The
foot and mouth outbreak is likely to cause layoffs in businesses beyond the
farming and tourism sectors, employers have warned.
The
crisis has started to have a knock-on effect in all sectors of the economy,
warned Rachel Burns, policy adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce.
Burns
said companies as diverse as haulage firms and sporting accessories providers
were being hit by the restrictions caused by the disease.
She
said, “Our concern is that people could lose their jobs and then move, meaning
companies would lose their skills base.”
Northern
Ireland Electricity, for example, has redeployed staff to their home areas
where possible to minimise travelling.
The
English Tourism Council estimates the disease is costing tourism £100m a week.
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