Mansfield MP says Government is getting the UK open for business again

For many workers in Mansfield, time is of the essence and if we want to protect jobs for the future we need to help them get back to work.

Clearly there’s an important balancing act to ensure that the health situation continues to improve as it has been in recent weeks.

That’s why we’re taking a steady and gradual approach, beginning with getting all those who’s workplaces weren’t closed down by Government – where businesses may have chosen to close for financial reasons for example – back up and running, and now from June 1, looking at further steps.

Outdoor markets and car retailers will re-open on June 1, with other types of non-essential retail to reopen on June 15 as long as they can comply with social distancing rules.

Two weeks after that, at the beginning of July, there will be further steps on leisure and hospitality businesses, by which time most things should be able to open.

These timescales are obviously dependent on the continued improvement in the health situation.

The Government is also asking schools to open up next week, where they can.

It’s not a hard and firm instruction that they must open on June 1 bu they’re being asked to do as much as they can as fast as they can.

It’s been left up to school leaders themselves to determine what’s possible and precisely when they can get open safely.

The Government’s made clear that if any school can’t put the measures in place that are needed to safeguard kids then they are not forced to open, and there will be no fines if you keep your kids off.

This step is really important though, as it’s the most disadvantaged children who suffer most from being off school.

With implications from the virus set to be with us for many months or even years to some extent, it’s important we take steps to ensure our children are getting the support and education they need in a safe way now.

We’re committed to a safe reopening of our economy and our society, and though it’s incredibly difficult, it’s what’s needed to take us forward.

Ben Bradley is MP for Mansfield.