skynewspolitics--2020-10-24--Top Tory MP calls for Test and Trace boss to be axed over 'lack of strategy'

A top Tory MP and leading Boris Johnson ally is calling for Dido Harding , the beleaguered boss of NHS Test and Trace , to be axed .
Sir Bernard Jenkin , who chairs the powerful Liaison Committee of senior MPs , told Sky 's Sophy Ridge that the management of Test and Trace is bloated and muddled .
He added : `` The Test and Trace capability needs to move up several gears ...
There is a sense that there is a lack of overall strategy that is at the heart of the problem . ''
But Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` We want to see it ( Test and Trace ) improve , we want to see it grow and get better and better .
That 's how we fight this virus .
`` But actually I think Dido and the team have done a very good job to get to where we are . ''
Sir Bernard wrote in The Sunday Telegraph that Conservative peer Baroness Harding `` should be given a well-earned break '' - adding that `` the immediate priority is to fill the vacuum of leadership in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes just days after the prime minister and his chief scientific adviser publicly admitted for the first time that the system is not working effectively .
Test and Trace hit a record low with just 59.6 % of the contacts of people who tested positive for the disease being successfully contacted and told to self-isolate .
The government 's own advisers say 80 % need to be contacted for the system to be effective .
It coincides with a new opinion poll suggesting the public 's approval of the government 's handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level .
The poll suggests that 50 % now disapprove of the government 's handling of the pandemic , while just 29 % approve .
Sir Bernard wrote : `` Dido Harding , head of NHS Test and Trace , apparently says that she is struggling with what she inherited when arriving in the role , but during the summer , initial urgency subsided . ''
`` Perhaps some of those exhausted leaders on the government frontline , like Dido Harding , could be given a well-earned break too ; they could use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect on the lessons learned so far . ''
Claiming the public has lost confidence in Test and Trace , Sir Bernard called for a military commander to be put in charge and also accuses the government of raising false hope about a coronavirus vaccine .
`` The challenge for the government is becoming one of public confidence ... Much incredible work is being done , but we are still a long way from the 'world-beating contact tracing system ' promised in June .
`` Announcing fresh targets ( now 500,000 tests a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not instil confidence , because people lack faith that there is a coherent plan .
`` Instead , ministers should see this as an opportunity to make changes .
This change must be visible and decisive . ''
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` The immediate priority is to fill the vacuum of leadership in Test and Trace , which is destroying co-operation and compliance .
`` The Liaison Committee has called for military capability to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military to regain control in the foot and mouth crisis ; the prime minister should follow that example today , by installing a single leader , a three or four star military commander with a reputation for handling complexity under stress . ''
Sir Bernard 's attack on Test and Trace followed the PM saying at a Downing Street news conference on Thursday : `` I share people 's frustrations and I understand totally why we do need to see faster turnaround times and we need to improve it . ''
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Patrick Vallance said : `` It 's very clear there 's room for improvement on all of that and therefore that would be diminishing the effectiveness of this . ''
The new opinion poll , carried out by Opinium , suggests Labour now leads the Conservatives by two points , remaining on 40 % , while the Tories have fallen to 38 % during their coronavirus woes .
And after Andy Burnham 's bruising clash with the government , 50 % of those living in Greater Manchester approve of the way he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his net approval rating of +25 % is significantly higher than Mr Johnson 's nationally at -14 % .


skynewspolitics--2020-10-24--Why privately many Tory MPs believe a U-turn from 'tin-eared' govt on free school meals is inevitabl

Why privately many Tory MPs believe a U-turn from 'tin-eared' govt on free school meals is inevitable

Boris Johnson should have a word with the Conservative-controlled local council in his west London constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip about Marcus Rashford 's school meals campaign .
`` Hillingdon Council will be offering free school meals to eligible children during the half term holiday , '' the council announced this weekend .
`` Full details of the scheme and how to claim will be made available on Monday . ''
Hillingdon is not the only Tory borough to ignore the prime minister 's rejection of the Manchester United and England star 's campaign to extend free school meals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include true-blue Kensington and Chelsea , the richest borough in the UK , with the greatest concentration of billionaires on the planet and residents including Sir Elton John and the Beckhams .
But it 's not just Tory councils that are defying the prime minister as public support for the Rashford campaign appears to grow and the government digs itself deeper into a hole with its intransigence .
Conservative MPs , many of whom are facing an angry backlash in their constituencies after voting against Labour 's Commons motion to extend free school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the turn too .
One such sinner who appears to be repenting is Tobias Ellwood , the former minister who chairs the defence select committee , who told Sky News free school meals appear to be popular and so the government `` should n't be churlish '' and `` do what works '' .
With Labour certain to keep up the pressure on the government on free school meals after parliament 's half term recess , a Tory rebellion in the event of another Commons vote is likely to be much bigger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
Some Tory MPs , however , take a different view , regarding the Rashford campaign and Labour 's backing for it as a crude , party political attempt to denigrate and smear the prime minister and the government .
Some of the Conservative MPs who take that view have made crass and insensitive comments .
None more so than Ben Bradley , motormouth MP for Mansfield , who described free school meals as `` £20 cash direct to a crack den and a brothel '' .
Mr Bradley is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London riots : `` The water cannons are coming .
I 'll be in front of the news tonight watching police play 'Splat the Chav ' . ''
Another charmer is Selaine Saxby , MP for the North Devon seat once represented by Jeremy Thorpe , who said she hoped local businesses able to give away food for free `` will not be seeking any further government support '' .
Rashford , meanwhile , who rather sweetly took his mum with him on a visit to a food bank depot , has wisely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courteous in his comments and correspondence with MPs .
But it has emerged that the England footballer wrote a very personal letter to the PM on 1 September , on the same day he wrote a public letter to all MPs , but has still not received a response from Downing Street nearly eight weeks later .
His spokesperson said the letter was `` very respectful , informing of intent and the objective of his Child Food Poverty Task Force and requesting collaboration with the government '' .
Privately , many Tory MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue is tin-eared and shockingly bad politics .
They believe a U-turn is inevitable and that the longer the government delays , the more damage to the Conservative Party - particularly in those `` red wall '' seats the Tories won in the north of England in the December 2019 general election - will be inflicted .
And self-inflicted damage , at that .
Speaking on Sky News , the always-wise former 10 Downing Street press spokesman Jonathan Haslam recommended to the prime minister that he attempt to avoid further political damage by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have added that Mr Johnson should speak to his local Tory council in west London , too .

