If we keep furlough people will not want to go back to work

Challenge is not over, warns retail boss ahead of reopening

Retail bosses have warned that many firms will continue to struggle with current two-metre distancing measures in place, after the Business Secretary confirmed that shops will be able to reopen from Monday.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) stressed that the "challenge is not over" for many retailers as they moved closer to welcoming customers again.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of BRC, said retailers have been pushing forward with their preparations for next week.

Many firms will continue to struggle as the two-metre rule will limit sales while retailers continue to face the same rent and other fixed costs," she said.

High street chains such as John Lewis, Debenhams and Primark have already laid out plans to reopen sites on June 15 with health and safety measures in place.

But for many smaller retailers the cost of installing perspex screens, hygiene systems and social distancing measures may prove much more difficult.

More than 10,000 people in Cardiff could lose their jobs and there are fears of increased pollution as more people use cars in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardiff council has put together plans to reopen the city centre, with a one-way system and overspill areas to try and help bars struggling with social-distancing measures.

But a report to go before the council's cabinet this week warns that while up to 45,000 jobs in the city are "potentially" at risk, the estimated 20% reduction in the economy would see up to "10,000 jobs lost" in hospitality and other sectors.

The council's director of economic development Neil Hanratty said: "It is therefore crucially important to safely re-open businesses as quickly as possible. Cities across the UK will be competing for footfall.

"Cardiff needs to win back the confidence of local people, visitors, students and investors as a safe, resilient and welcoming environment."

But in the report, Mr Hanratty also warns that concerns about using public transport, could see people switching back to travelling by car - leading to increased pollution and congestion, as well as impacting companies.

Trains have seen a 95 per cent drop in passengers and buses a fall of 90 per cent during lockdown.

Mr Hanratty said "urgent measures" were needed to stop a "potentially catastrophic" impact of people shifting to cars following lockdown.

The report shows plans for "pop-up" cycle paths, and pocket parks planned across the city.

"Unless a safe but effective model for city centre and local centre functioning is established, this could have irreparable detrimental impacts upon the city as a whole,” he said.

In a series of reports the council says it will try to keep workers in jobs, link those out of work with new opportunities, provide training, and help young people apply for colleges and universities.

I’ve been off work since about week 4 of the lockdown.
500 beers later and I no longer want to go back to work.

I’ve been off work since about week 4 of the lockdown.
500 beers later and I no longer want to go back to work.

Exactly and who could blame you

'Reopening shops should be top priority'

Reopening shops should be a top priority for the Welsh Government, the Welsh Conservatives have said.

Economy Minister Ken Skates told the daily briefing earlier he would "absolutely" like to see non-essential retail open in Wales on 22 June if coronavirus statistics continue to fall.

Non-essential retail has been told to prepare for a potential reopening, but has not been given the definitive go ahead.

Mr Skates said it would be a "welcome boost" to the economy.

It is dependent on the R number - the rate of transmission, he said.

More than 10,000 people in Cardiff could lose their jobs and there are fears of increased pollution as more people use cars in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardiff council has put together plans to reopen the city centre, with a one-way system and overspill areas to try and help bars struggling with social-distancing measures.

But a report to go before the council's cabinet this week warns that while up to 45,000 jobs in the city are "potentially" at risk, the estimated 20% reduction in the economy would see up to "10,000 jobs lost" in hospitality and other sectors.

The council's director of economic development Neil Hanratty said: "It is therefore crucially important to safely re-open businesses as quickly as possible. Cities across the UK will be competing for footfall.

"Cardiff needs to win back the confidence of local people, visitors, students and investors as a safe, resilient and welcoming environment."

But in the report, Mr Hanratty also warns that concerns about using public transport, could see people switching back to travelling by car - leading to increased pollution and congestion, as well as impacting companies.

Trains have seen a 95 per cent drop in passengers and buses a fall of 90 per cent during lockdown.

Mr Hanratty said "urgent measures" were needed to stop a "potentially catastrophic" impact of people shifting to cars following lockdown.

The report shows plans for "pop-up" cycle paths, and pocket parks planned across the city.

"Unless a safe but effective model for city centre and local centre functioning is established, this could have irreparable detrimental impacts upon the city as a whole,” he said.

In a series of reports the council says it will try to keep workers in jobs, link those out of work with new opportunities, provide training, and help young people apply for colleges and universities.

Think this shows the total failings of politicians in Wales? All they are interested in cycling and walking as a way for people to get to work! Ffs a 50 seat bus can carry around 15 passengers under current rules what option is there if live 3 miles or more from centre? Can see more accidents with amateur cyclists using unsuitable bikes.... unless they sort transport issues out not only will hospitality sector suffer irreparable damage the shops will do so as well.....politicians just dont seem to see the problems or choose to ignore them even though it obvious .

