit overnight stays in self-contained tourist accommodation for one household only;

  • Reopen unlicensed premises, outdoors only with a maximum of 6 people from 2 households per table and contact details recorded;

  • Reopen licensed premises, including social clubs, outdoors only, limited to 6 people from no more than 2 households and contact details recorded;

  • Remove the curfew on takeaways;

  • Remove the curfew on off licences; and

  • Permit individual activities in gyms, swimming pools and other large venues – including with a carer and to allow 1-2-1 training/coaching with social distancing.

An indicative date of May 24:

  • Reopening unlicensed and licensed premises indoors with mitigations;

  • Reopening the remainder of Tourist accommodation;

  • Allowing visits indoors in domestic settings;

  • Reopening indoor visitor attractions; and

  • Resume indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue.

The next formal review of the Covid-19 Regulations under the Pathway out of Restrictions will be carried out on May 13, 2021.

Hospitality Ulster says revised indicative dates by Executive welcomed

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster

Hospitality Ulster has welcomed the bringing forward of dates for the reopening of the hospitality sector after the initial shock of leaked indicative dates this morning.

The organisation has said that whilst we are some way off other parts of the UK in terms of their reopening plans, the changes made by the Executive today will make a difference and provide some hope that we are moving towards relative normality.

Hospitality Ulster has reiterated that the constant push for dates is about saving and restoring the livelihoods of business owners and the tens of thousands of staff that rely upon the sector. It says that just by having dates to work towards will come as a huge relief to everyone in the sector and their families.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“This movement by the Executive in bringing forward new dates which reflect the data is to be welcomed after the huge amount of anxiety was caused by the previous dates leaked to the media this morning.”

“There are still several weeks to go for outdoor to be opened and five weeks still to go for indoor hospitality, but we now have dates and a timescale to work with. Whilst these are indicative dates, especially for the reopening of indoor, it is hoped that the programme can be accelerated.”

“Hope is now on the horizon and for those who have been able to survive this devastating period it is now time for them to prepare their businesses for the long awaited resumption of trading. It is now in everyone’s interest that we make sure that all precautions are taken to get us through these next few weeks safely.”

“Our industry has spent millions of pounds on Covid secure measures and will reopen in a responsibly way, but any additional restrictions must allow businesses to operate on a sustainable footing to secure the future of the jobs depending on them.”