Boris Johnson should have a word with the Conservative-controlled local council in his west London constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip about Marcus Rashford's school meals campaign.
"Hillingdon Council will be offering free school meals to eligible children during the half term holiday," the council announced this weekend. "Full details of the scheme and how to claim will be made available on Monday."
Hillingdon is not the only Tory borough to ignore the prime minister's rejection of the Manchester United and England star's campaign to extend free school meals to the half-term holiday period.
Image: The Tory-controlled council in the PM's constituency is going to be offering free school meals during half term
Others include true-blue Kensington and Chelsea, the richest borough in the UK, with the greatest concentration of billionaires on the planet and residents including Sir Elton John and the Beckhams.
But it's not just Tory councils that are defying the prime minister as public support for the Rashford campaign appears to grow and the government digs itself deeper into a hole with its intransigence.
Conservative MPs, many of whom are facing an angry backlash in their constituencies after voting against Labour's Commons motion to extend free school meals to half term, are on the turn too.
One such sinner who appears to be repenting is Tobias Ellwood, the former minister who chairs the defence select committee, who told Sky News free school meals appear to be popular and so the government "shouldn't be churlish" and "do what works".
With Labour certain to keep up the pressure on the government on free school meals after parliament's half term recess, a Tory rebellion in the event of another Commons vote is likely to be much bigger than the five MPs who voted with Labour on Wednesday.
Some Tory MPs, however, take a different view, regarding the Rashford campaign and Labour's backing for it as a crude, party political attempt to denigrate and smear the prime minister and the government.
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Some of the Conservative MPs who take that view have made crass and insensitive comments. None more so than Ben Bradley, motormouth MP for Mansfield, who described free school meals as "£20 cash direct to a crack den and a brothel".
Mr Bradley is the sensitive soul who tweeted during the 2011 London riots: "The water cannons are coming. I'll be in front of the news tonight watching police play 'Splat the Chav'."
Another charmer is Selaine Saxby, MP for the North Devon seat once represented by Jeremy Thorpe, who said she hoped local businesses able to give away food for free "will not be seeking any further government support".
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Rashford, meanwhile, who rather sweetly took his mum with him on a visit to a food bank depot, has wisely stayed above the political point-scoring and remains courteous in his comments and correspondence with MPs.
But it has emerged that the England footballer wrote a very personal letter to the PM on 1 September, on the same day he wrote a public letter to all MPs, but has still not received a response from Downing Street nearly eight weeks later.
His spokesperson said the letter was "very respectful, informing of intent and the objective of his Child Food Poverty Task Force and requesting collaboration with the government".
Privately, many Tory MPs believe the government's response to this issue is tin-eared and shockingly bad politics.
They believe a U-turn is inevitable and that the longer the government delays, the more damage to the Conservative Party - particularly in those "red wall" seats the Tories won in the north of England in the December 2019 general election - will be inflicted.
And self-inflicted damage, at that.
Speaking on Sky News, the always-wise former 10 Downing Street press spokesman Jonathan Haslam recommended to the prime minister that he attempt to avoid further political damage by talking to his MPs.
He might have added that Mr Johnson should speak to his local Tory council in west London, too.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-25--Five things we learnt from this week's Sophy Ridge On Sunday

It 's been another week of political wrangling over the secondary effects of coronavirus , but this weekend brought a serious warning from a different source .
The coming winter will likely be `` the most difficult period that doctors will be experiencing in their lifetimes '' , the British Medical Association ( BMA ) council chair has said .
Dr Chaand Nagpaul told Sophy Ridge on Sunday : `` There are millions of patients who have not been seen during the first peak and now we have the unfortunate prospect of a terrible winter .
`` This is probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doctors will be experiencing in their lifetimes , approaching winter .
`` What we have now is increasing numbers of patients , millions on waiting lists , '' he said , calling the growth in patients on ventilators `` quite alarming '' .
`` There are over 100,000 patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment , that is more than 100-fold the summer of last year and we have on top of that backlog , some of the hospitals in the country have about 20 % of their beds occupied by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more COVID patients than they saw during the first peak '' .
His warnings seem to be backed by his fellows , with a new BMA survey showing 70 % of the 6,500+ doctors asked had little or no confidence in the abilities of community services to cope ahead of the autumn and winter , while 65 % were n't confident about their own healthcare service coping .
A veteran Eurosceptic and Labour frontbencher were brought together this week by several issues , but none more so than on the UK 's Test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Bernard Jenkin began the day by damning Dido Harding , head of the programme , with faint praise .
He said she had `` been a tremendous asset but the Test and Trace capability clearly needs to move up several gears and it 's what leadership does , not who leadership is , that really matters '' .
Saying there was a `` sense of a lack of overall strategy '' , Sir Bernard suggested the job be given to a `` very senior military person '' accustomed to crises and situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complexity and organisation '' is present .
Labour 's shadow mental health minister , Rosena Allin-Khan , did n't put forward her own suggestion but agreed on the original diagnosis .
She declared Harding 's position `` untenable '' but said `` fundamentally this comes down to the responsibility of the government '' .
Brandon Lewis said the UK had gone `` from a scheme that has gone from having no Test and Trace obviously before the virus to being up to speed now '' , adding `` we have tested over 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere else in Europe ; 1.1 million people now have been contacted through the scheme… Dido and the team have done a very good job to get to where we are '' .
Asked by Sophy why 80 % of identified contacts are not being reached , as SAGE says is necessary for a successful system , he did admit parts of the system needed to `` catch up '' .
With the tracing system under increasing pressure and numbers of those isolating likely to rise , he confirmed the government is looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying `` we are looking at the moment at what we can do around those isolation periods '' but no decision had been made - yet .
But he did say company bosses and city bankers would n't be exempted from travel quarantine rules in the name of global Britain , as suggested in The Sunday Times .
`` Any changes that are made will apply to everybody , '' he said .
`` Obviously , there are things that are done through the virus like bringing testing out to frontline NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , again by scientific and medical need but when you look at things like that , if there are any changes of that type , they will apply to everybody . ''
Children 's Commissioner Anne Longfield compared the debate over free school meals to a Dickens novel , calling the conversation `` divisive and distracting '' and saying she was `` horrified '' and `` really disappointed '' by it .
`` It 's 2020 , '' she said , adding `` to have a debate about whether we should make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to eat is something which is striking similar to what we 'd expect from Oliver Twist , a novel published in the 19th century '' .
As schools head towards the holidays , the commissioner warned `` the clock is ticking .
We need to ensure that those families and children have the confidence that they are going to have food on their table '' .
The campaign to extend free school meals over the holidays for those in need , as backed by footballer Marcus Rashford , has a feeling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a precedent was set earlier this year .
After the government has spent months paying people 's wages , propping up their businesses and loaning huge amounts of money out , refusing to extend a scheme that feeds hungry children is a hard position to defend .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Lewis gave it a try though , saying `` the position we have taken is the right one '' and that money had been handed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support their communities at a time of hardship '' .
He did , however , make sure he praised Rashford for running `` a campaign that has clearly inspired people across the country and it is huge credit to him , it is a phenomenal thing to raise the profile in the way that he has about child poverty '' .
And finally , the row over funding for areas under Tier 3 restrictions has sent the profiles of Labour mayors in the north of England ever higher .
The government `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong relationship '' with `` northern mayors '' such as Andy Burnham and needs to treat them as `` equals '' , former minister Jake Berry said .
He told the show it meant the government `` started at a disadvantage '' in the recent negotiations .
`` I just hope that going forward , we 've learnt that we need to treat our northern leaders and northern mayors as a partnership of equals and just really concentrate on bringing them with us in our battle against COVID . ''

