'I'm frustrated by the lack of clarity' - channel reacts to Johnson's speech on lockdown easing

CRN gauges channel opinion on the prime minister's controversial speech on returning to the workplace and what they anticipate the impact will be on their businesses

The prime minister's speech on easing lockdown measures and allowing certain workers to return to their jobs has been met with "frustration" by some channel figures.

Boris Johnson's televised speech unveiled the government's plan to ease lockdown restrictions, but has been widely criticised for lacking clarity and causing public confusion.

Johnson said that people who cannot do their job from home can return to the workplace, but should avoid using public transport to do so.

He also unveiled a Covid Alert System with five levels which would dictate how quickly lockdown measures would be lifted, along with a rudimentary roadmap of exiting lockdown for the coming months.

Alex Tatham, MD of Westcoast, said he was "frustrated" by the lack of information for businesses revealed in the broadcast but is hopeful that more information will be published this week.

"I was frustrated because I wanted more and more clarification from him but I'm confident more detail will be published this week, as he said it would," he told CRN.

"I think we were waiting for a bigger pivot point than we had and that clearly has not happened. I do think that we've got to progress as we've been told to do, and we will do that as best we can and make sure our offices are as safe as they can be."

Tatham said that he has emailed all employees this morning to update them on the company's stance, advising them to continue working remotely unless they are unable to, in which case provision will be given to them to allow them access to their workplace again from Wednesday, while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

The news also hasn't opened up any new areas of business or re-started any projects that had to be postponed by the virus' outbreak, he said.

"The key area that has been affected the most in our business has been office printing and I think that will struggle to get back to some semblance of normality for some time," he added.

Pure Technology's COO Cliff Fox was more nonchalant about the news, stating that the MSP would continue to implement its remote working policy for the foreseeable future.

"'As you were' is our interpretation of it," he told CRN.

"The government has come in for some scathing criticism - and some of that is probably valid - but in terms of what it means for the next few weeks, our interpretation is there's no real change."

He added that the pandemic hasn't "adversely affected" the company and attributed this to its diverse customer base.

"We've not suffered greatly through this; yes there were projects that were put on hold until business resumes some sense of normality, but we've had other projects come through to compensate for that," he elaborated.

Reaction from trade bodies has been lukewarm with many calling for the quick publication of further guidance on the matter.

Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), called for more clarity on how it will affect businesses in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as the devolved nations follow their own lockdown measures.

"For small employers, there should be a way of partially furloughing staff, so that a small business which is only able to get up and running again steadily can bring back workers some of the time, but retain them via the Job Retention Scheme the rest of the time," he stated.

"There must also be clarity for businesses in different parts of the UK on where guidance differs between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"Small businesses will need time to adapt after the workplace guidance is published, and for smaller businesses, it must be proportionate and focused on the overall outcome of maintaining safe working environments, achieved as straightforwardly as possible."

Meanwhile, Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the confederation of British Industry, called the prime minister's speech a "glimmer of light".

"Today marks the first glimmer of light for our faltering economy. A phased and careful return to work is the only way to protect jobs and pay for future public services. The prime minister has set out the first steps for how this can happen," she said.

"Businesses are keen to open and get our economy back on its feet. But they also know putting health first is the only sustainable route to economic recovery. The message of continued vigilance is right."

Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, was wary to praise the new guidelines until the details are published, adding that government incentives such as the Job Retention Scheme remain active to help businesses as they re-open.

"Businesses will need to see detailed plans for the phased easing of restrictions, coordinated with all nations across the UK and supported by clear guidance," he stated.

"It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace, including clarity on the use of PPE.

"Firms will also need to know that government support schemes, which have helped save millions of jobs in recent weeks, will continue for as long as they are needed so that they can plan ahead with confidence."