labourlist--2020-07-02--The betrayal of the Make Poverty History generation

15 years ago today , I stood in The Meadows of Edinburgh as over a quarter of a million passionate , diverse voices from every part of the UK , joined together .
I was there , having helped organise the peaceful , powerful ‘ white band ’ that later ringed the city centre , while working with the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision .
We watched in amazement as everyone from babies in strollers , members of the Women ’ s Institute and young people from every part of Britain joined in power and passion in support of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Elsewhere , hundreds of thousands filled Hyde Park at the Live 8 concert , and hundreds of thousands more across the world joined marches and concerts from Philadelphia to Johannesburg – with millions more joining on TV , online or showed support by wearing a white band .
They were supporters of all political parties , old and young , black , white and other people of colour , of every religion and none .
We joined together , across countries and continents , to demand action on global poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief and on a just and fair global trading system from the leaders of the G8 – meeting later that week at Gleneagles .
The response was global Britain at its best .
Personal , proactive leadership from the Labour government of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown , urged on by the passion of millions of grassroots voices , delivered one of the most impactful summits in over 30 years .
While it may have failed to deliver on every expectation – continued US intransigence on climate change being one – the summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tackle poverty and disease , half of which was to be focused on Africa ; • A truly historic debt relief package , worth over $ 50bn – including the immediate cancellation of debt of the world ’ s 18 most heavily indebted poor countries ; and • A commitment to universal access to anti-HIV drugs in Africa by 2010 , more support for peacekeeping , and action on trade subsidies and tariffs .
G8 members from the EU also agreed to a collective aid target of 0.56 % of GNI by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We should be in no doubt that the achievements of that summit , however imperfect , saved millions of lives and saw millions receive vaccinations , healthcare , and schooling that they would have otherwise not have done so .
Let me be clear to every person who marched , wrote , and wore a white band : instead of acting with moral purpose in our national and common interests , Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are in the process of throwing your legacy and your achievements under a bus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Worse still , they are doing this in the middle of a global pandemic to divert attentions from their failings at home and abroad , to whip up populist favour , feed right-wing commentators and seek to further inflame the ‘ culture war ’ .
The Covid-19 pandemic proves in itself more than ever why investment in tackling poverty and disease , with Britain showing leadership through a dedicated department and cabinet minister is so crucial – not only to save lives , but to prevent the emergence of clusters of disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would threaten the British people too .
Not content with abolishing a world-leading and highly effective department with a reckless government reorganisation , Johnson and Cummings now also plan swingeing cuts to life-saving programmes and partnerships in a range of countries across Africa and the Global South .
They are diverting expert resources in the middle of a pandemic , and plan a regression back to the bad old days of tying British aid to narrow political priorities and pet projects .
I have no doubt the next step could be the dismantling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with cross-party support , that guarantee our aid is used to tackle poverty and disease , not provide sweeteners for trade and arms deals .
The inequalities laid bare by this killer pandemic at home and abroad , the disproportionate impact on the poorest and the BAME community , and its disregard for borders show why a retreat into a narrow nationalistic bubble is exactly the wrong prescription .
The challenges of disease , conflict , poverty and climate crisis globally will end up on our doorsteps too .
Conservatives who privately deplored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak out about why it is so fundamentally ill-advised and wrong .
Since Make Poverty History 15 years ago , millions of young people in particular , in Britain and beyond , have shown their support for movements like Global Citizen , Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion – ever more recognising the need for collaborative action in tackling poverty , disease , social and racial inequality and the climate emergency .
The life-saving legacies of those movements past and present are now under threat like they never have been before – and @ @ @ @

15 years ago today, I stood in The Meadows of Edinburgh as over a quarter of a million passionate, diverse voices from every part of the UK, joined together. I was there, having helped organise the peaceful, powerful ‘white band’ that later ringed the city centre, while working with the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision. We watched in amazement as everyone from babies in strollers, members of the Women’s Institute and young people from every part of Britain joined in power and passion in support of a global, moral, leading Britain in the world.
Elsewhere, hundreds of thousands filled Hyde Park at the Live 8 concert, and hundreds of thousands more across the world joined marches and concerts from Philadelphia to Johannesburg – with millions more joining on TV, online or showed support by wearing a white band. They were supporters of all political parties, old and young, black, white and other people of colour, of every religion and none.
We joined together, across countries and continents, to demand action on global poverty, disease and inequality, for debt relief and on a just and fair global trading system from the leaders of the G8 – meeting later that week at Gleneagles. The response was global Britain at its best. Personal, proactive leadership from the Labour government of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, urged on by the passion of millions of grassroots voices, delivered one of the most impactful summits in over 30 years.
While it may have failed to deliver on every expectation – continued US intransigence on climate change being one – the summit confirmed:
An additional $50bn to tackle poverty and disease, half of which was to be focused on Africa;
A truly historic debt relief package, worth over $50bn – including the immediate cancellation of debt of the world’s 18 most heavily indebted poor countries; and
A commitment to universal access to anti-HIV drugs in Africa by 2010, more support for peacekeeping, and action on trade subsidies and tariffs.
G8 members from the EU also agreed to a collective aid target of 0.56% of GNI by 2010, and 0.7% by 2015. We should be in no doubt that the achievements of that summit, however imperfect, saved millions of lives and saw millions receive vaccinations, healthcare, and schooling that they would have otherwise not have done so.
Let me be clear to every person who marched, wrote, and wore a white band: instead of acting with moral purpose in our national and common interests, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are in the process of throwing your legacy and your achievements under a bus. The nasty party is back with a vengeance. Worse still, they are doing this in the middle of a global pandemic to divert attentions from their failings at home and abroad, to whip up populist favour, feed right-wing commentators and seek to further inflame the ‘culture war’.
The Covid-19 pandemic proves that investment in tackling poverty and disease, with Britain showing leadership through a dedicated department and cabinet minister, is crucial. Not only to save lives, but also to prevent the emergence of clusters of disease, whether Covid-19 or otherwise, that would threaten the British people.
Not content with abolishing a world-leading and highly effective department with a reckless government reorganisation, Johnson and Cummings now also plan swingeing cuts to life-saving programmes and partnerships in a range of countries across Africa and the Global South. They are diverting expert resources in the middle of a pandemic, and plan a regression back to the bad old days of tying British aid to narrow political priorities and pet projects. I have no doubt the next step could be the dismantling of the very legal protections, made with cross-party support, that guarantee our aid is used to tackle poverty and disease, not provide sweeteners for trade and arms deals.
The inequalities laid bare by this killer pandemic at home and abroad, the disproportionate impact on the poorest and the BAME community, and its disregard for borders show why a retreat into a narrow nationalistic bubble is exactly the wrong prescription. The challenges of disease, conflict, poverty and climate crisis globally will end up on our doorsteps too. Conservatives who privately deplored Johnson’s decision last week must speak out about why it is so fundamentally ill-advised and wrong.
Since Make Poverty History 15 years ago, millions of young people in particular, in Britain and beyond, have shown their support for movements like Global Citizen, Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion – ever more recognising the need for collaborative action in tackling poverty, disease, social and racial inequality and the climate emergency. The life-saving legacies of those movements past and present are now under threat like they never have been before – and never more needed.


labourlist--2020-07-02--Starmer says he regrets calling Black Lives Matter movement a “moment”

