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Shortened isolation period welcomed, but National Insurance hike looks increasingly misjudged, says FSB

The Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight, Nicky Kildunne, has responded to the announcement that the Covid isolation period has been shortened from seven to five full days. 

She says,

“We’re pleased to see this decision from the Health Secretary and UK Health and Security Agency.

“Over the last month we have made the case that, if it can be done safely, shortening the isolation period would make a huge difference to the hundreds of thousands of small businesses that currently have staff off work.

“Mass isolation of two million people has hit the workforce just at the moment when firms are trying to bounce back from yet another disrupted festive season.”

Kildunne: Government should now make good on past promises
Nicky went on to say,

Nicky Kildunne

“The announcement marks an important intervention; it’s a relief to see policymakers embrace our recommendation. From here, the Government should now make good on past promises to deliver a world leading test-and-trace infrastructure.

“The workplace testing initiative – closed last summer – should be relaunched immediately and lateral flow supplies shored up.   

“More widely, we’re encouraging this administration to rediscover its pro-enterprising, reforming zeal. Against a backdrop of surging inflation, labour shortages and increasing late payment, its decision to hike national insurance contributions looks increasingly misjudged. It should reconsider.”


News shared by Nicky on behalf of Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight. Ed

Image: Mark Konig under CC BY 2.0