The Business View

CBI NI responds to latest relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions

Angela McGowan, CBI NI Director, said confirmation that double-vaccinated staff will no longer have to self-isolate if they test negative will undoubtedly come as a huge relief.

“However, it’s not clear why the Executive has not agreed to end social distancing or why it continues to advise the workforce to work from home. This feels like a missed opportunity to support struggling retailers that were hopeful of getting more customers through the door and making the most of the final weeks of summer. Many firms are also already proceeding with hybrid working models, with well advanced plans to get them off the ground."

CBI responds to Acas report on business support for vaccine uptake

John Foster, CBI Director of Policy, said delivering on the vaccine roll-out is crucial to boosting confidence in the reopening and helping the economy adjust to the next phase of learning to live with the virus.

“The vast majority of businesses are continuing their commitment to protecting staff and customers during the pandemic. This includes showing flexibility when the time comes for their staff to get the jab. We’d encourage all companies to demonstrate this same level of consideration towards their employees.”

CBI responds to Q2 GDP

Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, noted that growth bounced back over the second quarter as restrictions on activity were gradually lifted. He said this underscores that tackling the pandemic goes hand-in-hand with supporting economic growth and added:

“Yet challenges to the recovery are emerging. Several supply bottlenecks have likely taken the edge off growth over the summer: a shortage of raw materials and semiconductors, continuing global supply chain disruption and staffing shortages. In the near-term, every effort must be made to safeguard the UK recovery."

CBI responds to GCSE results day

Alissa Dhaliwal, CBI Head of Skills, said ensuring young people from all backgrounds can fulfil their potential in education is crucial to securing a more inclusive economy.

“Regardless of their results, there are great options for students to pursue in education, vocational training and employment. Whatever route they choose, developing skills like communication, creativity and teamwork will help them to thrive. Employers stand ready to offer support through Kickstart placements, apprenticeships and T Levels.”

CBI responds to Btec results day

Alissa Dhaliwal, CBI Head of Skills, said:

“As school leavers start the next chapter of their lives, firms will provide support through jobs and training. Meanwhile, universities will do whatever they can to help students progressing onto higher education by showing as much flexibility as possible on admissions decisions."

CBI responds to A-Level results day

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said:

“Regardless of the outcome, young people should remember that qualifications are just one of the factors employers look at when recruiting. Businesses value the resilience students have demonstrated throughout the pandemic enormously, alongside skills like creativity and teamwork."

CBI Wales responds to A and AS level results day

Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, said:

“Congratulations to those receiving their exam results today, after years of hard work and determination. Students have shown incredible resilience to overcome the challenges of learning during the pandemic and that’s something that all businesses both value and admire."

CBI Scotland responds to SQA results day

Tracy Black, CBI Scotland Director, said:

“Regardless of today’s outcome, young people should remember that qualifications are just one of the factors employers look for when recruiting. Alongside key skills like creativity and teamwork, attitude and aptitude remain the most important strengths employers are looking when it comes to hiring school leavers.”

CBI responds to UN climate report

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief Policy Director, said COP26 must be the trigger for more, urgent action from countries around the world.

“Committing to and achieving net zero is paramount and the UK must look to lead by example, establishing the policy and tax frameworks to make it possible. Businesses understand the vital role they must play and many are putting net zero plans in place. We need to see more of those commitments and acting on the pledges made, as soon as possible.”

09 Aug 2021

CBI Wales responds to First Minister's latest statement on Covid restrictions

Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, said it’s clear that Wales is entering a new phase of the pandemic: ‘living with the virus.’ Instilling a sense of confidence in the reopening process – both for businesses and the public – is now crucial.

“Whether through the use of measures like face masks and risk assessments or the many processes businesses have implemented themselves to become more COVID-secure, ensuring staff and customers feel comfortable entering businesses premises is crucial to getting the Welsh economy firing again.”

06 Aug 2021

CBI responds to latest pingdemic figures

Lord Bilimoria, CBI President, said with immediate effect the government should bring forward a test and release scheme – for people double-jabbed and for those who have not been. He added:

“Next, maintain COVID-secure workplace restrictions and safety measures, including hygiene and ventilation, to keep employees and customers safe. This means mandatory guidance for face coverings in certain close contact settings."

05 Aug 2021

CBI responds to latest changes to travel restrictions

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said today’s green list extension will offer some relief to the international travel sector, which has suffered more than most during the pandemic and still faces a long road to full recovery.

"Restoring freedom of travel to these countries will enable firms to salvage a limited summer season. However, defining a strategy for a more comprehensive resumption of travel that is safe, simple and certain remains an urgent priority."

05 Aug 2021

CBI urges relaxation of international travel restrictions

John Foster, CBI Policy Director, said:

“The UK’s successful vaccine rollout, coupled with lessons learned throughout the pandemic, offer genuine opportunity for more travel to resume safely. The UK urgently needs to widen the list of those able to avoid self-isolation on their return, to include individuals who have received UK approved vaccines, rather than just those who received NHS vaccines."

04 Aug 2021

CBI Scotland responds to First Minister's latest Covid announcement

Gregor Scotland, CBI Scotland Head of Policy, said ending social distancing requirements is a vital step that boosts business capacity just when firms need it most.

“However, with so many restrictions lifting, businesses will be confused why the Scottish Government is continuing to advise people to work from home. The reality is that many firms are well-advanced in their plans and are proceeding with hybrid working models, just as the government advises. It’s up to employers to engage positively with staff to shape new ways of working that work for them, while remaining as safe as possible."

03 Aug 2021

Our response to A303 High Court judgment

Ben Rhodes, CBI Acting South West Director, said:

“This legal decision does not lessen the need for a sustainable solution. Government must now gather the necessary evidence to ensure this much needed infrastructure upgrade can go ahead in a way which meets the UK’s net zero targets and maintains the heritage of the site."

