Business forum demands ‘Plan B’ clarity and support for small business owners

In the wake of yesterday’s Government announcement that England will move to ‘Plan B’ Covid-19 measures from Monday 13 December, UKBF (UK Business Forums), the UK’s largest online community for small and micro-business owners has demanded clarity and support.

The ‘Plan B’ measures, which include an order to work from home, mandatory NHS Covid Passes in specific settings, and compulsory face masks in most public indoor venues will affect many small businesses that are still struggling to navigate the impacts of the pandemic. 

UKBF founder, Richard Osborne, said, “For the Government to announce the national move to ‘Plan B’ measures, before ensuring a safety net is in place to support small and micro businesses, is grossly inattentive to the devastation business owners have navigated for almost two years now.  

“There has been no clarity about how their livelihoods will be protected and, as business leaders, we must challenge the Government to step up and address the uncertainty and fear that the ‘Plan B’ announcement has given thousands of business owners up and down the country.

“Businesses are desperately trying to keep their heads above the water and, in the run-up to Christmas, they are also having to manage additional pressures of staff shortages, Covid absences, delivery, and supply chain issues. UKBF strongly encourages the Government to urgently set-out its support plans for small businesses and cease the uncertainty.”