Business support still needed as nation navigates Johnson’s pandemic roadmap

Would it have killed the government to at least announce an extension of the furlough scheme alongside its reopening plans? Business groups and unions say it can’t be allowed to end in April, reports James Moore

Cash-strapped: the chancellor must dig deep for firms (Reuters)

There was a hint of optimism in the air from the business community as Boris Johnson outlined his roadmap to the end of the pandemic. Life could, he said, be back to normal by the end of June.

But let’s be clear here: there should be an emphasis on the “could”. There are still a number of challenging looking Aintree-sized fences to clear, including the “four key tests” the government wants passed before through each stage. 

The vaccination programme must continue to move at pace with high levels of take up, the evidence needs to show that the jabs are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated, and infection rates can’t be so high as to risk a surge in hospitalisations.