labourlist--2020-04-17--7 lessons for Keir Starmer’s new opposition frontbench

Ask Labour members why the party has lost four successive general elections and a wide range of views will be offered .
A hostile media .
Internal division .
First-past-the-post .
Tony Blair .
Jeremy Corbyn .
“ We won the argument.
” There is one fundamental that is almost always overlooked , which is this : Labour is an institution that is bad at learning from its mistakes .
This condition is not unique to the Labour Party .
In Black Box Thinking , former Olympic medallist Matthew Syed explores the lengths that we go to programme ourselves into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a mistake is feared , not seen as a moment for learning .
The aviation industry ’ s approach ( hence the Black Box in the title ) is offered as a guide for us all .
Disincentivise causes for masking failure as something else ; be honest about mistakes using the evidence available ; and rigorously employ measures to avoid repeating past mistakes .
This is the mindset that must be adopted by Labour ’ s new frontbench as the new leadership team gets up and running .
There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
Below I offer some learnings based on past experiences – as someone who was a political advisor in the Labour Party during the 2010-2015 parliament – on forming an opposition .
‘ Policy ’ is a pre-occupation of Labour members .
‘ Totemic policies ’ are a barometer of where you sit on the left-wing axis – see Universal Basic Income .
For Labour members , policies matter much more than is the case for the group comprising ‘ left-wing voters ’ , almost a quarter of whom voted Tory in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Policy for the next manifesto is not the priority for the new frontbench .
Much more of a priority is detoxifying Labour ’ s brand .
As YouGov ’ s Chris Curtis illustrates , on almost all measures on which political parties are judged ahead of a general election , Labour ’ s ratings are negative .
We are seeing evidence of a shift in perceptions of Labour ’ s leadership .
But in order to turn the page in the minds of voters , Labour ’ s frontbench team – not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that it is competent again .
That starts by exposing government incompetence and demonstrating that you can master your brief .
The House of Commons – when it returns – provides the most accessible platform in which to do this .
Get it right , and media coverage will follow .
This will be critical to shaping the political narrative as we enter the ‘ Inquiry Phase ’ of the government ’ s response to Covid-19 .
4 .
Know where the public is – not where members want it to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy areas , know where the public is .
Attend focus groups in marginals .
Don ’ t lose sight of the fact that Labour needs to win an additional 124 seats , as Dylan Spielman brilliantly explains here .
5 .
Agree to disagree , and move on .
Where there are disagreements that are not political priorities , agree to disagree with your colleagues , focus on the bigger picture and move on .
I think back on disagreements that occupied time and energy at shadow cabinet level in the 2010-2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the behaviour of politicians and advisors , my own included .
A general election campaign seems a very long way off .
How to sustain the pace between now and the next general election ?
Focus on the first important electoral milestone : May elections 2021 .
It is then that Labour ’ s new team will be faced with the first electoral test of this era .
Prioritise capacity and resources towards that staging-post – and build in a break afterwards .
7 .
Have a campaign mindset , always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a constant mindset of political campaigning .
Be competent in shadowing your opposite number in parliament .
And in the country , play your part in supporting local parties where we need to win .
Schedule visits to the seats that will be the battlegrounds at the next election for no other reason than to show members that you are on their side , in deeds and in words .

Ask Labour members why the party has lost four successive general elections and a wide range of views will be offered. A hostile media. Internal division. First-past-the-post. Tony Blair. Jeremy Corbyn. “We won the argument.” There is one fundamental that is almost always overlooked, which is this: Labour is an institution that is bad at learning from its mistakes.
This condition is not unique to the Labour Party. In Black Box Thinking, former Olympic medallist Matthew Syed explores the lengths that we go to programme ourselves into preventing learning from failure. The experience of a mistake is feared, not seen as a moment for learning. The aviation industry’s approach (hence the Black Box in the title) is offered as a guide for us all. Disincentivise causes for masking failure as something else; be honest about mistakes using the evidence available; and rigorously employ measures to avoid repeating past mistakes.
This is the mindset that must be adopted by Labour’s new frontbench as the new leadership team gets up and running. There is a lot of experience of failure to draw on. Below I offer some learnings based on past experiences – as someone who was a political advisor in the Labour Party during the 2010-2015 parliament – on forming an opposition.
1. Park policy.
‘Policy’ is a pre-occupation of Labour members. ‘Totemic policies’ are a barometer of where you sit on the left-wing axis – see Universal Basic Income. For Labour members, policies matter much more than is the case for the group comprising ‘left-wing voters’, almost a quarter of whom voted Tory in 2019, as Christabel Cooper explains here. Policy for the next manifesto is not the priority for the new frontbench.
2. Competence first.
Much more of a priority is detoxifying Labour’s brand. As YouGov’s Chris Curtis illustrates, on almost all measures on which political parties are judged ahead of a general election, Labour’s ratings are negative. We are seeing evidence of a shift in perceptions of Labour’s leadership. But in order to turn the page in the minds of voters, Labour’s frontbench team – not just the leader – will have to show that it is competent again.
3. Command the House.
That starts by exposing government incompetence and demonstrating that you can master your brief. The House of Commons – when it returns – provides the most accessible platform in which to do this. Get it right, and media coverage will follow. This will be critical to shaping the political narrative as we enter the ‘Inquiry Phase’ of the government’s response to Covid-19.
4. Know where the public is – not where members want it to be.
On both the politics and your policy areas, know where the public is. Attend focus groups in marginals. Don’t lose sight of the fact that Labour needs to win an additional 124 seats, as Dylan Spielman brilliantly explains here.
5. Agree to disagree, and move on.
Where there are disagreements that are not political priorities, agree to disagree with your colleagues, focus on the bigger picture and move on. I think back on disagreements that occupied time and energy at shadow cabinet level in the 2010-2015 period and despair at the futility of some of the behaviour of politicians and advisors, my own included.
6. Aim for May.
A general election campaign seems a very long way off. How to sustain the pace between now and the next general election? Focus on the first important electoral milestone: May elections 2021. It is then that Labour’s new team will be faced with the first electoral test of this era. Prioritise capacity and resources towards that staging-post – and build in a break afterwards.
7. Have a campaign mindset, always.
Being in opposition should mean being in a constant mindset of political campaigning. Be competent in shadowing your opposite number in parliament. And in the country, play your part in supporting local parties where we need to win. Schedule visits to the seats that will be the battlegrounds at the next election for no other reason than to show members that you are on their side, in deeds and in words.


labourlist--2020-04-17--Labour must tackle the technological challenges of our era to win again

The result of the Labour leadership contest marks a new chapter in our party ’ s history .
On behalf of myself and the wider committee at Labour Digital , we ’ d like to congratulate Keir and Angela on winning considerable support from across the labour movement .
Our collective efforts must now be united to support those on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic .
But when we get through this crisis – and we will get through it – our party will have to face up to a number of monumental challenges .
We have the lowest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1935 .
We ’ ve lost four elections in a row under three different party leaders , and we are facing another four years in opposition .
In short , we have a mountain to climb and a series of lessons to learn .
During this period of opposition , it is crucial that our party begins to project a vision for our country that tackles the problems of the future .
When looking back over the last century , there is a common theme amongst Labour leaders who were able to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harold Wilson and Tony Blair each projected a positive vision of Britain , where we could embrace the changes of the future and use them to build a more just society .
As we move into this new decade , Labour ’ s positive vision must include , understand and embrace the power of technology and what we can achieve when it is harnessed correctly .
Technology is set to be at the heart of almost every major challenge faced by our country in the coming years .
Whether it is tackling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restructuring our unproductive economy , or providing solutions that address the global issue of the climate crisis , technology provides us with a remarkable opportunity to do good and transform lives .
Equally , when left unregulated , technology can have negative or unintended consequences .
The anti-competitive impact of global tech giants threatens the existence of our small businesses and high streets , and the inaction around their taxation grants them another unfair advantage and leaves hardworking employees and taxpayers in the UK without their fair share of the wealth .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of protection online leaves us exposed to hate , misinformation and manipulation .
Other issues are raising their heads in our public services .
Police forces are already using automated facial recognition technologies without proper rules and guidance in place to ensure that our civil liberties are maintained .
The NHS is being opened up to private technology companies in an attempt to drive efficiencies with little oversight as to whether personal medical data and the rights of patients are being suitably protected .
Crucially , across the next decade as automation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the skills being taught in our education system will need to adjust to better serve people in the future of work .
With each new technological breakthrough comes a trade-off , and we need to ensure that these trade-offs are fair .
This is where the state must play an important role , intervening to ensure that a balance is kept and technology is harnessed correctly .
It is up to our party to not only hold the government to account to check that they do this correctly , but also to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailing the ways in which we could use technology to improve our society .
Labour Digital believes that technology has the ability to transform our world , and we are working to understand and regulate the positive and negative changes that this transformation could bring .
By working collaboratively with the party ’ s new leadership , as well as with colleagues in parliament , business and party members , we hope to make an impact on the policies put forward by the Labour Party and bring in new innovative ideas from across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us today won ’ t necessarily be the ones in front of us in 2024 , our ability to understand and combat them with innovative thinking will be crucial to our electoral success .

The result of the Labour leadership contest marks a new chapter in our party’s history. On behalf of myself and the wider committee at Labour Digital, we’d like to congratulate Keir and Angela on winning considerable support from across the labour movement.
Our collective efforts must now be united to support those on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic. But when we get through this crisis – and we will get through it – our party will have to face up to a number of monumental challenges.
We have the lowest number of Labour MPs in parliament since 1935. We’ve lost four elections in a row under three different party leaders, and we are facing another four years in opposition. In short, we have a mountain to climb and a series of lessons to learn.
During this period of opposition, it is crucial that our party begins to project a vision for our country that tackles the problems of the future. When looking back over the last century, there is a common theme amongst Labour leaders who were able to win at the ballot box. Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair each projected a positive vision of Britain, where we could embrace the changes of the future and use them to build a more just society.
As we move into this new decade, Labour’s positive vision must include, understand and embrace the power of technology and what we can achieve when it is harnessed correctly. Technology is set to be at the heart of almost every major challenge faced by our country in the coming years. Whether it is tackling the current health crisis, fixing and restructuring our unproductive economy, or providing solutions that address the global issue of the climate crisis, technology provides us with a remarkable opportunity to do good and transform lives.
Equally, when left unregulated, technology can have negative or unintended consequences. The anti-competitive impact of global tech giants threatens the existence of our small businesses and high streets, and the inaction around their taxation grants them another unfair advantage and leaves hardworking employees and taxpayers in the UK without their fair share of the wealth. As our lives become increasingly digital, a lack of protection online leaves us exposed to hate, misinformation and manipulation.
Other issues are raising their heads in our public services. Police forces are already using automated facial recognition technologies without proper rules and guidance in place to ensure that our civil liberties are maintained. The NHS is being opened up to private technology companies in an attempt to drive efficiencies with little oversight as to whether personal medical data and the rights of patients are being suitably protected. Crucially, across the next decade as automation displaces workers in increasingly digitised industries, the skills being taught in our education system will need to adjust to better serve people in the future of work.
With each new technological breakthrough comes a trade-off, and we need to ensure that these trade-offs are fair. This is where the state must play an important role, intervening to ensure that a balance is kept and technology is harnessed correctly. It is up to our party to not only hold the government to account to check that they do this correctly, but also to come up with new innovative ideas and policies detailing the ways in which we could use technology to improve our society.
Labour Digital believes that technology has the ability to transform our world, and we are working to understand and regulate the positive and negative changes that this transformation could bring. By working collaboratively with the party’s new leadership, as well as with colleagues in parliament, business and party members, we hope to make an impact on the policies put forward by the Labour Party and bring in new innovative ideas from across our movement.
While the issues facing us today won’t necessarily be the ones in front of us in 2024, our ability to understand and combat them with innovative thinking will be crucial to our electoral success.
labourdigital.co.uk/networks


labourlist--2020-04-17--5 policy areas our new Shadow Chancellor is passionate about

New Labour leader Keir Starmer has appointed Anneliese Dodds to the senior role of Shadow Chancellor .
As a new MP , only elected to parliament in 2017 , her appointment represents the culmination of a meteoric rise through the ranks .
A strong media performer , considered competent across the party , she ticks the box as a unity candidate : while Dodds is not a Corbynite , her appointment has the support of left-wing predecessor McDonnell .
She has served as a Labour representative in the European parliament , and as shadow Treasury minister for the past three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick look at some of the things she seems to be passionate about .
The new Shadow Chancellor appeared on BBC Question Time during the general election campaign last year to deliver a robust defence of Labour ’ s plan to increase corporation tax .
In line with the party ’ s manifesto , Dodds argued that “ those with the broadest shoulders ” should be contributing more and so that the country can “ properly fund our public services ” .
Dodds was an ardent advocate of the UK remaining in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Remain in the 2016 referendum , she continued to be a vocal opponent of Brexit afterwards .
She supported the People ’ s Vote campaign and , like the new labour leader Starmer , spoke at some of their rallies .
On her website , she wrote that she has been “ working hard to stop the government from pursuing its extreme , chaotic version of Brexit ” .
As recently as last week , she commented on the need for cooperation with EU partners over coronavirus and warned against a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current economic climate .
While standing to be the Labour MP for Reading East in the 2010 general election , Dodds wrote for LabourList about her support for the Kelly Report , which came out of the MPs ’ expenses scandal .
The then prospective parliamentary candidate argued for the full implementation of the report ’ s recommendations , but also said that “ more needs to be done to clamp down on moonlighting MPs who enjoy lucrative directorships ” .
In 2009 , she declared that the next Labour manifesto should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build in situations of housing need ” , citing the need for stronger action to deal with the housing crisis .
Dodds also said that local councils needed a “ greater ability to root out rogue landlords and maintain the balance of housing between family homes and houses in multiple occupation ” .
In her maiden speech , she stated that “ renters of homes have fewer rights than if they were renting a sofa or a fridge ” and highlighted the way in which changes to housing benefit have forced people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shadow Chancellor has been calling for Labour to include increased support for green technologies in its manifesto since before the 2010 general election .
While writing for LabourList in 2009 , she said : “ We need to see far more radical change if we ’ re to stop the climate change that is already leading to some of the severest floods and droughts in history.
” As an MP , she has joined climate strike marches and wrote last year : “ We simply can not return to business as usual in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the climate is front and centre of our politics.
” During her time in the European parliament , Dodds served on the committee on economic and monetary affairs , as well as a special committee investigating the Panama Papers .
In 2014 , she made an impassioned speech calling for international cooperation to tackle the issue .
The then MEP said : “ Tax dodging , just like pollution , climate change and international crime , does not respect borders .
In fact , it thrives in the mismatches that happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one another – don ’ t cooperate – and so helpful little loopholes emerge.
” Since joining parliament and the shadow Treasury team , she has headed up the party ’ s strategy to combat tax avoidance , consistently calling for action and has written for LabourList criticising the government for leaving banks to decide how they regulate economic crime .
In his speech at the last Labour Party conference , McDonnell lauded Dodds for “ masterminding ” the party ’ s approach , and stated that she had “ found that magic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she is digging it up and bringing it here ” .
In an article for PoliticsHome in February this year , Dodds wrote : “ Tax avoidance and evasion is now a stain on our country ’ s global reputation , and a drain on our public services .
”

New Labour leader Keir Starmer has appointed Anneliese Dodds to the senior role of Shadow Chancellor. As a new MP, only elected to parliament in 2017, her appointment represents the culmination of a meteoric rise through the ranks.
A strong media performer, considered competent across the party, she ticks the box as a unity candidate: while Dodds is not a Corbynite, her appointment has the support of left-wing predecessor McDonnell.
She has served as a Labour representative in the European parliament, and as shadow Treasury minister for the past three years in parliament. LabourList takes a quick look at some of the things she seems to be passionate about.
Corporation tax
The new Shadow Chancellor appeared on BBC Question Time during the general election campaign last year to deliver a robust defence of Labour’s plan to increase corporation tax.
In line with the party’s manifesto, Dodds argued that “those with the broadest shoulders” should be contributing more and so that the country can “properly fund our public services”.
Brexit
Dodds was an ardent advocate of the UK remaining in the EU. Not only did she campaign for Remain in the 2016 referendum, she continued to be a vocal opponent of Brexit afterwards. She supported the People’s Vote campaign and, like the new labour leader Starmer, spoke at some of their rallies.
On her website, she wrote that she has been “working hard to stop the government from pursuing its extreme, chaotic version of Brexit”. As recently as last week, she commented on the need for cooperation with EU partners over coronavirus and warned against a “chaotic exit” from the EU in the current economic climate.
MPs with second jobs
While standing to be the Labour MP for Reading East in the 2010 general election, Dodds wrote for LabourList about her support for the Kelly Report, which came out of the MPs’ expenses scandal.
The then prospective parliamentary candidate argued for the full implementation of the report’s recommendations, but also said that “more needs to be done to clamp down on moonlighting MPs who enjoy lucrative directorships”.
Housing
In 2009, she declared that the next Labour manifesto should include “more powers for local authorities to build in situations of housing need”, citing the need for stronger action to deal with the housing crisis.
Dodds also said that local councils needed a “greater ability to root out rogue landlords and maintain the balance of housing between family homes and houses in multiple occupation”.
In her maiden speech, she stated that “renters of homes have fewer rights than if they were renting a sofa or a fridge” and highlighted the way in which changes to housing benefit have forced people out of her constituency.
Climate change
The new Shadow Chancellor has been calling for Labour to include increased support for green technologies in its manifesto since before the 2010 general election.
While writing for LabourList in 2009, she said: “We need to see far more radical change if we’re to stop the climate change that is already leading to some of the severest floods and droughts in history.”
As an MP, she has joined climate strike marches and wrote last year: “We simply cannot return to business as usual in the next parliamentary session. We need to ensure the climate is front and centre of our politics.”
Stamping out tax avoidance
During her time in the European parliament, Dodds served on the committee on economic and monetary affairs, as well as a special committee investigating the Panama Papers. In 2014, she made an impassioned speech calling for international cooperation to tackle the issue.
The then MEP said: “Tax dodging, just like pollution, climate change and international crime, does not respect borders. In fact, it thrives in the mismatches that happen when countries don’t speak to one another – don’t cooperate – and so helpful little loopholes emerge.”
Since joining parliament and the shadow Treasury team, she has headed up the party’s strategy to combat tax avoidance, consistently calling for action and has written for LabourList criticising the government for leaving banks to decide how they regulate economic crime.
In his speech at the last Labour Party conference, McDonnell lauded Dodds for “masterminding” the party’s approach, and stated that she had “found that magic money tree in the Cayman Islands, and she is digging it up and bringing it here”.
In an article for PoliticsHome in February this year, Dodds wrote: “Tax avoidance and evasion is now a stain on our country’s global reputation, and a drain on our public services.”


labourlist--2020-04-17--Labour must call for a jobs guarantee for workers after the furlough scheme ends

The Office for Budget Responsibility has issued a brutally grim assessment of what lies ahead for the UK economy .
It could shrink by a shocking 35 % by early summer , with two million individuals joining the ranks of the unemployed .
The OBR emphasised that this was not a forecast .
But with 1.6 million people having already signed up for unemployment benefits in the past month alone , its dire analysis of the economic and social impact of the coronavirus crisis already feels depressingly real .
The government promised to do “ whatever it takes ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ save as many jobs as possible , they announced the job retention scheme – an unprecedented move that has seen the state pay the wages of workers who have been furloughed rather than made redundant .
The scheme , set to last for three months , has been deliberately designed to protect people ’ s jobs and earnings , and to ensure that they can heed public health instructions to stay at home .
It will have a huge uptake by the end of the health crisis , with the Resolution Foundation think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be furloughed .
That is something to applaud , as it shows that the scheme has been successful in its stated aims .
However , questions are now being raised as to what happens to these workers once the scheme ends .
The Confederation of British Industry has warned that businesses will be forced to start making people permanently redundant this Saturday if the government does not confirm an extension of the furlough scheme , given that there is a minimum consultation period of 45 day for redundancies of more than 100 employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sounded the alarm : “ Many employers tell me , big and small ones , if the furlough scheme is simply switched off in three months , they will have no choice but to sack many of those who are currently furloughed.
” How do we stop the truly apocalyptic scenario of up to nine million furloughed workers joining the huge numbers that have already been made unemployed ?
The answer is a jobs guarantee that promises decently paid work for every worker affected by the pandemic for a period of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government temporarily pay the wages of workers who have been furloughed and of those who have been made unemployed .
Jobs would pay at least the real living wage , or the comparable salary to a similar role – up to a maximum of £2,500 a month .
The jobs guarantee would protect workers in two significant ways .
First , by helping employers to keep those on who have been furloughed and to slowly transition off it .
If you are a furloughed worker , you are prohibited from doing any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee would remove that condition and allows businesses and people to get back to working life – essential to our recovery .
Second , it would support everyone who has been made unemployed due to the crisis .
For these individuals , the jobs guarantee would incentivise the creation of new jobs by covering the wage costs for host organisations .
Employers would have to prove these jobs were ‘ additional ’ through their payroll data and guarantee every participant an interview for any permanent positions advertised .
The jobs guarantee would last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by sector .
Its goal would be to target those areas of the economy hardest hit by the lockdown and seeing the most job losses .
For instance , the OBR assessment shows in the three months up to June growth collapsing by 85 % in accommodation and hospitality , and by 70 % in construction .
In contrast , there will only a 5 % drop in financial and insurance services .
The scheme should also reflect the reality that different parts of the economy will return to normal service at different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries that have begun easing restrictions , it will be gradual and phased with some sectors and activities – such as hospitality and tourism – not resuming until much later .
Even then , it ’ s very likely that the economy will be affected by considerable behavioural changes , such as people wanting to avoid big crowds and go out less .
It ’ s one reason why so many sporting events that were scheduled for the summer months have been cancelled .
A business working in the tech world might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its workers for an extra month post-furlough , whereas airlines , hotels , restaurants and cafes will likely need it for several months .
This proposed scheme would not be cheap .
But the price of inaction is far more severe , given that unemployment is one of the principal drivers of poverty and already costs the UK £78bn every year , according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation .
Keir Starmer has rightly argued that the government needs to publish an exit plan outlining a future beyond lockdown in order to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Any economic exit strategy must explain how workers will be protected and what comes next after the furlough scheme ends .
Labour must ensure that a jobs guarantee is at its heart .

The Office for Budget Responsibility has issued a brutally grim assessment of what lies ahead for the UK economy. It could shrink by a shocking 35% by early summer, with two million individuals joining the ranks of the unemployed. The OBR emphasised that this was not a forecast. But with 1.6 million people having already signed up for unemployment benefits in the past month alone, its dire analysis of the economic and social impact of the coronavirus crisis already feels depressingly real.
The government promised to do “whatever it takes” to prevent such a catastrophic outcome. To save as many jobs as possible, they announced the job retention scheme – an unprecedented move that has seen the state pay the wages of workers who have been furloughed rather than made redundant. The scheme, set to last for three months, has been deliberately designed to protect people’s jobs and earnings, and to ensure that they can heed public health instructions to stay at home.
It will have a huge uptake by the end of the health crisis, with the Resolution Foundation think tank estimating that nine million workers will be furloughed. That is something to applaud, as it shows that the scheme has been successful in its stated aims. However, questions are now being raised as to what happens to these workers once the scheme ends.
The Confederation of British Industry has warned that businesses will be forced to start making people permanently redundant this Saturday if the government does not confirm an extension of the furlough scheme, given that there is a minimum consultation period of 45 day for redundancies of more than 100 employees. ITV’s Robert Peston has also sounded the alarm: “Many employers tell me, big and small ones, if the furlough scheme is simply switched off in three months, they will have no choice but to sack many of those who are currently furloughed.”
How do we stop the truly apocalyptic scenario of up to nine million furloughed workers joining the huge numbers that have already been made unemployed? The answer is a jobs guarantee that promises decently paid work for every worker affected by the pandemic for a period of up to 12 months. This would see the government temporarily pay the wages of workers who have been furloughed and of those who have been made unemployed. Jobs would pay at least the real living wage, or the comparable salary to a similar role – up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
The jobs guarantee would protect workers in two significant ways. First, by helping employers to keep those on who have been furloughed and to slowly transition off it. If you are a furloughed worker, you are prohibited from doing any work for your employer. A jobs guarantee would remove that condition and allows businesses and people to get back to working life – essential to our recovery.
Second, it would support everyone who has been made unemployed due to the crisis. For these individuals, the jobs guarantee would incentivise the creation of new jobs by covering the wage costs for host organisations. Employers would have to prove these jobs were ‘additional’ through their payroll data and guarantee every participant an interview for any permanent positions advertised.
The jobs guarantee would last up to 12 months but could vary by sector. Its goal would be to target those areas of the economy hardest hit by the lockdown and seeing the most job losses. For instance, the OBR assessment shows in the three months up to June growth collapsing by 85% in accommodation and hospitality, and by 70% in construction. In contrast, there will only a 5% drop in financial and insurance services.
The scheme should also reflect the reality that different parts of the economy will return to normal service at different times. As we are seeing in other countries that have begun easing restrictions, it will be gradual and phased with some sectors and activities – such as hospitality and tourism – not resuming until much later. Even then, it’s very likely that the economy will be affected by considerable behavioural changes, such as people wanting to avoid big crowds and go out less. It’s one reason why so many sporting events that were scheduled for the summer months have been cancelled.
A business working in the tech world might only get support from a jobs guarantee for its workers for an extra month post-furlough, whereas airlines, hotels, restaurants and cafes will likely need it for several months. This proposed scheme would not be cheap. But the price of inaction is far more severe, given that unemployment is one of the principal drivers of poverty and already costs the UK £78bn every year, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Keir Starmer has rightly argued that the government needs to publish an exit plan outlining a future beyond lockdown in order to maintain the public’s confidence and morale. Any economic exit strategy must explain how workers will be protected and what comes next after the furlough scheme ends. Labour must ensure that a jobs guarantee is at its heart.