Keir Starmer has said that he regrets his use of language when he said that the Black Lives Matter movement is a “ moment ” during an interview with BBC News earlier this week .
The Labour leader clarified his position this afternoon during a Q & A with the press , following criticism for the remarks – he said today that this was a “ defining moment ” in race relations .
Asked about his comments , Starmer said : “ If people have thought [ I ] meant something else , then of course I regret that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing with the Black Lives Matter movement and the injustice that is being exposed.
” Starmer had initially said : “ The BLM movement , or moment if you like , internationally is about… reflecting on what happened dreadfully in America just a few weeks ago , and showing or acknowledging that as a moment across the world.
” Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett described the comment as “ appalling ” , while Labour MP Flo tweeted : “ [ The ] choice of words in the interview was wrong .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Keir.
” The offending remarks from the Labour leader were made when discussing the protests and the demand by the organisation to ‘ defund the police ’ , which he called “ nonsense ” .
Starmer argued : “ That ’ s nonsense and nobody should be saying anything about defunding the police , and I would have no truck with that – I was the Director of Public Prosecutions for five years .
“ I worked with police forces across England and Wales bringing thousands of people to court .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , very strong and evidenced in the joint actions I ’ ve done with the police.
” Following a growing backlash in the Labour movement , the Labour leader appealed to black members not to leave the Labour Party in an interview with the HuffPost today .
He said : “ The Labour Party is a broad church .
It is a place that I hope and am determined that black people feel that they are welcome , that they want to be .
We definitely need as much black representation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Labour leader discussed his decision to commission an independent inquiry after a report was leaked about antisemitism within the party , which also alleged examples of Afriphobia .
He said : “ Amongst the reasons we took the actions that we did , was to try to show as quickly as we could to people that they could have confidence in Angela Rayner and myself to root out racism and to take swift action in order to do so without inhibitions.
” He added : “ Within hours of getting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry .
We didn ’ t delay , we didn ’ t just leave it to the internal process , and we have not inhibited that inquiry in any way whatsoever .
“ It ’ s been in place in a matter of a few weeks and people will judge us , I think , when those reports come in .
I ’ m determined it ’ ll be independent and I ’ m determined we ’ ll act upon it when we see the results of that report .
“ Meanwhile the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has led to action already – albeit , frustratingly , for a number of weeks I wasn ’ t able to point to that when people were criticising me because of the confidentiality of the process.
” He described how Martin Forde QC had been appointed to direct the inquiry , and instructed to “ go wherever he needs to go ” .
The Labour leader said : “ There ’ s no ‘ no go areas ’ .
He has not been given any instructions not to look at anything .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he needs to go , such is the determination to root out any racism in our party and deal with it – and be seen to deal with it – effectively .
”

Keir Starmer has said that he regrets his use of language when he said that the Black Lives Matter movement is a “moment” during an interview with BBC News earlier this week.
The Labour leader clarified his position this afternoon during a Q&A with the press, following criticism for the remarks – he said today that this was a “defining moment” in race relations.
Asked about his comments, Starmer said: “If people have thought [I] meant something else, then of course I regret that. This is not a moment for not standing with the Black Lives Matter movement and the injustice that is being exposed.”
Starmer had initially said: “The BLM movement, or moment if you like, internationally is about… reflecting on what happened dreadfully in America just a few weeks ago, and showing or acknowledging that as a moment across the world.”
Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett described the comment as “appalling”, while Labour MP Flo tweeted: “[The] choice of words in the interview was wrong. I will continue to relay constituents’ views to Keir.”
The offending remarks from the Labour leader were made when discussing the protests and the demand by the organisation to ‘defund the police’, which he called “nonsense”.
Starmer argued: “That’s nonsense and nobody should be saying anything about defunding the police, and I would have no truck with that – I was the Director of Public Prosecutions for five years.
“I worked with police forces across England and Wales bringing thousands of people to court. So my support for the police is very, very strong and evidenced in the joint actions I’ve done with the police.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tells #BBCBreakfast it’s "a shame" the sentiment behind the Black Lives Matter movement is getting “tangled up with these organisational issues" and it’s "nonsense" to call to ‘Defund the Police’. pic.twitter.com/7ydITWGZWN — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) June 29, 2020
Following a growing backlash in the Labour movement, the Labour leader appealed to black members not to leave the Labour Party in an interview with the HuffPost today.
He said: “The Labour Party is a broad church. It is a place that I hope and am determined that black people feel that they are welcome, that they want to be. We definitely need as much black representation in the Labour Party as we can possibility get.”
The Labour leader discussed his decision to commission an independent inquiry after a report was leaked about antisemitism within the party, which also alleged examples of Afriphobia.
He said: “Amongst the reasons we took the actions that we did, was to try to show as quickly as we could to people that they could have confidence in Angela Rayner and myself to root out racism and to take swift action in order to do so without inhibitions.”
He added: “Within hours of getting the leaked report we had ordered an independent inquiry. We didn’t delay, we didn’t just leave it to the internal process, and we have not inhibited that inquiry in any way whatsoever.
“It’s been in place in a matter of a few weeks and people will judge us, I think, when those reports come in. I’m determined it’ll be independent and I’m determined we’ll act upon it when we see the results of that report.
“Meanwhile the internal processes are going on and that has led to action already – albeit, frustratingly, for a number of weeks I wasn’t able to point to that when people were criticising me because of the confidentiality of the process.”
He described how Martin Forde QC had been appointed to direct the inquiry, and instructed to “go wherever he needs to go”. The Labour leader said: “There’s no ‘no go areas’. He has not been given any instructions not to look at anything.
“He has got complete freedom to go where he needs to go, such is the determination to root out any racism in our party and deal with it – and be seen to deal with it – effectively.”


labourlist--2020-07-02--Labour’s plan for the economy must start in the town hall, not Whitehall

With nearly three million unemployed and rising , Labour needs an answer on the economy .
The temptation will be to draw up a single national plan covering the whole country .
It ’ s a temptation we must resist .
National economic plans have been a recurring theme of the 20th century .
Harold Macmillan had his National Economic Development Council .
Wilson had the National Plan .
More recently , we ’ ve seen George Osborne ’ s ‘ long-term economic plan ’ and Theresa May ’ s Industrial Strategy for a Britain after Brexit .
One thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They all failed .
Macmillan ’ s council was weak and ineffectual , while Wilson struggled with widening trade deficits .
Osborne ’ s austerity drove up poverty without bringing down the debt , and May presided over a collapse in investment .
How can we face up to record levels of unemployment without turning to the grey men and women of Whitehall to take charge ?
Luckily , there is another way .
In every part of the country , local councils and regional authorities – many run by Labour – stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empowered and funded them to do so .
Take Liverpool – a city with an extraordinary industrial history that ’ s been hard hit by the pandemic .
The Labour-run city council has prepared a £1.4bn recovery plan to create 45,000 new jobs .
It ’ s been endorsed by 72 local leaders .
If backed by government , the plan would see the city push forward on new housing , leisure , cultural attractions , and science centres .
It is an incredibly exciting vision that would make a massive difference to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet at the same time , the city council is so cash-strapped that it ’ s teetering on the edge of issuing a bankruptcy notice .
In my own area of west London , the seven councils making up the West-London Alliance are working hard on our own economic plan to tackle the 41,000 job losses we expect this year .
Yet we ’ re facing our own extreme budget challenges , making it hard to see where the money will come from to invest .
So why does it make sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than look to Whitehall to tell us the answer ?
First , local areas have a much richer understanding of their local economies with their particular nuances and needs .
In West London , we know that Ealing and Harrow are home to large commuter workforces while Hillingdon and Hounslow are more dependent on Heathrow airport for jobs .
By working on a local plan , we can be much more targeted around the types of businesses we need to attract and where public investments are likely to reap the greatest return .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed to tie together support in a way that gets the best outcomes .
For example , skills funding comes under the Department for Education while employment support is mostly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions .
So when a jobseeker needs help with both retraining and a job search , they have to navigate two complicated systems to get support .
Local areas can tie together programmes much more effectively .
That means services can more easily meet the needs of each individual , even where these cross departmental boundaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official responsible is sitting in the nearby town hall – not far off Whitehall .
Finally , local areas can build much richer , deeper relationships between government agencies , companies , local trade unions , the voluntary sector , and other local players .
These are the relationships that get large development projects off the ground – whether launching a new science park or getting spades in the ground to build new homes .
Big projects are complicated , involve lots of parties , and often attract local opposition .
Sorting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to knock heads together , take rapid decisions , and quickly work out what ’ s viable and what isn ’ t .
None of this can be done by central government .
If Labour wants an easy headline , it will announce a big new national recovery programme involving thousands of London-based civil servants developing grand visions for projects and programmes that will either never happen , or will be woefully inefficient .
But if we want a recovery that works for local people across the country , then we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans that they make for themselves .

With nearly three million unemployed and rising, Labour needs an answer on the economy. The temptation will be to draw up a single national plan covering the whole country. It’s a temptation we must resist. National economic plans have been a recurring theme of the 20th century. Harold Macmillan had his National Economic Development Council. Wilson had the National Plan. More recently, we’ve seen George Osborne’s ‘long-term economic plan’ and Theresa May’s Industrial Strategy for a Britain after Brexit.
One thing all these plans had in common? They all failed. Macmillan’s council was weak and ineffectual, while Wilson struggled with widening trade deficits. Osborne’s austerity drove up poverty without bringing down the debt, and May presided over a collapse in investment. How can we face up to record levels of unemployment without turning to the grey men and women of Whitehall to take charge?
Building back local
Luckily, there is another way. In every part of the country, local councils and regional authorities – many run by Labour – stand ready to act. If only we empowered and funded them to do so. Take Liverpool – a city with an extraordinary industrial history that’s been hard hit by the pandemic. The Labour-run city council has prepared a £1.4bn recovery plan to create 45,000 new jobs. It’s been endorsed by 72 local leaders.
If backed by government, the plan would see the city push forward on new housing, leisure, cultural attractions, and science centres. It is an incredibly exciting vision that would make a massive difference to the economic recovery of the north west. Yet at the same time, the city council is so cash-strapped that it’s teetering on the edge of issuing a bankruptcy notice.
In my own area of west London, the seven councils making up the West-London Alliance are working hard on our own economic plan to tackle the 41,000 job losses we expect this year. Yet we’re facing our own extreme budget challenges, making it hard to see where the money will come from to invest. So why does it make sense to back these local economic plans rather than look to Whitehall to tell us the answer?
First, local areas have a much richer understanding of their local economies with their particular nuances and needs. In West London, we know that Ealing and Harrow are home to large commuter workforces while Hillingdon and Hounslow are more dependent on Heathrow airport for jobs. By working on a local plan, we can be much more targeted around the types of businesses we need to attract and where public investments are likely to reap the greatest return.
Second, local areas are much better placed to tie together support in a way that gets the best outcomes. For example, skills funding comes under the Department for Education while employment support is mostly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. So when a jobseeker needs help with both retraining and a job search, they have to navigate two complicated systems to get support.
Local areas can tie together programmes much more effectively. That means services can more easily meet the needs of each individual, even where these cross departmental boundaries. And if issues do arise, the official responsible is sitting in the nearby town hall – not far off Whitehall.
Finally, local areas can build much richer, deeper relationships between government agencies, companies, local trade unions, the voluntary sector, and other local players. These are the relationships that get large development projects off the ground – whether launching a new science park or getting spades in the ground to build new homes.
Big projects are complicated, involve lots of parties, and often attract local opposition. Sorting through the issues requires officials to be able to knock heads together, take rapid decisions, and quickly work out what’s viable and what isn’t. None of this can be done by central government.
If Labour wants an easy headline, it will announce a big new national recovery programme involving thousands of London-based civil servants developing grand visions for projects and programmes that will either never happen, or will be woefully inefficient. But if we want a recovery that works for local people across the country, then we had better start backing local people with the plans that they make for themselves.


labourlist--2020-07-02--WATCH: In conversation with… Lisa Nandy MP

Join us at 6.45pm on Thursday , July 2nd , for our next “ In conversation with… ” online event @ @ @ @ @ and Labour ’ s Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy MP .
The event is being @ @ @ @ @ group of MPs .
You can either sign up on their website to join the @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll be able to submit questions , or you can watch the live @ @ @ @ @ If readers have suggestions for questions , please feel free to email them to us @ @ @ @ @ will refresh automatically to show the livestream below when the event starts .

Join us at 6.45pm on Thursday, July 2nd, for our next “In conversation with…” online event featuring LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers and Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy MP.
The event is being organised jointly with the Tribune group of MPs. You can either sign up on their website to join the event via Zoom, where you’ll be able to submit questions, or you can watch the live broadcast on this page.
If readers have suggestions for questions, please feel free to email them to us in advance. This page will refresh automatically to show the livestream below when the event starts.


labourlist--2020-07-02--“Patience is wearing very thin”: Councils slam inadequate funding package

Local council leaders have criticised a newly announced funding package for local authorities during the coronavirus pandemic , warning that patience with the government is “ wearing very thin ” .
Responding to details published by the government today , the leader of the Local Government Association Labour group and Newcastle City Council Nick Forbes said : “ This £500m goes nowhere near filling the £10bn funding gap councils face.
” Southwark Council leader and chair of the pan-London , cross-party organisation London Councils also criticised the package – describing the sum of money as “ wholly inadequate ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunak to bring forward “ further , more substantial measures to support the recovery of local economies and local services ” in his statement next week .
Commenting on the funding , John said : “ £500m for all councils in England is wholly inadequate – another short-term stopgap solution rather than the comprehensive package that was promised .
“ It does not reflect the tough financial realities facing London local government , where the funding gap is already £360m since March and is expected to rise to £1.4bn over the whole year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government will only be partially funding lost fees and charges income – which will leave London boroughs will a shortfall of well over £200m.
” Alongside the £500m funding , the department has said it will reimburse some lost income for councils .
Where losses are more than 5 % of planned income from sales , fees and charges , it will provide up to 75p in every pound lost .
He added : “ This scheme should apply to all types of income not just fees and charges , and must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can not wait until the year is over and the accounts are audited .
“ Certainty over future funding is key to councils ’ planning their budgets .
Putting off dealing with business rates and council tax deficits until the spending review is a disappointing move from government.
” The announcement from the government today also stated that it would be bringing forward changes to enable councils to spread their tax deficits over three years rather than the usual one year .
Commenting on this , John said : “ Encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer time period may allow the government to kick the can down the road , but councils have to take a more responsible attitude to the local public finances .
“ To keep vital local services running , it is clear that we need to continue our work with government to ensure they fully recognise the scale of the financial challenges London boroughs and councils across the country are grappling with.
” The Ministry for Housing , Communities and Local Government announced the news this morning as a “ major new support package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Labour ’ s Steve Reed welcomed the funding but urged the government to “ stick to its promise to support councils to do what ’ s necessary to get communities through this ” .
Commenting on support package , the Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary said : “ Many councils are on the brink of bankruptcy because of the costs of tackling Covid-19 , so any help is welcome .
“ But if the government breaks its promise to fund the costs in full , councils will be forced to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities and bin collections , and closed libraries and leisure centres might never reopen .
“ This funding is a start , but we don ’ t know how it will be shared out and much of the detail is being held back until the autumn which might be too late to save many frontline workers ’ jobs that are now at risk.
” “ We urge the government to stick to its promise to support councils to do what ’ s necessary to get communities through this .
Councils have kept their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government must do the same rather than punish local communities with cuts to the services they rely on.
” Research by the Local Government Association last month revealed that councils face a funding gap of over £7bn – the financial burden of the pandemic amounting to £10.9bn , while the government has provided £3.2bn in additional funding .
Councils across the UK have come under significant pressure throughout the crisis .
Of 173 councils who responded to a recent survey , 148 predicted a budget shortfall and at least five have warned they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If a council fails to balance the budget , a section 114 notice is issued under the Local Government Act 1998 , which prevents any new expenditure and gives a council 21 days to make an alternative budget that fits the criteria .
A budget made after the issue of a section 114 notice would involve significant cuts to existing services .
Several local authorities have said that they are weeks away from issuing a section 114 notice .
Labour leader Keir Starmer has said that the pandemic and government inaction have created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities , and warned of a “ black hole ” in council finances if central government fails to act .

Local council leaders have criticised a newly announced funding package for local authorities during the coronavirus pandemic, warning that patience with the government is “wearing very thin”.
Responding to details published by the government today, the leader of the Local Government Association Labour group and Newcastle City Council Nick Forbes said: “This £500m goes nowhere near filling the £10bn funding gap councils face.”
Southwark Council leader and chair of the pan-London, cross-party organisation London Councils also criticised the package – describing the sum of money as “wholly inadequate”.
Peter John called for the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to bring forward “further, more substantial measures to support the recovery of local economies and local services” in his statement next week.
Commenting on the funding, John said: “£500m for all councils in England is wholly inadequate – another short-term stopgap solution rather than the comprehensive package that was promised.
“It does not reflect the tough financial realities facing London local government, where the funding gap is already £360m since March and is expected to rise to £1.4bn over the whole year.
“It is disappointing that the government will only be partially funding lost fees and charges income – which will leave London boroughs will a shortfall of well over £200m.”
Alongside the £500m funding, the department has said it will reimburse some lost income for councils. Where losses are more than 5% of planned income from sales, fees and charges, it will provide up to 75p in every pound lost.
He added: “This scheme should apply to all types of income not just fees and charges, and must be made available as a matter of urgency. We cannot wait until the year is over and the accounts are audited.
“Certainty over future funding is key to councils’ planning their budgets. Putting off dealing with business rates and council tax deficits until the spending review is a disappointing move from government.”
The announcement from the government today also stated that it would be bringing forward changes to enable councils to spread their tax deficits over three years rather than the usual one year.
Commenting on this, John said: “Encouraging councils to recover these deficits over a longer time period may allow the government to kick the can down the road, but councils have to take a more responsible attitude to the local public finances.
“To keep vital local services running, it is clear that we need to continue our work with government to ensure they fully recognise the scale of the financial challenges London boroughs and councils across the country are grappling with.”
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced the news this morning as a “major new support package” of unringfenced money to support councils.
Labour’s Steve Reed welcomed the funding but urged the government to “stick to its promise to support councils to do what’s necessary to get communities through this”.
Commenting on support package, the Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary said: “Many councils are on the brink of bankruptcy because of the costs of tackling Covid-19, so any help is welcome.
“But if the government breaks its promise to fund the costs in full, councils will be forced to cut back services like social care, youth activities and bin collections, and closed libraries and leisure centres might never reopen.
“This funding is a start, but we don’t know how it will be shared out and much of the detail is being held back until the autumn which might be too late to save many frontline workers’ jobs that are now at risk.”
“We urge the government to stick to its promise to support councils to do what’s necessary to get communities through this. Councils have kept their part of the bargain, now the government must do the same rather than punish local communities with cuts to the services they rely on.”
Research by the Local Government Association last month revealed that councils face a funding gap of over £7bn – the financial burden of the pandemic amounting to £10.9bn, while the government has provided £3.2bn in additional funding.
Councils across the UK have come under significant pressure throughout the crisis. Of 173 councils who responded to a recent survey, 148 predicted a budget shortfall and at least five have warned they may issue a section 114 notice.
If a council fails to balance the budget, a section 114 notice is issued under the Local Government Act 1998, which prevents any new expenditure and gives a council 21 days to make an alternative budget that fits the criteria.
A budget made after the issue of a section 114 notice would involve significant cuts to existing services. Several local authorities have said that they are weeks away from issuing a section 114 notice.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has said that the pandemic and government inaction have created the “perfect storm” for local authorities, and warned of a “black hole” in council finances if central government fails to act.


