BOSS partner BPIF calls on secretary of state to extend business support

BOSS partner BPIF have urgently called for further direct support for the business supplies and printing industries during the coronavirus crisis after receiving a high number of responses to their joint business impact survey. On 30 March, they called upon Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (central to the Federation's lobbying efforts) for the Government to implement a number of measures.

Over the last week both BOSS and BPIF have been highlighting the significant effects the crisis is having on both industries to date - in terms of financial standing, logistics, access to finance, job retention and further.

They have called for:
• Flexibility to what has already been laid out by the Job Retention Scheme, particularly around the furloughing of workers. While the JRS has been well received, and with great relief, there is concern that, without adjustments, it will not deliver as effectively as it otherwise could.

• For the Government to engage in additional dialogue with lenders taking part in the CBIL Scheme, to ensure that lenders are interpreting the Government's intentions correctly. This will help businesses to feel secure about the Scheme, increase uptake and - importantly - improve confidence that the Government's good intentions to support businesses are being realised by the banking industry.

BOSS Chairman, Simon Drakeford, also wrote to Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, Secretary of State, on the 27.03.2020, calling for:

• Businesses in the business supplies sector who are suppling ‘critical businesses' be listed as essential
• Business Critical supplies to be prioritized

In addition the letter highlights the business supplies sectors highly effective supply chain and asks Government how it can support them in their battle against COVID-19.

The letter, supported by 714 companies in the business supplies sector.

Keeping Britain Clean, Safe and Working - How we can help.

Downloads

Letter from BOSS - Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP March 2020