labourlist--2020-04-19--Sunday shows: PM was “missing in action”, says Ashworth

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth discussed the government ’ s response to the Covid-19 crisis in the wake of the Sunday Times investigation , which highlighted that the Prime Minister failed to attend five coronavirus COBRA meetings .
• On the government ’ s response to accusations of mistakes made : “ Michael Gove ’ s line that one or two aspects of this story are ‘ off-beam ’ is possibly the weakest rebuttal of a detailed exposé in British political history.
” • He added : “ None of us expect the impossible .
We understand that mistakes will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature .
But there are serious questions as to why the Prime Minister skipped five , five COBRA meetings throughout February.
” • On the allegations against Boris Johnson : “ It suggests that early on , he was missing in action… People deserve an explanation and it was disappointing , I ’ m afraid , that Michael Gove wasn ’ t able to give a full explanation.
” • On the crisis strategy : “ We need to understand why testing has not been ramped up to the levels which are sufficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramped up yet.
” • On the level of testing : “ The problem is that government ministers told us we would be doing 100,000 tests a day by now and we ’ re not… We need to understand why the government are failing on their promise for mid-April.
” • Asked about lockdown measures : “ A lockdown is a blunt tool , in and of itself .
We need a testing and tracing strategy alongside it… So far the government hasn ’ t met the promises it made before on testing.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see in an exit strategy : “ Well , we want to see what the government plans are… We shouldn ’ t be treating people like children – people are grownups and people need to understand what happens next.
” • He added : “ The lockdown itself is not a strategy – it is a tool as part of a strategy… We need to know whether the government have a serious plan to extend testing in the community and contact tracing.
” • On next steps in the strategy : “ Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being talked about ?
There ’ s an NHS England app being developed – there ’ s another app being developed by Google .
And we ’ re hearing that the two apps might not be able to interact with each other.
” • On the shortage of PPE : “ My inbox is awash with small firms across the country saying that they have tried to help the government with PPE , they ’ ve tried to tell the government they can manufacture PPE and they ’ ve hit a brick wall.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s use of wartime analogies : “ Why aren ’ t we using all the small firms like we used the small boats in Dunkirk ?
” • On Labour ’ s demands : “ We ’ re just asking for the government to give us some clarity – just asking for the government to tell us what ’ s going on… We just want the government to level with us so we can understand what their plans are.
” Michael Gove appeared on the show and said “ the idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital to our response to the coronavirus is grotesque ” , but stopped short of clarifying whether he had missed the meetings .
As referenced by Ashworth , he responded to the revelations today by saying : “ There are one or two aspects of the Sunday Times report that are slightly off-beam.
” The Cabinet Office Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said : “ The Prime Minister took all the major decisions… His leadership has been inspirational at times.
” He refused , several times , to say whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE to China by late February , as reported by The Sunday Times .
He said instead that a response would be issued later today .
Labour ’ s new Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds talked about the economic response to the coronavirus crisis in the short-term and long-term .
• On whether she ’ s going to pursue similar policies to John McDonnell : “ Some of the calls that were being made about funding public services were very prescient , so of course it will be necessary to still have those calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think ultimately we are going to be in a new context after this crisis.
” • Asked whether she would say ‘ money no object ’ : “ I don ’ t think that ’ s a sensible way to look at things… It ’ s got to be targeted in the right directions.
” • Asked whether the government should continue with coronavirus schemes ‘ month after month ’ : “ Our main concern right now is that a number of [ government ] programmes are not fulfilling the promise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said only 2 % of eligible businesses have benefitted from the coronavirus business loan scheme .
• “ We ’ re going to have to pay for this as a country , ” Andrew Marr said .
Dodds replied : “ We ’ ve got to learn from what went wrong in the very slow recovery after the last financial crisis in the UK .
We had the longest squeeze on our living standards since the Napoleonic times… We need to have an approach recognising that some people will be better placed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the Sunday Times investigation : “ I have read the piece and obviously it ’ s very concerning indeed .
But I have to say that aside from some of the elements around COBRA meetings and who was present… certainly the long-term issues around the provision of protective equipment and testing were areas that I was very much aware of and deeply concerned about.
” • Asked whether there should be a public inquiry : “ I don ’ t want to be talking right now about what the wash up might @ @ @ @ @ @

Ridge on Sunday
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth discussed the government’s response to the Covid-19 crisis in the wake of the Sunday Times investigation, which highlighted that the Prime Minister failed to attend five coronavirus COBRA meetings.
On the government’s response to accusations of mistakes made: “Michael Gove’s line that one or two aspects of this story are ‘off-beam’ is possibly the weakest rebuttal of a detailed exposé in British political history.”
He added: “None of us expect the impossible. We understand that mistakes will be made in a crisis of this nature. But there are serious questions as to why the Prime Minister skipped five, five COBRA meetings throughout February.”
On the details of the report: “It suggests that early on, he was missing in action… People deserve an explanation and it was disappointing, I’m afraid, that Michael Gove wasn’t able to give a full explanation.”
On the crisis strategy: “We need to understand why testing has not been ramped up to the levels which are sufficient. Why contact tracing has not been ramped up yet.”
On the level of testing: “The problem is that government ministers told us we would be doing 100,000 tests a day by now and we’re not… We need to understand why the government are failing on their promise for mid-April.”
Asked about lockdown measures: “A lockdown is a blunt tool, in and of itself. We need a testing and tracing strategy alongside it… So far the government hasn’t met the promises it made before on testing.”
Asked what Labour want to see in an exit strategy: “Well, we want to see what the government plans are… We shouldn’t be treating people like children – people are grownups and people need to understand what happens next.”
He added: “The lockdown itself is not a strategy – it is a tool as part of a strategy… We need to know whether the government have a serious plan to extend testing in the community and contact tracing.”
On next steps in the strategy: “Where are we on the apps that are being talked about? There’s an NHS England app being developed – there’s another app being developed by Google. And we’re hearing that the two apps might not be able to interact with each other.”
On the shortage of PPE: “My inbox is awash with small firms across the country saying that they have tried to help the government with PPE, they’ve tried to tell the government they can manufacture PPE and they’ve hit a brick wall.”
Making reference to the government’s use of wartime analogies: “Why aren’t we using all the small firms like we used the small boats in Dunkirk?”
On Labour’s demands: “We’re just asking for the government to give us some clarity – just asking for the government to tell us what’s going on… We just want the government to level with us so we can understand what their plans are.”
"The lockdown in itself is not a strategy" Shadow Health Sec @JonAshworth says "we shouldn't be treating people like children", and with a vaccine as far as 18 months a way "we need to understand what is the government's plan".#Ridge pic.twitter.com/Svyp563vt3 — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) April 19, 2020
Michael Gove appeared on the show and said “the idea that the Prime Minister skipped meetings that were vital to our response to the coronavirus is grotesque”, but stopped short of commenting on whether he had missed the meetings. (The fact that he did not attend them has been confirmed by No 10.)
As referenced by Ashworth, he responded to the revelations today by saying: “There are one or two aspects of the Sunday Times report that are slightly off-beam.”
The Cabinet Office Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: “The Prime Minister took all the major decisions… His leadership has been inspirational at times.”
He refused, several times, to say whether the UK had sent 266,000 pieces of PPE to China by late February, as reported by The Sunday Times. He said instead that a response would be issued later today.
The Andrew Marr Show
Labour’s new Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds talked about the economic response to the coronavirus crisis in the short-term and long-term.


labourlist--2020-04-17--6 policy areas our new Shadow Chancellor is passionate about


labourlist--2020-04-20--Labour designers create posters to celebrate key workers

Graphic designers supportive of the Labour Party have celebrated the UK ’ s key workers with the launch of a new artpack featuring 18 original posters .
The work by creatives in the labour movement was coordinated by Labour Party Graphic Designers , an independent network of designers , to recognise the work of frontline staff amid the Covid-19 crisis .
The ‘ supporting key workers ’ artpack includes a foreword by writer and comedian Frankie Boyle as well as ‘ words from the frontline ’ by the UK ’ s oldest medical trade union Doctors in Unite .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would have been nice if the British had realised delivery drivers , care workers and vegetable pickers were more useful than a meeting about advertising strategy without having to dig mass graves.
” Doctors in Unite said : “ No worker should ever be exposed to Covid-19 through a simple lack of respirators , visors or gloves .
A make-do-and-mend approach to personal protective equipment is dangerous nostalgia.
” Labour Party Graphic Designers is a collective that first came together last year .
The founder , Kevin Kennedy Ryan , was interviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a selection of the contributions by Labour designers .
You can view the full artpack here and download posters here .

