Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community Northern Ireland, says: “Business in the Community NI, greatly welcomes the NI Executive’s Coronavirus recovery strategy, which goes quite some way in outlining how businesses and communities can begin to move from response to recovery.  We support the Executive’s ambitions to ease our way towards a ‘new normal’, but we are also under no illusion that considerable challenges lie ahead for us all.

“This pandemic has shone a light on many of the challenges facing our businesses and communities. As we begin to look towards recovery, it is more important than ever that we do not forget some of the harsh realities which have been exacerbated in recent weeks. Our NHS is under strain; we have an issue with digital exclusion across the province; job design will have to change significantly; mental health challenges are more prevalent than ever; family and community have taken on new meaning for many.  It is vital that, in planning for future months, the Executive takes decisive action to support our businesses and communities in acknowledging and addressing these issues. Government, business and community can work together to ensure a sustainable future for us all.”