Business & TUC Responds To The Launch Of The Government’s Test And Trace Programme

Commenting on the announcement of the government’s Test and Trace Coronavirus programme, BCC Director-General Dr Adam Marshall said:

“'A comprehensive Test and Trace programme is essential to boosting the confidence of businesses, staff and consumers as the economic re-start continues.

“Businesses will be keen to play their part in the success of the programme, and will support their staff to follow the guidance.

“A co-ordinated approach to Test and Trace across all four nations of the UK will be critical to ensuring the success of the programme and enhancing business confidence.”

CBI Chief UK Policy Director Matthew Fell said:

"Test and trace has an important role to play in the fight against COVID-19 and can help to unlock our economy safely and effectively.

“The process can help build confidence among employees and customers alike as factories and stores gradually begin to re-open.

“When the service is coupled with technology, it will enable a more targeted approach to pinpoint and avoid any future flare ups that would endanger the restart. High standards of governance and transparency will be important to maintain people’s trust in the use of their personal data.”

Also commenting on the launch of the NHS Test and Trace programme, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “We need a testing and tracing programme up and running as soon as possible.

“But it will not be effective if workers are pushed into hardship when they are required to self-isolate.

“Statutory sick pay is just £95 per week – and two million workers aren’t even eligible for that.

“If workers can’t afford to self-isolate, then they will be forced to keep working. That will put them, their workmates and their local community at risk, and undermine the entire test and trace programme.

“The government must extend statutory sick pay to everyone - no matter what they’re paid - and raise it to the level of the real Living Wage, £260 per week. And the self-employed income support scheme must remain in place as a source of financial support for those forced to self-isolate. That’s how to show that we really are all in this together.”

She added: “If a worker tests positive, then their entire workplace could be closed down overnight. This could lead to schools and childcare settings closing unexpectedly, perhaps repeatedly. The government must set out clearly how they expect employers to treat their staff in this situation, and what support is available.”