Graphic designers supportive of the Labour Party have celebrated the UK’s key workers with the launch of a new artpack featuring 18 original posters.
The work by creatives in the labour movement was coordinated by Labour Party Graphic Designers, an independent network of designers, to recognise the work of frontline staff amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The ‘supporting key workers’ artpack includes a foreword by writer and comedian Frankie Boyle as well as ‘words from the frontline’ by the UK’s oldest medical trade union Doctors in Unite.
In the foreword, Boyle wrote: “It would have been nice if the British had realised delivery drivers, care workers and vegetable pickers were more useful than a meeting about advertising strategy without having to dig mass graves.”
Doctors in Unite said: “No worker should ever be exposed to Covid-19 through a simple lack of respirators, visors or gloves. A make-do-and-mend approach to personal protective equipment is dangerous nostalgia.”
Labour Party Graphic Designers is a collective that first came together last year. The founder, Kevin Kennedy Ryan, was interviewed by LabourList in April 2019.
Below is a selection of the contributions by Labour designers. You can view the full artpack here and download posters here.


labourlist--2020-04-20--Andy Burnham: “Please do not consider a regional release from lockdown”

“ Please do not consider a regional release from lockdown , ” Andy Burnham told the government this morning as discussions of the UK exit strategy continued to grow .
In a Sky News interview , the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester warned against the idea of lifting distancing measures “ region by region ” , saying : “ That would be chaotic , in my view , and I certainly wouldn ’ t accept that.
” Burnham also said it would be “ very hard ” for the local economy to sustain the current degree of lockdown for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this would mean the recovery would be “ very hard ” too .
Appearing after Tony Blair , who stressed the importance of now setting out a lockdown exit plan , Burnham said the former Prime Minister was “ right to pose these questions ” .
The mayor urged the government to “ plan ahead ” and “ involve people at the local level ” , as he explained how the devolved health and social care system in Greater Manchester worked differently to the rest of the UK .
Burnham raised concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which initially did not see London mayor Sadiq Khan invited .
“ It ’ s frustrating , I have to say , that there is no representation for English regions on COBRA , ” Burnham said .
“ The mayor of London is on it , rightly , Scottish and Welsh First Ministers .
And yet there ’ s not been a place for the English regions , and we need to correct that.
” It was reported over the weekend in a Sunday Times investigation that Boris Johnson had missed five coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic hitting the UK .

“Please do not consider a regional release from lockdown,” Andy Burnham told the government this morning as discussions of the UK exit strategy continued to grow.
In a Sky News interview, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester warned against the idea of lifting distancing measures “region by region”, saying: “That would be chaotic, in my view, and I certainly wouldn’t accept that.”
Burnham also said it would be “very hard” for the local economy to sustain the current degree of lockdown for a significant length of time, and that this would mean the recovery would be “very hard” too.
Appearing after Tony Blair, who stressed the importance of now setting out a lockdown exit plan, Burnham said the former Prime Minister was “right to pose these questions”.
The mayor urged the government to “plan ahead” and “involve people at the local level”, as he explained how the devolved health and social care system in Greater Manchester worked differently to the rest of the UK.
Burnham raised concerns about the inclusiveness of coronavirus COBRA meetings, which initially did not see London mayor Sadiq Khan invited.
“It’s frustrating, I have to say, that there is no representation for English regions on COBRA,” Burnham said.
“The mayor of London is on it, rightly, Scottish and Welsh First Ministers. And yet there’s not been a place for the English regions, and we need to correct that.”
It was reported over the weekend in a Sunday Times investigation that Boris Johnson had missed five coronavirus COBRA meetings in the early stages of the pandemic hitting the UK.


labourlist--2020-04-20--Labour calls for urgent changes to social security system

Labour has called on the government to implement five urgent changes to the social security system that will “ provide immediate support to people ” during the Covid-19 pandemic .
In a call that follows the launch of an inquiry into the response of the Department for Work and Pensions to coronavirus , Jonathan Reynolds has argued that the UK must “ strengthen the safety net ” .
The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said that the opposition welcomed the support that the government has introduced so far , but declared that it had not gone far enough .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of loans , ending the five-week wait ; • Remove the £16,000 savings limit which disqualifies individuals from accessing Universal Credit ; • Abolish the two-child limit in Universal Credit and tax credits ; and • Uprate legacy benefits to match the increase in Universal Credit , providing an immediate increase in Jobseeker ’ s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance .
On the need for these urgent changes to the benefits system , Reynolds said : “ The Covid-19 crisis is causing serious financial suffering for people and their families .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end to the lockdown , we must urgently find ways to strengthen the safety net so our society can emerge from the crisis with the least damage possible .
“ While we welcome the government ’ s emergency measures so far , we do not believe they go far enough .
By taking these additional steps immediately , we can prevent families and individuals from sliding further into hardship from which it will be extremely difficult to recover.
” The work and pensions select committee launched an inquiry into the DWP ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Figures showed that 2.2 million calls were made to the DWP on just one day at the end of March .
Universal Credit has come under particular scrutiny since the outbreak of the virus in the UK , with more than 1.4 million people registering for the benefit since mid-March .
It has been heavily criticised as there is a five-week waiting period before applicants receive their first payment .
During this time , people can apply for financial support – but this is only provided in the form of a loan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more than 500,000 of the new applicants for Universal Credit have had to apply for a loan , with repayments due to be taken out of their future benefit payments .
Labour MP and chair of the select committee Stephen Timms has joined many in calling for its abolition and said last week that the five-week wait for Universal Credit is a “ fatal flaw ” .

Labour has called on the government to implement five urgent changes to the social security system that will “provide immediate support to people” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a call that follows the launch of an inquiry into the response of the Department for Work and Pensions to coronavirus, Jonathan Reynolds has argued that the UK must “strengthen the safety net”.
The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said that the opposition welcomed the support that the government has introduced so far, but declared that it had not gone far enough.
Labour’s five suggested measures are:
Convert Universal Credit advances into grants instead of loans, ending the five-week wait; Remove the £16,000 savings limit which disqualifies individuals from accessing Universal Credit; Suspend the benefit cap; Abolish the two-child limit in Universal Credit and tax credits; and Uprate legacy benefits to match the increase in Universal Credit, providing an immediate increase in Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance.
On the need for these urgent changes to the benefits system, Reynolds said: “The Covid-19 crisis is causing serious financial suffering for people and their families.
“At this stage, with no clear end to the lockdown, we must urgently find ways to strengthen the safety net so our society can emerge from the crisis with the least damage possible.
“While we welcome the government’s emergency measures so far, we do not believe they go far enough. By taking these additional steps immediately, we can prevent families and individuals from sliding further into hardship from which it will be extremely difficult to recover.”
The work and pensions select committee launched an inquiry into the DWP’s response following reports of unprecedented demand. Figures showed that 2.2 million calls were made to the DWP on just one day at the end of March.
Universal Credit has come under particular scrutiny since the outbreak of the virus in the UK, with more than 1.4 million people registering for the benefit since mid-March.
It has been heavily criticised as there is a five-week waiting period before applicants receive their first payment. During this time, people can apply for financial support – but this is only provided in the form of a loan.
Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, more than 500,000 of the new applicants for Universal Credit have had to apply for a loan, with repayments due to be taken out of their future benefit payments.
Labour MP and chair of the select committee Stephen Timms has joined many in calling for its abolition and said last week that the five-week wait for Universal Credit is a “fatal flaw”.


labourlist--2020-04-20--Criticism of Boris Johnson cannot distract from a focus on ideology

