Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It was deeply worrying to hear that the Government has not been following the advice of the scientists who recommended a circuit break. That means they have now lost control of the virus. So we welcome Keir Starmer’s decisive call for a circuit break, it is clear that is only way we can hold back the spread of Covid-19 and get track and trace up to speed.

“Usdaw has consistently supported restrictions to tackle this appalling pandemic. We worked with employers and the Government on safety and support for essential workers, but we have now lost faith with their management of the crisis and urge the Prime Minister to change course.

“Importantly workers impacted by restrictions must be fully supported, so we welcome Keir Starmer setting out substantial plans for wage support, assistance with housing costs and fundamental changes to Universal Credit.”

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion