He added that, with industries like retail and airlines largely shut, demand for new products from factories would be “under pressure for many more months” and called for more Government support to avoid mass redundancies.
Many car makers went back to work today. Around 500 workers at Toyota’s north Wales plant returned to work and staff at Bentley in Crewe also went back.
The construction industry also tentatively picked up its tools. Privately owned housebuilder Weston Homes said it will begin restarting work on houses in London and the Home Counties worth £3 billion when completed.
Housebuilder Bellway’s boss Jason Honeyman said: “The Prime Minister’s announcement gives Bellway the confidence to continue with our phased programme reopening of sites. This follows the implementation of strict social distancing safety measures and guidelines for workers on our sites and we look forward to further detail from the Government.”
Fredrik Widlund, boss of FTSE 250 offices landlord CLS, said: “The easing of the lockdown is undoubtedly a positive step and I strongly support the new measures. These initial changes and the subsequent loosening of restrictions will be welcome news to many British businesses. However, it is essential that there is clear guidance and detail on what a staged return to work should look like. While this is beginning in industries such as construction, there will need to be more detail in time on how people can safely return to offices. We still have some way to go but this is a step in the right direction.”
Johnson was today expected to give further details on his plans to ease the lockdown in an address to Parliament.
The Government has been consulting over back-to-work plans with industries, with initiatives such as staggered shift work times mooted. Crucial details on PPE advice remain unclear.
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Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace.”
