In response to recent ‘confusing messaging’ from the devolved governments, The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) today launched a new tool for the industry, which provides clarity to tradespeople in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in relation to current trading restrictions, by country.
CEO at The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation, Damian Walters, has been vocal about frustrations relating to mixed messaging from the devolved governments in relation to Coronavirus restrictions placed upon tradespeople. Damian raised this topic at a meeting with the newly appointed Secretary of State at The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) this morning, Kwasi Kwarteng.
The new ‘COVID status checker’ can be found on the BiKBBI news page (www.bikbbi.org.uk/bikbbi-news) which clarifies the current status for each country for both domestic and construction settings. The website also links to the relevant pages within the respective government websites to aid understanding of responsibility.
Damian said: “Whilst I think it’s fair to say that the government have done a great job in many respects relating to this pandemic, the lack of cohesion between England, Scotland and Wales, especially on the subject of the differences in social restrictions has been less than satisfactory. Messaging for the thousands of tradespeople out there needs to be clearer, more consistent and better aligned between the devolved powers, or else this pandemic will not only have health implications, but also impact greatly on SME livelihoods”.
The system, which is free to access by anyone, will be updated upon new guidance and reviewed daily.