labourlist--2020-07-07--WATCH: Care workers not to blame – government “far too slow to act”, says Labour

Liz Kendall has said that care workers are not to blame for Covid-19 deaths in care homes and that the Prime Minister should acknowledge instead that the government was “ far too slow to act ” .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the shadow minister for social care discussed comments made by Boris Johnson yesterday – in which he said “ too many care homes didn ’ t really follow the procedures ” .
Kendall said that many of the care workers will have been “ shocked and appalled ” by the statement by the Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all to try and protect elderly people ” .
She said : “ Care workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty , and many of them in care homes have seen really traumatic things .
They have given their all to try and protect elderly people .
“ And I think many of them will just be shocked and appalled that the Prime Minister seems to be blaming care homes , rather than acknowledging that the government was far too slow to act to keep elderly people safe.
” Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
10 have insisted that he was “ absolutely not ” blaming care homes .
Almost 20,000 people have died from coronavirus in care homes since the start of the pandemic in March .

Liz Kendall has said that care workers are not to blame for Covid-19 deaths in care homes and that the Prime Minister should acknowledge instead that the government was “far too slow to act”.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the shadow minister for social care discussed comments made by Boris Johnson yesterday – in which he said “too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures”.
Kendall said that many of the care workers will have been “shocked and appalled” by the statement by the Prime Minister after “they have given their all to try and protect elderly people”.
She said: “Care workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and many of them in care homes have seen really traumatic things. They have given their all to try and protect elderly people.
“And I think many of them will just be shocked and appalled that the Prime Minister seems to be blaming care homes, rather than acknowledging that the government was far too slow to act to keep elderly people safe.”
Shadow Minister for Social Care, Liz Kendall says the government is at fault, not the care homes and the prime minister should acknowledge that. Read more: https://t.co/u04JHjEWFz pic.twitter.com/JjJCBF9YBN — SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 7, 2020
Since Johnson made the comment yesterday, No. 10 have insisted that he was “absolutely not” blaming care homes. Almost 20,000 people have died from coronavirus in care homes since the start of the pandemic in March.


labourlist--2020-07-07--Shelly Asquith’s TU-esday round-up: No Spoons boycott, #BABetrayal, Dog Awareness Week

Here is an update on some of the main stories from the union frontlines this week .
Today is the last in a three-day strike by UNISON members in Tower Hamlets .
As explored on LabourList , the Labour-run council is forcing through changes to contracts that will worsen a whole range of working conditions .
Serious tensions have mounted between the council ’ s leadership and unions in the borough in recent months , as NEU had also previously balloted to strike , and Unite refuse collectors already walked out before lockdown .
Stop the spread Coronavirus outbreaks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keyworkers who are most at risk .
Workers are having to take matters into their own hands in some cases .
Throughout the pandemic , postal workers have staged localised walkouts at sorting and delivery offices where coronavirus outbreaks are known to have occurred .
Just last week , Royal Mail workers in Barnsley walked out after a colleague tested positive , forcing management to introduce tougher safety measures .
UNISON has blasted the Food Standards Agency for failing to carry out safety assessments in meat factories , after around 250 workers tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a week .
And as pubs re-open , the BFAWU has issued an appeal to punters not to boycott Wetherspoons but to instead support a set of demands to improve working conditions for staff – including personal protective equipment and full sick pay .
Stop the sacking As the furlough scheme begins to unravel and bosses revisit pre-lockdown plans , huge numbers of jobs are at risk .
Unite is fighting to keep members in posts at Airbus , GKN Automotive , Rolls Royce and other leading manufacturers ; while in aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airways over redundancies and a shameful ‘ firing and re-hiring ’ scheme respectively .
The # BABetrayal has seen the union stage a number of protests this week from Brighton to New York .
UCU members face thousands of teaching jobs being axed – especially those on insecure contracts – as universities make the wrong choices in the midst of a collapse in income in the sector .
In some workplaces , the threats of redundancy are leading to strike ballots , for example by Unite members at Drax power station .
Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a joint statement on the “ diluting ” of official social distancing guidance from two-metre to one-metre-plus , which has led to assurances from government that the fulil two metres must continue to be observed on public transport .
The Chief Scientific Officer previously warned that the move to reduce the distance could increase the risk of infection by up to 30 times .
Unions are concerned that enforcing the measurement is too difficult as it is , and that further confusion amongst the public will increase the risk for passengers and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Belly Mujinga ’ s family ( the TSSA member who died of coronavirus after being spat at by a commuter ) nears two million , Dawn Butler MP has demanded the £60k payout for NHS workers be extended to rail staff .
The education unions have expressed serious concern over the government ’ s announcement that all schools will reopen fully in September , without a plan as to how they will ensure safety among a full class , with no distancing and no PPE .
The teaching unions have called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the headteachers union NAHT in Wales even warned that proposals could be unworkable .
The show must go on Unions in the arts , who had been demanding urgent relief for the struggling sector , welcomed news of a £1.6bn bailout plan from the government .
Questions remain as to whether funds will reach the workers , many of whom are freelancers , who keep our theatres , galleries and cultural institutions alive .
Later this week , July 9-11th , the TUC hosts a series of online events under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of online discussions on the future of trade union organisation .
Sessions range from mental health to international solidarity , and how we recruit more young people and more women to the movement .
All events are free to attend and the full schedule can be found here .
Who let the dogs out ?
It ’ s Dog Awareness Week , and the CWU is appealing to members of the public to think twice before opening the door to the postie if they have a dog .
An average of seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs while going about their job .
While coronavirus presents the most significant health and safety hazard to workers at this current time , we can not forget the everyday risks frontline workers have to tackle , pandemic or not .
And territorial dogs , I am sure , will be an issue that plenty of Labour doorstep canvassers can identify with .

Here is an update on some of the main stories from the union frontlines this week.
A Labour council
Today is the last in a three-day strike by UNISON members in Tower Hamlets. As explored on LabourList, the Labour-run council is forcing through changes to contracts that will worsen a whole range of working conditions. Serious tensions have mounted between the council’s leadership and unions in the borough in recent months, as NEU had also previously balloted to strike, and Unite refuse collectors already walked out before lockdown.
Stop the spread
Coronavirus outbreaks are still occurring, and it remains frontline keyworkers who are most at risk. Workers are having to take matters into their own hands in some cases. Throughout the pandemic, postal workers have staged localised walkouts at sorting and delivery offices where coronavirus outbreaks are known to have occurred. Just last week, Royal Mail workers in Barnsley walked out after a colleague tested positive, forcing management to introduce tougher safety measures.
UNISON has blasted the Food Standards Agency for failing to carry out safety assessments in meat factories, after around 250 workers tested positive across three sites in the space of a week.
And as pubs re-open, the BFAWU has issued an appeal to punters not to boycott Wetherspoons but to instead support a set of demands to improve working conditions for staff – including personal protective equipment and full sick pay.
Stop the sacking
As the furlough scheme begins to unravel and bosses revisit pre-lockdown plans, huge numbers of jobs are at risk. Unite is fighting to keep members in posts at Airbus, GKN Automotive, Rolls Royce and other leading manufacturers; while in aviation the union faces down EasyJet and British Airways over redundancies and a shameful ‘firing and re-hiring’ scheme respectively. The #BABetrayal has seen the union stage a number of protests this week from Brighton to New York.
UCU members face thousands of teaching jobs being axed – especially those on insecure contracts – as universities make the wrong choices in the midst of a collapse in income in the sector.
In some workplaces, the threats of redundancy are leading to strike ballots, for example by Unite members at Drax power station.
Mind the gap
Transport unions ASLEF, RMT and TSSA issued a joint statement on the “diluting” of official social distancing guidance from two-metre to one-metre-plus, which has led to assurances from government that the fulil two metres must continue to be observed on public transport. The Chief Scientific Officer previously warned that the move to reduce the distance could increase the risk of infection by up to 30 times.
Unions are concerned that enforcing the measurement is too difficult as it is, and that further confusion amongst the public will increase the risk for passengers and staff. And as the petition for justice for Belly Mujinga’s family (the TSSA member who died of coronavirus after being spat at by a commuter) nears two million, Dawn Butler MP has demanded the £60k payout for NHS workers be extended to rail staff.
School’s out… indefinitely
The education unions have expressed serious concern over the government’s announcement that all schools will reopen fully in September, without a plan as to how they will ensure safety among a full class, with no distancing and no PPE. The teaching unions have called for scientific evidence to back up any plans, and the headteachers union NAHT in Wales even warned that proposals could be unworkable.
The show must go on
Unions in the arts, who had been demanding urgent relief for the struggling sector, welcomed news of a £1.6bn bailout plan from the government. Questions remain as to whether funds will reach the workers, many of whom are freelancers, who keep our theatres, galleries and cultural institutions alive.
Getting organised
Later this week, July 9-11th, the TUC hosts a series of online events under the banner ‘Organise 2020’, a series of online discussions on the future of trade union organisation. Sessions range from mental health to international solidarity, and how we recruit more young people and more women to the movement. All events are free to attend and the full schedule can be found here.
Who let the dogs out?
It’s Dog Awareness Week, and the CWU is appealing to members of the public to think twice before opening the door to the postie if they have a dog. An average of seven postal workers every day are attacked by dogs while going about their job. While coronavirus presents the most significant health and safety hazard to workers at this current time, we cannot forget the everyday risks frontline workers have to tackle, pandemic or not. And territorial dogs, I am sure, will be an issue that plenty of Labour doorstep canvassers can identify with.