labourlist--2020-07-02--The government’s new law on company takeovers is too little, too late

On June 23rd , a new law came into force giving the government the right to intervene to prevent takeovers of UK companies that are vital to protect the country against public health emergencies .
Whilst the consequences of a pandemic make this welcome – and gives the UK similar rights to those that exist in many other industrial countries – it is too little , too late , and a wasted opportunity .
Until now , government only had the right under the Enterprise Act 2002 to refer a proposed company takeover for enquiry by the Competition and Markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or agreed – for three reasons .
Those reasons are media plurality , national security or UK financial stability ( save for takeovers of certain utility companies , where it is compulsory ) .
The new legislation will enable the government to intervene for a fourth reason .
Namely , if a takeover target company is critical for public health ( see statutory instrument 2020 No .
627 ) .
Further legislation is promised in the forthcoming National Security and Investment Bill , which was announced in the Queen ’ s Speech but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new legislation as much as a waste of time as the existing laws , however ?
Since the Enterprise Act came into force in 2002 , there have been 20 interventions by the government .
12 on national security grounds , seven on media plurality grounds and one on grounds of financial stability .
But the government ’ s own press release this week stated that not one single transaction has ever been blocked .
The current Business Secretary Alok Sharma has said that he is concerned about foreign takeovers of British companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not object when Cobham , a leading British defence company , was taken over this year by American company Advent International .
The then Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom could have blocked the takeover on national security grounds , as requested by a family member of the founder , who was concerned that it would be broken up .
As Lady Cobham sadly anticipated , the company has just announced a sale of one of its divisions .
The government and opposition should be concerned about predators taking over great British companies whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the economic disruption of Covid-19 .
But the danger to jobs , skills , communities , research and development , innovation and the economy generally can also come from home-grown sources .
I wrote in LabourList against the hostile takeover of GKN by Melrose in 2018 – whose own website said : “ Buy , improve , sell.
” GKN , the 250 year-old company headquartered in Redditch , was narrowly taken over with the votes of recently acquired shareholders .
Alas , short-term profit-taking succeeded over long-term industrial strategy in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London Stock Exchange .
The government could have referred the bid on national security grounds , because GKN was a customer of the Ministry of Defence – but did nothing .
Standard & Poors has recently downgraded GKN debt to junk bond status .
What should Labour do in opposition and later in government to promote a long-term national industrial strategy ?
Firstly , no shareholder who has acquired shares in a target company within six months before a takeover bid should be allowed to vote on it .
Secondly , the Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeover on much wider grounds than now .
For example , if a takeover is not in the interests of research and development , or the public interest generally .
It is important to have a general public interest test where a takeover does not fit into one of the existing four categories and should be blocked .
Thirdly , if a takeover is deemed acceptable to proceed , legally binding obligations – not merely unenforceable undertakings – must be entered into , to give the target company , workforce and supply chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report on such takeovers should be set up – perhaps a public interest commission , which will have a wider remit to recommend refusal than the CMA , who principally deal with competition issues .
Rebuilding the British economy after the coronavirus economic meltdown will need new strategy , new powers , and new regulatory architecture .

On June 23rd, a new law came into force giving the government the right to intervene to prevent takeovers of UK companies that are vital to protect the country against public health emergencies. Whilst the consequences of a pandemic make this welcome – and gives the UK similar rights to those that exist in many other industrial countries – it is too little, too late, and a wasted opportunity.
Until now, government only had the right under the Enterprise Act 2002 to refer a proposed company takeover for enquiry by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – whether hostile or agreed – for three reasons. Those reasons are media plurality, national security or UK financial stability (save for takeovers of certain utility companies, where it is compulsory).
The new legislation will enable the government to intervene for a fourth reason. Namely, if a takeover target company is critical for public health (see statutory instrument 2020 No. 627). Further legislation is promised in the forthcoming National Security and Investment Bill, which was announced in the Queen’s Speech but awaits a second reading. Is this new legislation as much as a waste of time as the existing laws, however?
Since the Enterprise Act came into force in 2002, there have been 20 interventions by the government. 12 on national security grounds, seven on media plurality grounds and one on grounds of financial stability. But the government’s own press release this week stated that not one single transaction has ever been blocked.
The current Business Secretary Alok Sharma has said that he is concerned about foreign takeovers of British companies on the cheap. But the government did not object when Cobham, a leading British defence company, was taken over this year by American company Advent International. The then Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom could have blocked the takeover on national security grounds, as requested by a family member of the founder, who was concerned that it would be broken up. As Lady Cobham sadly anticipated, the company has just announced a sale of one of its divisions.
The government and opposition should be concerned about predators taking over great British companies whose share price or value is low due to the economic disruption of Covid-19. But the danger to jobs, skills, communities, research and development, innovation and the economy generally can also come from home-grown sources.
I wrote in LabourList against the hostile takeover of GKN by Melrose in 2018 – whose own website said: “Buy, improve, sell.” GKN, the 250 year-old company headquartered in Redditch, was narrowly taken over with the votes of recently acquired shareholders. Alas, short-term profit-taking succeeded over long-term industrial strategy in one of the largest industrial companies on the London Stock Exchange. The government could have referred the bid on national security grounds, because GKN was a customer of the Ministry of Defence – but did nothing. Standard & Poors has recently downgraded GKN debt to junk bond status.
What should Labour do in opposition and later in government to promote a long-term national industrial strategy? Firstly, no shareholder who has acquired shares in a target company within six months before a takeover bid should be allowed to vote on it.
Secondly, the Business Secretary should be entitled to resist a takeover on much wider grounds than now. For example, if a takeover is not in the interests of research and development, or the public interest generally. It is important to have a general public interest test where a takeover does not fit into one of the existing four categories and should be blocked.
Thirdly, if a takeover is deemed acceptable to proceed, legally binding obligations – not merely unenforceable undertakings – must be entered into, to give the target company, workforce and supply chain protection.
Fourthly, a new watchdog to report on such takeovers should be set up – perhaps a public interest commission, which will have a wider remit to recommend refusal than the CMA, who principally deal with competition issues. Rebuilding the British economy after the coronavirus economic meltdown will need new strategy, new powers, and new regulatory architecture.


labourlist--2020-07-03--Turn ‘Clap for Carers’ into cash for carers, say trade unions

Trade unions representing health workers have called on the government to turn the ‘ Clap for Carers ’ movement into cash for those key workers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
UNISON , Unite , GMB , the Royal College of Nursing , the Royal College of Midwives and nine other health unions have urged government ministers to award healthcare staff an early pay rise .
They point out that nurses , healthcare assistants , paramedics , porters , cleaners and all staff working in healthcare have put themselves in danger since Covid-19 hit the UK as equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS staff in year three of a three-year pay deal that was opposed by GMB members , the labour movement is now saying that is it time for pay to increase for all working in the NHS – including private contractors .
In letters to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor , the 14 unions representing 1.3 million NHS employees have called for pay talks to start soon and allow key health workers to receive a wage boost before the year ends .
The demand comes ahead of the 72nd birthday of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the public will be encouraged to come together at 5pm and applaud the staff once again after the weekly clap ended in May .
UNISON ’ s head of health Sara Gorton , who chairs the NHS group of unions , said : “ The applause and kind words shown during the difficult days of the pandemic were a huge source of comfort to NHS staff .
But now the government should show its appreciation in a different way .
“ Throughout lockdown , the public has seen the immense dedication , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and now expects them to be rewarded .
“ As the clapping returns this weekend for the NHS ’ birthday , ministers can show how much they value health staff by committing to an early pay rise that the entire country supports.
” GMB national officer Rachel Harrison added : “ The public recognised our members ’ worth from the start , coming out to clap for our carers every Thursday .
Now it ’ s time for government to do the same .
“ This is not a Covid-19 bonus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be recognised .
The least ministers can do is reverse the decade of real terms pay cuts their government imposed .
“ As lockdown measures ease and people try to return to ‘ normal ’ , nothing changes for our healthcare workers .
Covid-19 is still here , PPE is still an issue , testing is still an issue.
” When asked in May about the possibility of a pay rise for nurses amid reports of a potential public sector pay freeze , Matt Hancock replied that nurses had already benefitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The Health Secretary was referring to the 6.5 % over three years , which was awarded to health staff in 2018 .
This deal was criticised by some at the time as representing a real terms pay cut for many workers .