It's been another week of political wrangling over the secondary effects of coronavirus, but this weekend brought a serious warning from a different source.
A 'terrible winter'
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The coming winter will likely be "the most difficult period that doctors will be experiencing in their lifetimes", the British Medical Association (BMA) council chair has said.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "There are millions of patients who have not been seen during the first peak and now we have the unfortunate prospect of a terrible winter.
"This is probably going to be the most difficult period that doctors will be experiencing in their lifetimes, approaching winter.
"What we have now is increasing numbers of patients, millions on waiting lists," he said, calling the growth in patients on ventilators "quite alarming".
"There are over 100,000 patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment, that is more than 100-fold the summer of last year and we have on top of that backlog, some of the hospitals in the country have about 20% of their beds occupied by COVID patients.
"Some are seeing more COVID patients than they saw during the first peak".
His warnings seem to be backed by his fellows, with a new BMA survey showing 70% of the 6,500+ doctors asked had little or no confidence in the abilities of community services to cope ahead of the autumn and winter, while 65% weren't confident about their own healthcare service coping.
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Test and Trace head's position 'untenable'
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A veteran Eurosceptic and Labour frontbencher were brought together this week by several issues, but none more so than on the UK's Test and Trace programme.
Liaison Committee chair Sir Bernard Jenkin began the day by damning Dido Harding, head of the programme, with faint praise.
He said she had "been a tremendous asset but the Test and Trace capability clearly needs to move up several gears and it's what leadership does, not who leadership is, that really matters".
Saying there was a "sense of a lack of overall strategy", Sir Bernard suggested the job be given to a "very senior military person" accustomed to crises and situations in which a high degree of "complexity and organisation" is present.
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Labour's shadow mental health minister, Rosena Allin-Khan, didn't put forward her own suggestion but agreed on the original diagnosis.
She declared Harding's position "untenable" but said "fundamentally this comes down to the responsibility of the government".
A 'very good job'
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The Northern Ireland secretary wasn't persuaded though.
Brandon Lewis said the UK had gone "from a scheme that has gone from having no Test and Trace obviously before the virus to being up to speed now", adding "we have tested over 28 million people, that's more than anywhere else in Europe; 1.1 million people now have been contacted through the scheme… Dido and the team have done a very good job to get to where we are".
Asked by Sophy why 80% of identified contacts are not being reached, as SAGE says is necessary for a successful system, he did admit parts of the system needed to "catch up".
With the tracing system under increasing pressure and numbers of those isolating likely to rise, he confirmed the government is looking at cutting the 14-day period of isolation, saying "we are looking at the moment at what we can do around those isolation periods" but no decision had been made - yet.
But he did say company bosses and city bankers wouldn't be exempted from travel quarantine rules in the name of global Britain, as suggested in The Sunday Times.
"Any changes that are made will apply to everybody," he said.
"Obviously, there are things that are done through the virus like bringing testing out to frontline NHS workers so that it is properly led, again by scientific and medical need but when you look at things like that, if there are any changes of that type, they will apply to everybody."
'Something from Oliver Twist'
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Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield compared the debate over free school meals to a Dickens novel, calling the conversation "divisive and distracting" and saying she was "horrified" and "really disappointed" by it.
"It's 2020," she said, adding "to have a debate about whether we should make sure that hungry and vulnerable children should have enough to eat is something which is striking similar to what we'd expect from Oliver Twist, a novel published in the 19th century".
As schools head towards the holidays, the commissioner warned "the clock is ticking. We need to ensure that those families and children have the confidence that they are going to have food on their table".
The campaign to extend free school meals over the holidays for those in need, as backed by footballer Marcus Rashford, has a feeling of inevitability to it, the more so after a precedent was set earlier this year.
After the government has spent months paying people's wages, propping up their businesses and loaning huge amounts of money out, refusing to extend a scheme that feeds hungry children is a hard position to defend.
:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Lewis gave it a try though, saying "the position we have taken is the right one" and that money had been handed to councils and put into Universal Credit "to support their communities at a time of hardship".
He did, however, make sure he praised Rashford for running "a campaign that has clearly inspired people across the country and it is huge credit to him, it is a phenomenal thing to raise the profile in the way that he has about child poverty".
Treat northern mayors as 'equals'
And finally, the row over funding for areas under Tier 3 restrictions has sent the profiles of Labour mayors in the north of England ever higher.
The government "doesn't have anyone who has a strong relationship" with "northern mayors" such as Andy Burnham and needs to treat them as "equals", former minister Jake Berry said.
He told the show it meant the government "started at a disadvantage" in the recent negotiations.
"I just hope that going forward, we've learnt that we need to treat our northern leaders and northern mayors as a partnership of equals and just really concentrate on bringing them with us in our battle against COVID."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--'Loyal and well-connected' Test and Trace boss still has PM's support - for now

When Dido Harding returned to her Somerset home by car on Sunday afternoon , she was towing her horsebox .
An equine enthusiast for decades and board member of the Jockey Club , horses are how the boss of the government 's Test and Trace programme relaxes .
And it 's likely she needs it , after senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin called for her to be replaced , and Labour 's Dr Rosena Allin-Khan told Sky 's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that Baroness Harding 's position was `` untenable '' .
However , it seems she 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horses .
At a time when many ministers are frustrated at the sluggish pace of the civil service response to COVID-19 , Baroness Harding brings top-level private sector experience .
A former CEO of telecoms giant TalkTalk , the Conservative peer is said to be disciplined and demanding .
Government sources point out she has achieved the equivalent of `` building an operation the size of Tesco in a matter of months '' .
And whilst the vast increase in testing capacity has been impressive , a key metric for suppressing the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government 's scientists say it must be above 80 % for the system to be effective , but that target was last hit in mid-June .
This month 's figures have been getting progressively worse , with just under 60 % of close contacts being traced .
Critics argue that by consistently missing such an important target , more people are becoming infected , more hospitalised , and more will die .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now - the support and respect of her two direct bosses : Boris Johnson and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case .
And she remains a convenient lightning rod for criticism .
It may help that she is loyal and well connected in Conservative circles .
David Cameron was a university contemporary at Oxford and her husband , John Penrose , is a Tory MP .
The pair met while working for the management consultants McKinsey , yet the involvement of highly paid consultants in the Test and Trace programme has attracted difficult headlines after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day-rate of £7,000 .
Baroness Harding is used to charting a course through a crisis .
She was in charge of Talk Talk when the company was hit by a cyber attack and hackers accessed the data of 150,000 customers .
Critics argue her handling of that incident - the company was fined £400,000 by the Information Commissioner - is exactly why she should n't be put anywhere near such a critical part of government .
Whatever her skills , communicating carefully may not be among them .
Last month , she attracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surge in testing demand when schools returned after the summer had caught her by surprise .
That admission is perhaps why Downing Street has repeatedly blocked interview requests .
At a time when cabinet ministers are having to defend her almost on a daily basis , the one person seemingly unwilling to publicly defend Dido Harding 's work is her .

When Dido Harding returned to her Somerset home by car on Sunday afternoon, she was towing her horsebox.
An equine enthusiast for decades and board member of the Jockey Club, horses are how the boss of the government's Test and Trace programme relaxes.
And it's likely she needs it, after senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin called for her to be replaced, and Labour's Dr Rosena Allin-Khan told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that Baroness Harding's position was "untenable".
Image: Dido Harding kept a low profile as she towed her horsebox make to her Somerset house
However, it seems she's not going anywhere - with or without her horses.
At a time when many ministers are frustrated at the sluggish pace of the civil service response to COVID-19, Baroness Harding brings top-level private sector experience.
A former CEO of telecoms giant TalkTalk, the Conservative peer is said to be disciplined and demanding.
Government sources point out she has achieved the equivalent of "building an operation the size of Tesco in a matter of months".
Image: Government sources say Baroness Harding has built an 'operation the size of Tesco in a matter of months'
And whilst the vast increase in testing capacity has been impressive, a key metric for suppressing the virus concerns the percentage of close contacts traced.
The government's scientists say it must be above 80% for the system to be effective, but that target was last hit in mid-June.
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This month's figures have been getting progressively worse, with just under 60% of close contacts being traced.
Critics argue that by consistently missing such an important target, more people are becoming infected, more hospitalised, and more will die.
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:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Yet Baroness Harding retains - at least for now - the support and respect of her two direct bosses: Boris Johnson and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case. And she remains a convenient lightning rod for criticism.
It may help that she is loyal and well connected in Conservative circles.
David Cameron was a university contemporary at Oxford and her husband, John Penrose, is a Tory MP.
The pair met while working for the management consultants McKinsey, yet the involvement of highly paid consultants in the Test and Trace programme has attracted difficult headlines after Sky News discovered some were on a day-rate of £7,000.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:40 Senior Tory calls on Test and Trace head to go
Baroness Harding is used to charting a course through a crisis.
She was in charge of Talk Talk when the company was hit by a cyber attack and hackers accessed the data of 150,000 customers.
Critics argue her handling of that incident - the company was fined £400,000 by the Information Commissioner - is exactly why she shouldn't be put anywhere near such a critical part of government.
Whatever her skills, communicating carefully may not be among them.
Last month, she attracted criticism after telling a Commons committee that the surge in testing demand when schools returned after the summer had caught her by surprise.
That admission is perhaps why Downing Street has repeatedly blocked interview requests.
At a time when cabinet ministers are having to defend her almost on a daily basis, the one person seemingly unwilling to publicly defend Dido Harding's work is her.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--PM admits he hasn't spoken to Marcus Rashford since June amid free school meals row