labourlist--2020-07-07--Now is the time to champion tax justice and a fairer economic model

Over the last few months , Covid-19 has seen thousands of avoidable excess deaths – each one a disaster and a stain on this government ’ s conscience .
It has also seen businesses go to the wall , jobs lost , relationships strained and our public services stretched to their very limits .
With borrowing already £33bn higher than expected this year , there is an unprecedented challenge to be faced in order to ensure that the government spending needed over the coming months to support businesses , retain jobs and secure long-term funding of our public services is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson and Rishi Sunak proclaim an end to an era of austerity .
But if the last ten years of Tory rule are anything to go by , we know that the government will claim to give with one hand while the press are watching and in reality take with the other whilst our attention is focused elsewhere .
As we look beyond the immediate public health crisis , Labour needs to reconsider how we reform the tax burden to ensure it falls fairly on all our shoulders .
We must look again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the greatest means really is enough .
Because in 2020 it can ’ t be right that the government continues to provide tax breaks to some of the wealthiest earners , whilst public sector worker struggle to make do with below-inflation pay rises .
Now is the time to champion a system that values the contribution of the care worker the same as that of the fund manager ; a fairer model of economic justice , which realises that whilst we must all contribute more , we must also value the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
Labour must hold a mirror to the government ’ s actions and demand a more progressive system of taxation .
Outlined below are a number of measures Labour might pursue in order to secure a more equitable tax system that provides the funds needed for public services .
First , on pension tax relief we must look afresh at the current regressive system , which allows higher-rate income tax payers to save up to £40,000 a year subsidised by the government .
That ’ s a tax break twice as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payers .
At an anticipated cost of nearly £40bn per year to the Treasury , Labour should be calling for significant reform with a flat rate of relief for all taxpayers regardless of how much they earn .
This would rectify a long-serving injustice whilst providing a clear additional source of income to invest in public services .
The government allows for an annual capital gains allowance of £12,000 a year , rated at 20 % for higher-rate taxpayers – far below the income tax rate .
Who benefits from it ?
Certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is a sum of which few except the very wealthiest in society will ever make use .
It allows those who have amassed significant assets to avoid paying tax on gains beyond most of our imaginations .
Gains in assets should be taxed at a similar rate to income .
The same applies to income received by shareholders from dividends .
Labour should be championing this cause , calling out the injustices of a tax break for those with the deepest pockets .
VAT increases are inherently arbitrary in their impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in narrowing the wealth gap .
The shadow Treasury team should make clear that it does not support them , and criticise any move by Rishi Sunak or Boris Johnson to do so .
Instead , Labour should be bold in championing a windfall tax on carbon intensive industries to support work towards funding green , renewable technologies and powering the shift to the cleaner industry that we all want to see .
Most importantly , we should not duck the difficult discussion that needs to be had to ensure our NHS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dating back to 2011 , the Dilnot commission recognised the systemic issues facing social care funding – many of which remain unaddressed to this day .
A hypothecated increase in income tax would be honest with the electorate and demonstrate we really are all in this together .
And we may be leaving the EU , but only by working collaboratively with our closest allies and partners will we be able to pioneer a comprehensive system of clamping down on tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance .
Labour must stand up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by calling for greater powers and funding for the HMRC and by holding the Tories to account on cross-border tax initiatives , effective data sharing and their woeful record on enforcement action .
Up and down the country , millions of us have been working remotely for the last few months .
Hooked up to email , glued to Zoom , keeping the lights on in our bedrooms and kitchens , we ’ ve shown just how many office jobs can be carried out regardless of where workers are based .
This has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energies outside of work on caring for loved ones .
But it also calls into question why 25 % of all office space in England and Wales is concentrated in central London .
Labour should renew calls for greater rebalancing of the economy across the country , supported by the regional development banks featured in manifestos past .
And it must champion the benefits of flexible working , allowing a just recovery across the four nations and enabling us all to contribute to the economic , social and cultural renewal for which we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our everyday lives has irredeemably scarred Britain ’ s economy .
As the government turns its attention to the reopening of shops and pubs , and as the furlough scheme falls away in the autumn , Labour must ensure that the recovery we all need is balanced on the shoulders of those with the greatest means – not offloaded onto future generations .
Now is the time to call for greater justice in how our public services are funded .

Over the last few months, Covid-19 has seen thousands of avoidable excess deaths – each one a disaster and a stain on this government’s conscience. It has also seen businesses go to the wall, jobs lost, relationships strained and our public services stretched to their very limits. With borrowing already £33bn higher than expected this year, there is an unprecedented challenge to be faced in order to ensure that the government spending needed over the coming months to support businesses, retain jobs and secure long-term funding of our public services is fairly distributed.
The likes of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak proclaim an end to an era of austerity. But if the last ten years of Tory rule are anything to go by, we know that the government will claim to give with one hand while the press are watching and in reality take with the other whilst our attention is focused elsewhere. As we look beyond the immediate public health crisis, Labour needs to reconsider how we reform the tax burden to ensure it falls fairly on all our shoulders. We must look again at whether the contribution made by those with the greatest means really is enough. Because in 2020 it can’t be right that the government continues to provide tax breaks to some of the wealthiest earners, whilst public sector worker struggle to make do with below-inflation pay rises.
Now is the time to champion a system that values the contribution of the care worker the same as that of the fund manager; a fairer model of economic justice, which realises that whilst we must all contribute more, we must also value the wider societal benefit provided by all workers across the UK. Labour must hold a mirror to the government’s actions and demand a more progressive system of taxation. Outlined below are a number of measures Labour might pursue in order to secure a more equitable tax system that provides the funds needed for public services.
First, on pension tax relief we must look afresh at the current regressive system, which allows higher-rate income tax payers to save up to £40,000 a year subsidised by the government. That’s a tax break twice as high as that enjoyed by basic rate payers. At an anticipated cost of nearly £40bn per year to the Treasury, Labour should be calling for significant reform with a flat rate of relief for all taxpayers regardless of how much they earn. This would rectify a long-serving injustice whilst providing a clear additional source of income to invest in public services.
The government allows for an annual capital gains allowance of £12,000 a year, rated at 20% for higher-rate taxpayers – far below the income tax rate. Who benefits from it? Certainly not those on the lowest incomes. It is a sum of which few except the very wealthiest in society will ever make use. It allows those who have amassed significant assets to avoid paying tax on gains beyond most of our imaginations. Gains in assets should be taxed at a similar rate to income. The same applies to income received by shareholders from dividends. Labour should be championing this cause, calling out the injustices of a tax break for those with the deepest pockets.
VAT increases are inherently arbitrary in their impact on the wider population, and are ineffective in narrowing the wealth gap. The shadow Treasury team should make clear that it does not support them, and criticise any move by Rishi Sunak or Boris Johnson to do so. Instead, Labour should be bold in championing a windfall tax on carbon intensive industries to support work towards funding green, renewable technologies and powering the shift to the cleaner industry that we all want to see.
Most importantly, we should not duck the difficult discussion that needs to be had to ensure our NHS and social care services are properly funded. Dating back to 2011, the Dilnot commission recognised the systemic issues facing social care funding – many of which remain unaddressed to this day. A hypothecated increase in income tax would be honest with the electorate and demonstrate we really are all in this together.
And we may be leaving the EU, but only by working collaboratively with our closest allies and partners will we be able to pioneer a comprehensive system of clamping down on tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. Labour must stand up to the party of offshore billionaires and oligarch donors by calling for greater powers and funding for the HMRC and by holding the Tories to account on cross-border tax initiatives, effective data sharing and their woeful record on enforcement action.
Up and down the country, millions of us have been working remotely for the last few months. Hooked up to email, glued to Zoom, keeping the lights on in our bedrooms and kitchens, we’ve shown just how many office jobs can be carried out regardless of where workers are based. This has allowed many of us to focus our energies outside of work on caring for loved ones. But it also calls into question why 25% of all office space in England and Wales is concentrated in central London. Labour should renew calls for greater rebalancing of the economy across the country, supported by the regional development banks featured in manifestos past. And it must champion the benefits of flexible working, allowing a just recovery across the four nations and enabling us all to contribute to the economic, social and cultural renewal for which we all yearn.
The virus plaguing all of our everyday lives has irredeemably scarred Britain’s economy. As the government turns its attention to the reopening of shops and pubs, and as the furlough scheme falls away in the autumn, Labour must ensure that the recovery we all need is balanced on the shoulders of those with the greatest means – not offloaded onto future generations. Now is the time to call for greater justice in how our public services are funded.


labourlist--2020-07-07--A jobs guarantee scheme must be the cornerstone of our recovery