Trade unions representing health workers have called on the government to turn the ‘Clap for Carers’ movement into cash for those key workers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
UNISON, Unite, GMB, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives and nine other health unions have urged government ministers to award healthcare staff an early pay rise.
They point out that nurses, healthcare assistants, paramedics, porters, cleaners and all staff working in healthcare have put themselves in danger since Covid-19 hit the UK as equipment and testing have been inadequate.
With NHS staff in year three of a three-year pay deal that was opposed by GMB members, the labour movement is now saying that is it time for pay to increase for all working in the NHS – including private contractors.
In letters to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, the 14 unions representing 1.3 million NHS employees have called for pay talks to start soon and allow key health workers to receive a wage boost before the year ends.
The demand comes ahead of the 72nd birthday of the NHS on Sunday, July 5th, when the public will be encouraged to come together at 5pm and applaud the staff once again after the weekly clap ended in May.
UNISON’s head of health Sara Gorton, who chairs the NHS group of unions, said: “The applause and kind words shown during the difficult days of the pandemic were a huge source of comfort to NHS staff. But now the government should show its appreciation in a different way.
“Throughout lockdown, the public has seen the immense dedication, commitment and compassion shown by NHS staff, and now expects them to be rewarded.
“As the clapping returns this weekend for the NHS’ birthday, ministers can show how much they value health staff by committing to an early pay rise that the entire country supports.”
GMB national officer Rachel Harrison added: “The public recognised our members’ worth from the start, coming out to clap for our carers every Thursday. Now it’s time for government to do the same.
“This is not a Covid-19 bonus, but their efforts during this pandemic do need to be recognised. The least ministers can do is reverse the decade of real terms pay cuts their government imposed.
“As lockdown measures ease and people try to return to ‘normal’, nothing changes for our healthcare workers. Covid-19 is still here, PPE is still an issue, testing is still an issue.”
When asked in May about the possibility of a pay rise for nurses amid reports of a potential public sector pay freeze, Matt Hancock replied that nurses had already benefitted from a “very significant pay rise”.
The Health Secretary was referring to the 6.5% over three years, which was awarded to health staff in 2018. This deal was criticised by some at the time as representing a real terms pay cut for many workers.


labourlist--2020-07-03--Government should look at wealth taxes to fund coronavirus recovery, says Dodds

Labour ’ s Anneliese Dodds has advised the government to look at using wealth taxes to fund the UK ’ s coronavirus recovery in a key intervention on its handling of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis this morning .
Answering questions after her first major speech as Shadow Chancellor , Dodds said Labour was against “ generalised tax rises across the whole of the population ” but advised the government to look at wealth taxation .
She said : “ For the very , very best off people , quite a bit of their money coming in is derived from wealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that new settlement and actually the opinion data has indicated that has got a lot of support among the UK population.
” Dodds rejected the idea of extending the current furlough scheme indefinitely , instead reiterating Labour ’ s support for targeted measures including extending the job retention scheme for specific sectors .
She also said she would not be going to the pub herself this weekend due to childcare issues , but added : “ I hope people will be going out to make use of those new opportunities to support local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for a “ back to work Budget with a focus on jobs , jobs and jobs again ” and warned against the “ hands-off approach ” taken by government , which she described as “ worrying ” .
The Shadow Chancellor blamed the “ wave of companies announcing enormous job losses ” this week on the government “ refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach ” and the Chancellor ’ s “ wait and see ” attitude .
Below is the full text of the Shadow Chancellor ’ s first major speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began , hastily written notes were placed in the windows of shops and businesses on high streets across the country .
They announced an unavoidable shut down with no certainty about how or when they could re-open .
This is every business ’ nightmare , but for three long months , it has been their waking reality .
Now , for some parts of our economy , the notes are beginning to come down , and the shutters are beginning to come up .
But for others , the crisis is still not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of the greatest crisis in a generation one where our government , sadly , has been too slow to act .
Too slow to lockdown .
Too slow to ramp up testing .
And too slow to get PPE to our brilliant frontline workers .
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease , attention is turning to the economic impact of coronavirus .
Labour is very clear : the government can not afford to be too slow .
Britain needs a Back to Work Budget with a focus on jobs , jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the government on the economy is worrying .
Worrying that – yet again – they plan to take a hands-off approach to helping business and people ’ s livelihoods .
Worrying that the Chancellor is reported to have said he “ shouldn ’ t be picking winners.
” As if supporting a local pub or family-run restaurant , that has been boarded up at the direction of government is somehow cheating the natural order of things .
Worrying that some press reports suggested the Chancellor was considering putting off his Summer Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see what happens this weekend , when more of the lockdown lifts .
Even though many other countries announced weeks ago , their recovery packages , focused on backing the green jobs of the future .
Waiting to see is not a strategy .
The OECD ’ s Global Outlook report published last month made for sobering reading .
It suggested that the economic hit on the UK due to the coronavirus would be the worst of all industrialised nations .
And that unemployment levels in the UK could be the second worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hit to our population ’ s health from coronavirus threatens to be one of the worst of all industrialised countries , so our economy stands at a crossroads .
This is not a time to wait and see .
In Leicester this week we have seen the first major re-imposition of lockdown .
The government promised these lockdowns would be local .
But the reality is they are being driven from Whitehall .
We still do not have a functioning track , trace and isolate system .
And local authorities are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time they need it .
The experience in recent days and weeks in Leicester is a familiar one in our response to this crisis .
Muddled .
Confusing .
With a refusal to bring in local authorities and too slow – much – much too slow .
We desperately need and want government to get this right .
Lives and livelihoods depend upon it .
Because for as long as there is confusion and delay in the public health response , many people will stay away from our high streets and out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At this time of continued national crisis , Labour is determined to act as a constructive opposition .
So , in that spirit , I call on the Chancellor to acknowledge the impact of the slow health response on our economy and do something about it .
Today we call on government to lay out plans to extend support schemes for businesses and people in areas like Leicester that are forced into local lockdowns .
These support schemes should serve as economic sandbags , ensuring localised second waves of Covid-19 don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake .
Labour has also repeatedly set out constructive solutions when it comes to test , track and isolate , including changes to sick pay , so people are not having to choose between self-isolating and providing for their families .
And we have repeatedly called for clear public health messaging – with unambiguous and strongly-enforced guidance .