Boris Johnson has admitted he has n't spoken to Marcus Rashford since June - but has praised the footballer 's `` terrific '' food poverty campaign .
The Manchester United forward is leading a high-profile campaign for the expansion of free school meals and also for the provision of meals during all school holidays for those in need .
The government has so far refused to bow to growing pressure over the issue , despite having previously performed a U-turn prior to the summer holidays when they provided meal vouchers to around 1.3 million children in England .
Despite not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-term - and having resisted calls to extend the scheme until Easter next year - Mr Johnson on Monday vowed that ministers `` will do everything in our power to make sure that no kid , no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays '' .
He added : `` I have n't spoken to Marcus since June but , as I say , I think what he 's doing is terrific . ''
Earlier , Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that the pair had `` been communicating '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his Twitter account .
Some local councils , including Conservative-run local authorities , have pledged to continue the holiday voucher scheme in recent days .
And small businesses and organisations have offered meals to struggling families in their local areas .
Mr Johnson said there was a `` debate '' over how best to provide holiday meals for children during the coronavirus crisis , as he pointed to the government 's uplift of Universal Credit and a £63m fund for local councils announced more than four months ago .
The £20 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end in April , while the leader of one Conservative-run local authority has said any extra support for councils during the coronavirus crisis had already been spent .
During a visit to Royal Berkshire Hospital on Monday , the prime minister defended his government 's efforts to support those who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 crisis .
`` We support the local councils and , indeed , we fund the local councils and many of the organisations that are helping in this period , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , uplifing Universal Credit by £1,000 and we think that is one of the best ways you can help families in this tough time .
`` I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger , it is there , we have to deal with it .
The debate is how do you deal with it .
`` We 're very proud of the support that we 've given , I 've said repeatedly throughout this crisis that the government will support families and businesses , jobs and livelihoods across the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that .
We do n't want to see children going hungry this winter , this Christmas .
`` Certainly not as a result of any inattention by this government .
You 're not going to see that . ''
Mr Johnson had visited the hospital to mark the publication of a new review into hospital food .

Boris Johnson has admitted he hasn't spoken to Marcus Rashford since June - but has praised the footballer's "terrific" food poverty campaign.
The Manchester United forward is leading a high-profile campaign for the expansion of free school meals and also for the provision of meals during all school holidays for those in need.
The government has so far refused to bow to growing pressure over the issue, despite having previously performed a U-turn prior to the summer holidays when they provided meal vouchers to around 1.3 million children in England.
Latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world
Image: Marcus Rashford is leading a high-profile food poverty campaign
Despite not extending the voucher scheme for this October half-term - and having resisted calls to extend the scheme until Easter next year - Mr Johnson on Monday vowed that ministers "will do everything in our power to make sure that no kid, no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays".
He added: "I haven't spoken to Marcus since June but, as I say, I think what he's doing is terrific."
Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that the pair had "been communicating", although Rashford disputed this via a post on his Twitter account.
Some local councils, including Conservative-run local authorities, have pledged to continue the holiday voucher scheme in recent days.
And small businesses and organisations have offered meals to struggling families in their local areas.
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Amid concerns at his stance from some of his own Conservative MPs, Mr Johnson said there was a "debate" over how best to provide holiday meals for children during the coronavirus crisis.
He pointed to the government's uplift of Universal Credit and a £63m fund for local councils announced more than four months ago.
Image: Boris Johnson said there was a 'debate' over how to deal with 'holiday hunger'
The £20 a week increase to Universal Credit is scheduled to end in April, while the leader of one Conservative-run local authority has said any extra support for councils during the coronavirus crisis had already been spent.
But, during a visit to Royal Berkshire Hospital on Monday, the prime minister defended his government's efforts to support those who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
"We support the local councils and, indeed, we fund the local councils and many of the organisations that are helping in this period," he said.
"But we're also uplifing Universal Credit by £1,000 and we think that is one of the best ways you can help families in this tough time.
"I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger; it is there, we have to deal with it. The debate is how do you deal with it.
"We're very proud of the support that we've given, I've said repeatedly throughout this crisis that the government will support families and businesses, jobs and livelihoods across the country.
"We're going to continue to do that. We don't want to see children going hungry this winter, this Christmas.
"Certainly not as a result of any inattention by this government. You're not going to see that."
Image: The PM defended his government's efforts
Mr Johnson had visited the hospital to mark the publication of a new review into hospital food.
Labour's shadow education secretary, Kate Green, said the prime minister's "warm words" would "do nothing" for those children at risk of going hungry this half-term, after Tory MPs last week voted against her party's call for the provision of free meals during all school holidays until next Easter.
"Labour will not not give up on the children and families let down by this government, and we will hold the prime minister to his word, forcing another vote in parliament if necessary," Ms Green added.
"The government must now make children a national priority, and ensure that no child goes hungry."
The Local Government Association (LGA) said that many councils had already used up their hardship funds to support local households.
Richard Watts, chair of the LGA's resources board, said: "Short-term hardship funding provided by the government this summer helped councils try and provide much-needed crisis support to all households - including those without children - struggling to afford food but also fuel and other essentials.
"Demand for support from households facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 has outstripped this funding now and councils are having to find money from stretched budgets to top it up.
"This is increasingly difficult as they continue to face rising costs of providing services - such as adult social care, protecting children and housing rough sleepers - and income losses as a result of the pandemic.
"As many households are likely to be economically vulnerable for some time to come, it is vital that the government restores local welfare funding so councils can provide preventative support to all households who need it."
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Earlier, Welsh Secretary Simon Hart admitted the row over free school meals had "caused a lot of stink" but said the government was trying to "find creative ways to help people".
He told Sky News: "The idea that we would simply continue with free school meals ad infinitum - the measure which we brought in during the Easter and summer holidays - we're trying to find ways of actually making the help which is available to families who are hardest hit as long-term and as 365 days a year as possible, not just the school holidays."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--New boss of Test and Trace app only contracted for six months