In the last three days , more than 14,000 job losses have been announced .
This figure will be out-of-date the moment I type it , with more big employers making mass redundancies every day .
Unemployment is a scourge .
It goes hand in hand with debt , poverty , ill health and homelessness .
Its effects last a lifetime .
And , as in any recession , the hardest hit will be young workers just starting out in their careers .
As we exit lockdown , for the first time in a generation , young people are finishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onto the dole .
The impact of being out of work when you ’ re young has lifelong consequences – so-called ‘ scarring ’ .
More than six months ’ unemployment early on holds down workers ’ earnings throughout their lives .
By their 40s , those who experienced youth unemployment earn up to 21 % less .
And even 35 years later , those who were unemployed when they were young are unhappier .
This scarring affects all groups , not just those from poorer backgrounds or with lower skills levels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discounting lower qualification levels , family background , gender , disability and living in areas of high unemployment .
Joining the labour market in a pandemic is a piece of random bad luck – but one that could do massive harm to the life chances of young people .
Without decisive action from government , they will see their hopes and dreams unfulfilled and their ambitions unrealised because the UK can not use their skills and talents .
It ’ s been decades since the UK experienced mass unemployment .
But previous recessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of leaving young people without any support beyond a threadbare safety net .
As we come out of lockdown , the immediate future looks like millions of people desperate to work chasing a tiny number of vacancies .
Which is why I will never apologise for putting jobs at the heart of the trade union movement ’ s plans for recovery .
And why it is galling to read the government ’ s plans on youth unemployment .
At the summer statement , alongside some crumbs on apprenticeship funding , the Chancellor will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who takes on a young person for a traineeship .
Each traineeship will last six months , and trainees will get help with English , maths and CV writing alongside work experience .
But these roles will be unpaid .
It is not clear what the government expects the trainees to live on , or how to pay their rent .
And because traineeships aren ’ t a job , they don ’ t give young people the on-the-job experience that employers want .
The government may laud the record of traineeships in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further study , yet it conveniently glosses over the plunge into a deep recession of the last few months .
Trainees who complete one of these traineeships are unlikely to find the labour market a welcoming place .
When they finish , they will head straight back onto the unemployment rolls .
Nor does the government account for unscrupulous employers , who will no doubt see the trainees as a source of free labour – and may even let existing workers go in favour of trainees .
We saw this with unpaid work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re seeing the reheated version in the middle of a recession .
Instead of a traineeship scheme that will leave young people no better off , the government should set up a jobs guarantee scheme .
This should offer every young person out of work for three months the chance of a real job , on at least the real Living Wage .
These jobs should be with real employers , with a meaningful subsidy to make it worthwhile .
They should be doing things that are useful for the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A job guarantee scheme will give young people real experience of the world of work that they can show employers .
It will give them an income that they have earned .
And it will stop them experiencing the personal disaster of early unemployment , as well as stopping the UK-wide social disaster of mass unemployment .
This is how we avoid a repeat of the 1980s .
We don ’ t need another failed Youth Training Scheme , which is only useful for taking people out of the unemployment stats .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state to create real jobs on real wages with real employers .
A new offer of a guaranteed job for every young person facing long-term unemployment , paid at a real living wage , must be the cornerstone of any plan to save jobs .

In the last three days, more than 14,000 job losses have been announced. This figure will be out-of-date the moment I type it, with more big employers making mass redundancies every day. Unemployment is a scourge. It goes hand in hand with debt, poverty, ill health and homelessness. Its effects last a lifetime. And, as in any recession, the hardest hit will be young workers just starting out in their careers. As we exit lockdown, for the first time in a generation, young people are finishing school and college – and going straight onto the dole.
The impact of being out of work when you’re young has lifelong consequences – so-called ‘scarring’. More than six months’ unemployment early on holds down workers’ earnings throughout their lives. By their 40s, those who experienced youth unemployment earn up to 21% less. And even 35 years later, those who were unemployed when they were young are unhappier. This scarring affects all groups, not just those from poorer backgrounds or with lower skills levels. And the negative effects remain even after discounting lower qualification levels, family background, gender, disability and living in areas of high unemployment.
Joining the labour market in a pandemic is a piece of random bad luck – but one that could do massive harm to the life chances of young people. Without decisive action from government, they will see their hopes and dreams unfulfilled and their ambitions unrealised because the UK cannot use their skills and talents. It’s been decades since the UK experienced mass unemployment. But previous recessions have shown all too clearly the consequences of leaving young people without any support beyond a threadbare safety net.
As we come out of lockdown, the immediate future looks like millions of people desperate to work chasing a tiny number of vacancies. Which is why I will never apologise for putting jobs at the heart of the trade union movement’s plans for recovery. And why it is galling to read the government’s plans on youth unemployment. At the summer statement, alongside some crumbs on apprenticeship funding, the Chancellor will announce a £1,000 bounty for every employer who takes on a young person for a traineeship. Each traineeship will last six months, and trainees will get help with English, maths and CV writing alongside work experience.
But these roles will be unpaid. It is not clear what the government expects the trainees to live on, or how to pay their rent. And because traineeships aren’t a job, they don’t give young people the on-the-job experience that employers want. The government may laud the record of traineeships in helping young people get into employment or further study, yet it conveniently glosses over the plunge into a deep recession of the last few months. Trainees who complete one of these traineeships are unlikely to find the labour market a welcoming place. When they finish, they will head straight back onto the unemployment rolls. Nor does the government account for unscrupulous employers, who will no doubt see the trainees as a source of free labour – and may even let existing workers go in favour of trainees. We saw this with unpaid work trials mandated by Jobcentre Plus. Now we’re seeing the reheated version in the middle of a recession.
Instead of a traineeship scheme that will leave young people no better off, the government should set up a jobs guarantee scheme. This should offer every young person out of work for three months the chance of a real job, on at least the real Living Wage. These jobs should be with real employers, with a meaningful subsidy to make it worthwhile. They should be doing things that are useful for the country – like helping us become greener.
A job guarantee scheme will give young people real experience of the world of work that they can show employers. It will give them an income that they have earned. And it will stop them experiencing the personal disaster of early unemployment, as well as stopping the UK-wide social disaster of mass unemployment. This is how we avoid a repeat of the 1980s. We don’t need another failed Youth Training Scheme, which is only useful for taking people out of the unemployment stats. Instead, the Chancellor should use the power of the state to create real jobs on real wages with real employers. A new offer of a guaranteed job for every young person facing long-term unemployment, paid at a real living wage, must be the cornerstone of any plan to save jobs.


labourlist--2020-07-07--BEIS committee chair Darren Jones backs 2030 emissions reduction target

The new chair of the business , energy and industrial strategy Commons committee Darren Jones backed the 2030 emissions reduction target in a recent interview with LabourList ‘ s editor .
In a conversation organised by the party-affiliated membership group Labour Business , the Labour MP said : “ I support the manifesto commitment on getting there by 2030 .
“ I think in the time we need to show international leaderhsip because we are hosting COP26 , we need to be able to try to show the world when we ’ re asking them to do these things that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But my only caveat is that I ’ m not particularly interested in having big debates over whether it should be 2030 or 2031 or… April 2032 .
“ What I am interested in is what are the policy answers , what are the changes we need to see in the economy to actually be able to decarbonise.
” The 2030 target has attracted political controversy including within Labour , but Labour ’ s business spokesperson Ed Miliband recently voiced his continued support for the aim .
Jones , elected as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BEIS select committee in May , also expressed support for making bailouts – particularly in the aviation sector – conditional on environmental commitments .
The interview , which took place on July 2nd , is now available to watch in full .
It covers a green recovery , the impact of coronavirus on business and workers , plus specific policies such as Labour ’ s free broadband for all pledge .
The conversation is followed by a Q & A session with members of Labour Business , who ask about Labour ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ specific positions on a range of issues related to business .

The new chair of the business, energy and industrial strategy Commons committee Darren Jones backed the 2030 emissions reduction target in a recent interview with LabourList‘s editor.
In a conversation organised by the party-affiliated membership group Labour Business, the Labour MP said: “I support the manifesto commitment on getting there by 2030.
“I think in the time we need to show international leaderhsip because we are hosting COP26, we need to be able to try to show the world when we’re asking them to do these things that we’re doing them ourselves.
“But my only caveat is that I’m not particularly interested in having big debates over whether it should be 2030 or 2031 or… April 2032.
“What I am interested in is what are the policy answers, what are the changes we need to see in the economy to actually be able to decarbonise.”
The 2030 target has attracted political controversy including within Labour, but Labour’s business spokesperson Ed Miliband recently voiced his continued support for the aim.
Jones, elected as the new chair of the House of Commons BEIS select committee in May, also expressed support for making bailouts – particularly in the aviation sector – conditional on environmental commitments.
The interview, which took place on July 2nd, is now available to watch in full. It covers a green recovery, the impact of coronavirus on business and workers, plus specific policies such as Labour’s free broadband for all pledge.
The conversation is followed by a Q&A session with members of Labour Business, who ask about Labour’s approach to the business community and Jones’ specific positions on a range of issues related to business.


labourlist--2020-07-07--The Lifelong Learning Commission offers us a roadmap through Covid

