Councils failing on swine flu advice says FPB
LOCAL authorities are shirking their swine flu (H1N1) responsibilities, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).
The small business support and lobby group said that councils appear to be failing in their duty to help firms prepare for swine flu despite being obliged to put measures in place to deal with outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, councils must ensure that a crisis such as a flu pandemic does not cause the widespread collapse of business – and the loss of vital services to local communities.
However, the FPB said that as far as it is aware none of its members have received any support or guidance from their local authority.
Instead, members have been turning to the FPB for advice on how best to prepare for a possible outbreak of the virus among their staff.
With smaller employers particularly at risk of closure due to staff sickness, the FPB is urging councils to do more to safeguard those in their areas.
Experts are warning that the number of people contracting the virus will increase significantly during the winter months.
The Government has yet to confirm whether it will carry out a full innoculation of the UK’s population although enough vaccine has been ordered.
FPB policy representative Matt Goodman said: “Small businesses pay their hefty business rates for one reason – in exchange for the services and infrastructure provided by their council – so you would expect them to be given a little bit of guidance at this critical time.
“Swine flu could prove to be a major headache for thousands of small firms who don’t have the workforce to absorb staff sicknesses, so it is vitally important that they are given every possible bit of help to see them through it.
He added: “While there may be some local authorities out there fulfilling their obligations under the [Civil Contingencies] Act, not one of the business owners who have been calling us have received any guidance or support from their councils. Instead they are coming to the FPB for advice.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the British economy and councils need to do what they can to make sure the businesses on their patch aren’t forced out of business by the pandemic.”
