The return of the House of Commons this week has shown that it can be complex to get organisations back, fully operational, after 2 months of lockdown and remote working.
The first step that we took in Parliament on Tuesday was to agree we would now meet face to face; plans to support those who cannot attend because they are shielded are now slotting into place. It is important that every MP has the opportunity to participate in debates and questions, a point I have made directly to the Leader of the House.
Just as the House of Commons is finding a new way of working, so are many businesses. Basingstoke businesses have told me they want to take forward the positive things they have learnt from the past 10 weeks; that more of their staff than they thought are able to work effectively remotely; and that face to face meetings are not the only way to seal the deal.
But we also need to be clear that we need to start to get back to business as usual because the lock down has left a significant hole in many organisations balance sheets. The extensive package of financial support already announced has been welcomed but the Government also now need to come forward with a clear and positive agenda for growth to kick start the economy.
Basingstoke was a great place to do business before the pandemic and will continue to be a great place to do business into the future because of the great organisations that choose Basingstoke as their home and the fantastic workforce we have in and around the Borough.