Given the unique pressures thrown up by coronavirus , how should we respond quickly but with footprints that also have a lasting afterlife for education , jobs and skills ?
Talk of ‘ new deals ’ is in the air , with even Boris Johnson trying – and failing – to channel Franklin D. Roosevelt ’ s 1930s New Deal .
Green skills , linked to apprenticeships and an effective industrial strategy , must be key .
Labour is ahead of the curve , as shown by the consultation launched by Ed Miliband and Anneliese Dodds on how a Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point is Labour ’ s 2019 ambition to create around 80,000 climate apprenticeships a year , including ones accessible for small and non-levy paying businesses , with bursaries for disadvantaged groups .
Energy and transport , sustainable construction , low-carbon industries and agriculture and forestry initiatives were among the priorities mentioned .
Ed Miliband has talked about a “ zero-carbon army ” of young people to be recruited .
There is a dire need for that : even pre-coronavirus March figures showed 750,000 young people not in education , employment or training .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get jobs this summer will add to this number .
The Shadow Business Secretary has also said that any Green New Deal should include retraining older people .
That is absolutely right .
The pandemic risks wreaking economic havoc across the generations .
Meanwhile , the Treasury has talked only vaguely about a ‘ green and resilient recovery ’ .
Not surprising – the record of Tory-led governments on green issues , not to mention their fetishism of fracking , has been dismal .
There are specific initiatives that could quickly put flesh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal : reducing VAT from 20 % to 5 % on repairs and renewal could be a significant stimulus if targeted at small businesses and sustainable green tourism in inland and seaside towns .
But the big question in any Green New Deal is how can promised jobs , skills and training be delivered , and by whom ?
This isn ’ t just about the pandemic .
It is about progression in work , training and productivity – all vital to the success of any Green New Deal , not just for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of self-employed .
These issues were part of the independent Lifelong Learning Commission that I was proud to help set up and coordinate , which reported to the Labour Party last autumn .
Our commissioners cut through traditional silos , including advocating a right to paid time off to re-skill , retraining fully funded up to level three , a proper national careers service and embedding progression in flexible structures to accredit a wide range of learning .
The commission talked about the importance of locally driven strategies for skills , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across higher and further education in local economies , and how government should be an enabler of these but not a micromanager .
Responses to the pandemic must pay urgent attention to existing geographic cold spots .
The City and Guilds report Missing Millions cites a daunting gap in growth since 2011 in high skills jobs between London ( 23 % ) , Liverpool ( 9.5 % ) and Tees Valley ( 4.5 % ) .
It is no surprise that elected mayors and combined authorities are clamouring for more devolution and extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those general arguments have been repeatedly made by Labour mayors Andy Burnham , Steve Rotheram and others .
They now acquire extra force and urgency .
Liam Byrne , Labour ’ s candidate for West Midlands mayor , has put forward a package of green-centred initiatives for 100,000 new jobs across the region .
Dan Jarvis , Labour ’ s energetic mayor for the Sheffield City region , while welcoming a devolution deal that brings new powers and money , has called on government to learn the lessons of top-down failings .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England is still too often delegation , not devolution.
” He is right .
The asymmetric nature of devolution in England means that any Green New Deal needs far more battalions locally for Ed Miliband ’ s zero-carbon army – including the TUC , trade unions , local enterprise partnerships , colleges , universities , third and public sectors , businesses , cooperatives and local councils that don ’ t have the powers of mayors or combined authorities .
Whitehall has too often been lukewarm towards local strategies or trade unions eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And yet our Lifelong Learning Commission took strong evidence , including from the CWU , GMB and Unite , on this and how the much-lauded but thinly-funded Union Learning Fund ( ULF ) and its workplace reps could be expanded .
We recommended that the ULF funding be fully restored .
Now , given the pandemic , both that and its role should be expanded to boost the green agenda locally .
With over 50,000 deaths from coronavirus , we face a multi-faceted UK crisis exceeding the global financial meltdown of 2008 – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brexit .
Gordon Brown has written forcefully about the Treasury ’ s failure to move on from the coronavirus rescue operation to an adequate Budget for recovery .
His government ’ s Future Jobs Fund response to the 2008 economic crisis gave nearly 200,000 18-24 olds six months of experience in jobs that took a number of them into full-time work .
A similar – if not greater ambition – is required now .
But it must have a long tail .
Glib talk about guarantees will be worthless unless we recognise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as supply , as we discussed in our Lifelong Learning Commission report , with both a decent job and employer and sustainable skills for the individual at the end of that tail – and local partnerships for delivery on the ground .
There should be no conflict between rejuvenating people ’ s quality of life and their community ’ s hope with the needs of our economy , locally or nationally .
A Green New Deal ticks both sets of boxes .
If councils , elected mayors and combined authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take initiatives forward , they should have the chance to do so .
Let some Green New Deal ideas be tried out as local pilots , just as major changes in national policy have been foreshadowed in the past by Labour council initiatives , with some of the Lifelong Learning Commission proposals acting as levers of delivery .
Alongside suggestions from other quarters such as the Civic Universities and College of the Future Commission , these offer a roadmap to get us through the coronavirus shockwaves , to rebuilding our society for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be central .

Given the unique pressures thrown up by coronavirus, how should we respond quickly but with footprints that also have a lasting afterlife for education, jobs and skills? Talk of ‘new deals’ is in the air, with even Boris Johnson trying – and failing – to channel Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1930s New Deal. Green skills, linked to apprenticeships and an effective industrial strategy, must be key.
Labour is ahead of the curve, as shown by the consultation launched by Ed Miliband and Anneliese Dodds on how a Green New Deal might work. Its starting point is Labour’s 2019 ambition to create around 80,000 climate apprenticeships a year, including ones accessible for small and non-levy paying businesses, with bursaries for disadvantaged groups. Energy and transport, sustainable construction, low-carbon industries and agriculture and forestry initiatives were among the priorities mentioned.
Ed Miliband has talked about a “zero-carbon army” of young people to be recruited. There is a dire need for that: even pre-coronavirus March figures showed 750,000 young people not in education, employment or training. Lost apprenticeships and school leavers unable to get jobs this summer will add to this number. The Shadow Business Secretary has also said that any Green New Deal should include retraining older people. That is absolutely right. The pandemic risks wreaking economic havoc across the generations. Meanwhile, the Treasury has talked only vaguely about a ‘green and resilient recovery’. Not surprising – the record of Tory-led governments on green issues, not to mention their fetishism of fracking, has been dismal.
There are specific initiatives that could quickly put flesh on the bones of any Green New Deal: reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on repairs and renewal could be a significant stimulus if targeted at small businesses and sustainable green tourism in inland and seaside towns. But the big question in any Green New Deal is how can promised jobs, skills and training be delivered, and by whom? This isn’t just about the pandemic. It is about progression in work, training and productivity – all vital to the success of any Green New Deal, not just for employers but for employees and the growing number of self-employed.
These issues were part of the independent Lifelong Learning Commission that I was proud to help set up and coordinate, which reported to the Labour Party last autumn. Our commissioners cut through traditional silos, including advocating a right to paid time off to re-skill, retraining fully funded up to level three, a proper national careers service and embedding progression in flexible structures to accredit a wide range of learning. The commission talked about the importance of locally driven strategies for skills, a radical rethink of the benefits of collaboration across higher and further education in local economies, and how government should be an enabler of these but not a micromanager.
Responses to the pandemic must pay urgent attention to existing geographic cold spots. The City and Guilds report Missing Millions cites a daunting gap in growth since 2011 in high skills jobs between London (23%), Liverpool (9.5%) and Tees Valley (4.5%). It is no surprise that elected mayors and combined authorities are clamouring for more devolution and extended powers over any economic stimulus post-coronavirus. Those general arguments have been repeatedly made by Labour mayors Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram and others. They now acquire extra force and urgency.
Liam Byrne, Labour’s candidate for West Midlands mayor, has put forward a package of green-centred initiatives for 100,000 new jobs across the region. Dan Jarvis, Labour’s energetic mayor for the Sheffield City region, while welcoming a devolution deal that brings new powers and money, has called on government to learn the lessons of top-down failings. He argued: “What we have across England is still too often delegation, not devolution.” He is right. The asymmetric nature of devolution in England means that any Green New Deal needs far more battalions locally for Ed Miliband’s zero-carbon army – including the TUC, trade unions, local enterprise partnerships, colleges, universities, third and public sectors, businesses, cooperatives and local councils that don’t have the powers of mayors or combined authorities.
Whitehall has too often been lukewarm towards local strategies or trade unions eager to engage with a new green economy. And yet our Lifelong Learning Commission took strong evidence, including from the CWU, GMB and Unite, on this and how the much-lauded but thinly-funded Union Learning Fund (ULF) and its workplace reps could be expanded. We recommended that the ULF funding be fully restored. Now, given the pandemic, both that and its role should be expanded to boost the green agenda locally.
With over 50,000 deaths from coronavirus, we face a multi-faceted UK crisis exceeding the global financial meltdown of 2008 – adding to the challenges of climate change and Brexit. Gordon Brown has written forcefully about the Treasury’s failure to move on from the coronavirus rescue operation to an adequate Budget for recovery. His government’s Future Jobs Fund response to the 2008 economic crisis gave nearly 200,000 18-24 olds six months of experience in jobs that took a number of them into full-time work. A similar – if not greater ambition – is required now.
But it must have a long tail. Glib talk about guarantees will be worthless unless we recognise three things. Firstly, demand matters as much as supply, as we discussed in our Lifelong Learning Commission report, with both a decent job and employer and sustainable skills for the individual at the end of that tail – and local partnerships for delivery on the ground. There should be no conflict between rejuvenating people’s quality of life and their community’s hope with the needs of our economy, locally or nationally. A Green New Deal ticks both sets of boxes. If councils, elected mayors and combined authorities have the capacity, competence and vision to take initiatives forward, they should have the chance to do so.
Let some Green New Deal ideas be tried out as local pilots, just as major changes in national policy have been foreshadowed in the past by Labour council initiatives, with some of the Lifelong Learning Commission proposals acting as levers of delivery. Alongside suggestions from other quarters such as the Civic Universities and College of the Future Commission, these offer a roadmap to get us through the coronavirus shockwaves, to rebuilding our society for the 2020s – in which the green agenda must be central.