The tone of our debate over the government ’ s coronavirus response has again shifted further towards criticism becoming more ‘ acceptable ’ .
There has been a sense among many that it is inappropriate to highlight the myriad failures during a public health crisis .
But the Sunday Times investigation has helped to dispel the myth that politeness should be prioritised above necessary scrutiny .
The detail that has most caught people ’ s attention is the absence of Boris Johnson from five COBRA meetings on the virus .
“ He liked his country breaks .
He didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the paper .
Michael Gove offered an unusual defence of the Prime Minister on the Sunday shows .
He described “ one or two aspects ” of the report as “ slightly off-beam ” .
He also said “ the idea that the Prime Minister skipped meetings that were vital to our response to the coronavirus is grotesque ” , which is strong language to use when nobody is denying that Johnson missed the meetings .
Labour ’ s health spokesperson Jonathan Ashworth called it “ possibly the weakest rebuttal of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and suggested that the PM was “ missing in action ” in the early stages of the crisis .
The fact that Johnson missed meetings is important .
Such an attitude has consequences , and some of the charm of his persona will have rubbed off .
But the left must not lose sight of the way that elites work .
In a crisis where the ruling party has made fatal decisions , Boris Johnson as a character who has already served a crucial purpose – securing an 80-seat Tory majority – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be kept in mind is that ideology led to lack of preparation for a pandemic , and ideology will inform next steps .
These underlying factors should not be forgotten in favour of holding one individual accountable .
Keir Starmer has a difficult task on his hands , as he tries to weigh up the options for styles of opposition and their results for both country and party .
John McDonnell implicitly slated the path chosen so far by the new Labour leader when he tweeted that it is “ not opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call out the government ’ s failures on testing and protective equipment .
That these urgent demands need to be made powerfully and repeatedly is clear .
We are now hearing concerns raised over the latest change in guidance on PPE , which health workers say has not been issued on the basis of science but due to inadequate supply .
Hopefully the appointment of a new ‘ tsar ’ to coordinate PPE manufacture and distribution – a move that Unite called for on LabourList – will prove helpful .
With schools not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of May , the BBC is stepping up with a new virtual education offer .
It will feature Jodie Whittaker of Doctor Who , Professor Brian Cox leading on science topics , Danny Dyer on Henry VIII… and former Labour Treasury minister Ed Balls teaching maths .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The tone of our debate over the government’s coronavirus response has again shifted further towards criticism becoming more ‘acceptable’. There has been a sense among many that it is inappropriate to highlight the myriad failures during a public health crisis. But the Sunday Times investigation has helped to dispel the myth that politeness should be prioritised above necessary scrutiny. The detail that has most caught people’s attention is the absence of Boris Johnson from five COBRA meetings on the virus. “He liked his country breaks. He didn’t work weekends,” one adviser told the paper.
Michael Gove offered an unusual defence of the Prime Minister on the Sunday shows. He described “one or two aspects” of the report as “slightly off-beam”. He also said “the idea that the Prime Minister skipped meetings that were vital to our response to the coronavirus is grotesque”, which is strong language to use when nobody is denying that Johnson missed the meetings. Labour’s health spokesperson Jonathan Ashworth called it “possibly the weakest rebuttal of a detailed exposé in British political history”, and suggested that the PM was “missing in action” in the early stages of the crisis.
The fact that Johnson missed meetings is important. Such an attitude has consequences, and some of the charm of his persona will have rubbed off. But the left must not lose sight of the way that elites work. In a crisis where the ruling party has made fatal decisions, Boris Johnson as a character who has already served a crucial purpose – securing an 80-seat Tory majority – may then become politically expendable. What must be kept in mind is that ideology led to lack of preparation for a pandemic, and ideology will inform next steps. These underlying factors should not be forgotten in favour of holding one individual accountable.
Keir Starmer has a difficult task on his hands, as he tries to weigh up the options for styles of opposition and their results for both country and party. John McDonnell implicitly slated the path chosen so far by the new Labour leader when he tweeted that it is “not opposition for opposition’s sake” to call out the government’s failures on testing and protective equipment. That these urgent demands need to be made powerfully and repeatedly is clear. We are now hearing concerns raised over the latest change in guidance on PPE, which health workers say has not been issued on the basis of science but due to inadequate supply. Hopefully the appointment of a new ‘tsar’ to coordinate PPE manufacture and distribution – a move that Unite called for on LabourList – will prove helpful.
With schools not set to reopen until at least the end of May, the BBC is stepping up with a new virtual education offer. It will feature Jodie Whittaker of Doctor Who, Professor Brian Cox leading on science topics, Danny Dyer on Henry VIII… and former Labour Treasury minister Ed Balls teaching maths. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-04-20--WATCH: Criticism of government “easy with hindsight”, says Blair

Tony Blair has described the government ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic over recent weeks as “ somewhat behind the curve ” , but said that it is “ easy ” to criticise “ with hindsight ” .
In an interview with BBC News this morning , the former Labour Prime Minister reflected on how quickly and effectively Boris Johnson ’ s administration had responded to the crisis .
“ Most people would accept the government was somewhat behind the curve , but it ’ s easy to say that with hindsight , ” Blair told the BBC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government “ rightly again has provided support for business… and support for people as we go through this difficult period ” , the former PM said .
Blair urged the government to use the next three weeks to set up “ all the measures of preparedness that we need ” .
He told viewers that he is “ terrified about the long-term economic and social damage ” .
The government has been accused of “ sleep walking ” into the health crisis after an investigation by the Sunday Times , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend five coronavirus COBRA meetings in February .
There are a total of 120,067 recorded cases of coronavirus and 16,060 related deaths – but this data does not include people who have died in the community and with low levels of testing the true number of cases is thought to be much higher .

Tony Blair has described the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic over recent weeks as “somewhat behind the curve”, but said that it is “easy” to criticise “with hindsight”.
In an interview with BBC News this morning, the former Labour Prime Minister reflected on how quickly and effectively Boris Johnson’s administration had responded to the crisis.
“Most people would accept the government was somewhat behind the curve, but it’s easy to say that with hindsight,” Blair told the BBC. He stressed that next steps were crucial.
The government “rightly again has provided support for business… and support for people as we go through this difficult period”, the former PM said.
Blair urged the government to use the next three weeks to set up “all the measures of preparedness that we need”. He told viewers that he is “terrified about the long-term economic and social damage”.
“Most people would accept the government was somewhat behind the curve, but it’s easy to say that with hindsight” Former Prime Minister Tony Blair says it’s important the next phase – the “managed and controlled revival has got to be done right”https://t.co/rYk0Kb1qur pic.twitter.com/heMp80b40O — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 20, 2020
The government has been accused of “sleep walking” into the health crisis after an investigation by the Sunday Times, which highlighted that the Prime Minister failed to attend five coronavirus COBRA meetings in February.
There are a total of 120,067 recorded cases of coronavirus and 16,060 related deaths – but this data does not include people who have died in the community and with low levels of testing the true number of cases is thought to be much higher.


labourlist--2020-04-20--Public inquiry into “grotesque” PPE failure needed, says TUC

The TUC has called on the government to set up a public inquiry looking into the “ grotesque ” failure to provide frontline workers with adequate personal protective equipment .
The federation of trade unions , made up of 50 organisations with a total of around 5.6 million members , has urged ministers to commit to starting an independent , judge-led inquiry by the end of 2020 .
Not giving staff sufficient PPE has exposed them to unnecessary risk , the TUC says , as it points out that more than 80 health and social care workers have lost their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was issued by Public Health England over the weekend telling health workers to reuse equipment if their supply was running low , which sparked urgent concerns among medical bodies .
The TUC has recommended that the inquiry being called for investigates the following : • Why there were delays in the planning for and delivery of PPE ; • Whether guidance about the need for PPE in diverse workplace settings was timely and robust ; • Whether staff were put under pressure to work with inadequate or out-of-date PPE ; and if so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with disciplinary action for raising concerns about the lack of PPE ; and if so why ; • Why the NHS , social and residential care and other workplace settings have struggled to source PPE from suppliers .
Commenting on the fresh demands , TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ Every day frontline workers are being forced to risk their lives because they don ’ t have the proper protective equipment .
“ And now they are being told just to make do .
This is a grotesque failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never be allowed to happen again .
Our NHS , social care and key workers deserve better .
“ Right now , the government must sort out the PPE crisis urgently .
But we are also calling on ministers to commit to an independent , public inquiry into the failure to provide frontline workers with adequate PPE , kicking off by the end of this year .
“ And to every key worker out there worried about getting the PPE they need , I say this : your unions will support you if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have your backs.
” The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers publicly criticised ministers for the first time on Sunday , as they spoke out against the government announcing PPE deliveries that failed to materialise .
A shipment including 400,000 much-needed surgical gowns was due from Turkey , but did not arrive in the UK when expected .
No explanation has been provided by No 10 for the delay .
The TUC has highlighted reports of home care staff making masks at home and smocks from bin liners .
The GMB has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper masks for herself and colleagues .
In an IPPR/YouGov poll of UK healthcare professionals last week , 72 % said the government had not done enough during the Covid-19 outbreak to prevent and test health and care workers for illness .

The TUC has called on the government to set up a public inquiry looking into the “grotesque” failure to provide frontline workers with adequate personal protective equipment.
The federation of trade unions, made up of 50 organisations with a total of around 5.6 million members, has urged ministers to commit to starting an independent, judge-led inquiry by the end of 2020.
Not giving staff sufficient PPE has exposed them to unnecessary risk, the TUC says, as it points out that more than 80 health and social care workers have lost their lives to coronavirus so far.
Advice was issued by Public Health England over the weekend telling health workers to reuse equipment if their supply was running low, which sparked urgent concerns among medical bodies.
The TUC has recommended that the inquiry being called for investigates the following:
Why there were delays in the planning for and delivery of PPE;
Whether guidance about the need for PPE in diverse workplace settings was timely and robust;
Whether staff were put under pressure to work with inadequate or out-of-date PPE; and if so why;
Whether staff were threatened with disciplinary action for raising concerns about the lack of PPE; and if so why;
Why the NHS, social and residential care and other workplace settings have struggled to source PPE from suppliers.
Commenting on the fresh demands, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Every day frontline workers are being forced to risk their lives because they don’t have the proper protective equipment.
“And now they are being told just to make do. This is a grotesque failure of planning and preparedness. It must never be allowed to happen again. Our NHS, social care and key workers deserve better.
“Right now, the government must sort out the PPE crisis urgently. But we are also calling on ministers to commit to an independent, public inquiry into the failure to provide frontline workers with adequate PPE, kicking off by the end of this year.
“And to every key worker out there worried about getting the PPE they need, I say this: your unions will support you if you refuse to work without adequate protection. We have your backs.”
The NHS Confederation and NHS Providers publicly criticised ministers for the first time on Sunday, as they spoke out against the government announcing PPE deliveries that failed to materialise.
A shipment including 400,000 much-needed surgical gowns was due from Turkey, but did not arrive in the UK when expected. No explanation has been provided by No 10 for the delay.
The TUC has highlighted reports of home care staff making masks at home and smocks from bin liners. The GMB has reported that one member had to buy paper masks for herself and colleagues.
In an IPPR/YouGov poll of UK healthcare professionals last week, 72% said the government had not done enough during the Covid-19 outbreak to prevent and test health and care workers for illness.