More than 10,000 people in Cardiff could lose their jobs and there are fears of increased pollution as more people use cars in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cardiff council has put together plans to reopen the city centre, with a one-way system and overspill areas to try and help bars struggling with social-distancing measures.

But a report to go before the council's cabinet this week warns that while up to 45,000 jobs in the city are "potentially" at risk, the estimated 20% reduction in the economy would see up to "10,000 jobs lost" in hospitality and other sectors.

The council's director of economic development Neil Hanratty said: "It is therefore crucially important to safely re-open businesses as quickly as possible. Cities across the UK will be competing for footfall.

"Cardiff needs to win back the confidence of local people, visitors, students and investors as a safe, resilient and welcoming environment."

But in the report, Mr Hanratty also warns that concerns about using public transport, could see people switching back to travelling by car - leading to increased pollution and congestion, as well as impacting companies.

Trains have seen a 95 per cent drop in passengers and buses a fall of 90 per cent during lockdown.

Mr Hanratty said "urgent measures" were needed to stop a "potentially catastrophic" impact of people shifting to cars following lockdown.

The report shows plans for "pop-up" cycle paths, and pocket parks planned across the city.

"Unless a safe but effective model for city centre and local centre functioning is established, this could have irreparable detrimental impacts upon the city as a whole,” he said.

In a series of reports the council says it will try to keep workers in jobs, link those out of work with new opportunities, provide training, and help young people apply for colleges and universities.

Think this shows the total failings of politicians in Wales? All they are interested in cycling and walking as a way for people to get to work! Ffs a 50 seat bus can carry around 15 passengers under current rules what option is there if live 3 miles or more from centre? Can see more accidents with amateur cyclists using unsuitable bikes.... unless they sort transport issues out not only will hospitality sector suffer irreparable damage the shops will do so as well.....politicians just dont seem to see the problems or choose to ignore them even though it obvious . Guess their priorities lie with pollution

Nearly a third of a million workers in Wales have been placed on furlough since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, new Treasury figures show.

A total of 316,500 employees have been paid 80% of their salaries under the UK government scheme following lockdown.

Furlough arrangements allow workers to claim up to £2,500 a month in salary.

Figures also show 102,000 self-employed workers in Wales - 73% of those eligible - have also been helped, receiving a total of £273m.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) differs from the furlough scheme because it is a grant paid out in a single instalment covering three months and amounting to 80% of average profit.

Crawley becomes Britain's 'furlough capital'

Crawley in West Sussex - home of a virtually shuttered Gatwick airport - has won the dubious distinction of being the “furlough capital” of the UK, detailed new figures on the Government’s job retention scheme have shown.

The breakdown of the unprecedented Covid-19 support for the UK’s workforce up to the end May shows a third of the almost 60,000 employees in the local authority being supported by the state - the highest share in the country.

Gatwick employs some 2,800 workers directly at the UK’s second-largest airport - more than half of whom live locally - while a total of 24,000 work on the site.

But compared to a year ago when the airport handled almost 6,200 flights and 1m passengers, Gatwick expects to handle just 127 flights and a maximum of 15,000 travellers next week.

CARDIFF 36,000 - SWANSEA 23,000 - NEWPORT 16,600 - CAREPHILLY 17,900 - All furloughed atm

Nearly a third of a million workers in Wales have been placed on furlough since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, new Treasury figures show.

A total of 316,500 employees have been paid 80% of their salaries under the UK government scheme following lockdown.

Furlough arrangements allow workers to claim up to £2,500 a month in salary.

Figures also show 102,000 self-employed workers in Wales - 73% of those eligible - have also been helped, receiving a total of £273m.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) differs from the furlough scheme because it is a grant paid out in a single instalment covering three months and amounting to 80% of average profit.

Sadly many of them will now lose their jobs, this has given business's a time to reassess everything and many will cut back first while it's quiet and rebuild with lower-paid/benefited workers when things pick up.

It had to be done, but we've stayed in lockdown to long and too many people are scared to go back to work, this is going to take decades to pay back, and leave millions unemployed!

Nearly a third of a million workers in Wales have been placed on furlough since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, new Treasury figures show.

A total of 316,500 employees have been paid 80% of their salaries under the UK government scheme following lockdown.

Furlough arrangements allow workers to claim up to £2,500 a month in salary.

Figures also show 102,000 self-employed workers in Wales - 73% of those eligible - have also been helped, receiving a total of £273m.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) differs from the furlough scheme because it is a grant paid out in a single instalment covering three months and amounting to 80% of average profit.

