Sammy Wilson: more business support needed after Covid-19 ‘fear-mongering’

The DUP MP for East Antrim made his comments in response to the latest measures announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnston in an effort to halt the spread of Covid-19.

On Tuesday, the PM warned that the UK had reached “a perilous turning point,” as he set out a raft of new coronavirus restrictions for England that could be in place for up to six months.

It is not yet known in Northern Ireland will adopt the same measures – which include compulsory face masks for all shop staff.

Mr Wilson said: “Only time will tell whether the apocalyptic predictions about the spread of Covid-19 given by the medical advisers to the Prime Minister are correct or whether we are hearing a repeat of the predictions of deaths on biblical proportions which were given in March of this year and which thankfully proved to be totally inaccurate.

“What we do know is that the restrictions announced today will have a devastating impact on businesses who have had their ability to trade restricted and who will find their customer base eroded because of limitations on opening hours and the chill factor of yet another bout of fear-mongering.”

Mr Wilson said that while the PM claims the government is putting its arms around businesses to support them, “the truth of the matter is, not one additional penny has been promised in support”.

He added: “No indication has been given that the support which is to be withdrawn next month will be extended and the only message today was that businesses should continue to flourish, even when the cold wind of Government restrictions is bound to cause them to wither.

“The very least the government could do is to accept that these measures will cost jobs, cause bankruptcies and generate further anxiety amongst those who are fearful for the future.

“Having made this announcement, the government cannot expect devolved administrations to carry the financial and economic consequences alone and certainly cannot expect businesses and workers to bear the brunt of its health policies.”