UK’s Johnson faces pushback over back-to-work proposal

Bloomberg

Boris Johnson was expected to flesh out his plan for lifting the UK lockdown in Parliament as he seeks to get more people back to work, even as resistance from politicians and labour unions laid bare the hurdles facing the government as it tries to kickstart the economy.
In a televised address to the nation, Johnson announced the “first careful steps” to easing lockdown rules in a three-point plan, starting this week with unlimited outdoor leisure time for sports such as golf and tennis, and allowing people to drive to parks and beaches in England. He told people who cannot work at home — such as those in the manufacturing and construction sectors — to return to their occupations.
“Work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t,” the prime minister said. The government also dropped its “stay home” message in favour of a call to “stay alert,” and is expected to publish details of its lockdown plan in a 50-page document on Monday.
The second phase of the plan would see primary schools and shops start to reopen from June 1, while step three may allow open-air cafes to resume trading in July.
The shift in tone follows weeks of pressure from members of Johnson’s Conservative Party pushing for a swift end to the lockdown. But while Johnson stressed his “careful” approach, it’s clear the government faces a battle to persuade businesses and workers it’s safe to resume operations.
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said Johnson’s statement “raises more questions than answers” and said the country still lacks the “clarity and consensus” it needs.
“The prime minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety of clear guidance as to how to get there without using public transport,” Starmer said.
Before the statement, four of the biggest UK labour unions called on the government to ensure adequate coronavirus-safety measures are in place before allowing people to return to work. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers urged members to “refuse to work” where safety is compromised over the government’s “confused and contradictory messaging over the Covid-19 lockdown.”
Jonathan Geldart, director general of the Institute of Directors, said government guidance must be clear on how businesses can return to work safely. “As people with ultimate legal responsibility, directors need to have confidence that it’s safe, and that if they act responsibly they won’t be at undue risk,” he said.
Meanwhile in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told STV the majority of Johnson’s statement applied only to England, and reiterated that her administration would be keeping its “stay at home” advice and ignoring the new “stay alert” message. The government of Wales said earlier it will likewise not follow Johnson’s lead.
Johnson is caught between demands to get more people back to work and off the state’s furlough programme, and the fear of triggering a new wave of infections that could require ministers to shut down the economy again.
The Treasury is considering allowing furloughed workers to return to work part-time as part of a gradual withdrawing of the government’s job retention program, the Sunday Times reported.