These solutions are critical to reducing infection and to building trust and aiding our economic recovery .
We have also set out the fiscal measures Government should take , to first secure , and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited ‘ Summer Economic Update ’ promised next week , we need a real Back to Work Budget .
It must focus on preventing unemployment , supporting the unemployed back into work , and creating the jobs of the future , so that when we emerge from this crisis , Britain is ready to come back even better than before .
We already know many of the policies which can prevent and combat unemployment , and the long-term costs unemployment incurs .
And we know that many other countries announced their economic recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Already we are falling behind others .
This is no time to wait and see : it ’ s the time to act in our country ’ s interest .
Labour supported the Job Protection Scheme and self-employed schemes – indeed , we called for them .
We also called for an exit strategy .
But as with the lifting of lockdown , what we have now is an exit without a strategy .
First , government must abandon its one-size-fits-all wind-down of the Job Protection and self-employed schemes .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers in struggling sectors can not and should not be treated the same way , as workers in sectors that are already back to full capacity .
This is not about ‘ picking winners ’ , in the Chancellor ’ s words .
It is about protecting those who have lost – through no fault of their own .
It is about giving people across the country a fair chance .
The reward for months of sacrifice can not be a redundancy notice .
This week we saw a wave of companies announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach .
Smaller companies have a shorter redundancy period .
To avoid the same flood of redundancy notices for workers within smaller companies later on this month , government must act now – and abandon its one-size-fits-all approach .
When we talk about our economy , it can feel distant and remote : interest rates and budgets and spreadsheets .
It is anything but .
The economy is our jobs and family incomes .
It is our high streets and our communities .
It is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the places we live and love .
It is small business owners , who have put their life and soul into building their businesses .
It has been heartbreaking to hear from many of them in recent weeks .
How they feel their businesses slipping through their fingers because of a temporary lack of cash flow , even though with the right , targeted support now , they would be perfectly viable in the long term .
That frustration , that anger , at working hard all your life , playing by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting your place patiently in the queue .
Only to find it snatched away from you by a combination of this terrible crisis and government ’ s refusal to help .
Supporting them now isn ’ t about picking winners .
It ’ s about basic fairness .
Government must also act now to provide support for those who have become unemployed .
Instead , the DWP are re-introducing sanctions at a time when there are more than eight people unemployed for every vacancy .
This government seems completely divorced from the scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It must speedily put in place the ‘ active labour market policy ’ that already operates in many other countries , and which our JobCentres do not have the capacity to provide .
Government must also act now to support the jobs of the future .
And here we need guarantees of delivery , not just warm words .
In 2015 , the Conservative government promised to huge fanfare 200,000 new homes for first-time buyers .
Not a single one of those homes was built .
The Conservatives have talked and talked : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could construct houses out of Conservative press releases , promises and hot air , the housing crisis in this country would have ended years ago .
Instead , the rate of homeownership has fallen , and almost 800,000 fewer households under-45 own their own home now , compared to in 2010 .
The Conservatives have talked and talked : they have not built .
And on the green infrastructure that every region and nation of this country is crying out for , there have been promises and paper commitments , but precious little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked : they have not built .
Two years ago , the National Infrastructure Commission published an assessment .
There has been no official response .
And this week the Prime Minister tried to claim he was creating a ‘ New Deal ’ .
Most of it was re-announcements of things we have heard before .
So , it wasn ’ t really ‘ new ’ .
And , when we cut through the bluster and looked at the detail of what the Prime Minister was actually offering , it works out at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , it ’ s not much of a deal either .
Ten years of Conservative government .
Ten years of talk .
Ten years of inaction .
Instead of yet more promises and yet more talk , we need a laser focus – on jobs , jobs , jobs .
To deliver on jobs , the Chancellor ’ s statement must meet four key tests .
First , it must focus , not on re-announced , re-hashed prestige projects , but on supporting high-quality jobs .
The test of a project can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest of the Prime Minister ’ s closest advisor .
Instead , projects must involve local firms .
They must give the local workforce new skills and training .
They must lead to material improvement in the quality and availability of local employment .
And , programmes to support employment must be measured against the success of schemes like the Future Jobs Fund , and reflect the different challenges faced by young workers , older workers , and particularly impacted areas of the UK .
Second , the Chancellor ’ s statement must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and rebuild economic resilience right across our country .
As a recent report noted : “ [ t ] here is little chance of a so-called ‘ bounce-back ’ in areas such as Pendle , Burnley , or Barnsley where local authority service spending has fallen by 53 per cent , 51 per cent , and 35 per cent over the decade in real terms ” .
And public support for ailing companies must come with good-value strings attached , to support local employment , to keep value in the UK by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of tax havens , and to adhere to strong environmental requirements .
Third , every single project must be consistent with the drive to net-zero – so we can build the green jobs of the future .
Last week ’ s Committee on Climate Change report showed how far behind the UK is falling – now is the time for action .
Just as the German , Danish and South Korean stimulus packages have focused on green technologies , so must the UK ’ s , if we are to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , any benefits of investment now must not be cancelled out by poor decisions later .
Because , while the Prime Minister says now that those who have borne the brunt of the crisis will not be called on to pay for it , we ’ ve seen the opposite over the last ten years .
Since this dreadful virus struck , we have seen who our key workers really are .
Those who staff our NHS ; those working in our emergency services ; those keeping supermarkets open ; and the elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers are the people keeping bins collected , children educated , and the country safe .
Those on the frontline of this crisis have heroically risen to the challenge over the last few months – but , for many , that follows a decade of reductions in pay , security and living standards .
Over the last ten years , the gap in income and wealth has increased , and living standards for low and middle-income people have stagnated – at the same time as taxes for the very best-off have been reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at the very least , to not increase taxes or cut support for low and middle-income people , during the period while we recover from this crisis .
Because just like the small business that fears for its future , what people want – what they deserve – is fairness .
We can not go back to business as normal .
We can not “ wait and see ” .
We can not have more empty promises .
We can not have more inaction .
We need a response which recognises the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the first step in this , the first move to get Britain back on its feet , needs to happen now .
Britain needs a Back to Work Budget – one that focuses on jobs , jobs , jobs .