30 Jul 2021

CBI responds to new rules for EU/US air arrivals

Tom Thackray, CBI Director of Infrastructure, said:

“The news will come as a significant boost to the beleaguered travel industry, while also restoring important business links with key trading partners. The task now is to implement these changes as rapidly and smoothly as possible, which should include an efficient pre-travel system of assessing passengers’ Covid-status to prevent congestion at airports.”

28 Jul 2021

Our response to the Government's Disability Strategy

Matthew Percival, CBI Director of People and Skills policy, said:

“Supporting disabled people to get in and get on at work benefits businesses as well as wider society. Employers expect there to be more opportunities for flexible working in the future and support the introduction of unpaid carers leave. The CBI will support the development of guidance on how businesses should collect, analyse and report data on disability in their workforce.”

28 Jul 2021

"This won't get us where we need to be" - CBI responds to the publication of exemption list

John Foster, CBI Director of Policy, said:

“If we want the economy to stay open, we need a confident but balanced plan. We should bring forward the date from 16 August when those who have been double-jabbed no longer need to self-isolate if they test negative once contacted. We also need a test & release scheme for those who have not been double jabbed. And we should use testing and Covid safety measures to promote a culture of safety and mutuality in workplaces, shops, hospitality and public transport."

25 Jul 2021

Our response to news of 600,000+ asked to self-isolate in one week

Tony Danker, CBI Director-General, said:

“We can end the pingdemic by bringing forward the date by which all those who have been double-jabbed no longer need to self-isolate if not infectious and introducing a test & release scheme. We must also ensure workplaces have access to an effective, accessible testing regime. With workplace testing due to end in a matter of days, firms need urgent clarity on how community testing will work in practice.”

22 Jul 2021

CBI responds to the UK Government Innovation Strategy

Felicity Burch, CBI Director of Innovation, said the commitment to increasing investment to £22bn for R&D provides an important signal to business ahead of the spending review.

“This strategy is an important step in ensuring innovation plays its full part in driving economic recovery and addressing the biggest challenges facing society such as decarbonisation, levelling up and health. We are pleased to see the scale of ambition and the focus on unleashing business innovation and investment."

22 Jul 2021

Our response to UK Government statement on Northern Ireland Protocol

Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director, said months of deliberations, businesses are exasperated that the Protocol continues to dominate the headlines with no end in sight.

“Firms are determined to make it work, and to see it bring much needed prosperity to Northern Ireland. That starts by the Joint Committee delivering on the Business Consultative Working Group immediately. It’s time for the EU and the UK to bring business into the discussions to break the deadlock."

21 Jul 2021

Our response to Government's consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace

Matthew Percival, Director of People and Skills Policy, said:

“Companies agree that they should have policies, procedures and cultures that reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment at work as well as responding appropriately when incidents occur. The Government and EHRC should work with companies to ensure the new statutory code of practice explains what taking 'all reasonable steps' means and gives employers confidence that they are meeting their responsibilities.”

21 Jul 2021

'Speed is of the essence' - CBI outlines solution for self-isolation

CBI President, Lord Karan Bilimoria, said:

“With restrictions being lifted and cases rapidly increasing, we urgently need a surefooted approach from government, creating confidence to secure the recovery. This starts by immediately ending the self-isolation period of ten days for people who are double-jabbed and providing a route out of isolation for those not yet fully vaccinated through daily lateral flow tests (see notes to editors). Against the backdrop of crippling staff shortages, speed is of the essence."

18 Jul 2021

CBI responds to news of more than 500,000 people contacted by Test and Trace

CBI President Lord Karan Bilimoria, said:

“The government should urgently bring forward its plans to July the 19th, currently set for August the 16th, to allow double-jabbed individuals not to self-isolate if they have been informed by the NHS Test and trace that they have come into contact with a Covid positive individual. Furthermore, those who have not been double jabbed should not have to self-isolate if they take daily lateral flow tests which record as negative for a prescribed number of days and report them to the NHS.”

Director-General responds to PM levelling up speech

Tony Danker, CBI Director-General, said:

“Levelling Up is not only vital to prosperity and opportunity in all parts of the UK, it’s also a core requirement for our competitiveness in the global economy. The PM is right to recognise the importance of creating confidence among businesses to invest, and empowering local leaders to deliver."

CBI responds to news of more than 500,000 people contacted by Test and Trace

CBI President Lord Karan Bilimoria, said:

“The government should urgently bring forward its plans to July the 19th, currently set for August the 16th, to allow double-jabbed individuals not to self-isolate if they have been informed by the NHS Test and trace that they have come into contact with a Covid positive individual. Furthermore, those who have not been double jabbed should not have to self-isolate if they take daily lateral flow tests which record as negative for a prescribed number of days and report them to the NHS.”

Response to labour market statistics

Matthew Percival, CBI Director for People and Skills, said that short-term, aligning planned changes to self-isolation to the reopening and including a test and release mechanism would help staff shortages.

"To ease acute shortages the government should also immediately update its shortage occupation lists to include jobs ranging from butchers and bricklayers to welders. Longer term, firms must continue to strengthen inclusion while investing in skills and automation. And government can help by ensuring that the qualifications it funds include those in short supply.”

Employers to step up skills investment as Covid transforms work – CBI/Birkbeck Education & Skills Survey

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said:

"Firms are currently facing a perfect storm of staff shortages worsened by rising levels of self-isolation. They’re taking immediate steps to resolve this, investing in skills and automation and strengthening inclusion. But the Government needs to play its part too on skills and immigration. Longer-term, the Skills & Post-16 Education Bill is an opportunity to deliver on the confidence of most firms that they can meet skills needs in 3-5 years’ time."