labourlist--2020-07-07--Scottish Labour must work with the SNP to defeat our common enemy

Polling over the weekend has exposed the massive challenge for any pro-union Labour activist in Scotland .
With Conservative inadequacy strangling the life of the union , and the SNP representing the effective oppositional voice of the people of Scotland , we are in the hold of a nationalist ascendancy .
As Denis Healey warned many years ago , it is one of the most crippling forces that socialism has to contend with .
What is to be done ?
The former Labour MP Paul Sweeney argued in a recent interview with The Daily Record that Scottish Labour had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ hyper-unionism ” of constitutional politics that the party ’ s recent Scottish executive committee ( SEC ) decision to oppose ‘ Indyref2 ’ , come what may , seemed to suggest .
He also urged Scottish Labour to work with the SNP constructively to oppose our common enemy , the Tories .
I do not agree with Paul Sweeney on all things , but in this I think he may well be right .
Whilst it is completely anathema to many fellow Scottish Labour activists to even imagine cooperating with nationalists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rightly or wrongly we have been seen to collude with the Conservative Party in order to preserve the status quo .
We have fallen prey to our own narrative over decades that the Tory Party is inherently anti-Scottish ; the final triumph of which was its total wipe-out , by us , in the 1997 election .
But now we are suffering to an even greater extent than the heirs of Margaret Thatcher themselves , who have pushed us into third place .
Scottish Labour must grit its teeth and acknowledge that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political voice essentially in accordance with the ‘ Scottish will ’ .
Popular revisionism in light of the 2014 referendum has totally stripped us of all past achievements – replaced instead by myths of betrayal , corruption and lack of progress .
We have become the victims of changes in society , the legacy of our own historical dominance , the revolutionary nature of our demise , as well as the failing of contemporary memory .
To rebuild our position , many argue that our entire focus should rotate around exposing SNP failings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are hardly leaving a dent .
We have a real difficulty in attacking the SNP directly because our own credibility is seen to be woefully lacking .
Firstly , due to the points mentioned earlier .
Secondly , because people will believe that the basically competent , centre-left governing model of the SNP is similar to one we ourselves would have been likely to produce , and as such people will not genuinely believe that we would have done an any better job if we replaced them .
And thirdly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so dominant in opposition to an unusually erratic and threatening Conservative government in Westminster , amid mass international turbulence , that attacking them does appear as if we are undermining the Scottish position and the Scottish will .
The door to traditional opposition seems closed to us .
This has given rise to the notion that ‘ radical ’ policies could outflank the nationalist consensus .
This misplaces where the Scottish electorate actually are , I feel .
It ignores the fact that the overwhelming details of policies rarely convert the mass of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the impotence of opposition means that any ‘ silver bullet ’ policy solutions will usually be poached by the dominant party long before they can do it any damage .
It is still true that it is more likely for a governing party to lose an election than it is for an opposition to win one – never mind a third-placed party .
For us to have any chance in the future , we need to address our credibility problem .
This will require humility and to again be seen to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To begin this process , we must accept the sovereignty of the people and should not rule out independence in principle .
We are in no place to stand in the way of a truly successful independent country , if it were to be to the enormous benefit of the people of Scotland .
Now , we know that this will not be the case because independence will be followed by many great difficulties – but we must be seen to be honest in our position , and I believe that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is right to oppose another referendum so close to the initial one , and especially amidst the extraordinary turbulence and instability of present times , which is a breeding ground for misunderstandings and manipulations .
As democrats , however , we can not oppose one in perpetuity .
We should condition our opposition to Indyref2 by establishing tests .
One of these tests could be consistent polling showing support for independence – though referendums for independence should not be conflated with temporary disapproval for Westminster authority .
Other tests and conditions should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most changes to the constitutions of local clubs and societies require two-third voting majorities , never mind altering the entire historical course of our United Kingdom .
’ 50 plus one ’ is no place to start a united nation .
Thirdly , if the Scottish consensus is to be defined by anti-Toryism , whether red or blue , we must focus all our energies in being defined as the truly anti-Conservative force in Scotland to bring us into line with that consensus .
Whether at Westminster , where Tory failings are undermining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in Scotland where the Scottish Conservatives have re-emerged from the wilderness , we must position ourselves in opposition to them and all that they stand for .
This will be the task of a ‘ second-place ’ strategy in the 2021 elections , and for a Keir Starmer-led revival across Britain .
Scottish Labour will need to cooperate , and be seen to cooperate , where appropriate , with the SNP .
That is to say , we need to cooperate with the Scottish consensus and admit where Nicola Sturgeon has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not mean conceding an inch of our belief in the UK , but it does mean separating that issue from appreciating , and constructively engaging with , the SNP ’ s governing performance in appropriate areas .
It also means focusing and isolating the true threat to the union posed by the recklessness of Boris Johnson and the Tories .
This is just one particular take on our present position in Scottish Labour .
We are in a frighteningly difficult position , and no matter what we choose to do , we may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we need to restore credibility by being seen both to respect all the potentialities of Scotland ’ s will and to defend Scotland ’ s interests .
We do this best by recognising the necessary democratic framework that can enable the Scottish will while maintaining our own principled case within it – but focusing relentlessly on the one enemy that is at the root of all our problems ; who has undermined the UK at every turn ; who has allowed poverty , division and social injustices to grip hold of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy remains the Conservative enemy .

Polling over the weekend has exposed the massive challenge for any pro-union Labour activist in Scotland. With Conservative inadequacy strangling the life of the union, and the SNP representing the effective oppositional voice of the people of Scotland, we are in the hold of a nationalist ascendancy. As Denis Healey warned many years ago, it is one of the most crippling forces that socialism has to contend with.
What is to be done? The former Labour MP Paul Sweeney argued in a recent interview with The Daily Record that Scottish Labour had to avoid the “trench warfare” and “hyper-unionism” of constitutional politics that the party’s recent Scottish executive committee (SEC) decision to oppose ‘Indyref2’, come what may, seemed to suggest. He also urged Scottish Labour to work with the SNP constructively to oppose our common enemy, the Tories. I do not agree with Paul Sweeney on all things, but in this I think he may well be right.
Whilst it is completely anathema to many fellow Scottish Labour activists to even imagine cooperating with nationalists, what has to be acknowledged is that rightly or wrongly we have been seen to collude with the Conservative Party in order to preserve the status quo. We have fallen prey to our own narrative over decades that the Tory Party is inherently anti-Scottish; the final triumph of which was its total wipe-out, by us, in the 1997 election. But now we are suffering to an even greater extent than the heirs of Margaret Thatcher themselves, who have pushed us into third place.
Scottish Labour must grit its teeth and acknowledge that the SNP has fully displaced us as the political voice essentially in accordance with the ‘Scottish will’. Popular revisionism in light of the 2014 referendum has totally stripped us of all past achievements – replaced instead by myths of betrayal, corruption and lack of progress. We have become the victims of changes in society, the legacy of our own historical dominance, the revolutionary nature of our demise, as well as the failing of contemporary memory.
To rebuild our position, many argue that our entire focus should rotate around exposing SNP failings in government. But after 13 years, we are hardly leaving a dent. We have a real difficulty in attacking the SNP directly because our own credibility is seen to be woefully lacking. Firstly, due to the points mentioned earlier. Secondly, because people will believe that the basically competent, centre-left governing model of the SNP is similar to one we ourselves would have been likely to produce, and as such people will not genuinely believe that we would have done an any better job if we replaced them. And thirdly, the SNP’s present position is so dominant in opposition to an unusually erratic and threatening Conservative government in Westminster, amid mass international turbulence, that attacking them does appear as if we are undermining the Scottish position and the Scottish will. The door to traditional opposition seems closed to us.
This has given rise to the notion that ‘radical’ policies could outflank the nationalist consensus. This misplaces where the Scottish electorate actually are, I feel. It ignores the fact that the overwhelming details of policies rarely convert the mass of voters in and of themselves, and that the impotence of opposition means that any ‘silver bullet’ policy solutions will usually be poached by the dominant party long before they can do it any damage. It is still true that it is more likely for a governing party to lose an election than it is for an opposition to win one – never mind a third-placed party.
For us to have any chance in the future, we need to address our credibility problem. This will require humility and to again be seen to be in some accordance with the Scottish will. To begin this process, we must accept the sovereignty of the people and should not rule out independence in principle. We are in no place to stand in the way of a truly successful independent country, if it were to be to the enormous benefit of the people of Scotland. Now, we know that this will not be the case because independence will be followed by many great difficulties – but we must be seen to be honest in our position, and I believe that means conceding the democratic principle.
Secondly, it is right to oppose another referendum so close to the initial one, and especially amidst the extraordinary turbulence and instability of present times, which is a breeding ground for misunderstandings and manipulations. As democrats, however, we cannot oppose one in perpetuity. We should condition our opposition to Indyref2 by establishing tests.
One of these tests could be consistent polling showing support for independence – though referendums for independence should not be conflated with temporary disapproval for Westminster authority. Other tests and conditions should include qualifications on the voting majority. Most changes to the constitutions of local clubs and societies require two-third voting majorities, never mind altering the entire historical course of our United Kingdom. ’50 plus one’ is no place to start a united nation.
Thirdly, if the Scottish consensus is to be defined by anti-Toryism, whether red or blue, we must focus all our energies in being defined as the truly anti-Conservative force in Scotland to bring us into line with that consensus. Whether at Westminster, where Tory failings are undermining the future of all of us, or in Scotland where the Scottish Conservatives have re-emerged from the wilderness, we must position ourselves in opposition to them and all that they stand for. This will be the task of a ‘second-place’ strategy in the 2021 elections, and for a Keir Starmer-led revival across Britain.
Scottish Labour will need to cooperate, and be seen to cooperate, where appropriate, with the SNP. That is to say, we need to cooperate with the Scottish consensus and admit where Nicola Sturgeon has been doing the right job. This does not mean conceding an inch of our belief in the UK, but it does mean separating that issue from appreciating, and constructively engaging with, the SNP’s governing performance in appropriate areas. It also means focusing and isolating the true threat to the union posed by the recklessness of Boris Johnson and the Tories.
This is just one particular take on our present position in Scottish Labour. We are in a frighteningly difficult position, and no matter what we choose to do, we may never have the perfect answer. Ultimately, we need to restore credibility by being seen both to respect all the potentialities of Scotland’s will and to defend Scotland’s interests. We do this best by recognising the necessary democratic framework that can enable the Scottish will while maintaining our own principled case within it – but focusing relentlessly on the one enemy that is at the root of all our problems; who has undermined the UK at every turn; who has allowed poverty, division and social injustices to grip hold of our society in a punishing way. That enemy remains the Conservative enemy.


