Getting Northern Ireland back to work

Last week, the Executive rightly put people’s health first and laid out a flexible approach to the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures.

Getting Northern Ireland back to work in a way that prioritises people’s safety will minimise the impact on livelihoods from this pandemic. It’s the only way to restart the NI economy. And if done gradually - based on the scientific and medical advice - this approach will help retain public confidence.

Because it’s clear that if we move too far or too fast, we run the risk of setting our economic restart back. Unless people feel safe, employees won’t return to work, customers will stay away and the restart will falter, harming jobs and public services.

Moves from the Executive to reopen our local garden centres and other public services represent a sensible first step. Other firms who are currently closed will no doubt have a very keen eye to how these newly opened businesses fare over coming days and weeks.

From speaking to CBI members over the last few weeks, clear communication from the Executive will continue to be key - particularly for those companies who are currently closed.

Transparency on the rate of infection, what it means to be COVID-secure and how financial support measures will evolve will remain essential – and help NI businesses wherever they are in their restart journey.

Last week, the UK Government released helpful guidance on how to re-open and operate workplaces safely with the right bio-secure measures in place. The CBI worked in partnership with unions leaders and policymakers to deliver advice that works for both employers and employees across the whole of the UK.

The guidance builds on the positive steps already being implemented by many NI firms. Excellent employee engagement, fast workplace innovation and transparency are some of the measures business are using to support people’s return to work safely. We hope the Government’s guidance is adopted by the Executive as it shares good practice and provides a realistic framework for others to adapt their business as they reopen.

Given the extraordinary challenges faced by NI firms, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on how remarkable the response has been from those who have been able to remain open. Last week’s GDP figures represented the fastest fall since the 2008 financial crash. The Northern Irish economy is one of the hardest hit by the necessary shutdown, and economic data suggests the full economic impact of lockdown is still yet to come.

Many companies are now facing unprecedented financial challenges and will be essential to our region’s recovery. While we know that not every job and every business will be saved, the wide range of financial support provided by the Executive and Government to date has been a lifeline for many firms.

The Chancellor’s vital extension of the furlough scheme to avoid a June cliff-edge last week continues the significant political efforts to protect jobs. This, as well as other support schemes, are critical in keeping companies afloat.

But even with all this business assistance, we still cannot look the other way. Northern Ireland faces months of challenge and change. Guidance and financial support from our politicians will need to evolve based on business insight from the ground.

While the CBI continues to think about recovery and supporting companies through these tough days, we are also starting to lift our eyes to thinking about our long-term economic future.

Only by employers, employees and unions working together with our politicians will we begin to ‘build back better’, setting out a vision for the future of our economy based on fairness and sustainability.

It remains in everyone’s interests for economic experts to continue to work North-South and East-West if we are to have the best chance of protecting public health and restoring people’s prosperity in Northern Ireland.

Undoubtably, restoring our economy will be a gradual and complex process. State support measures and guidance have helped considerably, giving businesses flexibility for their individual circumstances. But ultimately, keeping health at the heart of our recovery plan will be key to sustaining our long-term economic revival.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you