The new boss of the contact-tracing app has only taken the job for six months , Sky News has learned , raising concerns about the rapid turnover of executives at the top of the troubled Test and Trace programme .
Gaby Appleton , a director of academic publishing company Elsevier , was revealed by Sky News last week as the new head of the NHS COVID-19 app , which operates in England and Wales .
She is the third person to lead the app team in the last six months .
None of the three heads have a background in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appleton was on a six-month secondment to Test and Trace was not made public when her appointment was confirmed , despite being announced to her colleagues at Elsevier almost a month ago , according to internal emails seen by Sky News .
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson confirmed that Ms Appleton , who has been given the role of director of product for Test and Trace , was on secondment `` initially for six months '' .
The news that one of the most senior executives in Test and Trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the programme 's leadership , which has been sharply criticised following falls in the number of possible carriers of coronavirus it manages to contact .
Senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin broke ranks on Sunday to call on Test and Trace boss Dido Harding to step down , saying there was a `` vacuum of leadership '' that was `` destroying co-operation and compliance '' .
Sir Bernard told Sky News : `` There is a sense that there is a lack of overall strategy that is at the heart of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trace source expressed frustration at the constant change at the top of the organisation by comparing it to the World War Two effort to crack German encryption , known as Enigma .
`` This is perhaps the most complicated and time-pressured data management problem since Enigma , '' the source said .
`` Do you think the Allies would have deciphered the Nazi code if the leadership of MI6 changed on a monthly basis ? ''
Ms Appleton , who started work last week , has taken over from Simon Thompson , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run the programme in June , just before the first contact tracing app was ditched after it encountered technical problems .
Sky News understands that Mr Thompson took the role while he was on gardening leave from his previous job at online supermarket Ocado .
Last month it was reported that former Sainsbury 's boss Mike Coupe would take a key role overseeing testing at Test and Trace , but would only be in the role until Christmas .
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said : `` NHS Test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the military , public and private sectors , who have built the largest diagnostic industry the UK has ever seen .
`` It is the equivalent of building an operation the size of Tesco in a matter of months .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Gaby Appleton 's role as director of product for NHS Test and Trace , which will have responsibility for the COVID-19 app , has been created to help enhance and run the app now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The appointment is initially for six months and we will always ensure there is a strong leadership team in place for NHS Test and Trace . ''
Although the app has been downloaded more than 18m times , its functionality has received widespread criticism , with complaints that it sends `` false alarms '' telling people they have been near someone with coronavirus .
Sky News revealed last week that people told to self-isolate by the app were not able to claim the £500 support payment for low-paid workers , even if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Social Care spokesperson said both issues were being reviewed and that it was `` actively exploring '' ways to allow low-paid workers to claim payment from the app .

The new boss of the contact-tracing app has only taken the job for six months, Sky News has learned, raising concerns about the rapid turnover of executives at the top of the troubled Test and Trace programme.
Gaby Appleton, a director of academic publishing company Elsevier, was revealed by Sky News last week as the new head of the NHS COVID-19 app, which operates in England and Wales.
She is the third person to lead the app team in the last six months. None of the three heads have a background in public health.
The latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world
The news that Ms Appleton was on a six-month secondment to Test and Trace was not made public when her appointment was confirmed, despite being announced to her colleagues at Elsevier almost a month ago, according to internal emails seen by Sky News.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson confirmed that Ms Appleton, who has been given the role of director of product for Test and Trace, was on secondment "initially for six months".
The news that one of the most senior executives in Test and Trace is on a short-term contract may raise questions about the programme's leadership, which has been sharply criticised following falls in the number of possible carriers of coronavirus it manages to contact.
Senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin broke ranks on Sunday to call on Test and Trace boss Dido Harding to step down, saying there was a "vacuum of leadership" that was "destroying co-operation and compliance".
Sir Bernard told Sky News: "There is a sense that there is a lack of overall strategy that is at the heart of the problem."
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One Test and Trace source expressed frustration at the constant change at the top of the organisation by comparing it to the World War Two effort to crack German encryption, known as Enigma.
"This is perhaps the most complicated and time-pressured data management problem since Enigma," the source said.
"Do you think the Allies would have deciphered the Nazi code if the leadership of MI6 changed on a monthly basis?"
Ms Appleton, who started work last week, has taken over from Simon Thompson, the former Apple executive who was appointed to run the programme in June, just before the first contact tracing app was ditched after it encountered technical problems.
Sky News understands that Mr Thompson took the role while he was on gardening leave from his previous job at online supermarket Ocado.
Last month it was reported that former Sainsbury's boss Mike Coupe would take a key role overseeing testing at Test and Trace, but would only be in the role until Christmas.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "NHS Test and Trace has a leadership team, drawn from the military, public and private sectors, who have built the largest diagnostic industry the UK has ever seen.
"It is the equivalent of building an operation the size of Tesco in a matter of months.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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"Gaby Appleton's role as director of product for NHS Test and Trace, which will have responsibility for the COVID-19 app, has been created to help enhance and run the app now it has been fully launched.
"The appointment is initially for six months and we will always ensure there is a strong leadership team in place for NHS Test and Trace."
Although the app has been downloaded more than 18m times, its functionality has received widespread criticism, with complaints that it sends "false alarms" telling people they have been near someone with coronavirus.
Sky News revealed last week that people told to self-isolate by the app were not able to claim the £500 support payment for low-paid workers, even if they were eligible for it.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said both issues were being reviewed and that it was "actively exploring" ways to allow low-paid workers to claim payment from the app.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--Northern Tory MPs demand 'roadmap out of lockdown' in letter to PM

More than 50 Tory MPs from `` red wall '' seats are demanding a `` roadmap out of lockdown '' from Boris Johnson and a post-COVID economic recovery plan for the north of England .
As Warrington and parts of Nottinghamshire became the latest areas to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions , the MPs have voiced their anger over the hardship brought by strict lockdown rules .
Latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world The demands come in a hard-hitting letter to the prime minister from the newly-launched Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs , led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powerhouse minister Jake Berry .
Mr Berry , who has previously called COVID-19 restrictions on the North `` London-centric '' and `` the manacles of state control '' , claims the virus threatens to increase the North-South divide and `` send the North into reverse '' .
The group is calling on the government to begin work to `` level-up the North '' , which Mr Johnson has claimed is his mission after the Tories made sweeping gains from Labour in the region in the general election .
In what amounts to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' demands include : • Set out a clear roadmap out of lockdown In their letter , the MPs remind the prime minister that many towns and cities in the north of England have been under strict local restrictions in the weeks preceding his announcement of a tier-based system two weeks ago .
They warn the government that , with no end in sight , the adversity of local economies is set to continue , with many people facing hardship as they close their businesses and lose their jobs .
Mr Berry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Darwen , said : `` The North has seen a level of disruption unparalleled with other parts of the country .
`` The virus has exposed in sharp relief the deep structural and systemic disadvantage faced by our communities and it threatens to continue to increase the disparity between the North and South still further .
`` Our constituents have been some of the hardest hit by this virus with many losing jobs , businesses , and livelihoods .
`` Never has there been a more pertinent and urgent political and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North .
`` However , instead of moving forwards on our shared ambitions , the cost of COVID and the virus itself threatens to send the North into reverse . ''
Tory MP William Wragg , MP for Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester and a rebel against coronavirus restrictions , added : `` We have long needed a good deal for the North from the government and the virus has only exacerbated that need .
`` This is n't about giving government a tough time - the prime minister shares our collective priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguments we , as a group of Northern MPs , can make to government about how it delivers on its promise to level up the North .
`` From transport to digital connectivity , education and skills to small businesses , our region and its people can propel our national recovery .
`` On a pan-northern basis , we can work with government to create wealth and opportunity for our constituents , building back better after COVID . ''
Responding to the Tory MPs ' letter for Labour , shadow chief Treasury secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson 's own MPs know that he can not be trusted to deliver on his promises .
`` The government has been treating local communities with contempt .
The decision not to extend free school meals is the clearest sign yet that the Conservatives have the wrong priorities and are not on the side of British families . ''
A Downing Street spokesperson said : `` We are absolutely committed to levelling up across the country and building back better after coronavirus .
`` We stood at the last election on a solemn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives , and although the pandemic has meant 2020 is not the year we all hoped it would be , our ambitions for the country are unchanged . ''