labourlist--2020-07-07--Look again at sick pay or “people will not isolate”, says Labour

Jonathan Ashworth has told Matt Hancock to look again at sick pay entitlement , warning that “ people will not isolate ” during local lockdowns without “ that financial security ” .
Following up on a statement on coronavirus from the Health Secretary in parliament today , Labour ’ s health spokesperson raised several questions about the government ’ s local lockdown strategy .
The Shadow Health Secretary highlighted that the areas that have seen increases in Covid-19 cases are “ usually characterised by low pay , insecure work and lack of decent sick pay ” .
He said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look again at sick pay entitlement , because people will not isolate unless they are given that financial security ?
” Hancock did not address the specific point .
On exiting local lockdowns , Ashworth asked : “ How does an area that has gone into a local lockdown , escape from a local lockdown ?
In Germany , I understand local lockdowns are lifted at around 50 cases per 100,000 – will he be applying a similar criteria here in the UK ?
” The Health Secretary refused to give a specific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be looking at “ both the level and the rate of change ” to ascertain when areas can be released from a lockdown .
Ashworth also asked the Health Secretary to apologise for the Prime Minister ’ s comment on Monday , when he claimed that “ too many care homes didn ’ t follow procedures ” during the pandemic .
The Health Secretary did not apologise .
He instead claimed that Johnson has been “ explaining that because asymptomatic transmission was not known about , the correct procedures were therefore not @ @ @

Jonathan Ashworth has told Matt Hancock to look again at sick pay entitlement, warning that “people will not isolate” during local lockdowns without “that financial security”.
Following up on a statement on coronavirus from the Health Secretary in parliament today, Labour’s health spokesperson raised several questions about the government’s local lockdown strategy.
The Shadow Health Secretary highlighted that the areas that have seen increases in Covid-19 cases are “usually characterised by low pay, insecure work and lack of decent sick pay”.
He said: “So can I ask him to look again at sick pay entitlement, because people will not isolate unless they are given that financial security?” Hancock did not address the specific point.
On exiting local lockdowns, Ashworth asked: “How does an area that has gone into a local lockdown, escape from a local lockdown? In Germany, I understand local lockdowns are lifted at around 50 cases per 100,000 – will he be applying a similar criteria here in the UK?”
The Health Secretary refused to give a specific figure, and said that the government would be looking at “both the level and the rate of change” to ascertain when areas can be released from a lockdown.
Ashworth also asked the Health Secretary to apologise for the Prime Minister’s comment on Monday, when he claimed that “too many care homes didn’t follow procedures” during the pandemic.
The Health Secretary did not apologise. He instead claimed that Johnson has been “explaining that because asymptomatic transmission was not known about, the correct procedures were therefore not known”.


labourlist--2020-07-08--PMQs: Sorry seems to be the hardest word

The Labour leader was well set up for today ’ s session of Prime Minister ’ s Questions .
Boris Johnson ’ s comment that “ too many care homes didn ’ t really follow the procedures ” remains fresh in everyone ’ s mind – and Keir Starmer didn ’ t waste the opportunity to hold the Prime Minister ’ s feet to the fire .
This afternoon saw the Labour leader ask the PM , repeatedly , to apologise for blaming care workers for the high number of coronavirus deaths and to take responsibility for the utter shambles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes over the past few months .
And Johnson , in turn , repeatedly refused to do so .
It appears that sorry really is the hardest word .
Instead , he told the House that “ the last thing I wanted to do is blame care workers ” .
In keeping with the line frantically pushed by No 10 since his outburst on care homes earlier in the week , the PM attempted to frame his comment as a lesson in “ hindsight ” for the UK : “ The one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is that the virus was being passed asymptomatically.
” He added : “ Perhaps captain hindsight would like to tell us whether he knew.
” Starmer reminded the PM how he raised concerns on guidance two months ago , and that there had been repeated warnings from the care sector on discharging patients into care homes and delays in providing protective equipment .
This week ’ s session was not a lesson in hindsight for the Labour leader , but one of compassion for the PM .
“ We owe our NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us as he asked Johnson to rethink the parking charges for health workers .
On both care workers and NHS staff , Starmer ’ s usual attack on Johnson ’ s competence gave way today to a more determined effort to emphasise that this is a PM who simply does not care .
For the Labour leader , today served as both a chance to remind people that the ‘ nasty party ’ has not just gone away in the coronavirus crisis , and to build that moral case for socialism – something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ By refusing to apologise , ” Starmer explained .
“ The PM rubs salt into the wounds of the very people that he stood on his front door and clapped .
”

The Labour leader was well set up for today’s session of Prime Minister’s Questions. Boris Johnson’s comment that “too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures” remains fresh in everyone’s mind – and Keir Starmer didn’t waste the opportunity to hold the Prime Minister’s feet to the fire. This afternoon saw the Labour leader ask the PM, repeatedly, to apologise for blaming care workers for the high number of coronavirus deaths and to take responsibility for the utter shambles we’ve seen unfold in care homes over the past few months.
And Johnson, in turn, repeatedly refused to do so. It appears that sorry really is the hardest word. Instead, he told the House that “the last thing I wanted to do is blame care workers”. In keeping with the line frantically pushed by No 10 since his outburst on care homes earlier in the week, the PM attempted to frame his comment as a lesson in “hindsight” for the UK: “The one thing that nobody knew early on in this pandemic is that the virus was being passed asymptomatically.” He added: “Perhaps captain hindsight would like to tell us whether he knew.” Starmer reminded the PM how he raised concerns on guidance two months ago, and that there had been repeated warnings from the care sector on discharging patients into care homes and delays in providing protective equipment.
This week’s session was not a lesson in hindsight for the Labour leader, but one of compassion for the PM. “We owe our NHS workers so much,” he reminded us as he asked Johnson to rethink the parking charges for health workers. On both care workers and NHS staff, Starmer’s usual attack on Johnson’s competence gave way today to a more determined effort to emphasise that this is a PM who simply does not care. For the Labour leader, today served as both a chance to remind people that the ‘nasty party’ has not just gone away in the coronavirus crisis, and to build that moral case for socialism – something he spoke about in his leadership campaign. “By refusing to apologise,” Starmer explained. “The PM rubs salt into the wounds of the very people that he stood on his front door and clapped.”


labourlist--2020-07-08--WATCH: PM refuses to apologise for care home comments

Boris Johnson refused to apologise for his comments earlier this week on care homes at Prime Minister ’ s Questions today , after he was criticised for saying they “ didn ’ t follow procedures ” .
Quoting the Prime Minister on his remarks made 48 hours ago and noting that his views “ caused huge offence ” , Keir Starmer asked Johnson to apologise to care workers .
“ The last thing I wanted to do is to blame care workers for what has happened or for any of them to think that I was blaming them , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He added : “ When it comes to taking blame , I take full responsibility for what has happened.
” He said that guidance was changed for care homes because they were not aware of asymptomatic transmission at first .
The Labour leader hit back : “ That ’ s not an apology .
It just won ’ t wash .
The Prime Minister said , his words , ‘ too many care homes didn ’ t follow procedures in the way they should have ’ .
“ It was clear what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister must understand just how raw this is for many people on the frontline and for those who ’ ve lost loved ones .
”

