Responding to the announcement that schools across the UK are to close on Friday for an indefinite period, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:

“Businesses will want to do the right thing as parents and carers are affected by school closures. Firms are introducing flexible working arrangements wherever possible to support employees with caring responsibilities, but cash flow issues mean many businesses are having to make impossible choices.

“Government should clarify the definition of ‘key workers’ to ensure it is doing everything possible to support both the economy and those who need to care for others. Ministers need to move faster to ensure financial support reaches businesses and employees facing the real-world impacts of this pandemic.”