labourlist--2020-11-01--Sunday shows: “Schools must stay open,” insists Starmer

Labour leader Keir Starmer appeared on the show this morning .
He slammed the Tories for the delay in introducing a national lockdown , highlighted the “ price of the government ’ s incompetence ” and insisted that “ schools must stay open ” despite the National Education Union demanding that schools be included in the lockdown .
• On the lockdown : “ Three weeks ago , we called for a circuit break .
Now at that stage , the government rejected it out of hand , ridiculed it .
Now , only to do precisely the same thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that delay.
” • On the delay : “ The lockdown now will be longer , it will be harder .
We just missed half term .
And there ’ s a very real human cost to this .
On the day that SAGE recommended a circuit break , the daily death rate was 11 , yesterday it was 326.
” • Asked whether Labour will support the government when it brings the measures before parliament next week : “ We will vote in favour of the restrictions.
” • On exiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down period : “ If they don ’ t use this time to fix test , trace and isolate , then I think the 2nd December will be a review date – not an end date.
” • On the test and trace system : “ It ’ s been busted for months .
Use the time to fix it because otherwise we ’ re going to be back in this cycle for months and months and months.
” • Asked if he would work with Boris Johnson : “ I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national interest to try and get the infection rate down.
” • Asked what we need to see for England to come out of lockdown : “ We need to stay in the lockdown until the R rate is below one… I don ’ t know if it ’ s possible to get the R rate below one if your test , trace and isolate isn ’ t working.
” • Asked whether it is possible to get R below one with schools remaining open under the current proposals for the lockdown beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think possible , but it will take longer.
” • He added : “ Lots of parents and teachers will be tearing their hair out – last week was half term .
That ’ s why I said do the circuit break then.
” • On schools and the government ’ s delay : “ If we ’ d said to schools , will you close on the Friday before half term… you could have had a 12-day shut down of schools .
Well , that is the price of the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Schools must stay open .
It ’ s really important .
The harm that children are caused by not being in school is huge , so they must stay open.
” • On testing in schools : “ The government should put in place effective testing at schools .
Put children and staff at the front of the queue , in the same way as the NHS staff , to make sure that we control it.
” • Asked whether Mark Drakeford has been “ irresponsible ” by maintaining that the Welsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 9th : “ No , Mark has followed the science and he ’ s put in place a break… He got in early with his decision.
” • Asked whether we should have a UK-wide lockdown : “ Ideally , yes… It should be a four-nation approach if possible .
It is for the Prime Minister to lead on that and get people round the table to do the same thing at the same time.
” • On the potential £40bn cost of the measures announced on Saturday : “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to pay because of the delay of the government .
Had there been a shorter lockdown , it would have been less expensive.
” • On Jeremy Corbyn ’ s suspension for his response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on Labour antisemitism : “ I was very disappointed with Jeremy ’ s response where he appeared to suggest it was exaggerated.
” • On the ongoing disciplinary action : “ There is now a process… It ’ s very important for me not to express a view on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that.
” • On a resulting divide in the party : “ There is no need for a civil war in the Labour Party .
I stood on a platform to unite the party and I ’ m determined to do that , but I also made a solemn pledge that we would root out antisemitism.
” • He added : “ What happened on Thursday was not what I wanted to happen… I wanted the focus on Thursday to be on the Jewish community , Jewish people , those that had suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his time in Corbyn ’ s shadow cabinet : “ Antisemitism came up in the shadow cabinet and I challenged what was going on , on a number of fronts… I thought it was important to have that challenge inside the shadow cabinet.
” • On his position at the time : “ There were a number of challenges that I was very aggressively attacking… I was calling for automatic expulsions , and for rule changes , and the change on the international definition.
” • He refused to say whether he wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only : “ I would like to see Jeremy reflect on what he said… I think it ’ s pretty clear across the labour movement that most people think he ’ s in the wrong place on this.
” Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove appeared on the show this morning and denied leaking government plans on Covid to the press .
He told viewers that he did not know who had been responsible for the leak .
Gove highlighted that Johnson has launched an inquiry , but refused to say whether the responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said : “ It is for the Prime Minister and the cabinet secretary to decide what the appropriate steps are.
” The minister said the government is committed to keeping schools open “ whatever happens ” under the lockdown measures announced .
He argued : “ All the evidence suggests that schools are not a centre of infection and that schools are safe.
” Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson said Labour would support in parliament the national lockdown announced on Saturday but argued the delay in introducing the measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country ” .
• On the lockdown : “ We did call for that circuit breaker three weeks ago because it was clear the numbers were heading in the wrong direction.
” • On whether Labour would vote to support the national lockdown : “ We will support it , however it would have been better if we had been in a position where the government had brought forward that circuit breaker.
” • On an end date for the measures beginning on Thursday : “ We are in a position now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown – a lockdown where we don ’ t fully understand if it will have the end date that the government has set out.
” • On the government ’ s failure to put in place a lockdown earlier : “ The government has been too slow on this .
They were too slow in the initial phase of the coronavirus crisis , they ’ ve been too slow now.
” • On following the science : “ The government should be driven by the evidence and by the advice that they receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s so disappointing that they ’ ve ridiculed the evidence and ridiculed the science.
” • On the cost of the lockdown : “ To be in this position now will not only come at a significant cost in terms of life , but actually it ’ s going to make the recovery far slower and will make the economic damage much longer than if the government had acted sooner .
• She added : “ Inaction has had very real consequences for our country.
” • On schools : “ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unions are expressing but I ’ ve seen the impact that ’ s felt in places like Sunderland and the North East where they ’ ve been out of school for a significant period of time.
” • On the impact of lost time in school for disadvantaged children : “ They can ’ t afford to have that loss of education… They already start school behind their more affluent peers .
They already face such challenges getting on in life.
” • On testing for school staff : “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we do need to see the government putting place support to make sure all teaching staff and staff within schools have priority access to testing.
” • On higher education : “ There is a different position around universities .
We do need to see the government setting out what their plan for the end of term looks like and whether they could encourage universities to move away from face-to-face teaching.
” • On the extension to the furlough scheme : “ It was a mistake back in July for the Chancellor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that support when it was far from clear that we were through this crisis.
” • On the impact for businesses : “ It ’ s incredible that businesses were looking today for the introduction of the new job support scheme , only to be told with less than six hours notice that instead furlough was going to the extended.
” • On Labour antisemitism and the suspension of Corbyn : “ Jeremy Corbyn ’ s statement arising out of the EHRC report was deeply disappointing .
We accept the findings of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing its recommendations.
” • On the disciplinary action against the former leader : “ On that specific case obviously there is a process underway now – the party ’ s disciplinary process – and I can ’ t really say much more on that.
” • On whether Starmer should have done more under Corbyn ’ s leadership : “ Keir Starmer spoke out both publicly and privately , as did many of us… Some of us chose to stay on the backbenches .
Others felt the way to change things was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gove defended the new lockdown announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday evening .
He said the spread of the virus was “ greater than any of us predicted ” and the “ nuclear option ” was now necessary .
Asked why , two weeks earlier , he explicitly told Sky News that there would not be a national lockdown , Gove argued that at the time the government believed that the “ regional approach could succeed ” at reducing coronavirus infections .
He also revealed that the lockdown could be extended beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R rate is still above one , and told viewers that the government will “ always make a decision in the national interest based on evidence ” .
Former Foreign Secretary and Labour MP David Miliband declared this morning that he “ can ’ t think of anything more shameful ” than the results of the EHRC report on antisemitism in the Labour Party that was released on Thursday .
Miliband argued that it was “ definitely ” correct to suspend Corbyn , claiming his response to the report “ showed all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of his time as Labour leader , and said that Corbyn “ essentially suspended himself ” .