Boris Johnson refused to apologise for his comments earlier this week on care homes at Prime Minister’s Questions today, after he was criticised for saying they “didn’t follow procedures”.
Quoting the Prime Minister on his remarks made 48 hours ago and noting that his views “caused huge offence”, Keir Starmer asked Johnson to apologise to care workers.
“The last thing I wanted to do is to blame care workers for what has happened or for any of them to think that I was blaming them, because they work hard,” Johnson replied.
He added: “When it comes to taking blame, I take full responsibility for what has happened.” He said that guidance was changed for care homes because they were not aware of asymptomatic transmission at first.
The Labour leader hit back: “That’s not an apology. It just won’t wash. The Prime Minister said, his words, ‘too many care homes didn’t follow procedures in the way they should have’.
“It was clear what he was saying. And the Prime Minister must understand just how raw this is for many people on the frontline and for those who’ve lost loved ones.”


labourlist--2020-07-08--The Chancellor’s summer statement: a crucial moment for Labour

Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) elections haven ’ t even started , but already they are getting heated .
Left groups including Momentum joined a Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance meeting last night to establish a single slate for local party representatives , but no agreement was reached after four and a half hours .
Discussions continue tonight , I ’ m told .
Most of the interest , somewhat surprisingly , is actually around the NEC youth rep post .
It is currently held by the Labour left ’ s Lara McNeill , who is standing again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Renewal ’ than ‘ Forward ’ , i.e .
not the flavour of left that has just won the internal Momentum elections .
The idea has been raised that Momentum members could be balloted to determine the organisation ’ s endorsement of a youth rep candidate .
Ahead of the decision being made at a meeting on Saturday , there are strong advocates of the proposal on the new national coordinating group ( NCG ) but also concerns over the practicalities of it .
And across the whole spectrum of the party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Jermain Jackman , who launched his campaign last night , is expected to get Open Labour ’ s approval ; Kira Millana Lewis ; and Abdi Duale .
Union backing is crucial if you want to get elected to this youth role due to its electoral college system , and the support of GMB is a particular focus for potential candidates .
This afternoon will offer a crucial moment for both Labour and the government .
Going into a coronavirus lockdown felt dramatic ( speaking of which , do check out my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , but the economic conditions in which the lockdown eases will determine outcomes for future generations .
As outlined by Frances O ’ Grady yesterday on LabourList , the TUC has been calling for a jobs guarantee scheme and strong measures to prevent youth unemployment especially .
Addressing those concerns , Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a £2bn job creation scheme for under-25s in his financial statement .
We are also watching out for details of a £3bn building insulation programme , plus a ( now immediate ) stamp duty holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve of how the Chancellor has handled the coronavirus crisis .
Sunak has recently borrowed Labour ’ s ‘ green industrial revolution ’ language , and now we ’ ve seen him nick the “ jobs , jobs , jobs ” phrase .
He is splashing the cash relative to normal times and normal Tory behaviour .
He is making overtures to those worried about the environment and the impact of the Covid-19 recession on young people .
Labour seems to have set itself a challenge : highlight where support is still lacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being put forward and the unprecedented nature of the crisis .
The danger is that the opposition party , on the back of a disastrous general election defeat , is too worried about undermining its own credibility to call for the scale of ambition now needed .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) elections haven’t even started, but already they are getting heated. Left groups including Momentum joined a Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance meeting last night to establish a single slate for local party representatives, but no agreement was reached after four and a half hours. Discussions continue tonight, I’m told. Most of the interest, somewhat surprisingly, is actually around the NEC youth rep post. It is currently held by the Labour left’s Lara McNeill, who is standing again. But she is considered more ‘Renewal’ than ‘Forward’, i.e. not the flavour of left that has just won the internal Momentum elections.
The idea has been raised that Momentum members could be balloted to determine the organisation’s endorsement of a youth rep candidate. Ahead of the decision being made at a meeting on Saturday, there are strong advocates of the proposal on the new national coordinating group (NCG) but also concerns over the practicalities of it. And across the whole spectrum of the party, a number of rival candidates have emerged: Jermain Jackman, who launched his campaign last night, is expected to get Open Labour’s approval; Kira Millana Lewis; and Abdi Duale. Union backing is crucial if you want to get elected to this youth role due to its electoral college system, and the support of GMB is a particular focus for potential candidates.
This afternoon will offer a crucial moment for both Labour and the government. Going into a coronavirus lockdown felt dramatic (speaking of which, do check out my interview with Jonathan Ashworth from last night), but the economic conditions in which the lockdown eases will determine outcomes for future generations. As outlined by Frances O’Grady yesterday on LabourList, the TUC has been calling for a jobs guarantee scheme and strong measures to prevent youth unemployment especially. Addressing those concerns, Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a £2bn job creation scheme for under-25s in his financial statement. We are also watching out for details of a £3bn building insulation programme, plus a (now immediate) stamp duty holiday.
Polls show that the public overwhelmingly approve of how the Chancellor has handled the coronavirus crisis. Sunak has recently borrowed Labour’s ‘green industrial revolution’ language, and now we’ve seen him nick the “jobs, jobs, jobs” phrase. He is splashing the cash relative to normal times and normal Tory behaviour. He is making overtures to those worried about the environment and the impact of the Covid-19 recession on young people. Labour seems to have set itself a challenge: highlight where support is still lacking without sounding unappreciative of the vast sums being put forward and the unprecedented nature of the crisis. The danger is that the opposition party, on the back of a disastrous general election defeat, is too worried about undermining its own credibility to call for the scale of ambition now needed. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-07-08--WATCH: Join up health with economic response, Labour tells government

Labour ’ s Bridget Phillipson has said that the government must “ join up its health response and its economic response ” and called for it to ensure an effective test , track and isolate strategy is in place .
In an interview with BBC Breakfast this morning , the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury discussed the Covid-19 response and said that the government was “ slow on the health side – they can ’ t be slow on the economy ” .
She stressed the need for consumers to get “ back on the high street ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective test , track and isolate strategy is making it harder for the public to have confidence that it ’ s safe ” .
The comments from Phillipson come ahead of a financial statement from Rishi Sunak this afternoon , in which he will outline the government ’ s coronavirus recovery plan for the economy .
The Labour Party has repeatedly called for the Chancellor to bring forward a “ back-to-work Budget ” with a strong focus on “ jobs , jobs , jobs ” to prevent mass unemployment .
TUC general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a jobs guarantee scheme “ for every young person facing long-term unemployment , paid at a real living wage , must be the cornerstone of any plan to save jobs ” .
Doing the media round at the weekend , Anneliese Dodds urged the government to scrap its “ one-size-fits-all ” approach to providing support and encouraged a sector-specific approach .
The Shadow Chancellor said : “ Let ’ s have an approach which reflects the fact this is an economic crisis which is affecting sectors differently .
Different sectors really need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week called for the furlough scheme to be extended into next year , while Lucy Powell has warned that changes in August requiring contributions from employers will be a “ step too far ” for many businesses .

Labour’s Bridget Phillipson has said that the government must “join up its health response and its economic response” and called for it to ensure an effective test, track and isolate strategy is in place.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast this morning, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury discussed the Covid-19 response and said that the government was “slow on the health side – they can’t be slow on the economy”.
She stressed the need for consumers to get “back on the high street”, but argued that the “lack of an effective test, track and isolate strategy is making it harder for the public to have confidence that it’s safe”.
"The government has to join up it's health response and it's economic response"
Bridget Phillipson MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to Treasury, tells #BBCBreakfast improvements in the test and track system is needed to give people confidence.
More here: https://t.co/vIGPteIVOI pic.twitter.com/dyraSfL3uf — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 8, 2020
The comments from Phillipson come ahead of a financial statement from Rishi Sunak this afternoon, in which he will outline the government’s coronavirus recovery plan for the economy.
The Labour Party has repeatedly called for the Chancellor to bring forward a “back-to-work Budget” with a strong focus on “jobs, jobs, jobs” to prevent mass unemployment.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady has said that a jobs guarantee scheme “for every young person facing long-term unemployment, paid at a real living wage, must be the cornerstone of any plan to save jobs”.
Doing the media round at the weekend, Anneliese Dodds urged the government to scrap its “one-size-fits-all” approach to providing support and encouraged a sector-specific approach.
The Shadow Chancellor said: “Let’s have an approach which reflects the fact this is an economic crisis which is affecting sectors differently. Different sectors really need that strong support now.”
Jim McMahon last week called for the furlough scheme to be extended into next year, while Lucy Powell has warned that changes in August requiring contributions from employers will be a “step too far” for many businesses.


labourlist--2020-07-08--WATCH: Free parking should continue through pandemic, says Burnham

Andy Burnham has said that free parking for NHS workers should continue “ for the duration of the pandemic ” , arguing that the coronavirus crisis is still an “ ongoing situation ” .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the mayor of Greater Manchester discussed government plans to make health workers pay for parking at their own hospitals again .
Burnham said that the government “ seem to have a bit of a downer on measures like this , but having done it in the first place they should see it through – through the course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government should “ certainly make it last for the duration of the pandemic – that would seem to me to honour the spirit of what was done at the start ” .
He added : “ This is still an ongoing situation .
Staff are still battling into work everyday .
I think it undermines the initiative in the first place to withdraw it now.
” The Department of Health and Social Care announced it March that it would provide NHS trusts with funds to abolish the parking charges for staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work instead of using public transport .
But health minister Edward Argar has said that the measure was “ only made possible by support from local authorities and independent providers ” , and that it “ can not continue indefinitely ” .