Labour’s Anneliese Dodds has advised the government to consider using wealth taxes to fund the UK’s coronavirus recovery in a key intervention on its handling of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis this morning.
Answering questions after her first major speech as Shadow Chancellor, Dodds said Labour was against “generalised tax rises across the whole of the population” but advised the government to look at wealth taxation.
She said: “For the very, very best off people, quite a bit of their money coming in is derived from wealth. I think we need to have that new settlement and actually the opinion data has indicated that has got a lot of support among the UK population.”
Dodds rejected the idea of extending the current furlough scheme indefinitely, instead reiterating Labour’s support for targeted measures including extending the job retention scheme for specific sectors.
She also said she would not be going to the pub herself this weekend due to childcare issues, but added: “I hope people will be going out to make use of those new opportunities to support local businesses.”
The speech delivered by Dodds called for a “back to work Budget with a focus on jobs, jobs and jobs again” and warned against the “hands-off approach” taken by government, which she described as “worrying”.
The Shadow Chancellor blamed the “wave of companies announcing enormous job losses” this week on the government “refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach” and the Chancellor’s “wait and see” attitude.
Below is the full text of the Shadow Chancellor’s first major speech.
Back in March, as lockdown began, hastily written notes were placed in the windows of shops and businesses on high streets across the country. They announced an unavoidable shut down with no certainty about how or when they could re-open. This is every business’ nightmare, but for three long months, it has been their waking reality.
Now, for some parts of our economy, the notes are beginning to come down, and the shutters are beginning to come up. But for others, the crisis is still not over.
We are still in the middle of the greatest crisis in a generation one where our government, sadly, has been too slow to act. Too slow to lockdown. Too slow to ramp up testing. And too slow to get PPE to our brilliant frontline workers.
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, attention is turning to the economic impact of coronavirus. Labour is very clear: the government cannot afford to be too slow. Britain needs a Back to Work Budget with a focus on jobs, jobs and jobs again.
What we are hearing from the government on the economy is worrying. Worrying that – yet again – they plan to take a hands-off approach to helping business and people’s livelihoods. Worrying that the Chancellor is reported to have said he “shouldn’t be picking winners.” As if supporting a local pub or family-run restaurant, that has been boarded up at the direction of government is somehow cheating the natural order of things.
Worrying that some press reports suggested the Chancellor was considering putting off his Summer Economic Update, in order to wait and see what happens this weekend, when more of the lockdown lifts. Even though many other countries announced weeks ago, their recovery packages, focused on backing the green jobs of the future.
Waiting to see is not a strategy. The OECD’s Global Outlook report published last month made for sobering reading. It suggested that the economic hit on the UK due to the coronavirus would be the worst of all industrialised nations. And that unemployment levels in the UK could be the second worst in the industrialised world.
Just as the hit to our population’s health from coronavirus threatens to be one of the worst of all industrialised countries, so our economy stands at a crossroads. This is not a time to wait and see.
In Leicester this week we have seen the first major re-imposition of lockdown. The government promised these lockdowns would be local. But the reality is they are being driven from Whitehall.
We still do not have a functioning track, trace and isolate system. And local authorities are not getting the data they need in the time they need it.
The experience in recent days and weeks in Leicester is a familiar one in our response to this crisis. Muddled. Confusing. With a refusal to bring in local authorities and too slow – much – much too slow.
We desperately need and want government to get this right. Lives and livelihoods depend upon it. Because for as long as there is confusion and delay in the public health response, many people will stay away from our high streets and out of our shops, pubs and restaurants.
At this time of continued national crisis, Labour is determined to act as a constructive opposition. So, in that spirit, I call on the Chancellor to acknowledge the impact of the slow health response on our economy and do something about it.
Today we call on government to lay out plans to extend support schemes for businesses and people in areas like Leicester that are forced into local lockdowns. These support schemes should serve as economic sandbags, ensuring localised second waves of Covid-19 don’t wash away businesses and jobs in their wake.
Labour has also repeatedly set out constructive solutions when it comes to test, track and isolate, including changes to sick pay, so people are not having to choose between self-isolating and providing for their families.
And we have repeatedly called for clear public health messaging – with unambiguous and strongly-enforced guidance. These solutions are critical to reducing infection and to building trust and aiding our economic recovery.
We have also set out the fiscal measures Government should take, to first secure, and then turbocharge our recovery. Instead of the limited ‘Summer Economic Update’ promised next week, we need a real Back to Work Budget.
It must focus on preventing unemployment, supporting the unemployed back into work, and creating the jobs of the future, so that when we emerge from this crisis, Britain is ready to come back even better than before.
We already know many of the policies which can prevent and combat unemployment, and the long-term costs unemployment incurs. And we know that many other countries announced their economic recovery packages not just days, but weeks ago.
Already we are falling behind others. This is no time to wait and see: it’s the time to act in our country’s interest. Labour supported the Job Protection Scheme and self-employed schemes – indeed, we called for them. We also called for an exit strategy. But as with the lifting of lockdown, what we have now is an exit without a strategy.
First, government must abandon its one-size-fits-all wind-down of the Job Protection and self-employed schemes. We need a targeted strategy that acknowledges that workers in struggling sectors cannot and should not be treated the same way, as workers in sectors that are already back to full capacity.
This is not about ‘picking winners’, in the Chancellor’s words. It is about protecting those who have lost – through no fault of their own. It is about giving people across the country a fair chance.
The reward for months of sacrifice cannot be a redundancy notice. This week we saw a wave of companies announcing enormous job losses – because the government is refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach.
Smaller companies have a shorter redundancy period. To avoid the same flood of redundancy notices for workers within smaller companies later on this month, government must act now – and abandon its one-size-fits-all approach.
When we talk about our economy, it can feel distant and remote: interest rates and budgets and spreadsheets. It is anything but.
The economy is our jobs and family incomes. It is our high streets and our communities. It is the things that add meaning and character to the places we live and love. It is small business owners, who have put their life and soul into building their businesses.
It has been heartbreaking to hear from many of them in recent weeks. How they feel their businesses slipping through their fingers because of a temporary lack of cash flow, even though with the right, targeted support now, they would be perfectly viable in the long term.
That frustration, that anger, at working hard all your life, playing by the rules, doing the right thing, waiting your place patiently in the queue. Only to find it snatched away from you by a combination of this terrible crisis and government’s refusal to help.
Supporting them now isn’t about picking winners. It’s about basic fairness.
Government must also act now to provide support for those who have become unemployed. Instead, the DWP are re-introducing sanctions at a time when there are more than eight people unemployed for every vacancy.
This government seems completely divorced from the scale of the unemployment crisis facing us. It must speedily put in place the ‘active labour market policy’ that already operates in many other countries, and which our JobCentres do not have the capacity to provide.
Government must also act now to support the jobs of the future. And here we need guarantees of delivery, not just warm words.
In 2015, the Conservative government promised to huge fanfare 200,000 new homes for first-time buyers. Not a single one of those homes was built. The Conservatives have talked and talked: they have not built.
If you could construct houses out of Conservative press releases, promises and hot air, the housing crisis in this country would have ended years ago. Instead, the rate of homeownership has fallen, and almost 800,000 fewer households under-45 own their own home now, compared to in 2010.
The Conservatives have talked and talked: they have not built.
And on the green infrastructure that every region and nation of this country is crying out for, there have been promises and paper commitments, but precious little action.
The Conservatives have talked and talked: they have not built. Two years ago, the National Infrastructure Commission published an assessment. There has been no official response.
And this week the Prime Minister tried to claim he was creating a ‘New Deal’. Most of it was re-announcements of things we have heard before. So, it wasn’t really ‘new’.
And, when we cut through the bluster and looked at the detail of what the Prime Minister was actually offering, it works out at less than £100 investment per person. So, it’s not much of a deal either.
Ten years of Conservative government. Ten years of talk. Ten years of inaction. Instead of yet more promises and yet more talk, we need a laser focus – on jobs, jobs, jobs.
To deliver on jobs, the Chancellor’s statement must meet four key tests.
First, it must focus, not on re-announced, re-hashed prestige projects, but on supporting high-quality jobs. The test of a project can’t be if it piques the interest of the Prime Minister’s closest advisor.
Instead, projects must involve local firms. They must give the local workforce new skills and training. They must lead to material improvement in the quality and availability of local employment.
And, programmes to support employment must be measured against the success of schemes like the Future Jobs Fund, and reflect the different challenges faced by young workers, older workers, and particularly impacted areas of the UK.
Second, the Chancellor’s statement must buck the trend of the last ten years and rebuild economic resilience right across our country.
As a recent report noted: “[t]here is little chance of a so-called ‘bounce-back’ in areas such as Pendle, Burnley, or Barnsley where local authority service spending has fallen by 53 per cent, 51 per cent, and 35 per cent over the decade in real terms”.
And public support for ailing companies must come with good-value strings attached, to support local employment, to keep value in the UK by avoiding dividend payments, share buybacks and the use of tax havens, and to adhere to strong environmental requirements.
Third, every single project must be consistent with the drive to net-zero – so we can build the green jobs of the future. Last week’s Committee on Climate Change report showed how far behind the UK is falling – now is the time for action.
Just as the German, Danish and South Korean stimulus packages have focused on green technologies, so must the UK’s, if we are to avoid falling behind other countries.
And fourth, any benefits of investment now must not be cancelled out by poor decisions later. Because, while the Prime Minister says now that those who have borne the brunt of the crisis will not be called on to pay for it, we’ve seen the opposite over the last ten years.
Since this dreadful virus struck, we have seen who our key workers really are. Those who staff our NHS; those working in our emergency services; those keeping supermarkets open; and the elderly and vulnerable cared for.
Our key workers are the people keeping bins collected, children educated, and the country safe. Those on the frontline of this crisis have heroically risen to the challenge over the last few months – but, for many, that follows a decade of reductions in pay, security and living standards.
Over the last ten years, the gap in income and wealth has increased, and living standards for low and middle-income people have stagnated – at the same time as taxes for the very best-off have been reduced.
So finally, government must commit, at the very least, to not increase taxes or cut support for low and middle-income people, during the period while we recover from this crisis.
Because just like the small business that fears for its future, what people want – what they deserve – is fairness.
We cannot go back to business as normal. We cannot “wait and see”. We cannot have more empty promises. We cannot have more inaction. We need a response which recognises the scale of the challenge we face.
And the first step in this, the first move to get Britain back on its feet, needs to happen now. Britain needs a Back to Work Budget – one that focuses on jobs, jobs, jobs.