The Andrew Marr Show
Labour leader Keir Starmer appeared on the show this morning. He slammed the Tories for the delay in introducing a national lockdown, highlighted the “price of the government’s incompetence” and insisted that “schools must stay open” despite the National Education Union demanding that schools be included in the lockdown.
On coronavirus…
On the lockdown: “Three weeks ago, we called for a circuit break. Now at that stage, the government rejected it out of hand, ridiculed it. Now, only to do precisely the same thing. But there is a cost to that delay.”
On the delay: “The lockdown now will be longer, it will be harder. We just missed half term. And there’s a very real human cost to this. On the day that SAGE recommended a circuit break, the daily death rate was 11, yesterday it was 326.”
Asked whether Labour will support the government when it brings the measures before parliament next week: “We will vote in favour of the restrictions.”
On exiting the lockdown at the end of the four-week shut down period: “If they don’t use this time to fix test, trace and isolate, then I think the 2nd December will be a review date – not an end date.”
On the test and trace system: “It’s been busted for months. Use the time to fix it because otherwise we’re going to be back in this cycle for months and months and months.”
Asked if he would work with Boris Johnson: “I would work with the Prime Minister in the national interest to try and get the infection rate down.”
Asked what we need to see for England to come out of lockdown: “We need to stay in the lockdown until the R rate is below one… I don’t know if it’s possible to get the R rate below one if your test, trace and isolate isn’t working.”
Asked whether it is possible to get R below one with schools remaining open under the current proposals for the lockdown beginning next week: “It is I think possible, but it will take longer.”
He added: “Lots of parents and teachers will be tearing their hair out – last week was half term. That’s why I said do the circuit break then.”
On schools and the government’s delay: “If we’d said to schools, will you close on the Friday before half term… you could have had a 12-day shut down of schools. Well, that is the price of the government’s incompetence.”
On schools: “Schools must stay open. It’s really important. The harm that children are caused by not being in school is huge, so they must stay open.”
On testing in schools: “The government should put in place effective testing at schools. Put children and staff at the front of the queue, in the same way as the NHS staff, to make sure that we control it.”
Asked whether Mark Drakeford has been “irresponsible” by maintaining that the Welsh ‘firebreak‘ will still end on November 9th: “No, Mark has followed the science and he’s put in place a break… He got in early with his decision.”
Asked whether we should have a UK-wide lockdown: “Ideally, yes… It should be a four-nation approach if possible. It is for the Prime Minister to lead on that and get people round the table to do the same thing at the same time.”
On the potential £40bn cost of the measures announced on Saturday: “It’s a price we’ve now got to pay because of the delay of the government. Had there been a shorter lockdown, it would have been less expensive.”
On Labour news this week…
On Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension for his response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on Labour antisemitism: “I was very disappointed with Jeremy’s response where he appeared to suggest it was exaggerated.”
On the ongoing disciplinary action: “There is now a process… It’s very important for me not to express a view on the merits of that or the outcome of that.”
On a resulting divide in the party: “There is no need for a civil war in the Labour Party. I stood on a platform to unite the party and I’m determined to do that, but I also made a solemn pledge that we would root out antisemitism.”
He added: “What happened on Thursday was not what I wanted to happen… I wanted the focus on Thursday to be on the Jewish community, Jewish people, those that had suffered such pain and anguish.”
On his time in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet: “Antisemitism came up in the shadow cabinet and I challenged what was going on, on a number of fronts… I thought it was important to have that challenge inside the shadow cabinet.”
On his position at the time: “There were a number of challenges that I was very aggressively attacking… I was calling for automatic expulsions, and for rule changes, and the change on the international definition.”
He refused to say whether he wanted Corbyn back in the party, saying only: “I would like to see Jeremy reflect on what he said… I think it’s pretty clear across the labour movement that most people think he’s in the wrong place on this.”
"Schools must stay open" Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tells #Marr "the harm that children are caused by not being in schools is huge"#Covid_19 https://t.co/eLzJzR9xTD pic.twitter.com/rPsHlnMaJa — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 1, 2020
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove appeared on the show this morning and denied leaking government plans on Covid to the press. He told viewers that he did not know who had been responsible for the leak.
Gove highlighted that Johnson has launched an inquiry, but refused to say whether the responsible party should be sacked if identified. He said: “It is for the Prime Minister and the cabinet secretary to decide what the appropriate steps are.”
The minister said the government is committed to keeping schools open “whatever happens” under the lockdown measures announced. He argued: “All the evidence suggests that schools are not a centre of infection and that schools are safe.”
Sophy Ridge on Sunday
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson said Labour would support in parliament the national lockdown announced on Saturday but argued the delay in introducing the measure has had “very real consequences for our country”.
On the lockdown: “We did call for that circuit breaker three weeks ago because it was clear the numbers were heading in the wrong direction.”
On whether Labour would vote to support the national lockdown: “We will support it, however it would have been better if we had been in a position where the government had brought forward that circuit breaker.”
On an end date for the measures beginning on Thursday: “We are in a position now where we’re facing a national lockdown – a lockdown where we don’t fully understand if it will have the end date that the government has set out.”
On the government’s failure to put in place a lockdown earlier: “The government has been too slow on this. They were too slow in the initial phase of the coronavirus crisis, they’ve been too slow now.”
On following the science: “The government should be driven by the evidence and by the advice that they receive, and that’s why it’s so disappointing that they’ve ridiculed the evidence and ridiculed the science.”
On the cost of the lockdown: “To be in this position now will not only come at a significant cost in terms of life, but actually it’s going to make the recovery far slower and will make the economic damage much longer than if the government had acted sooner.
She added: “Inaction has had very real consequences for our country.”
On schools: “They should stay open… I understand the concerns that unions are expressing but I’ve seen the impact that’s felt in places like Sunderland and the North East where they’ve been out of school for a significant period of time.”
On the impact of lost time in school for disadvantaged children: “They can’t afford to have that loss of education… They already start school behind their more affluent peers. They already face such challenges getting on in life.”
On testing for school staff: “It’s vital that schools remain open, but we do need to see the government putting place support to make sure all teaching staff and staff within schools have priority access to testing.”
On higher education: “There is a different position around universities. We do need to see the government setting out what their plan for the end of term looks like and whether they could encourage universities to move away from face-to-face teaching.”
On the extension to the furlough scheme: “It was a mistake back in July for the Chancellor to announce he was starting to withdraw that support when it was far from clear that we were through this crisis.”
On the impact for businesses: “It’s incredible that businesses were looking today for the introduction of the new job support scheme, only to be told with less than six hours notice that instead furlough was going to the extended.”
On Labour antisemitism and the suspension of Corbyn: “Jeremy Corbyn’s statement arising out of the EHRC report was deeply disappointing. We accept the findings of that report in full and we will be implementing its recommendations.”
On the disciplinary action against the former leader: “On that specific case obviously there is a process underway now – the party’s disciplinary process – and I can’t really say much more on that.”
On whether Starmer should have done more under Corbyn’s leadership: “Keir Starmer spoke out both publicly and privately, as did many of us… Some of us chose to stay on the backbenches. Others felt the way to change things was from within the shadow cabinet.”
'It's incredible that businesses were told with six hours notice, that furlough was going to be extended' says Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s shadow chief secretary to the Treasury. Follow #Ridge live: https://t.co/r9xf32oFer pic.twitter.com/lwcSTp8cNG — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) November 1, 2020
Michael Gove defended the new lockdown announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday evening. He said the spread of the virus was “greater than any of us predicted” and the “nuclear option” was now necessary.
Asked why, two weeks earlier, he explicitly told Sky News that there would not be a national lockdown, Gove argued that at the time the government believed that the “regional approach could succeed” at reducing coronavirus infections.
He also revealed that the lockdown could be extended beyond its December 2nd end date if the R rate is still above one, and told viewers that the government will “always make a decision in the national interest based on evidence”.
Former Foreign Secretary and Labour MP David Miliband declared this morning that he “can’t think of anything more shameful” than the results of the EHRC report on antisemitism in the Labour Party that was released on Thursday.
Miliband argued that it was “definitely” correct to suspend Corbyn, claiming his response to the report “showed all of the blindness and all of the arrogance” of his time as Labour leader, and said that Corbyn “essentially suspended himself”.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Welsh MPs criticise “one rule for South of England and another for rest of UK”

