The REC CEO is renewing calls for cuts in employer National Insurance (NI) contributions and to help all businesses cover statutory sick pay costs as a second lockdown has been announced for all of England from Thursday [5 November].

“The national lockdown is a big step and poses many challenges for already struggling businesses,” Carberry said in a prepared statement. “We need to control the spread of the virus with better Track and Trace, and make sure businesses can ride this out in the longer term so we have a decent chance of economic recovery.”

Carberry noted that the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was “welcome”, saying: “All sectors and the self-employed need extra support quickly.”

He identified the proposed cuts in employer NI and SSP support as “another clear option to provide the stimulus our economy needs”. “The SSP issue is particularly vital as many employment businesses don’t currently get help with that,” he said.

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