labourlist--2020-04-20--Public service workers join UNISON in record numbers during crisis

Public service workers are joining UNISON in record numbers during the coronavirus crisis in the UK as the trade union says staff increasingly “ seek support and security ” .
UNISON has grown by nearly 16,000 members since the beginning of 2020 , according to the latest figures released the union , which as 1.3 million members in total .
This rise in membership mostly took place in March and early April , the trade union has said , and nearly a third – almost 5,000 new UNISON members – was the result of people working in schools joining up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ People are joining the union for advice and security at this worrying time .
And they are turning to UNISON because our workplace reps and activists are second to none .
“ I know we can step up to this huge challenge and be there when our members need us most .
Public-service workers are going above and beyond to protect our loved ones and keep our communities safely functioning .
“ Supporting them and campaigning for their protection is the priority of our union at this trying time ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions , our branches , our staff and our activists .
“ I am so proud that our union is working so hard for our members and for public service workers in general.
” UNISON has led the call – along with the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives – for a minute ’ s silence this week to honour key workers who have died from coronavirus .
The three health unions have asked the country to observe the silence at 11am on Thursday , April 28th , International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign launched today .
The government has not yet officially taken up the proposal , but a Downing Street spokesperson this morning said “ we are actively looking at it and we think that it is a good idea ” .

Public service workers are joining UNISON in record numbers during the coronavirus crisis in the UK as the trade union says staff increasingly “seek support and security”.
UNISON has grown by nearly 16,000 members since the beginning of 2020, according to the latest figures released the union, which as 1.3 million members in total.
This rise in membership mostly took place in March and early April, the trade union has said, and nearly a third – almost 5,000 new UNISON members – was the result of people working in schools joining up.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “People are joining the union for advice and security at this worrying time. And they are turning to UNISON because our workplace reps and activists are second to none.
“I know we can step up to this huge challenge and be there when our members need us most. Public-service workers are going above and beyond to protect our loved ones and keep our communities safely functioning.
“Supporting them and campaigning for their protection is the priority of our union at this trying time; the priority for all our structures, our regions, our branches, our staff and our activists.
“I am so proud that our union is working so hard for our members and for public service workers in general.”
UNISON has led the call – along with the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives – for a minute’s silence this week to honour key workers who have died from coronavirus.
The three health unions have asked the country to observe the silence at 11am on Thursday, April 28th, International Workers’ Memorial Day, in a campaign launched today.
The government has not yet officially taken up the proposal, but a Downing Street spokesperson this morning said “we are actively looking at it and we think that it is a good idea”.


labourlist--2020-04-20--Three key challenges faced by Labour’s new leadership

Factionalism has bedevilled Labour since its creation .
Repeatedly papered over , factional splits between the left and right within Labour have consistently emerged in response to social , economic and political change .
The history of this process highlights three key dilemmas for the Labour leadership today : how to preserve party unity while reinventing itself in the new world ; how to deal with the debt and deficit after Covid-19 ; and how to win back Leave-supporting voters .
No Labour government or opposition has been immune to the left vs right battle .
Even the much-venerated Clement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group called ‘ Keep Left ’ that advocated a more radical nationalisation programme and a neutral foreign policy towards the US .
This prompted a ferocious battle throughout the ’ 50s over how the party should adapt to the post-war world and the rise of the affluent society .
This battle was brought under a temporary truce under the brilliant leadership of Harold Wilson , only for it to erupt spectacularly after his general election loss in 1970 .
The fight was waged throughout the ’ 70s , as Britain wrestled with stagflation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stuart Holland and charismatically by Tony Benn , developed the Alternative Economic Strategy ( AES ) to remedy Britain ’ s financial problems .
The AES was a model based on nationalisation , economic planning , industrial democratisation and a more protectionist stance on the economy .
This was the polar opposite strategy to what Keith Joseph and Margaret Thatcher were cooking up with the beginnings of neoliberalism – a model based on free markets and deregulation .
The AES reached its apogee with Labour ’ s 1983 manifesto , which promised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift in the balance of power and wealth in favour of working people ” – pretty much the same phrase as the one contained in Jeremy Corbyn ’ s 2019 manifesto .
The 1983 defeat marked a new beginning of the Labour right .
Starting under the soft left with Neil Kinnock and ending with Tony Blair , the Labour right neutered the left and moderated the party ’ s policy position .
It ended with Gordon Brown promising to follow the then Tory government ’ s budget plans leading into the 1997 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pattern : as the world and country changes , the left and right battle flares up and the party struggles to transition into the new world .
This is the party ’ s first conundrum – how to keep Labour united , while at the same time reinventing itself .
The 2008 financial crash brought the New Labour economic model to a shuddering halt .
No longer could New Labour rely on the tax revenues from the city to pay for the public spending the Labour government had embarked upon .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially , but then to gradually reduce public spending over the longer term .
With the 2010 defeat , the left broadly swung behind Ed Miliband in order to defeat the New Labour continuation candidate , David Miliband .
While Ed Miliband diligently tried to keep the party together and cover up the tensions , it was clear that a new chasm was opening up between the left and right of the party – this time focusing on austerity .
The 2010 defeat also alluded to the second dilemma faced by the Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the deficit and austerity ?
Miliband ’ s answer was broadly to fudge it – stressing that Tory austerity went too far , too fast .
This argument did not wash with the public and , importantly , a growing number of Labour members .
Now , due to the Covid-19 crisis , the same problem will arise .
Rishi Sunak has expressed the view that the huge amounts of money spent fighting the virus will have to be paid back .
Corbyn ’ s pre-Covid-19 answer was a unifying message that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular with many Labour members and saw a rebirth of Bennism as Corbyn , John McDonnell and other key figures of the Socialist Campaign Group set about revamping it for the 21st century .
Yet Benn was famously against the European Union , and the 2016 Brexit referendum triggered the left ’ s innate hostility to the European bloc .
This highlights Labour ’ s third major challenge : how can you speak , economically and culturally , to those Leave voters who feel ‘ left behind ’ , while simultaneously assuaging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corbyn ’ s answer was to take a ‘ seven out of ten ’ position .
It didn ’ t work .
Keir Starmer has now taken up the mantle .
The new Labour leader faces three big challenges bequeathed to him : 1 ) keeping the party unified at a time of rapid socio-economic change – no mean feat given the leaked report on antisemitism ; 2 ) taking a position on the looming deficit : support austerity or promise more spending to kick-start the economy ; and 3 ) dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leave-supporters , but does not annoy the pro-EU , middle-class base .
How Starmer deals with these problems will define his leadership .