Welsh Labour MPs have criticised the Prime Minister in the House of Commons for extending the furlough scheme as England enters a second lockdown but refusing to do the same for Wales when it entered its own ‘ firebreak ’ lockdown .
Speaking during a Commons debate today , several MPs expressed frustration over a lack of support for regions that had already faced lockdowns , with one arguing that there was “ one rule for the South of England and another for the rest of the UK ” .
Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones told the House : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ lockdown in North Wales and much of the North West , the North East and the West Midlands have faced significant local restrictions for months now .
“ When devolved administrations and local governments argued that the 67 % furlough scheme was insufficient , the UK government said that it was the best that they could do .
“ And yet when similar restrictions were extended to England , including large swathes of the South , they then changed their minds and went back to 80 % .
So why does this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of England and another for the rest of the United Kingdom ?
” Reacting to the backbench MP ’ s question , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the government provided a “ different package of support for different measures ” and that furlough support had been available across the UK .
His response was heavily criticised by Ogmore Labour MP Chris Elmore , who said the government had refused to extend extra furlough support for Wales when its lockdown began “ for party political reasons ” .
The Welsh Labour MP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Prime Minister could possibly be confused .
In his answer to the member for Pontypridd , he said that the furlough was across the UK .
“ On the 16th of October , the Welsh First Minister asked the Chancellor to extend the furlough scheme from 67 % to 80 % .
On the 19th of October , the Chancellor told the First Minister it could not be done for technical reasons .
“ What are those technical reasons ?
Or is it more about the fact that when it suits the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK , and when it doesn ’ t for party political reasons it doesn ’ t ?
” Newport East MP Jessica Morden also spoke during the debate to “ echo the frustration ” of her colleagues and ask whether furlough support would now be backdated in Wales .
The Prime Minister neglected to answer the question .
Johnson used the debate to confirm that England will enter lockdown on Thursday , subject to a vote the day before , as revealed by the press and subsequently the government on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Self-employed workers who are eligible for Covid grants will see support increased from 40 % to 80 % of average monthly trading profits for November only , which means the three-month grant is capped at £5,160 in total .
An extension to the wider furlough scheme , which had been due to end on Saturday , was announced in advance of the debate .
This will allow furloughed workers to receive 80 % wage support during the new national lockdown .
This is significantly higher than the 67 % of wages being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is what Wales had to access at the start of its ‘ firebreak ’ lockdown that was put in place in the middle of last month .
First Minister Mark Drakeford asked at the time for more furlough support from the Westminster government to help Welsh workers get through the nation ’ s lockdown , but the request was refused by Chancellor Rishi Sunak .
In light of the furlough extension , Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols asked “ how many people were laid off in anticipation of the furlough scheme ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an apology ” to those who had now lost their jobs .
Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister earlier in the Commons Covid update of having “ overpromised and under-delivered ” at “ every stage ” of the crisis and highlighted “ the human cost of the government ’ s inaction ” .
The Labour leader had previously called for a short , sharp ‘ circuit breaker ’ lockdown in England last month but the measure was rejected by Johnson at the time in favour of his framework of tiered local coronavirus restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shadow business minister Lucy Powell told the Commons : “ I ’ m still not clear what has actually changed from two or three weeks ago when the PM was ridiculing the leader of the opposition… “ As he himself has said , infection rate rises have slowed over that period and hospital admissions reflect the infection rate from two or three weeks ago .
This was entirely predictable and indeed it was predicted.
“ The Labour frontbencher concluded : “ So given that he can ’ t stick with a plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he now give some real clarity to the criteria for the exit strategy from this national lockdown ?
” The new measures in England , set to start on November 5th and end on December 2nd , will see all non-essential shops and hospitality close for four weeks – but unlike the original lockdown , schools , colleges and universities will stay open .
First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed today that Wales would be easing its own restrictions once its ‘ firebreak ’ lockdown ends on November 9th despite the announcement of the @ @ @ @ @ @

Welsh Labour MPs have criticised the Prime Minister in the House of Commons for extending the furlough scheme as England enters a second lockdown but refusing to do the same for Wales when it entered its own ‘firebreak’ lockdown.
Speaking during a Commons debate today, several MPs expressed frustration over a lack of support for regions that had already faced lockdowns, with one arguing that there was “one rule for the South of England and another for the rest of the UK”.
Pontypridd MP Alex Davies-Jones told the House: “We are now halfway through our ‘firebreak’ lockdown in North Wales and much of the North West, the North East and the West Midlands have faced significant local restrictions for months now.
“When devolved administrations and local governments argued that the 67% furlough scheme was insufficient, the UK government said that it was the best that they could do.
“And yet when similar restrictions were extended to England, including large swathes of the South, they then changed their minds and went back to 80%. So why does this government have one rule for the South of England and another for the rest of the United Kingdom?”
Reacting to the backbench MP’s question, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the government provided a “different package of support for different measures” and that furlough support had been available across the UK.
His response was heavily criticised by Ogmore Labour MP Chris Elmore, who said the government had refused to extend extra furlough support for Wales when its lockdown began “for party political reasons”.
The Welsh Labour MP and opposition frontbencher told the Commons: “The Prime Minister could possibly be confused. In his answer to the member for Pontypridd, he said that the furlough was across the UK.
“On the 16th of October, the Welsh First Minister asked the Chancellor to extend the furlough scheme from 67% to 80%. On the 19th of October, the Chancellor told the First Minister it could not be done for technical reasons.
“What are those technical reasons? Or is it more about the fact that when it suits the Prime Minister, furlough applies to all of the UK, and when it doesn’t for party political reasons it doesn’t?”
Newport East MP Jessica Morden also spoke during the debate to “echo the frustration” of her colleagues and ask whether furlough support would now be backdated in Wales. The Prime Minister neglected to answer the question.
Johnson used the debate to confirm that England will enter lockdown on Thursday, subject to a vote the day before, as revealed by the press and subsequently the government on Saturday. He also revealed further economic support.
Self-employed workers who are eligible for Covid grants will see support increased from 40% to 80% of average monthly trading profits for November only, which means the three-month grant is capped at £5,160 in total.
An extension to the wider furlough scheme, which had been due to end on Saturday, was announced in advance of the debate. This will allow furloughed workers to receive 80% wage support during the new national lockdown.
This is significantly higher than the 67% of wages being provided under the local furlough scheme, which is what Wales had to access at the start of its ‘firebreak’ lockdown that was put in place in the middle of last month.
First Minister Mark Drakeford asked at the time for more furlough support from the Westminster government to help Welsh workers get through the nation’s lockdown, but the request was refused by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
In light of the furlough extension, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols asked “how many people were laid off in anticipation of the furlough scheme ending” and whether Johnson would “make an apology” to those who had now lost their jobs.
Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister earlier in the Commons Covid update of having “overpromised and under-delivered” at “every stage” of the crisis and highlighted “the human cost of the government’s inaction”.
The Labour leader had previously called for a short, sharp ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown in England last month but the measure was rejected by Johnson at the time in favour of his framework of tiered local coronavirus restrictions.
Discussing the failure to act sooner, shadow business minister Lucy Powell told the Commons: “I’m still not clear what has actually changed from two or three weeks ago when the PM was ridiculing the leader of the opposition…
“As he himself has said, infection rate rises have slowed over that period and hospital admissions reflect the infection rate from two or three weeks ago. This was entirely predictable and indeed it was predicted.“
The Labour frontbencher concluded: “So given that he can’t stick with a plan for more than a week, can he now give some real clarity to the criteria for the exit strategy from this national lockdown?”
The new measures in England, set to start on November 5th and end on December 2nd, will see all non-essential shops and hospitality close for four weeks – but unlike the original lockdown, schools, colleges and universities will stay open.
First Minister Mark Drakeford confirmed today that Wales would be easing its own restrictions once its ‘firebreak’ lockdown ends on November 9th despite the announcement of the new national lockdown in England.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Labour staff branch raises concerns over “due process” in Corbyn suspension

Concerns have been raised with Labour ’ s general secretary and director of human resources by the Unite the Union party staff branch that says “ due process appears to have broken down ” with the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn .
The branch sent the letter last week on behalf of party staff members particularly in Labour ’ s governance and legal unit ( GLU ) , which is responsible for handling complaints until they may be referred to the national executive committee .
It says party staff have been left “ feeling very uncertain about the integrity of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former Labour leader that was “ apparently not done using the formal GLU system and structures ” .
Keir Starmer has said that he did not take the decision to suspend Corbyn himself and it was taken independently by David Evans .
But some have criticised this process , as they say the general secretary also counts as “ political interference ” .
Before adding that this has been “ upsetting for staff who have to uphold such a system and need to have faith that it is applied fairly and consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspension being quickly announced to the media was “ unacceptable ” .
Asked for comment on the contents of the Unite staff branch letter , a Labour Party spokesperson told LabourList : “ All complaints are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures.
” Corbyn was suspended on Thursday after he issued a statement describing “ one antisemite ” in Labour as “ too many ” but adding that “ the scale ” of Labour antisemitism was “ dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents ” .
A Labour spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was suspended from the party pending investigation and had the whip withdrawn “ [ in ] light of his comments… and his failure to retract them subsequently ” .
Another “ due process ” concern has been raised over emails being “ sent from parts of the organisation that should not be involved in the complaints and legal process of the party ” , specifically from the leader ’ s office digital team .
According to the letter , an email was sent from Keir Starmer aides to regional staff about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and about logging and dealing with complaints , but GLU staff were unaware of it .
The letter also asks for clarity on the future of current staff who are permanent employees of the party as a new independent complaints process is introduced following the recommendation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission .
The Unite branch has sought confirmation that GLU staffers “ are not at risk of losing their roles ” and that those employees and workplace unions will be “ fully engaged and involved from the very beginning of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Labour leadership election earlier this year pledged to implement an independent process , and this is a compulsory move following the publication of the final EHRC report on Labour antisemitism .
Labour has been served with an unlawful act notice on the basis of the statutory investigation .
The party has six weeks – until December 10th – to produce an action plan to the EHRC in response to the findings and recommendations .

