News | BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker: Firms ready to embrace ‘new normal’ but government support must adapt

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that firms are ready for a gradual reopening of the economy but will need continued, adaptable government support during a phased return to work.

·Over 70 per cent of respondents have furloughed a portion of their staff

·Nearly three quarters of these firms have submitted a claim to the furlough scheme and received payment

·The Job Retention Scheme has prevented redundancies for vast majority of respondents

The leading business organisation’s weekly tracker poll, which serves as a barometer of the pandemic’s impact on businesses and the effectiveness of government support measures, received 601 responses.

The seventh tranche of polling was conducted from 5 - 8 May, prior to the Prime Minister’s announcement on a roadmap to gradually ease lockdown restrictions and the launch of safe workplace guidance, and the Chancellor’s announcement on the extension of the Job Retention Scheme until the end of October.