Factionalism has bedevilled Labour since its creation. Repeatedly papered over, factional splits between the left and right within Labour have consistently emerged in response to social, economic and political change. The history of this process highlights three key dilemmas for the Labour leadership today: how to preserve party unity while reinventing itself in the new world; how to deal with the debt and deficit after Covid-19; and how to win back Leave-supporting voters.
No Labour government or opposition has been immune to the left vs right battle. Even the much-venerated Clement Attlee government saw the rise of a group called ‘Keep Left’ that advocated a more radical nationalisation programme and a neutral foreign policy towards the US. This prompted a ferocious battle throughout the ’50s over how the party should adapt to the post-war world and the rise of the affluent society.
This battle was brought under a temporary truce under the brilliant leadership of Harold Wilson, only for it to erupt spectacularly after his general election loss in 1970. The fight was waged throughout the ’70s, as Britain wrestled with stagflation. The left, led intellectually by Stuart Holland and charismatically by Tony Benn, developed the Alternative Economic Strategy (AES) to remedy Britain’s financial problems.
The AES was a model based on nationalisation, economic planning, industrial democratisation and a more protectionist stance on the economy. This was the polar opposite strategy to what Keith Joseph and Margaret Thatcher were cooking up with the beginnings of neoliberalism – a model based on free markets and deregulation. The AES reached its apogee with Labour’s 1983 manifesto, which promised to bring about a “fundamental and irreversible shift in the balance of power and wealth in favour of working people” – pretty much the same phrase as the one contained in Jeremy Corbyn’s 2019 manifesto.
The 1983 defeat marked a new beginning of the Labour right. Starting under the soft left with Neil Kinnock and ending with Tony Blair, the Labour right neutered the left and moderated the party’s policy position. It ended with Gordon Brown promising to follow the then Tory government’s budget plans leading into the 1997 general election.
This brief history demonstrates a pattern: as the world and country changes, the left and right battle flares up and the party struggles to transition into the new world. This is the party’s first conundrum – how to keep Labour united, while at the same time reinventing itself.
The 2008 financial crash brought the New Labour economic model to a shuddering halt. No longer could New Labour rely on the tax revenues from the city to pay for the public spending the Labour government had embarked upon. The emergency response from Brown was to spend initially, but then to gradually reduce public spending over the longer term.
With the 2010 defeat, the left broadly swung behind Ed Miliband in order to defeat the New Labour continuation candidate, David Miliband. While Ed Miliband diligently tried to keep the party together and cover up the tensions, it was clear that a new chasm was opening up between the left and right of the party – this time focusing on austerity.
The 2010 defeat also alluded to the second dilemma faced by the Labour Party: what would its position be on the deficit and austerity? Miliband’s answer was broadly to fudge it – stressing that Tory austerity went too far, too fast. This argument did not wash with the public and, importantly, a growing number of Labour members.
Now, due to the Covid-19 crisis, the same problem will arise. Rishi Sunak has expressed the view that the huge amounts of money spent fighting the virus will have to be paid back. Corbyn’s pre-Covid-19 answer was a unifying message that unambiguously advocated anti-austerity measures. It was popular with many Labour members and saw a rebirth of Bennism as Corbyn, John McDonnell and other key figures of the Socialist Campaign Group set about revamping it for the 21st century.
Yet Benn was famously against the European Union, and the 2016 Brexit referendum triggered the left’s innate hostility to the European bloc. This highlights Labour’s third major challenge: how can you speak, economically and culturally, to those Leave voters who feel ‘left behind’, while simultaneously assuaging the pro-EU middle class and student supporters? Corbyn’s answer was to take a ‘seven out of ten’ position. It didn’t work.
Keir Starmer has now taken up the mantle. The new Labour leader faces three big challenges bequeathed to him: 1) keeping the party unified at a time of rapid socio-economic change – no mean feat given the leaked report on antisemitism; 2) taking a position on the looming deficit: support austerity or promise more spending to kick-start the economy; and 3) dealing with Brexit in a way that wins back Leave-supporters, but does not annoy the pro-EU, middle-class base. How Starmer deals with these problems will define his leadership.


labourlist--2020-04-20--We must end the rich-poor tech divide to help deprived children

Today marks the start of a new school term .
As it stands , this term will be one in which the most deprived school children fall behind their peers , with severe consequences for their futures .
As lessons and learning move online , it is children in the poorest households who stand to pay the highest price .
We knew we had to do something about this issue two weeks ago .
That ’ s when secondary school headteachers in Hounslow told me that they were having to courier schoolwork to the homes of children who did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet .
A phone round of heads suggested an initial estimate of around 1,000 secondary school children in Hounslow were similarly affected .
This doesn ’ t even include children who are now competing to use the home computer with siblings or parents who are working from home .
Nor does it include primary school children .
Many of these children would have been able to stay longer after school to use computers or go to the local library .
The first key issue we faced is that computers , particularly in bulk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to come by , and they are expensive .
That ’ s why local education charity Hounslow ’ s Promise , set up with Cranford Community College , has teamed up with the Hounslow Education Partnership consortium of headteachers to launch [ email protected ] .
The project has been covered by Sky News and BBC .
Computers , iPads and laptops are being donated by local people and businesses , reset and reimaged to get kids connected at home .
The project is backed by Hounslow Council and the Hounslow Chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing , and on Friday it was incredible to be at Springwest Academy in Feltham to see the first computers brought in by our volunteers .
Every computer donated that helps a child go online safely and access their online school classroom is a child who will do better .
But in this , , which Forbes highlighted two weeks ago .
Findings by the Sutton Trust published today come as no surprise .
The research shows that 15 % of teachers in the most deprived schools – compared to just 2 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said more than a third of their students would not have adequate access to an electronic device at home .
12 % also thought that more than a third of their students would not have adequate internet access .
The second key issue we face is low-cost connectivity .
Market prices simply aren ’ t affordable .
For an estimated 500 children we need to help in Hounslow , even an estimate of £20 a month for five months to September would be £100 a child – around £50,000 in total .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the summer term , home-schooling is likely to be part of our system for some time to come .
One solution to the connectivity issue for families without broadband is for the government to negotiate temporary schemes with telecoms companies .
These would provide free or low-cost broadband for five months to households in which children currently have no internet access .
This would enable them to download online learning materials and watch their school lessons .
It would be a very targeted programme .
This isn ’ t just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schoolwork and access to the online classroom and resources .
Once children fall behind , it can be really difficult to catch up .
With schools unable to reopen at present , the situation is all the more serious .
This is an unsettling time for children , and it would be a huge benefit and easily achievable for tech firms and broadband suppliers to help children stay connected to their school and their friends .
Not only will it support their learning , but it will positively impact their confidence and wellbeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement that laptops or tablets will be provided for some Year 10 students , and that 4G routers will be offered to families without mobile or broadband internet .
But our work shows that the scale of the challenge in helping children who need support now is huge .
The government also has yet to say how many laptops will be provided and how quickly access can be guaranteed .
The need is much wider than those in Year 10 , and so far there is no broader plan .
I am deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupils we will see fall well behind as they look to potentially four months of schooling at home .
It ’ s a stark contrast to the strong stand taken against unauthorised absence on the basis of its potential impact on a child ’ s education .
What the government has announced is a start , but it ’ s not anywhere near the scale we need .
Government and industry need to step up and help now .
It ’ s achievable – and affordable for large telecoms companies .
The alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households will not just fall behind now , but may carry the consequences with them for years to come , and the country will pay the price .

Today marks the start of a new school term. As it stands, this term will be one in which the most deprived school children fall behind their peers, with severe consequences for their futures. As lessons and learning move online, it is children in the poorest households who stand to pay the highest price.
We knew we had to do something about this issue two weeks ago. That’s when secondary school headteachers in Hounslow told me that they were having to courier schoolwork to the homes of children who did not have access to a computer or the internet. A phone round of heads suggested an initial estimate of around 1,000 secondary school children in Hounslow were similarly affected. This doesn’t even include children who are now competing to use the home computer with siblings or parents who are working from home. Nor does it include primary school children.
Many of these children would have been able to stay longer after school to use computers or go to the local library. The first key issue we faced is that computers, particularly in bulk in the current climate, are really difficult to come by, and they are expensive. That’s why local education charity Hounslow’s Promise, set up with Cranford Community College, has teamed up with the Hounslow Education Partnership consortium of headteachers to launch ConnectingKids@Home. The project has been covered by Sky News and BBC.
Computers, iPads and laptops are being donated by local people and businesses, reset and reimaged to get kids connected at home. The project is backed by Hounslow Council and the Hounslow Chamber of Commerce. Initial feedback has been amazing, and on Friday it was incredible to be at Springwest Academy in Feltham to see the first computers brought in by our volunteers.
Every computer donated that helps a child go online safely and access their online school classroom is a child who will do better. But in this, , which Forbes highlighted two weeks ago. Findings by the Sutton Trust published today come as no surprise. The research shows that 15% of teachers in the most deprived schools – compared to just 2% in the most affluent state schools – said more than a third of their students would not have adequate access to an electronic device at home. 12% also thought that more than a third of their students would not have adequate internet access.
The second key issue we face is low-cost connectivity. Market prices simply aren’t affordable. For an estimated 500 children we need to help in Hounslow, even an estimate of £20 a month for five months to September would be £100 a child – around £50,000 in total. Even if schools are able to return for part of the summer term, home-schooling is likely to be part of our system for some time to come.
One solution to the connectivity issue for families without broadband is for the government to negotiate temporary schemes with telecoms companies. These would provide free or low-cost broadband for five months to households in which children currently have no internet access. This would enable them to download online learning materials and watch their school lessons. It would be a very targeted programme.
This isn’t just about homework. It’s about regular schoolwork and access to the online classroom and resources. Once children fall behind, it can be really difficult to catch up. With schools unable to reopen at present, the situation is all the more serious. This is an unsettling time for children, and it would be a huge benefit and easily achievable for tech firms and broadband suppliers to help children stay connected to their school and their friends. Not only will it support their learning, but it will positively impact their confidence and wellbeing.
I welcome the government’s announcement that laptops or tablets will be provided for some Year 10 students, and that 4G routers will be offered to families without mobile or broadband internet. But our work shows that the scale of the challenge in helping children who need support now is huge. The government also has yet to say how many laptops will be provided and how quickly access can be guaranteed.
The need is much wider than those in Year 10, and so far there is no broader plan. I am deeply concerned about those tens of thousands of pupils we will see fall well behind as they look to potentially four months of schooling at home. It’s a stark contrast to the strong stand taken against unauthorised absence on the basis of its potential impact on a child’s education.
What the government has announced is a start, but it’s not anywhere near the scale we need. Government and industry need to step up and help now. It’s achievable – and affordable for large telecoms companies. The alternative is that many more children in poor households will not just fall behind now, but may carry the consequences with them for years to come, and the country will pay the price.