Concerns have been raised with Labour’s general secretary and director of human resources by the Unite the Union party staff branch that says “due process appears to have broken down” with the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn.
The branch sent the letter last week on behalf of party staff members particularly in Labour’s governance and legal unit (GLU), which is responsible for handling complaints until they may be referred to the national executive committee.
It says party staff have been left “feeling very uncertain about the integrity of our processes” by the process of suspending the former Labour leader that was “apparently not done using the formal GLU system and structures”.
Keir Starmer has said that he did not take the decision to suspend Corbyn himself and it was taken independently by David Evans. But some have criticised this process, as they say the general secretary also counts as “political interference”.
Before adding that this has been “upsetting for staff who have to uphold such a system and need to have faith that it is applied fairly and consistently”, the letter also says the suspension being quickly announced to the media was “unacceptable”.
Asked for comment on the contents of the Unite staff branch letter, a Labour Party spokesperson told LabourList: “All complaints are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures.”
Corbyn was suspended on Thursday after he issued a statement describing “one antisemite” in Labour as “too many” but adding that “the scale” of Labour antisemitism was “dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents”.
A Labour spokesperson announced almost three hours after his statement that he was suspended from the party pending investigation and had the whip withdrawn “[in] light of his comments… and his failure to retract them subsequently”.
Another “due process” concern has been raised over emails being “sent from parts of the organisation that should not be involved in the complaints and legal process of the party”, specifically from the leader’s office digital team.
According to the letter, an email was sent from Keir Starmer aides to regional staff about monitoring the social media of party members and about logging and dealing with complaints, but GLU staff were unaware of it.
The letter also asks for clarity on the future of current staff who are permanent employees of the party as a new independent complaints process is introduced following the recommendation of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The Unite branch has sought confirmation that GLU staffers “are not at risk of losing their roles” and that those employees and workplace unions will be “fully engaged and involved from the very beginning of any structural changes”.
All candidates in the Labour leadership election earlier this year pledged to implement an independent process, and this is a compulsory move following the publication of the final EHRC report on Labour antisemitism.
Labour has been served with an unlawful act notice on the basis of the statutory investigation. The party has six weeks – until December 10th – to produce an action plan to the EHRC in response to the findings and recommendations.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Labour calls for focus on “wellbeing” during fresh lockdown in England

Labour has demanded that the government answer three key questions on the situation for sports and exercise ahead of the newly announced national lockdown that is set to come into force in England on Thursday .
Shadow sports minister Alison McGovern has called on the government to put “ wellbeing at their heart of their plans ” and ensure that outdoor sports can be safely accessed as soon as possible .
She has asked ministers the following : • “ Some sports and exercise clearly maintain social distancing .
For example , outdoor tennis , outdoor swimming , outdoor running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out how facilities that support socially distant activity can be reopened safely as soon as possible ?
• “ Sports bodies were asked to make submissions to Treasury some weeks ago .
When will we hear the results of these funding bids ?
• “ On team sports , these have been crucial for both physical and mental health .
Will the government work with us to create an exit plan from the second lockdown to make sure that any pause is temporary and as short as possible ?
Also , will they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact on children ’ s health ?
” Commenting on Labour ’ s questions on the situation for sport during the upcoming lockdown today , McGovern said : “ We want the government to put wellbeing at the heart of their plans for handling the coronavirus .
“ We know how incredible sport is for both mental and physical health – both of which are at risk as we face further restrictions .
It can not be an afterthought in this time of crisis.
” The new measures in England , set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 2nd , will see all non-essential shops and hospitality close for four weeks – but unlike the original lockdown , schools , colleges and universities will stay open .
The restrictions will also include the closure of all “ indoor or outdoor leisure facilities ” , gyms and sports facilities , which means even sports that can take place outside while socially distant will not be allowed under new rules .
But people in England will be allowed to exercise with individuals from the same household , their support bubble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two-people limit on outside meetings will not apply to children under school age .
A recent study suggested that the UK ’ s obesity levels were “ fuelling ” Covid deaths as being overweight has been identified as one of the biggest risk factors for serious illness and death from the virus .
Around 28 % of the UK is classed as obese .
Helping to fight coronavirus , alongside various other health benefits , is one of the central planks of the new national obesity strategy that was launched by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 while overweight .
The government has pledged to implement a ban on junk food advertising after 9pm , display calories on food menus , ban ‘ buy one get one free ’ deals and undertake a £10m ad campaign to encourage exercise and healthy eating .
Labour has been critical of the government ’ s treatment of the sports sector during the coronavirus crisis as little specialised financial support has been provided despite much of the industry seeing huge drops in revenue .
Local football clubs have been particularly hard-hit by Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant revenue from ticket sales disappeared .
Many are now at risk of going bankrupt as restrictions are set to continue .
McGovern has warned that the lack of financial aid for non-league football clubs risks leaving teams outside the Premier League to be “ washed down the drain ” .
She said : “ Clubs need to know what ’ s happening so they can survive .
”

Labour has demanded that the government answer three key questions on the situation for sports and exercise ahead of the newly announced national lockdown that is set to come into force in England on Thursday.
Shadow sports minister Alison McGovern has called on the government to put “wellbeing at their heart of their plans” and ensure that outdoor sports can be safely accessed as soon as possible. She has asked ministers the following:
“Some sports and exercise clearly maintain social distancing. For example, outdoor tennis, outdoor swimming, outdoor running, golf. Will the government set out how facilities that support socially distant activity can be reopened safely as soon as possible?
“Sports bodies were asked to make submissions to Treasury some weeks ago. When will we hear the results of these funding bids?
“On team sports, these have been crucial for both physical and mental health. Will the government work with us to create an exit plan from the second lockdown to make sure that any pause is temporary and as short as possible? Also, will they consider the rules relating to under-18s given the impact on children’s health?”
Commenting on Labour’s questions on the situation for sport during the upcoming lockdown today, McGovern said: “We want the government to put wellbeing at the heart of their plans for handling the coronavirus.
“We know how incredible sport is for both mental and physical health – both of which are at risk as we face further restrictions. It cannot be an afterthought in this time of crisis.”
The new measures in England, set to start on November 5th and end on December 2nd, will see all non-essential shops and hospitality close for four weeks – but unlike the original lockdown, schools, colleges and universities will stay open.
The restrictions will also include the closure of all “indoor or outdoor leisure facilities”, gyms and sports facilities, which means even sports that can take place outside while socially distant will not be allowed under new rules.
But people in England will be allowed to exercise with individuals from the same household, their support bubble, or one person from a different household. The two-people limit on outside meetings will not apply to children under school age.
A recent study suggested that the UK’s obesity levels were “fuelling” Covid deaths as being overweight has been identified as one of the biggest risk factors for serious illness and death from the virus. Around 28% of the UK is classed as obese.
Helping to fight coronavirus, alongside various other health benefits, is one of the central planks of the new national obesity strategy that was launched by Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he contracted Covid-19 while overweight.
The government has pledged to implement a ban on junk food advertising after 9pm, display calories on food menus, ban ‘buy one get one free’ deals and undertake a £10m ad campaign to encourage exercise and healthy eating.
Labour has been critical of the government’s treatment of the sports sector during the coronavirus crisis as little specialised financial support has been provided despite much of the industry seeing huge drops in revenue.
Local football clubs have been particularly hard-hit by Covid after a ban on fans attending matches meant revenue from ticket sales disappeared. Many are now at risk of going bankrupt as restrictions are set to continue.
McGovern has warned that the lack of financial aid for non-league football clubs risks leaving teams outside the Premier League to be “washed down the drain”. She said: “Clubs need to know what’s happening so they can survive.”


labourlist--2020-11-02--Tony Woodley says he accepts Labour peerage to help work of Gordon Brown

Tony Woodley , a former general secretary of party-affiliated Unite the Union , has accepted a peerage that was offered by Jeremy Corbyn when he was still Labour leader after initially turning it down over the summer .
As reported by LabourList in August , Woodley originally said he was “ deeply honoured ” to be invited to join Labour ’ s team in the House of Lords but “ after the most careful reflection ” had decided not to accept the offer .
But the trade unionist has now changed his mind and opted to accept the peerage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to help Gordon Brown and the former Prime Minister ’ s work on the ‘ Alliance for Full Employment ’ .
Woodley said : “ I was proud to be recommended for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn but some weeks ago I announced that I had decided I would prefer to remain a campaigner for working people from outside the House of Lords .
“ Since then a number of people have urged me to reconsider .
I have been particularly influenced by former Labour premier Gordon Brown who is now leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avert the looming disaster of the return of mass unemployment , particularly among the young .
“ There could not be a cause closer to my heart , and if I can help Gordon and Labour from within the Lords as proposed then I feel that I have an obligation to do so .
“ I know that this change of heart will disappoint those who reject peerages on principle , but those who know me will be assured that wherever I am or whatever title I hold I will always put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have done all my life.
” Woodley was general secretary of the Transport and General Workers ’ Union ( TGWU ) from 2004 until 2007 , before becoming joint general secretary of Unite when the union merged with Amicus .
He stepped down from the role in 2011 .

