Pubs

This is daft, no one is being asked to patrol in Helmand Province or down the Falls Road, sleep in the mud of the Somme. Maybe it could herald an about-turn of the slump in pub life? Either way, pubs aren’t a ‘Human Right’ and we must all remember Human Responsibilities, too. https://t.co/qDXGjNpvYw

— Al Rush (@exRAF_Al) March 21, 2020

Thanks Al, that tweet has the authentic voice of some who has put his life on the line for his country. Let’s not forget the millions who died for us, before pitying our constraints.

Jobs

Rishi Sunak is turning out to be a bright star in this. While Johnson looked grim about closing things down, Sunak looked determined to keep us out of the misery that would befall those who could have been left not just with no job but no home.

Step forward Britannia Hotels sacked and evicted their hotel staff, hours before Sunak’s lifeline.

I suspect many folks, when they see this, will be adding Britannia Hotels to the list of businesses they will not be frequenting when this crisis is over. https://t.co/LgYrpBCRlw

— Andrew Neil (@afneil) March 20, 2020

Fortunately, there is an opportunity for Britannia Hotels to reinstate their staff and have 80% of their wages covered. No doubt some bean counter in the Cairngorms is working out how to charge his staff rent and get the tax-payer to pay for the accommodation too.

The best bet many low-paid people have is to rely on the decency of the British people and on journalists like Andrew Neil for exposing employers who protect profit before people.

But not a lifeline for all

No, it’s not right. https://t.co/jtSI5b6xLK

— (((🕷Frances Coppola, Philosopher ))) (@Frances_Coppola) March 21, 2020

It’s fair to say that those who are self-employed are now at the back of the grant queue. Some will argue that this is by their own choice. That doesn’t wash for me – I’m with Frances Coppola, we need to do something radical about the compensation we give to those who cannot pay themselves.

The package that Sunak has put together – especially for small businesses, is magnificent. So long as it can be delivered , it will allow firms such as mine to weather the storm and come out the other side , where we will be able to generate the growth to pay back the debt that we will take on over the next twelve months.

But with real time delivery of information

On the subject of delivery, I was pleased to find this email in my box this morning.

to get to live links – press the link above this picture

This is precisely the behaviour from HMRC that we had hope for , earlier this week. We are now getting firm timelines and proper pathways toward this money. It is up to businesses such as mine to follow the rules , not over-claim and do what is best for our staff and shareholders.

Lifestyle

This morning , I will not be going to the Golden Lane Leisure Centre for a swim, I’m signing up to home exercise so beware residents of Friar Street as seismic tremors may be experienced as I attempt star jumps and burpees.

That link doesn’t work either – cheeky!

Reasons to be cheerful 1-2-3

So this morning I’m waking up to the prospect of (1) a viable business, (2) less alcohol and (3) a new fitness regime.

We are not ones for bragging about being British, but for once, I think we can be proud of our Government. The wake up call of the Imperial College report has been listened to. Sure we should have been manufacturing respirators earlier, sure we haven’t fixed it for the self-employed and sure there are going to be horror stories in our hospitals over the next six months.

But the steps we have taken this week will flatten the curve and I am determined to solder on – self-isolating in WeWork (nowork).