Sadly many of them will now lose their jobs, this has given business's a time to reassess everything and many will cut back first while it's quiet and rebuild with lower-paid/benefited workers when things pick up.

It had to be done, but we've stayed in lockdown to long and too many people are scared to go back to work, this is going to take decades to pay back, and leave millions unemployed!

Sad but true mate - Spot on Mark .

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CARDIFF 36,000 - SWANSEA 23,000 - NEWPORT 16,600 - CAREPHILLY 17,900 - All furloughed atm

It's still going isn't it, Some people will get 18 month off

Basically what they’re saying is that Cardiff is no longer a working city. They’ve also shifted the pollution problem to Canton and other suburbs(now in regular gridlock) from the City Centre. The business of the WAG and Council is to stop business operating, and they only pretend otherwise.

The other difference with the Self-Employed scheme, is that it’s classed as taxable income.

It's a real problem, we need to wean people off free money, people need more incentive to go back to work if they can.

Maybe categorise occupations, so maybe bars and clubs can continue because they're not allowed to open, but close it for office workers if that is categorised as safe, then if people still don't want to go it's there choice they can have unpaid leave?

Gradual returns for those whose occupations have reopened is the way forward and those the Government choose to keep out shoukd be kept on furlogh...

Not sure most don't want a return to work but there will be some...

It's a real problem, we need to wean people off free money, people need more incentive to go back to work if they can.

Maybe categorise occupations, so maybe bars and clubs can continue because they're not allowed to open, but close it for office workers if that is categorised as safe, then if people still don't want to go it's there choice they can have unpaid leave?

Gradual returns for those whose occupations have reopened is the way forward and those the Government choose to keep out shoukd be kept on furlogh...

Not sure most don't want a return to work but there will be some...

Dvla dont want to thats for sure ! No covid but on strike over covid precautions or lack of them last year ...

Turned out to be completely true, so many business's still not back to normal and pre covid days, DVLA and lots of government departments still not back, and now we will all have to pay for it with high inflation, and increased national Insurance contributions.

Lots of people retired, changed employment that's why so many industries like hospitality and travel no longer have enough staff!

It had to be done but went of for far too long and was open for far too many businesses that weren't really affected, we'll be paying for this for years to come!

Turned out to be completely true, so many business's still not back to normal and pre covid days, DVLA and lots of government departments still not back, and now we will all have to pay for it with high inflation, and increased national Insurance contributions.

Lots of people retired, changed employment that's why so many industries like hospitality and travel no longer have enough staff!

It had to be done but went of for far too long and was open for far too many businesses that weren't really affected, we'll be paying for this for years to come!

We'd have paid a bigger price, of they hadn't done it...

The Government were stuck between a rock and a hard place on this one and it's 'what they did next' that will resonate down the years, at which point they can/will be judged

Turned out to be completely true, so many business's still not back to normal and pre covid days, DVLA and lots of government departments still not back, and now we will all have to pay for it with high inflation, and increased national Insurance contributions.

Lots of people retired, changed employment that's why so many industries like hospitality and travel no longer have enough staff!

It had to be done but went of for far too long and was open for far too many businesses that weren't really affected, we'll be paying for this for years to come!

What’s wrong with people retiring and changing professions?

Furlough is over, there’s no money to be made sitting at home. People have clocked on their work is worth more and there’s better jobs than working min wage dealing with arsehole customers. There’s no shortage of workers or people looking for work (my current job had 250+ applicants for 3 roles). If a bar/cafe/restaurant/etc can’t get the staff it’s because they’re most likely offering £8.91 an hour whilst someone else down the high street will be offering £10.50 for the same job.

If a business is struggling to hire it’s not the worker’s fault, it’s the business owner’s.

Part of Trouble now is so many people staying off work because apparently they got a cold and think its covid! Must remember dont have to isolate and can go to work.... the people not working are the ones who get paid for being off with covid? Ones who dont get paid are ones in work because they have little choice.. or as a a nhs worker says swinging the lead...

Turned out to be completely true, so many business's still not back to normal and pre covid days, DVLA and lots of government departments still not back, and now we will all have to pay for it with high inflation, and increased national Insurance contributions.

Lots of people retired, changed employment that's why so many industries like hospitality and travel no longer have enough staff!

It had to be done but went of for far too long and was open for far too many businesses that weren't really affected, we'll be paying for this for years to come!

Spot on, the second it went further than April 2020 it was always going to bite us on the backside.

Worse still, it is proven (just look at the results of countries who took different approaches) that the restrictions made absolutely no difference at all!