More than 50 Tory MPs from "red wall" seats are demanding a "roadmap out of lockdown" from Boris Johnson and a post-COVID economic recovery plan for the north of England.
As Warrington and parts of Nottinghamshire became the latest areas to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions, the MPs have voiced their anger over the hardship brought by strict lockdown rules.
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
Image: Northern cities such as Manchester have been under local restrictions for weeks
The demands come in a hard-hitting letter to the prime minister from the newly-launched Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs, led by former Boris Johnson ally and ex-Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry.
Mr Berry, who has previously called COVID-19 restrictions on the North "London-centric" and "the manacles of state control", claims the virus threatens to increase the North-South divide and "send the North into reverse".
The group is calling on the government to begin work to "level-up the North", which Mr Johnson has claimed is his mission after the Tories made sweeping gains from Labour in the region in the general election.
In what amounts to a manifesto for the North, the MPs' demands include:
Set out a clear roadmap out of lockdown
Prioritise accelerating key road, rail and social infrastructure projects and job creation
Develop a tailored economic recovery plan for the North
In their letter, the MPs remind the prime minister that many towns and cities in the north of England have been under strict local restrictions in the weeks preceding his announcement of a tier-based system two weeks ago.
They warn the government that, with no end in sight, the adversity of local economies is set to continue, with many people facing hardship as they close their businesses and lose their jobs.
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Mr Berry, MP for the Lancashire constituency of Rossendale and Darwen, said: "The North has seen a level of disruption unparalleled with other parts of the country.
"The virus has exposed in sharp relief the deep structural and systemic disadvantage faced by our communities and it threatens to continue to increase the disparity between the North and South still further.
"Our constituents have been some of the hardest hit by this virus with many losing jobs, businesses, and livelihoods.
"Never has there been a more pertinent and urgent political and economic case to support people living in the North.
"However, instead of moving forwards on our shared ambitions, the cost of COVID and the virus itself threatens to send the North into reverse."
He later told Sky News' All Out Politics that "there is no better person" than Mr Johnson to "drive forward the North of England", but said the North "really does need a plan to build back better with hope" from the coronavirus crisis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:09 Former minister on North-South divide
Tory MP William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester and a rebel against coronavirus restrictions, added: "We have long needed a good deal for the North from the government and the virus has only exacerbated that need.
"This isn't about giving government a tough time - the prime minister shares our collective priority. But there are compelling and constructive arguments we, as a group of Northern MPs, can make to government about how it delivers on its promise to level up the North.
"From transport to digital connectivity, education and skills to small businesses, our region and its people can propel our national recovery.
"On a pan-northern basis, we can work with government to create wealth and opportunity for our constituents, building back better after COVID."
Responding to the MPs' letter, business minister Nadhim Zahawi pointed to the government's towns fund as among ministers' efforts in "levelling up" the country.
He told Sky News' Kay Burley: "Out of the 101 towns that have been earmarked for the £3.6bn of funding, 45 are in the Northern Powerhouse and about 30 are in the Midlands Engine.
"We are refreshing the industrial strategy and the prime minister's focus is absolutely on the levelling up agenda.
"In our hospital building programme, 14 hospitals are in the Northern Powerhouse.
"That is what Jake Berry and Simon Clarke and others want to see happen; real investment in infrastructure but also in jobs."
Responding to the Tory MPs' letter for Labour, shadow chief Treasury secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "Even Boris Johnson's own MPs know that he cannot be trusted to deliver on his promises.
"The government has been treating local communities with contempt. The decision not to extend free school meals is the clearest sign yet that the Conservatives have the wrong priorities and are not on the side of British families."
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "We are absolutely committed to levelling up across the country and building back better after coronavirus.
"We stood at the last election on a solemn promise that we would improve people's lives, and although the pandemic has meant 2020 is not the year we all hoped it would be, our ambitions for the country are unchanged."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--'Undermining devolution': Welsh first minister attacks PM over COVID response

The embattled Welsh first minister - under attack over shops in Wales refusing to sell tampons , books and clothes - has bitterly attacked Boris Johnson over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
In his second powerful attack on the prime minister in 10 days , Mark Drakeford accused Mr Johnson of deliberately centralising power in Westminster and placing devolution under serious threat .
`` Unfortunately , relations with the UK government are not as we would wish them to be , '' Mr Drakeford complained in a scathing report on COVID-19 relations between the Welsh government and Westminster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberately , in its desire to centralise power and remove obstacles in all branches of government to exercising that power , the UK government is undermining devolution .
`` The constitutional settlement that has been supported by the people of Wales in two referendums is under serious threat . ''
Mr Drakeford 's attack followed his plea to supermarkets in Wales to use discretion in the sale of `` non-essential '' goods , after strict lockdown rules caused chaos and provoked a furious public backlash .
Since Friday , Wales has been under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Mr Johnson rejected calls for a similar `` circuit breaker '' lockdown in England and imposed local and regional restrictions instead .
But Mr Drakeford , who complained in his report that the Joint Ministerial Committee of UK and devolved government ministers had not met to discuss COVID-19 , hit out .
`` Crises require flexibility and inventiveness , '' he said .
`` Engagement across the UK has not been reliable or regular enough , and has exposed the weakness in the inter-governmental arrangements which are intended to sustain a devolved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 has raised awareness of the respective responsibilities of the UK government and the Welsh government .
`` It has shown that Wales can , and should continue to , benefit from the decisions made by our devolved institutions , based on our circumstances , as well as wider measures across the UK .
`` The association of nations in which we have been able to share risk and reward in these unprecedented times has also been to our advantage .
`` To secure those advantages for the future we need radical reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a voluntary association of nations where sovereignty is held by each nation and then pooled for common purposes .
`` Our proposals for joint intergovernmental working include a series of regular and predictable meetings at head of government , portfolio minister and official levels , to consider the UK response to the pandemic .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' This means co-ordinating decision-making and communications so that the public understand what rules apply to them and why some restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some are different .
`` We need dialogue with the prime minister on why the freedom of movement of people from England is more important , in his view , than the protection of people in Wales from the virus . ''
Mr Drakeford 's attack followed his declaration at an online event with Gordon Brown earlier this month that `` the way the UK has operated in the pandemic has been a wing and a prayer '' .
`` The prime minister calls us together randomly , at short notice , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for week after week , after week , '' he said .
`` The underpinning of the UK has been so neglected by this government .
The pinnacle of intergovernmental relations is meant to be the Joint Ministerial Committee .
It has n't met once .
`` Not a single time in the whole premiership of Boris Johnson .
Now Mrs [ Theresa ] May , she was a careful attender to intergovernmental relations . ''