Tony Woodley, a former general secretary of party-affiliated Unite the Union, has accepted a peerage that was offered by Jeremy Corbyn when he was still Labour leader after initially turning it down over the summer.
As reported by LabourList in August, Woodley originally said he was “deeply honoured” to be invited to join Labour’s team in the House of Lords but “after the most careful reflection” had decided not to accept the offer.
But the trade unionist has now changed his mind and opted to accept the peerage. He has attributed this decision to a desire to help Gordon Brown and the former Prime Minister’s work on the ‘Alliance for Full Employment’.
Woodley said: “I was proud to be recommended for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn but some weeks ago I announced that I had decided I would prefer to remain a campaigner for working people from outside the House of Lords.
“Since then a number of people have urged me to reconsider. I have been particularly influenced by former Labour premier Gordon Brown who is now leading the Alliance for Full Employment to help avert the looming disaster of the return of mass unemployment, particularly among the young.
“There could not be a cause closer to my heart, and if I can help Gordon and Labour from within the Lords as proposed then I feel that I have an obligation to do so.
“I know that this change of heart will disappoint those who reject peerages on principle, but those who know me will be assured that wherever I am or whatever title I hold I will always put the interests of working people first, as I have done all my life.”
Woodley was general secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) from 2004 until 2007, before becoming joint general secretary of Unite when the union merged with Amicus. He stepped down from the role in 2011.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Starmer: “At every stage, the PM has overpromised and under-delivered”

Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister of having “ overpromised and under-delivered ” at “ every stage ” of the coronavirus crisis , after Boris Johnson delivered an update to the Commons on the government ’ s Covid-19 response .
Johnson was confirming to MPs that England will enter lockdown on Thursday , subject to a vote the day before , as revealed by the press and subsequently the government on Saturday .
He also revealed further economic support .
Self-employed workers who are eligible for Covid grants will see support increased from 40 % to 80 % of average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which means the three-month grant is capped at £5,160 in total .
The Labour leader used his response in parliament this afternoon to emphasise “ the human cost of the government ’ s inaction ” , as he did in his address to the CBI this morning .
Starmer had called for a ‘ circuit break ’ on October 13th .
“ Three weeks ago , I called for a circuit break in England , in line with SAGE ’ s recommendation to bring infections down .
The government completely rejected that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , ” Starmer said .
Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the tough national restrictions this week , and Starmer has backed the Prime Minister ’ s decision to keep nurseries , schools , colleges and university open – despite unions disagreeing .
But the opposition party is asking the government to use the four-week lockdown to improve the test and trace system , including the offer of regular access for some people to new , rapid turnaround saliva Covid-19 tests .
Labour intends to make the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers such as frontline NHS staff , plus those in education , transport , retail and hospitality , and of at-risk groups living in areas with the highest infection rates .
Urging Johnson not to “ waste the time his late lockdown buys him ” , Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth has called for the government to put “ local public health experts in control ” and “ instigate retrospective contact tracing ” .
Starmer also asked today for a government exit strategy from lockdown , highlighting that many areas of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long time , such as Leicester that is “ on Day 127 ” of its strict Covid rules .
The Prime Minister did not offer clarity on a broader strategy for the coronavirus crisis , nor details of how areas will be able to leave the toughest restrictions once the four-month period is over .
But on a circuit break , he said : “ I make absolutely no apology ” .
Below is the full text of Keir Starmer ’ s response in the Commons .
Mr Speaker , the central lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that if you don ’ t act early and decisively , the cost will be far worse .
More people will lose their jobs , more businesses will be forced to close and tragically , more people will lose their loved ones .
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor failed to learn this lesson .
As a result , this lockdown will be longer than it needed to be – at least four weeks – it will be harder , we ’ ve just missed half-term , and the human cost will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the government ’ s own scientists – SAGE – recommended an “ urgent ” two-to-three week circuit breaker , there were 11 deaths from Covid-19 and just over 4,000 Covid infections .
For 40 days the Prime Minister ignored that advice .
When he finally announced a longer and deeper national lockdown on Saturday , those figures had increased to 326 deaths a day and 22,000 Covid cases .
That is the human cost of the government ’ s inaction .
The reality is that the two pillars of the Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trace and regional restrictions have not only failed to stop the second wave , they ’ ve been swept away by it .
At every stage , the Prime Minister has been too slow and behind the curve .
At every stage , he has pushed away challenge , ignored advice and put what he hoped would happen ahead of what is happening .
At every stage , he has overpromised and under-delivered .
Rejecting the advice of his own scientists for 40 days was a catastrophic failure of leadership and of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain to the British people why he failed to act and to listen for so long .
But tougher national restrictions are now needed .
The virus is out of control and the cost of further inaction would be huge .
So Labour will provide the votes necessary to make this happen but we will also demand that the government doesn ’ t waste these four weeks .
And repeat past mistakes .
So can the PM answer some very simple and direct questions : • Will the government finally use this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trace system – and give control to local authorities , as we ’ ve been proposing for months ?
• We agree that schools must be kept open – so will PM finally put in place the additional testing , support and strategy needed to make sure this can happen ?
• Will the PM confirm that the new economic package – I think this will be the Chancellor ’ s fourth in five weeks – will be at least as generous as in March ?
• And will he go further to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the self-employed and for the 1 million people who have already lost their job since March ?
• How does the Prime Minister plan to get a grip on messaging and rebuild public trust ?
After all , this announcement is only happening today because it was leaked to the national papers before parliament .
• And finally , can he clarify what the process will be for exiting lockdown – will it be only when the national R-rate is below 1 ?
Or will some regions exit lockdown before others ?
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national lockdown millions of people have lived under restrictions for months .
Leicester , for example , is on day 127 .
After everything the British people have been through – and are being asked to sacrifice again – they need confidence that the government actually has a plan and that there is light at the end of the tunnel .
Mr Speaker , I know how difficult this next month will be .
And the months to come .
The lockdown will now be harder , longer and more damaging than it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than ever , we must stand together as a country , as families and as communities and show – once again – that at a moment of national crisis , the British people always rise to moment .
And support those in need .
Thank you .

Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister of having “overpromised and under-delivered” at “every stage” of the coronavirus crisis, after Boris Johnson delivered an update to the Commons on the government’s Covid-19 response.
Johnson was confirming to MPs that England will enter lockdown on Thursday, subject to a vote the day before, as revealed by the press and subsequently the government on Saturday. He also revealed further economic support.
Self-employed workers who are eligible for Covid grants will see support increased from 40% to 80% of average monthly trading profits for November only, which means the three-month grant is capped at £5,160 in total.
The Labour leader used his response in parliament this afternoon to emphasise “the human cost of the government’s inaction”, as he did in his address to the CBI this morning. Starmer had called for a ‘circuit break’ on October 13th.
“Three weeks ago, I called for a circuit break in England, in line with SAGE’s recommendation to bring infections down. The government completely rejected that, only to now announce the precise same thing,” Starmer said.
Labour MPs will be whipped to vote in favour of the tough national restrictions this week, and Starmer has backed the Prime Minister’s decision to keep nurseries, schools, colleges and university open – despite unions disagreeing.
But the opposition party is asking the government to use the four-week lockdown to improve the test and trace system, including the offer of regular access for some people to new, rapid turnaround saliva Covid-19 tests.
Labour intends to make the case for weekly, saliva-based testing of high-risk workers such as frontline NHS staff, plus those in education, transport, retail and hospitality, and of at-risk groups living in areas with the highest infection rates.
Urging Johnson not to “waste the time his late lockdown buys him”, Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has called for the government to put “local public health experts in control” and “instigate retrospective contact tracing”.
Starmer also asked today for a government exit strategy from lockdown, highlighting that many areas of the country have been under tough restrictions for a long time, such as Leicester that is “on Day 127” of its strict Covid rules.
The Prime Minister did not offer clarity on a broader strategy for the coronavirus crisis, nor details of how areas will be able to leave the toughest restrictions once the four-month period is over. But on a circuit break, he said: “I make absolutely no apology”.
Below is the full text of Keir Starmer’s response in the Commons.
Mr Speaker, the central lesson from the first wave of this virus is that if you don’t act early and decisively, the cost will be far worse. More people will lose their jobs, more businesses will be forced to close and tragically, more people will lose their loved ones. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor failed to learn this lesson.
As a result, this lockdown will be longer than it needed to be – at least four weeks – it will be harder, we’ve just missed half-term, and the human cost will be higher. On 21st September, when the government’s own scientists – SAGE – recommended an “urgent” two-to-three week circuit breaker, there were 11 deaths from Covid-19 and just over 4,000 Covid infections.
For 40 days the Prime Minister ignored that advice. When he finally announced a longer and deeper national lockdown on Saturday, those figures had increased to 326 deaths a day and 22,000 Covid cases. That is the human cost of the government’s inaction.
The reality is that the two pillars of the Prime Minister’s strategy, the £12bn Track and Trace and regional restrictions have not only failed to stop the second wave, they’ve been swept away by it.
At every stage, the Prime Minister has been too slow and behind the curve. At every stage, he has pushed away challenge, ignored advice and put what he hoped would happen ahead of what is happening. At every stage, he has overpromised and under-delivered.
Rejecting the advice of his own scientists for 40 days was a catastrophic failure of leadership and of judgement. The Prime Minister now needs to explain to the British people why he failed to act and to listen for so long.
But tougher national restrictions are now needed. The virus is out of control and the cost of further inaction would be huge. So Labour will provide the votes necessary to make this happen but we will also demand that the government doesn’t waste these four weeks. And repeat past mistakes.
So can the PM answer some very simple and direct questions:
Will the government finally use this period to fix the broken track and trace system – and give control to local authorities, as we’ve been proposing for months?
We agree that schools must be kept open – so will PM finally put in place the additional testing, support and strategy needed to make sure this can happen?
Will the PM confirm that the new economic package – I think this will be the Chancellor’s fourth in five weeks – will be at least as generous as in March?
And will he go further to close the gaping holes in support for the self-employed and for the 1 million people who have already lost their job since March?
How does the Prime Minister plan to get a grip on messaging and rebuild public trust? After all, this announcement is only happening today because it was leaked to the national papers before parliament.
And finally, can he clarify what the process will be for exiting lockdown – will it be only when the national R-rate is below 1? Or will some regions exit lockdown before others?
This really matters because even before this this national lockdown millions of people have lived under restrictions for months. Leicester, for example, is on day 127.
After everything the British people have been through – and are being asked to sacrifice again – they need confidence that the government actually has a plan and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Mr Speaker, I know how difficult this next month will be. And the months to come. The lockdown will now be harder, longer and more damaging than it needed it to be.
But now, more than ever, we must stand together as a country, as families and as communities and show – once again – that at a moment of national crisis, the British people always rise to moment. And support those in need. Thank you.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Labour Muslim Network: Our plans for Islamophobia awareness month

November marks the beginning of Islamophobia awareness month ( # IAM ) .
Nearly a quarter of a century since we first coined the term ‘ Islamophobia ’ , Muslim communities in the West find ourselves in perhaps our most precarious moment .
From Donald Trump ’ s Muslim ban and Boris Johnson ’ s letterbox insults to recent provocations by Emmanuel Macron , the work to defeat the racism endured by Muslim communities is more important than ever .
The UK Labour Party prides itself in being the party of anti-racism , inclusion and equality .
For this reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have overwhelming supported Labour for more than 20 years .
If we look at the 2017 general election , an estimated 85 % of Muslims supported the Labour Party compared to 11 % who supported the Conservatives .
Similarly , in the 33 seats where Muslim voters had the potential to affect the overall outcome of the election – and where Conservatives finished either first or second – all expect for one of these seats saw a swing of 10 % towards the Labour Party .
These statistics are among many – including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show a trend across the years of consistent support within the Muslim community for Labour .
However , the growing threat of Islamophobia in mainstream politics has raised serious alarm bells for the Muslim community across Britain .
Since the Brexit referendum , we have seen a sharp rise in hate crime and , in particular , a rise in violent and non-violent Islamophobic attacks .
Home Office figures released in October showed that the highest number of recorded hate crime offences committed in the UK were against Muslims .
Of the 6,822 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019/20 , over 50 % were targeted towards Muslims .
Added to the increasing normalisation of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party and a growing concern over its perceived penetration into the Labour Party , Muslims across the country find themselves in a perilous position .
It is more important than ever for us to work across our movement to fight against Islamophobia wherever it may arise .
Some important progress has been made in recent times .
In November 2018 , the all-party parliamentary group ( APPG ) on British Muslims published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia ’ .
Following two years of consultation across the political world , the Muslim community and relevant organisations and charities , the APPG settled on a working definition of Islamophobia .
This definition has since been adopted by the Labour Party and multiple local authorities from across the UK .
The report contained the following definition : “ Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.
” This definition was accepted and adopted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities all through the country .
But there is still so much work to be done .
As part of the # IAM programme , the Labour Muslim Network will be releasing a report on ‘ Islamophobia and the Muslim experience ’ in the Labour Party .
This report diving into the prevalence of Islamophobia in the Labour Party is based on the largest consultation of Muslim members and supporters in our history .
Its aim is to wake us up to the experiences of Muslims within our movement and spur us into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects of society .
While the full report will be released later this month , we can reveal that 44 % of Labour Muslim members and supporters told our researchers they did not “ believe the Labour Party takes the issue of Islamophobia seriously ” .
This should shock readers – it certainly did us .
It should reaffirm to us all why now is the right time for an honest , in-depth examination of the racism experienced by Muslim members and supporters of the Labour Party .
If Labour is to fulfil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society , and if it is to continue in its anti-racist traditions , our party must tackle the issue of Islamophobia in our society head-on and with serious commitment .
This month is our platform and opportunity to do just that .

November marks the beginning of Islamophobia awareness month (#IAM). Nearly a quarter of a century since we first coined the term ‘Islamophobia’, Muslim communities in the West find ourselves in perhaps our most precarious moment. From Donald Trump’s Muslim ban and Boris Johnson’s letterbox insults to recent provocations by Emmanuel Macron, the work to defeat the racism endured by Muslim communities is more important than ever.
The UK Labour Party prides itself in being the party of anti-racism, inclusion and equality. For this reason, and many more, British Muslims have overwhelming supported Labour for more than 20 years. If we look at the 2017 general election, an estimated 85% of Muslims supported the Labour Party compared to 11% who supported the Conservatives.
Similarly, in the 33 seats where Muslim voters had the potential to affect the overall outcome of the election – and where Conservatives finished either first or second – all expect for one of these seats saw a swing of 10% towards the Labour Party. These statistics are among many – including from the 2019 general election – that show a trend across the years of consistent support within the Muslim community for Labour.
However, the growing threat of Islamophobia in mainstream politics has raised serious alarm bells for the Muslim community across Britain. Since the Brexit referendum, we have seen a sharp rise in hate crime and, in particular, a rise in violent and non-violent Islamophobic attacks. Home Office figures released in October showed that the highest number of recorded hate crime offences committed in the UK were against Muslims. Of the 6,822 religious hate crimes recorded by the police in 2019/20, over 50% were targeted towards Muslims.
Added to the increasing normalisation of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party and a growing concern over its perceived penetration into the Labour Party, Muslims across the country find themselves in a perilous position. It is more important than ever for us to work across our movement to fight against Islamophobia wherever it may arise.
Some important progress has been made in recent times. In November 2018, the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Muslims published a report titled ‘Islamophobia Defined: the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia’. Following two years of consultation across the political world, the Muslim community and relevant organisations and charities, the APPG settled on a working definition of Islamophobia. This definition has since been adopted by the Labour Party and multiple local authorities from across the UK.
The report contained the following definition: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” This definition was accepted and adopted by the Labour Party, councils and local authorities all through the country. But there is still so much work to be done.
As part of the #IAM programme, the Labour Muslim Network will be releasing a report on ‘Islamophobia and the Muslim experience’ in the Labour Party. This report diving into the prevalence of Islamophobia in the Labour Party is based on the largest consultation of Muslim members and supporters in our history. Its aim is to wake us up to the experiences of Muslims within our movement and spur us into action to root out racism from all aspects of society.
While the full report will be released later this month, we can reveal that 44% of Labour Muslim members and supporters told our researchers they did not “believe the Labour Party takes the issue of Islamophobia seriously”. This should shock readers – it certainly did us. It should reaffirm to us all why now is the right time for an honest, in-depth examination of the racism experienced by Muslim members and supporters of the Labour Party.
If Labour is to fulfil its promise of an open and fair society, and if it is to continue in its anti-racist traditions, our party must tackle the issue of Islamophobia in our society head-on and with serious commitment. This month is our platform and opportunity to do just that.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Labour calls for continued suspension of UC change to support self-employed