Andy Burnham has said that free parking for NHS workers should continue “for the duration of the pandemic”, arguing that the coronavirus crisis is still an “ongoing situation”.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the mayor of Greater Manchester discussed government plans to make health workers pay for parking at their own hospitals again.
Burnham said that the government “seem to have a bit of a downer on measures like this, but having done it in the first place they should see it through – through the course of the pandemic”.
He argued that the government should “certainly make it last for the duration of the pandemic – that would seem to me to honour the spirit of what was done at the start”.
He added: “This is still an ongoing situation. Staff are still battling into work everyday. I think it undermines the initiative in the first place to withdraw it now.”
"This is still an ongoing situation. Staff are still battling into work every day.@AndyBurnhamGM tells #KayBurley the government should continue to honour the pledge to cover NHS parking costs and withdrawing now "undermines the initiative". More: https://t.co/Scj4RchSBR pic.twitter.com/sxjTbFsnVh — SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 8, 2020
The Department of Health and Social Care announced it March that it would provide NHS trusts with funds to abolish the parking charges for staff, encouraging their workers to drive to work instead of using public transport.
But health minister Edward Argar has said that the measure was “only made possible by support from local authorities and independent providers”, and that it “cannot continue indefinitely”.


labourlist--2020-07-08--Ashworth: I had to make the case within Labour for lockdown

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has revealed to LabourList that he had to make the case within the party for its original demand for a coronavirus lockdown in the UK .
In a 40-minute interview with LabourList ’ s editor , which was broadcast live on Tuesday evening , Ashworth said : “ We called for lockdown ahead of the government doing it .
“ To be frank , when I called for it , there were people on the Labour side who were very reluctant for us to call for going into lockdown .
“ There were people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our side at the time , who were very nervous about the civil liberties implications of that .
I had to win , or make the case internally , for why we should call for a lockdown.
” Ashworth also warned that a second coronavirus wave in the UK “ could be disastrous ” – but denied that Labour might regret supporting the July 4th easing of lockdown if the second wave did take place .
“ No , because I think it ’ s just self-evident that you can not stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown is to crunch this virus right down , squash these infection rates and try to drive the virus out .
“ But ultimately if a vaccine isn ’ t available and anti-viral drugs are not available until , what , next year , I don ’ t think it ’ s a realistic prospect for any of us to stay in lockdown until next year .
After setting out the various harmful consequences of lockdown , he added : “ I ’ m just making the point that a lockdown is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blunt tool .
It is a blunt tool that has other long-term social and health implications .
“ Which is why we supported the measures announced , Keir Starmer supported the measures announced , to ease lockdown… but of course this is always kept under review.
” The shadow cabinet member confirmed that Labour still stands by its 2019 commitments to repealing the Health and Social Care Act , ending privatisation in the NHS and setting up a National Care Service .
Ashworth was also asked about his conversation with a Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election polling day , in which he described Labour ’ s chance of winning as “ dire ” .
The Leicester MP said : “ I understand why I got a lot of stick for it .
I actually thought I was exaggerating how bad things were to some Tory mate , to give him a bit of false sense of what it was like .
“ Little did I realise that the general election result was going to turn out to be far worse than what I thought was my exaggeration @ @ @ @ @

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth has revealed to LabourList that he had to make the case within the party for its original demand for a coronavirus lockdown in the UK.
In a 40-minute interview with LabourList’s editor, which was broadcast live on Tuesday evening, Ashworth said: “We called for lockdown ahead of the government doing it.
“To be frank, when I called for it, there were people on the Labour side who were very reluctant for us to call for going into lockdown.
“There were people on the Labour side, senior figures on our side at the time, who were very nervous about the civil liberties implications of that. I had to win, or make the case internally, for why we should call for a lockdown.”
Ashworth also warned that a second coronavirus wave in the UK “could be disastrous” – but denied that Labour might regret supporting the July 4th easing of lockdown if the second wave did take place.
“No, because I think it’s just self-evident that you cannot stay in lockdown forever. The point of a lockdown is to crunch this virus right down, squash these infection rates and try to drive the virus out.
“But ultimately if a vaccine isn’t available and anti-viral drugs are not available until, what, next year, I don’t think it’s a realistic prospect for any of us to stay in lockdown until next year.
After setting out the various harmful consequences of lockdown, he added: “I’m just making the point that a lockdown is important to suppress this virus but it is a blunt tool. It is a blunt tool that has other long-term social and health implications.
“Which is why we supported the measures announced, Keir Starmer supported the measures announced, to ease lockdown… but of course this is always kept under review.”
The shadow cabinet member confirmed that Labour still stands by its 2019 commitments to repealing the Health and Social Care Act, ending privatisation in the NHS and setting up a National Care Service.
Ashworth was also asked about his conversation with a Tory chairman, leaked shortly before the 2019 general election polling day, in which he described Labour’s chance of winning as “dire”.
The Leicester MP said: “I understand why I got a lot of stick for it. I actually thought I was exaggerating how bad things were to some Tory mate, to give him a bit of false sense of what it was like.
“Little did I realise that the general election result was going to turn out to be far worse than what I thought was my exaggeration to this guy.”
Watch the full interview below.


labourlist--2020-07-08--Labour left groups agree single NEC slate of six CLP rep candidates – without Lansman

Momentum , the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy and other groups on the Labour left have succeeded in pulling together a united slate of local party representative candidates for the upcoming national executive committee elections .
After two meetings totalling eight hours of debate , the slate of six agreed under the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance ( CLGA ) umbrella is as follows : Commenting on the slate , a spokesperson for the CLGA said : “ The Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance is delighted to announce a single united slate for grassroots members to rally behind .
We look forward to setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialist Labour government in the coming days.
” Previously Momentum-endorsed incumbents Jon Lansman , Huda Elmi , Rachel Garnham and Darren Williams have not been included on the new slate agreed by Momentum , CLPD , the Labour Representation Committee , Jewish Voice for Labour , Red Labour and others .
It was understood that Momentum co-founder and former chair Lansman had hoped to be endorsed by the CLGA for the upcoming NEC elections , as he vowed to focus on his NEC duties when stepping down from the organisation .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the nine local party representative seats on the NEC , only two are currently members of the party ’ s ruling body – Ann Henderson and Yasmine Dar .
Both Henderson and Dar are NEC officers , as chair of the equalities committeee and chair of the disputes panel respectively .
If they are not re-elected to the NEC , the left would risk losing two key spots on the core NEC decision-making group .
Groups on the Labour Party ’ s right , Progress and Labour First , have come together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Win .
It has put forward six of its own candidates for the members ’ section , plus the group is supporting three others – two from the Tribune group slate and Ann Black .
Open Labour , described as representing the soft left of the party , is currently balloting its members on which candidates to endorse for the NEC elections .
It is intending to back two local party rep candidates , one for local government , one for disability rep and one for youth rep .

Momentum, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy and other groups on the Labour left have succeeded in pulling together a united slate of local party representative candidates for the upcoming national executive committee elections.
After two meetings totalling eight hours of debate, the slate of six agreed under the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance (CLGA) umbrella is as follows:
Ann Henderson
Gemma Bolton
Laura Pidcock
Mish Rahman
Nadia Jama
Yasmine Dar
Commenting on the slate, a spokesperson for the CLGA said: “The Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance is delighted to announce a single united slate for grassroots members to rally behind. We look forward to setting out our platform and aspirations for a socialist Labour government in the coming days.”
Previously Momentum-endorsed incumbents Jon Lansman, Huda Elmi, Rachel Garnham and Darren Williams have not been included on the new slate agreed by Momentum, CLPD, the Labour Representation Committee, Jewish Voice for Labour, Red Labour and others.
LabourList understands that three wanted to stand down but Momentum co-founder and former chair Lansman had hoped to be endorsed by the CLGA for the NEC elections. He had vowed to focus on his NEC duties when stepping down from Momentum.
Of the six being put up by the left for the nine local party representative seats on the NEC, only two are currently members of the party’s ruling body – Ann Henderson and Yasmine Dar.
Both Henderson and Dar are NEC officers, as chair of the equalities committeee and chair of the disputes panel respectively. If they are not re-elected to the NEC, the left would risk losing two key spots on the core NEC decision-making group.
Groups on the Labour Party’s right, Progress and Labour First, have come together to form new umbrella organisation Labour to Win. It has put forward six of its own candidates for the members’ section, plus the group is supporting three others – two from the Tribune group slate and Ann Black.
Open Labour, described as representing the soft left of the party, is currently balloting its members on which candidates to endorse for the NEC elections. It is intending to back two local party rep candidates, one for local government, one for disability rep and one for youth rep.