The embattled Welsh first minister - under attack over shops in Wales refusing to sell tampons, books and clothes - has bitterly attacked Boris Johnson over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
In his second powerful attack on the prime minister in 10 days, Mark Drakeford accused Mr Johnson of deliberately centralising power in Westminster and placing devolution under serious threat.
"Unfortunately, relations with the UK government are not as we would wish them to be," Mr Drakeford complained in a scathing report on COVID-19 relations between the Welsh government and Westminster.
Image: Mr Drakeford said Boris Johnson does not talk enough with other governments
"Sometimes carelessly, and sometimes deliberately, in its desire to centralise power and remove obstacles in all branches of government to exercising that power, the UK government is undermining devolution.
"The constitutional settlement that has been supported by the people of Wales in two referendums is under serious threat."
Mr Drakeford's attack followed his plea to supermarkets in Wales to use discretion in the sale of "non-essential" goods, after strict lockdown rules caused chaos and provoked a furious public backlash.
Since Friday, Wales has been under a 17-day "firebreak" lockdown, while Mr Johnson rejected calls for a similar "circuit breaker" lockdown in England and imposed local and regional restrictions instead.
But Mr Drakeford, who complained in his report that the Joint Ministerial Committee of UK and devolved government ministers had not met to discuss COVID-19, hit out.
"Crises require flexibility and inventiveness," he said.
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"Engagement across the UK has not been reliable or regular enough, and has exposed the weakness in the inter-governmental arrangements which are intended to sustain a devolved union."
Image: A Welsh Tesco blocked off sanitary products. Pic: @nicholasmith6
He claimed: "COVID-19 has raised awareness of the respective responsibilities of the UK government and the Welsh government.
"It has shown that Wales can, and should continue to, benefit from the decisions made by our devolved institutions, based on our circumstances, as well as wider measures across the UK.
"The association of nations in which we have been able to share risk and reward in these unprecedented times has also been to our advantage.
"To secure those advantages for the future we need radical reform of the UK, making it authentically a voluntary association of nations where sovereignty is held by each nation and then pooled for common purposes.
"Our proposals for joint intergovernmental working include a series of regular and predictable meetings at head of government, portfolio minister and official levels, to consider the UK response to the pandemic.
:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"This means co-ordinating decision-making and communications so that the public understand what rules apply to them and why some restrictions are the same across the UK and some are different.
"We need dialogue with the prime minister on why the freedom of movement of people from England is more important, in his view, than the protection of people in Wales from the virus."
Mr Drakeford's attack followed his declaration at an online event with Gordon Brown earlier this month that "the way the UK has operated in the pandemic has been a wing and a prayer".
"The prime minister calls us together randomly, at short notice, with very little preparation and then nothing happens for week after week, after week," he said.
"The underpinning of the UK has been so neglected by this government. The pinnacle of intergovernmental relations is meant to be the Joint Ministerial Committee. It hasn't met once.
"Not a single time in the whole premiership of Boris Johnson. Now Mrs [Theresa] May, she was a careful attender to intergovernmental relations."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--PM stands firm on free school meals policy - but says Marcus Rashford's campaign is 'terrific'

Boris Johnson has admitted he has n't spoken to Marcus Rashford since June - but has praised the footballer 's `` terrific '' food poverty campaign .
The Manchester United forward is leading a high-profile campaign for the expansion of free school meals and also for the provision of meals during all school holidays for those in need .
The government has so far refused to bow to growing pressure over the issue , despite having previously performed a U-turn prior to the summer holidays when they provided meal vouchers to around 1.3 million children in England .
Latest coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world Despite not extending the voucher scheme for this October half-term - and having resisted calls to extend the scheme until Easter next year - Mr Johnson on Monday vowed that ministers `` will do everything in our power to make sure that no kid , no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays '' .
He added : `` I have n't spoken to Marcus since June but , as I say , I think what he 's doing is terrific . ''
Earlier , Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicating '' , although Rashford disputed this via a post on his Twitter account .
Some local councils , including Conservative-run local authorities , have pledged to continue the holiday voucher scheme in recent days .
And small businesses and organisations have offered meals to struggling families in their local areas .
Amid concerns at his stance from some of his own Conservative MPs , Mr Johnson said there was a `` debate '' over how best to provide holiday meals for children during the coronavirus crisis .
He pointed to the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £63m fund for local councils announced more than four months ago .
The £20 a week increase to Universal Credit is scheduled to end in April , while the leader of one Conservative-run local authority has said any extra support for councils during the coronavirus crisis had already been spent .
But , during a visit to Royal Berkshire Hospital on Monday , the prime minister defended his government 's efforts to support those who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 crisis .
`` We support the local councils and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many of the organisations that are helping in this period , '' he said .
`` But we 're also uplifing Universal Credit by £1,000 and we think that is one of the best ways you can help families in this tough time .
`` I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger ; it is there , we have to deal with it .
The debate is how do you deal with it .
`` We 're very proud of the support that we 've given , I 've said repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support families and businesses , jobs and livelihoods across the country .
`` We 're going to continue to do that .
We do n't want to see children going hungry this winter , this Christmas .
`` Certainly not as a result of any inattention by this government .
You 're not going to see that . ''
Mr Johnson had visited the hospital to mark the publication of a new review into hospital food .
Labour 's shadow education secretary , Kate Green , said the prime minister 's `` warm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those children at risk of going hungry this half-term , after Tory MPs last week voted against her party 's call for the provision of free meals during all school holidays until next Easter .
`` Labour will not not give up on the children and families let down by this government , and we will hold the prime minister to his word , forcing another vote in parliament if necessary , '' Ms Green added .
`` The government must now make children a national priority , and ensure that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government Association ( LGA ) said that many councils had already used up their hardship funds to support local households .
Richard Watts , chair of the LGA 's resources board , said : `` Short-term hardship funding provided by the government this summer helped councils try and provide much-needed crisis support to all households - including those without children - struggling to afford food but also fuel and other essentials .
`` Demand for support from households facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 has outstripped this funding now and councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budgets to top it up .
`` This is increasingly difficult as they continue to face rising costs of providing services - such as adult social care , protecting children and housing rough sleepers - and income losses as a result of the pandemic .
`` As many households are likely to be economically vulnerable for some time to come , it is vital that the government restores local welfare funding so councils can provide preventative support to all households who need it . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Spreaker Earlier , Welsh Secretary Simon Hart admitted the row over free school meals had `` caused a lot of stink '' but said the government was trying to `` find creative ways to help people '' .
He told Sky News : `` The idea that we would simply continue with free school meals ad infinitum - the measure which we brought in during the Easter and summer holidays - we 're trying to find ways of actually making the help which is available to families who are hardest hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year as possible , not just the school holidays . ''


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--'Simply wrong': Welsh minister 'saddened' after period products blocked from sale

The Welsh health minister has said he was `` saddened '' after a woman was incorrectly told she could not buy sanitary products at a Tesco store due to the firebreak lockdown .
In a coronavirus update on Monday , Vaughan Gething said that was `` simply wrong '' .
Tesco has since apologised , moving quickly to rectify its initial position .
The Welsh government is due to meet with retailers on Monday afternoon to review the controversial ban on selling non-essential items during a two-week `` firebreak '' .
In a Twitter exchange , a customer asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told she could n't buy sanitary towels .
In a now-deleted tweet , a reply from Tesco 's official account said : `` We have been told by the Welsh government not to sell these items for the duration of the firebreak lockdown . ''
Latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world Another customer said she had the same problem and was left `` raging '' and `` in tears '' when she could n't buy the products .
In the briefing , Mr Gething said : `` I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media this morning from a supermarket telling a woman she could not buy period products .
This is simply wrong .
`` It 's an incorrect reading of the regulations and the guidance .
I am very sorry that this woman was given this information . ''
He said that supermarkets in the country can sell non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown in `` exceptional circumstances '' .
The incident also forced the Welsh government to intervene .
A tweet from the government 's official account said : `` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' There has been widespread criticism over the guidance that says certain sections of supermarkets must be `` cordoned off or emptied , and closed to the public '' .
The strict measures are designed to ensure people have as little contact with those outside their household as possible while the two-week lockdown , which started on Friday 23 October , is in place .
It 's also been argued it would be unfair if independent retailers were forced to close but supermarkets continued selling similar items .
Almost 43,000 people have signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ban , which it described as `` disproportionate and cruel '' .
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the review would make sure `` common sense is applied '' to the rules governing the 17-day coronavirus lockdown .
Mr Drakeford said : `` We 'll be reviewing how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets and making sure that common sense is applied .
`` Supermarkets can sell anything that can be sold in any other type of shop that is n't required to close .
In the meantime , please only leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affected items include electrical goods , telephones , clothes , toys and games , garden products and dedicated sections for homeware .
Tesco has now apologised following the tweets which circulated on social media , adding that the issue was localised to one store and was the result of a police investigation .
`` Sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores in Wales .
Due to a break-in , this area was closed temporarily in one store for a police investigation but is now open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customer , which implied these products were non-essential , was sent by mistake and we 're very sorry for any confusion caused , '' a spokesperson said .
The lockdown , which ends on 9 November , bans people from leaving their homes except for reasons such as buying food and medicine , providing care or taking exercise .
It also means people should work from home where possible .
Leisure , hospitality and tourism businesses are closed , as are libraries , community centres and recycling centres .
Places of worship are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weddings .

