COVID-19 update from CEO

We have been in dialogue with the Government regarding merchants being seen as essential operators and although they are not going to be deemed an essential service (this is really health, sanitation, policing etc), it doesn’t mean members will not be allowed to operate.

The statement below is from Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director Construction at BEIS about critical workers:

John,

Critical workers are being defined as those needed to deliver essential public services, which are those services whose integrity, if compromised, could result in loss of life, casualties, or significant economic and social impact. These services include health and social care, education, transport and logistics (e.g. food and essential product deliveries), police and security and defence related services, banks, utilities and postal services and key public services such as the justice system and certain roles in national and local government (as well as key agencies). The definition of these services does not include any type of firm within the construction supply chain, including builders merchants.

At this stage, the focus on critical workers aims to prioritise access to the limited number of places in schools, to enable these workers to undertake their occupations. It should not be interpreted as having implications beyond this. The expectation is also that a flexible approach will be taken to interpreting this e.g. utilities would include tradespeople undertaking emergency repairs, given the overall objective of maintaining essential services. This approach, and the sectors and occupations included, will be kept under review.

Separately, but as an extension of this, we are also looking at the issue of the wider operation of firms and supply chains within the industry during the period when restrictions apply to contain the coronavirus, which includes product and materials suppliers and merchants. We will be keeping the industry up to date with developments.

We also enclose links that you may find useful

HMRC - time to pay arrangements:

https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc

Statutory Sick Pay and COVID 19:

https://www.mazars.co.uk/Home/Services/COVID-19-Your-Business/COVID-19-Statutory-Sick-Pay-for-your-employees

Information on government support for business:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Employers advice regarding Covid 19:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-covid-19