Labour has called on the government to “ see sense ” on the planned reinstatement of the minimum income floor in Universal Credit by keeping it suspended during the coronavirus crisis to “ support Britain ’ s self-employed ” .
The floor in the scheme , which is used to work out how much the government expects self-employed people to earn , was suspended by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in mid-March for those directly affected the Covid-19 pandemic .
Regulations were passed that month to suspend the minimum income floor for a period of eight months , beginning on March 13th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than two weeks away , during a lockdown in England .
The government has failed to heed demands in recent months and weeks for a further suspension of the floor , which has allowed self-employed workers to have their Universal Credit calculated on the basis of their actual earnings .
The Institute of Fiscal Studies has estimated that as many as 450,000 low-income households have lost an average £3,200 a year in Universal Credit payments due to the minimum income floor policy that caps entitlements .
Jonathan Reynolds said : “ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unthinkable to put these kind of conditions on support for the self-employed .
Self-employed people have already suffered huge drops in income with many losing their livelihoods as a result of this crisis.
” The demand made by Labour ’ s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary is also being voiced by the Federation of Small Businesses and the TUC , which has described November 13th as a “ disastrous time to cut this lifeline ” .
“ Universal Credit was never designed around the self-employed , who often feel like square pegs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national chair Mike Cherry said .
“ Suspending the minimum income floor for Covid has been both welcome and crucial .
“ As the second wave of this crisis hits , and further decimates income , the removal of the suspension assumes that the self-employed are not affected by restrictions and that their earnings aren ’ t affected if they need to self-isolate or fall ill. ” Stephen Timms , Labour MP and chair of the Commons welfare committee , has backed an extension to the suspension and told The Times that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ heavy blow to many self-employed people ” .
Alongside restoring 80 % furlough for employees as England enters lockdown again , the government is increasing Covid grants for the eligible self-employed from 40 % of average monthly trading profits to 80 % for November only .
This means that self-employed people affected by Covid-19 during the second wave will be able to apply for a grant capped at £5,160 in total that is supposed to cover a three-month period from November 1st to January 31st .
Millions , including the newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the three-year period taken into account for usual earnings , are still excluded from the self-employment income support scheme ( SEISS ) .

Labour has called on the government to “see sense” on the planned reinstatement of the minimum income floor in Universal Credit by keeping it suspended during the coronavirus crisis to “support Britain’s self-employed”.
The floor in the scheme, which is used to work out how much the government expects self-employed people to earn, was suspended by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in mid-March for those directly affected the Covid-19 pandemic.
Regulations were passed that month to suspend the minimum income floor for a period of eight months, beginning on March 13th and ending on November 13th – now less than two weeks away, during a lockdown in England.
The government has failed to heed demands in recent months and weeks for a further suspension of the floor, which has allowed self-employed workers to have their Universal Credit calculated on the basis of their actual earnings.
The Institute of Fiscal Studies has estimated that as many as 450,000 low-income households have lost an average £3,200 a year in Universal Credit payments due to the minimum income floor policy that caps entitlements.
Jonathan Reynolds said: “As we head into another national lockdown it is unthinkable to put these kind of conditions on support for the self-employed. Self-employed people have already suffered huge drops in income with many losing their livelihoods as a result of this crisis.”
The demand made by Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary is also being voiced by the Federation of Small Businesses and the TUC, which has described November 13th as a “disastrous time to cut this lifeline”.
“Universal Credit was never designed around the self-employed, who often feel like square pegs forced into round holes,” FSB national chair Mike Cherry said. “Suspending the minimum income floor for Covid has been both welcome and crucial.
“As the second wave of this crisis hits, and further decimates income, the removal of the suspension assumes that the self-employed are not affected by restrictions and that their earnings aren’t affected if they need to self-isolate or fall ill.”
Stephen Timms, Labour MP and chair of the Commons welfare committee, has backed an extension to the suspension and told The Times that the reimposition of the floor would come as a “heavy blow to many self-employed people”.
Alongside restoring 80% furlough for employees as England enters lockdown again, the government is increasing Covid grants for the eligible self-employed from 40% of average monthly trading profits to 80% for November only.
This means that self-employed people affected by Covid-19 during the second wave will be able to apply for a grant capped at £5,160 in total that is supposed to cover a three-month period from November 1st to January 31st.
Millions, including the newly self-employed and those who took maternity leave during the three-year period taken into account for usual earnings, are still excluded from the self-employment income support scheme (SEISS).


labourlist--2020-11-02--Mark Drakeford commits to reopening Wales as ‘firebreak’ lockdown ends

Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford has set out how Wales will reopen once its 17-day coronavirus ‘ firebreak ’ lockdown ends on November 9th despite the announcement of a new national lockdown in England .
Drakeford told a Covid-19 press conference today that the UK government ’ s English lockdown will “ inevitably have an impact ” on those living in Wales , but he committed to ending his own lockdown measures next week .
The First Minister said in Wales working from home wherever possible will remain but schools and businesses will reopen in full , groups of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for organised activities indoors and two households will be able to form a ‘ bubble ’ .
He also announced that there would be travel restrictions between England and Wales from next week , once the latter has left lockdown , but travel within Wales will be unrestricted and local lockdowns no longer in place .
Drakeford said : “ When I spoke to you on Friday , I said I would report back with the outcome of the discussions we held over the weekend about the new set of national measures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ firebreak ’ comes to an end next Monday .
“ Ministers have been meeting throughout the weekend to consider the final details of these measures .
Our plans – and our discussions – have had to adapt to the unexpected announcement by the Prime Minister that England will start a month-long lockdown on Thursday .
“ I want to be absolutely clear our firebreak will end as planned – and as promised – next Monday .
But now we have had to consider the impact the English lockdown will have on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We need to do this because we share a long and porous border with England .
Every day – on a non-lockdown day – almost 150,000 people criss-cross this border to work , visit family , shop , do business and travel… “ The English lockdown inevitably will have an impact on people who live in Wales but work in England , on companies operating in both Wales and England and on businesses trading along the border .
We are coming out of our firebreak just as England starts its month-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important that as we open up , Wales doesn ’ t become an escape for people seeking to circumvent the new tighter restrictions imposed by the Prime Minister .
We want to keep Wales safe and we want to keep the UK safe.
” The First Minister said new border restrictions between England and Wales were needed to stop the spread of Covid but are likely to be the hardest border rules to exist between the two nations “ for several centuries at least ” .
Drakeford also confirmed that the measures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ time , and that local lockdowns could once again be introduced in Wales if sizeable disparities in infections arise between regions .
He first announced that Wales would enter a short , sharp ‘ firebreak ’ lockdown on October 19th , telling the public that the measure would “ slow down the virus and buy us more time ” following a rise in the number of Covid cases .
The reopening in Wales follows the announcement over the weekend from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the government plans for England to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of coronavirus in the country .
The new measures , set start on November 5th and end on December 2nd , will see all non-essential shops and hospitality close for four weeks – but unlike the original lockdown , schools , colleges and universities will stay open .
The First Minister told the press conference today that “ it was a surprise ” to hear of the proposed lockdown in England over the weekend and said the Welsh government initially found out about the measures from “ newspaper reports ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ministers to use the four-week coronavirus lockdown in England to improve the test and trace system that has been beset by problems during the crisis .

Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford has set out how Wales will reopen once its 17-day coronavirus ‘firebreak’ lockdown ends on November 9th despite the announcement of a new national lockdown in England.
Drakeford told a Covid-19 press conference today that the UK government’s English lockdown will “inevitably have an impact” on those living in Wales, but he committed to ending his own lockdown measures next week.
The First Minister said in Wales working from home wherever possible will remain but schools and businesses will reopen in full, groups of up to 15 will be able to meet for organised activities indoors and two households will be able to form a ‘bubble’.
He also announced that there would be travel restrictions between England and Wales from next week, once the latter has left lockdown, but travel within Wales will be unrestricted and local lockdowns no longer in place.
Drakeford said: “When I spoke to you on Friday, I said I would report back with the outcome of the discussions we held over the weekend about the new set of national measures, which will be put in place when the ‘firebreak’ comes to an end next Monday.
“Ministers have been meeting throughout the weekend to consider the final details of these measures. Our plans – and our discussions – have had to adapt to the unexpected announcement by the Prime Minister that England will start a month-long lockdown on Thursday.
“I want to be absolutely clear our firebreak will end as planned – and as promised – next Monday. But now we have had to consider the impact the English lockdown will have on the next steps we take in Wales.
“We need to do this because we share a long and porous border with England. Every day – on a non-lockdown day – almost 150,000 people criss-cross this border to work, visit family, shop, do business and travel…
“The English lockdown inevitably will have an impact on people who live in Wales but work in England, on companies operating in both Wales and England and on businesses trading along the border. We are coming out of our firebreak just as England starts its month-long lockdown.
“It’s really important that as we open up, Wales doesn’t become an escape for people seeking to circumvent the new tighter restrictions imposed by the Prime Minister. We want to keep Wales safe and we want to keep the UK safe.”
The First Minister said new border restrictions between England and Wales were needed to stop the spread of Covid but are likely to be the hardest border rules to exist between the two nations “for several centuries at least”.
Drakeford also confirmed that the measures are set to be reviewed in two weeks’ time, and that local lockdowns could once again be introduced in Wales if sizeable disparities in infections arise between regions.
He first announced that Wales would enter a short, sharp ‘firebreak’ lockdown on October 19th, telling the public that the measure would “slow down the virus and buy us more time” following a rise in the number of Covid cases.
The reopening in Wales follows the announcement over the weekend from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the government plans for England to face a fresh national lockdown to help slow the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The new measures, set start on November 5th and end on December 2nd, will see all non-essential shops and hospitality close for four weeks – but unlike the original lockdown, schools, colleges and universities will stay open.
The First Minister told the press conference today that “it was a surprise” to hear of the proposed lockdown in England over the weekend and said the Welsh government initially found out about the measures from “newspaper reports”.
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth is urging government ministers to use the four-week coronavirus lockdown in England to improve the test and trace system that has been beset by problems during the crisis.


labourlist--2020-11-02--Petition launched as UK at risk of “1980s levels of youth unemployment”

Gordon Brown has launched a petition promoting the policy of a new job guarantee scheme covering all young people and warned that the UK is at risk of returning to “ 1980s levels of long-term youth unemployment ” .
The new UK parliamentary petition highlighting youth unemployed was lodged by the former Prime Minister ’ s ‘ Alliance for Full Employment ’ project , which has the support of local Labour leaders from across the regions and nations .
It calls on the government to create a fully-funded jobs guarantee scheme that would upscale the ‘ kickstart ’ programme and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help cope with the economic impact of coronavirus .
The petition follows estimates that the number of young people without a job this month will have hit one million .
Research from the AFFE has highlighted that a total of 1.5 million youth placements may be needed over the next year .
Gordon Brown said : “ One million young people out of work is grim news .
And a devastating blow to the confidence and self-worth of every single one of those young people .
So there are a million reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government acts fast and gets ahead of the youth unemployment crisis and creates a desperately needed prospects protection plan for young people , I fear we will need to create 1.5 million work or training places .
“ But this year ’ s health pandemic does not have to wreck the job prospects of a whole generation .
The good news for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor is they don ’ t have to wait to find a vaccine against joblessness… “ We all know the health pandemic is hurting young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for young people to allow their concerns for their futures to be heard .
By signing and by sharing it , the people of Britain can make the government listen to them .
“ We urgently need to get ahead of the surging unemployment curve .
Otherwise , long Covid will also mean 1980s levels of long-term youth unemployment .
The time to act to stop that is now.
” The petition is backed by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford , the TUC ’ s Frances O ’ Grady , the general secretaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Rotheram , Andy Burnham , Dan Jarvis and Jamie Driscoll .
It demands an extension to the ‘ kickstart ’ scheme , which currently only helps those who have been out of work or education for six months .
Those entering the scheme today would not get supported beyond May 2021 .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak initially announced the ‘ kickstart ’ programme in July .
The programme sees the government subsidise 100 % of the wage costs for businesses to hire unemployed young people in new jobs for a minimum of 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new scheme but criticised the government for failing to lay out an adequate way to prove these ‘ kickstart ’ jobs will actually be new positions or explain how the scheme will target those most in need of jobs .
The new jobs petition on the UK parliament website will need to hit 10,000 signatures to earn a response from the government and reach 100,000 signatures in order to be considered for a House of Commons debate .
The AFFE has put forward several other recommendations to deal with the issue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of quality work experience – not a return to the youth opportunity programmes ( YOPs ) or youth training schemes of the 1980s ; • “ Training geared to new jobs , like in the care sector , IT and logistics , jobs linked to the recovery from lab technicians and contact tracers to care workers and teaching assistants not training for continued unemployment ; • “ Help with job searches – a vital element of getting into work , as demonstrated by the 2009 future jobs fund ; • “ A wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week for six months for employers to take a young person on full-time.
” Commenting on the new petition , Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram said : “ The coronavirus has presented us with a series of massive economic challenges , chief amongst them being a looming crisis in unemployment .
“ No-one in Liverpool city region who remembers the youth unemployment of the 1980s wants to sit back and watch another generation wasted .
Our combined local authorities have the skills needed and the on-the-ground know-how to help… “ We in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
Getting government to listen is not easy .
But 100,000 signatures calling for a jobs guarantee for all young people can not be ignored and will force a parliamentary debate.
” The AFFE was launched by the former Prime Minister with the support of First Minister Drakeford and various metro mayors in September and calls on the government to focus more on job creation in the wake of coronavirus .

Gordon Brown has launched a petition promoting the policy of a new job guarantee scheme covering all young people and warned that the UK is at risk of returning to “1980s levels of long-term youth unemployment”.
The new UK parliamentary petition highlighting youth unemployed was lodged by the former Prime Minister’s ‘Alliance for Full Employment’ project, which has the support of local Labour leaders from across the regions and nations.
It calls on the government to create a fully-funded jobs guarantee scheme that would upscale the ‘kickstart’ programme and other youth job support and training schemes to help cope with the economic impact of coronavirus.
The petition follows estimates that the number of young people without a job this month will have hit one million. Research from the AFFE has highlighted that a total of 1.5 million youth placements may be needed over the next year.
Gordon Brown said: “One million young people out of work is grim news. And a devastating blow to the confidence and self-worth of every single one of those young people. So there are a million reasons to sign this petition.
“Unless the government acts fast and gets ahead of the youth unemployment crisis and creates a desperately needed prospects protection plan for young people, I fear we will need to create 1.5 million work or training places.
“But this year’s health pandemic does not have to wreck the job prospects of a whole generation. The good news for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor is they don’t have to wait to find a vaccine against joblessness…
“We all know the health pandemic is hurting young people. Our petition is a way for young people to allow their concerns for their futures to be heard. By signing and by sharing it, the people of Britain can make the government listen to them.
“We urgently need to get ahead of the surging unemployment curve. Otherwise, long Covid will also mean 1980s levels of long-term youth unemployment. The time to act to stop that is now.”
The petition is backed by Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, the TUC’s Frances O’Grady, the general secretaries of Unite and TSSA, regional mayors Steve Rotheram, Andy Burnham, Dan Jarvis and Jamie Driscoll.
It demands an extension to the ‘kickstart’ scheme, which currently only helps those who have been out of work or education for six months. Those entering the scheme today would not get supported beyond May 2021.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak initially announced the ‘kickstart’ programme in July. The programme sees the government subsidise 100% of the wage costs for businesses to hire unemployed young people in new jobs for a minimum of 25 hours a week.
Labour has welcomed the new scheme but criticised the government for failing to lay out an adequate way to prove these ‘kickstart’ jobs will actually be new positions or explain how the scheme will target those most in need of jobs.
The new jobs petition on the UK parliament website will need to hit 10,000 signatures to earn a response from the government and reach 100,000 signatures in order to be considered for a House of Commons debate.
The AFFE has put forward several other recommendations to deal with the issue of rising youth unemployment:
“Provision of quality work experience – not a return to the youth opportunity programmes (YOPs) or youth training schemes of the 1980s;
“Training geared to new jobs, like in the care sector, IT and logistics, jobs linked to the recovery from lab technicians and contact tracers to care workers and teaching assistants not training for continued unemployment;
“Help with job searches – a vital element of getting into work, as demonstrated by the 2009 future jobs fund;
“A wage subsidy in the order of a £100 a week for six months for employers to take a young person on full-time.”
Commenting on the new petition, Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram said: “The coronavirus has presented us with a series of massive economic challenges, chief amongst them being a looming crisis in unemployment.
“No-one in Liverpool city region who remembers the youth unemployment of the 1980s wants to sit back and watch another generation wasted. Our combined local authorities have the skills needed and the on-the-ground know-how to help…
“We in the regions are shouting for more government help. Getting government to listen is not easy. But 100,000 signatures calling for a jobs guarantee for all young people cannot be ignored and will force a parliamentary debate.”
The AFFE was launched by the former Prime Minister with the support of First Minister Drakeford and various metro mayors in September and calls on the government to focus more on job creation in the wake of coronavirus.