The Welsh health minister has said he was "saddened" after a woman was incorrectly told she could not buy sanitary products at a Tesco store due to the firebreak lockdown.
In a coronavirus update on Monday, Vaughan Gething said that was "simply wrong". Tesco has since apologised, moving quickly to rectify its initial position.
The Welsh government is due to meet with retailers on Monday afternoon to review the controversial ban on selling non-essential items during a two-week "firebreak".
In a Twitter exchange, a customer asked the supermarket chain for help after she was told she couldn't buy sanitary towels. In a now-deleted tweet, a reply from Tesco's official account said: "We have been told by the Welsh government not to sell these items for the duration of the firebreak lockdown."
Latest coronavirus news from the UK and around the world
Image: The store tweeted to say it couldn't sell the products for the 'duration of the firebreak lockdown'
Another customer said she had the same problem and was left "raging" and "in tears" when she couldn't buy the products.
In the briefing, Mr Gething said: "I was very saddened to see this particular exchange on social media this morning from a supermarket telling a woman she could not buy period products. This is simply wrong.
"It's an incorrect reading of the regulations and the guidance. I am very sorry that this woman was given this information."
He said that supermarkets in the country can sell non-essential items during the firebreak lockdown in "exceptional circumstances".
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The incident also forced the Welsh government to intervene.
A tweet from the government's official account said: "This is wrong - period products are essential."
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There has been widespread criticism over the guidance that says certain sections of supermarkets must be "cordoned off or emptied, and closed to the public".
The strict measures are designed to ensure people have as little contact with those outside their household as possible while the two-week lockdown, which started on Friday 23 October, is in place.
It's also been argued it would be unfair if independent retailers were forced to close but supermarkets continued selling similar items.
Almost 43,000 people have signed a petition calling on politicians to reverse the ban, which it described as "disproportionate and cruel".
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the review would make sure "common sense is applied" to the rules governing the 17-day coronavirus lockdown.
Mr Drakeford said: "We'll be reviewing how the weekend has gone with the supermarkets and making sure that common sense is applied.
"Supermarkets can sell anything that can be sold in any other type of shop that isn't required to close. In the meantime, please only leave home if you need to."
Affected items include electrical goods, telephones, clothes, toys and games, garden products and dedicated sections for homeware.
Tesco has now apologised following the tweets which circulated on social media, adding that the issue was localised to one store and was the result of a police investigation.
"Sanitary products are essential items and are available to customers in all of our stores in Wales. Due to a break-in, this area was closed temporarily in one store for a police investigation but is now open again.
"The reply to this customer, which implied these products were non-essential, was sent by mistake and we're very sorry for any confusion caused," a spokesperson said.
The lockdown, which ends on 9 November, bans people from leaving their homes except for reasons such as buying food and medicine, providing care or taking exercise.
It also means people should work from home where possible.
Leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses are closed, as are libraries, community centres and recycling centres.
Places of worship are only allowed to open for funerals or weddings.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-26--Can you go trick or treating this Halloween under COVID rules?

Trick or treating can take place in some areas of England despite coronavirus restrictions , Downing Street has suggested .
Ahead of Halloween on Saturday , Number 10 said carrying out the traditional custom would be dependent on those local COVID-19 measures in place under the government 's three-tier system .
Asked about the prospect of trick or treating being banned this year , the prime minister 's official spokesman said : `` The rules are those which apply to household mixing in general .
`` And what that means in practice is , if you 're in a 'Very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not mix with other households indoors or in private outdoor spaces .
`` If you 're in a 'High ' COVID alert level then the rule of six applies in private gardens and outdoor spaces but households must not mix indoors .
`` And in terms of the 'Medium ' alert level , you can meet indoors and outdoors in groups of no more than six people .
`` The rules are there for all circumstances and people will have to use their common sense in ensuring they are following the rules .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as indoors or outdoors , the spokesman said the question that applied was where someone 's private property began .
Pressed on whether Boris Johnson would encourage people not to go trick or treating this year , the spokesman replied : `` He 'd encourage people to follow local rules in all circumstances . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker With large parts of the North West already in the `` Very High '' COVID alert level - also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that trick or treating is banned .
`` People will need to find alternative celebrations to traditional trick or treating as we know it , '' Lancashire Police said .
`` Lancashire is in Tier 3 regulations and the law is that people ca n't socialise with anyone who is n't in their household or social bubble - this applies anywhere indoors and in private outdoor spaces including yards and gardens .
`` This means traditional trick or treating where you go and knock on someone else 's door is n't allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be socialising and mixing . ''
In other areas , with lesser COVID restrictions , local police are providing `` no trick or treat '' advice posters for those who might be shielding .
Surrey Police anti-social behaviour manager Jo Grimshaw said : `` If you are going trick or treating , please follow the safety advice and remember that some people , especially the elderly , might be frightened by groups of people knocking at their doors so please respect any homes displaying a 'no trick or treat ' sign .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely but Halloween does not legitimise bad behaviour or vandalism and people need to consider how their actions can affect others . ''

Trick or treating can take place in some areas of England despite coronavirus restrictions, Downing Street has suggested.
Ahead of Halloween on Saturday, Number 10 said carrying out the traditional custom would be dependent on those local COVID-19 measures in place under the government's three-tier system.
Image: Measures under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system
Asked about the prospect of trick or treating being banned this year, the prime minister's official spokesman said: "The rules are those which apply to household mixing in general.
"And what that means in practice is, if you're in a 'Very High' alert level then you cannot mix with other households indoors or in private outdoor spaces.
"If you're in a 'High' COVID alert level then the rule of six applies in private gardens and outdoor spaces but households must not mix indoors.
"And in terms of the 'Medium' alert level, you can meet indoors and outdoors in groups of no more than six people.
"The rules are there for all circumstances and people will have to use their common sense in ensuring they are following the rules."
Asked whether someone's doorstep counts as indoors or outdoors, the spokesman said the question that applied was where someone's private property began.
Pressed on whether Boris Johnson would encourage people not to go trick or treating this year, the spokesman replied: "He'd encourage people to follow local rules in all circumstances."
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With large parts of the North West already in the "Very High" COVID alert level - also known as Tier 3 - police have already said that trick or treating is banned.
"People will need to find alternative celebrations to traditional trick or treating as we know it," Lancashire Police said.
"Lancashire is in Tier 3 regulations and the law is that people can't socialise with anyone who isn't in their household or social bubble - this applies anywhere indoors and in private outdoor spaces including yards and gardens.
"This means traditional trick or treating where you go and knock on someone else's door isn't allowed as it means people from different households would be socialising and mixing."
In other areas, with lesser COVID restrictions, local police are providing "no trick or treat" advice posters for those who might be shielding.
Surrey Police anti-social behaviour manager Jo Grimshaw said: "If you are going trick or treating, please follow the safety advice and remember that some people, especially the elderly, might be frightened by groups of people knocking at their doors so please respect any homes displaying a 'no trick or treat' sign.
"We want people to enjoy themselves safely but Halloween does not legitimise bad behaviour or vandalism and people need to consider how their actions can affect others."