labourlist--2020-07-03--WATCH: Starmer on racism, a “purge” of the left and a PM “asleep at the wheel”

Keir Starmer has given an exclusive interview commenting on the Black Lives Matter movement and racism in the UK , denying claims that he wants to “ purge ” the Labour left , and criticising the Prime Minister ’ s handling of the coronavirus crisis .
The Labour leader has said that Black Lives Matter must be “ more than a movement ” , to represent a “ turning point ” , but reiterated his opposition to the demand that the police in the UK should be defunded .
Following his sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey and accusations of factionalism on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ not a left-right issue ” and he has “ no intent to purge the party at all ” .
On the government ’ s handling of the coronavirus crisis , the Labour leader continued his reluctance to call for an inquiry to be held now , saying that “ at the moment I think it is important that we concentrate on the job at hand ” .
Starmer accused the Prime Minister of being “ asleep at the wheel ” during the coronavirus crisis and described Boris Johnson as someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he disagreed with Joe Biden ’ s assessment of Johnson as a “ physical and emotional clone ” of President Trump , instead saying : “ I wouldn ’ t describe him in that way… He ’ s good on the rhetoric , but he ’ s not good on governing .
”

Keir Starmer has given an exclusive interview commenting on the Black Lives Matter movement and racism in the UK, denying claims that he wants to “purge” the Labour left, and criticising the Prime Minister’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
The Labour leader has said that Black Lives Matter must be “more than a movement”, to represent a “turning point”, but reiterated his opposition to the demand that the police in the UK should be defunded.
“We have deep pockets of racism, we have widespread discrimination, but this has to be a defining moment”@Keir_Starmer tells @BethRigby he supports #BlackLivesMatter and says “this has to be a defining moment”, but says that he does not agree with calls to defund the police pic.twitter.com/id9iOlx2Al — SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 3, 2020
Following his sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey and accusations of factionalism on his part, Starmer said the decision was “not a left-right issue” and he has “no intent to purge the party at all”.
“I have no intention to purge the party at all”@Keir_Starmer tells @BethRigby that his decision to sack @RLong_Bailey was not an example of factionalism, adding “this is not a left right issue” Read more here: https://t.co/YFHdksp0rc pic.twitter.com/sdLWKvQ5ZA — SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 3, 2020
On the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, the Labour leader continued his reluctance to call for an inquiry to be held now, saying that “at the moment I think it is important that we concentrate on the job at hand”.
Starmer accused the Prime Minister of being “asleep at the wheel” during the coronavirus crisis and described Boris Johnson as someone who “refuses to see problems”.
But he disagreed with Joe Biden’s assessment of Johnson as a “physical and emotional clone” of President Trump, instead saying: “I wouldn’t describe him in that way… He’s good on the rhetoric, but he’s not good on governing.”
Labour leader @Keir_Starmer tells @BethRigby that an inquiry into the government’s handling of #coronavirus is “inevitable” but says “at the moment I think it is important that we concentrate on the job at hand” Read more here: https://t.co/ZWjL7edwEX pic.twitter.com/035HHX0OFk — SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 3, 2020
“He’s made mistakes and he’s been far too slow”@Keir_Starmer tells @BethRigby the government has been “asleep at the wheel” whilst dealing with #coronavirus, adding “they really need to up their game” Read more here: https://t.co/ZWjL7edwEX pic.twitter.com/hKTtHBeTej — SkyNews (@SkyNews) July 3, 2020


labourlist--2020-07-02--Labour sets out four tests for Covid economic recovery

Anneliese Dodds is expected to set out four tests against which the UK ’ s recovery from the pandemic should be measured , and call for the government to abandon its “ one-size-fits-all approach ” to support schemes .
In her first major speech as Shadow Chancellor tomorrow , Dodds is expected to say that “ we need guarantees of delivery , not just warm words – for ten years , the Conservatives have talked and talked : they have not built ” .
She will call on the government to extend the furlough scheme in areas that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ so that localised second waves don ’ t wash away businesses and jobs in their wake ” .
Dodds is expected to emphasise the need for the government to “ recognise the scale of the challenge we face ” by committing to a ‘ back to work ’ Budget “ focused on jobs , jobs , jobs ” .
Among the tests is commitment from the government not to raise taxes or cut support for low and middle-income families .
The full four tests the Shadow Chancellor will set out are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bounce-back effect across the country ; • “ That every project announced is carbon neutral or carbon reducing ; and • “ That the government commits , at the very least , to not increase taxes or cut support for low and middle-income people , during the recovery period.
” On businesses , Dodds will say : “ It has been heartbreaking to hear from many of them in recent weeks , how they feel their businesses slipping through their fingers because of a temporary lack of cashflow even though with the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be perfectly viable in the long term .
“ That frustration , that anger , at working hard all your life , playing by the rules , doing the right thing , waiting your place patiently in the queue , only to find it snatched away from you by a combination of this terrible crisis and government ’ s refusal to help .
That isn ’ t about ‘ picking winners ’ .
That ’ s basic fairness.
” She will criticise the government ’ s “ one-size-fits-all ” approach to the job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers in struggling sectors can not and should not be treated the same way as workers in sectors that are already back to full capacity ” .
“ This is not about ‘ picking winners ’ , in the Chancellor ’ s words , ” Dodds will say .
“ It is about protecting those who have lost – through no fault of their own .
It is about giving people across the country a fair chance .
The reward for months of sacrifice can not be a redundancy notice .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing enormous job losses – because the government is refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach .
To avoid the same flood of redundancy notices for workers within smaller companies later on this month , government must act now – and abandon its one-size-fits-all approach.
” Labour initially demanded measures to protect jobs in a ‘ back to work ’ Budget last month , warning that the UK could see “ mass unemployment on a scale not seen for decades ” when the furlough scheme is withdrawn .
Earlier in the week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government to take “ much more urgent action ” to protect jobs during the pandemic and highlighted that other countries were doing more .
The party has also said that the furlough scheme should be extended into next year , with Transport Secretary Jim McMahon describing it as “ far more sensible that those jobs are protected ” .
He told BBC News on Wednesday : “ It would be ridiculous to spend billions of pounds on a furlough scheme – that ’ s meant to be a job retention scheme – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be made redundant very shortly.
” The furlough scheme has protected more than eight million jobs across the country throughout the health crisis .
Economists have warned that the level of unemployment will rise sharply as the government scheme is removed .

Anneliese Dodds is expected to set out four tests against which the UK’s recovery from the pandemic should be measured, and call for the government to abandon its “one-size-fits-all approach” to support schemes.
In her first major speech as Shadow Chancellor tomorrow, Dodds is expected to say that “we need guarantees of delivery, not just warm words – for ten years, the Conservatives have talked and talked: they have not built”.
She will call on the government to extend the furlough scheme in areas that have been forced to go into a local lockdown, “so that localised second waves don’t wash away businesses and jobs in their wake”.
Dodds is expected to emphasise the need for the government to “recognise the scale of the challenge we face” by committing to a ‘back to work’ Budget “focused on jobs, jobs, jobs”.
Among the tests is commitment from the government not to raise taxes or cut support for low and middle-income families. The full four tests the Shadow Chancellor will set out are:
“A focus on creating, supporting and protecting jobs;
“That it produces a bounce-back effect across the country;
“That every project announced is carbon neutral or carbon reducing; and
“That the government commits, at the very least, to not increase taxes or cut support for low and middle-income people, during the recovery period.”
On businesses, Dodds will say: “It has been heartbreaking to hear from many of them in recent weeks, how they feel their businesses slipping through their fingers because of a temporary lack of cashflow even though with the right, targeted support now, they would be perfectly viable in the long term.
“That frustration, that anger, at working hard all your life, playing by the rules, doing the right thing, waiting your place patiently in the queue, only to find it snatched away from you by a combination of this terrible crisis and government’s refusal to help. That isn’t about ‘picking winners’. That’s basic fairness.”
She will criticise the government’s “one-size-fits-all” approach to the job retention scheme, and say that “workers in struggling sectors cannot and should not be treated the same way as workers in sectors that are already back to full capacity”.
“This is not about ‘picking winners’, in the Chancellor’s words,” Dodds will say. “It is about protecting those who have lost – through no fault of their own. It is about giving people across the country a fair chance. The reward for months of sacrifice cannot be a redundancy notice.
“This week we saw a wave of companies announcing enormous job losses – because the government is refusing to shift from its one-size-fits-all approach. To avoid the same flood of redundancy notices for workers within smaller companies later on this month, government must act now – and abandon its one-size-fits-all approach.”
Labour initially demanded measures to protect jobs in a ‘back to work’ Budget last month, warning that the UK could see “mass unemployment on a scale not seen for decades” when the furlough scheme is withdrawn.
Earlier in the week, Dodds reinforced this with a call for the government to take “much more urgent action” to protect jobs during the pandemic and highlighted that other countries were doing more.
The party has also said that the furlough scheme should be extended into next year, with Transport Secretary Jim McMahon describing it as “far more sensible that those jobs are protected”.
He told BBC News on Wednesday: “It would be ridiculous to spend billions of pounds on a furlough scheme – that’s meant to be a job retention scheme – for staff who the government know will be made redundant very shortly.”
The furlough scheme has protected more than eight million jobs across the country throughout the health crisis. Economists have warned that the level of unemployment will rise sharply as the government scheme is removed.


labourlist--2020-07-03--How Islington has been working with the TUC to keep workers safe

The government ’ s laissez-faire easing of lockdown restrictions has truly shown whose side it is on – profit over people , big business over ordinary workers , the few over the many .
We are Labour councillors and our first duty is to keep our residents safe .
In Islington , we take that seriously .
We are supporting people to continue staying at home as much as possible .
We ’ re asking everyone to wear masks when they are in public , and encouraging everyone to keep sticking to the rules – to keep themselves and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We Are Islington , recently took its 10,000th call .
We have an excellent relationship with 12 volunteer-led mutual aid groups , which have disproven the old Tory line that there is ‘ no such thing as society ’ , and will work with them to strengthen our communities into the future .
But as the government insists on a rapid lifting of restrictions , many local people – especially the least well-off , black people and people of colour – now face a hugely increased risk of infection .
They are returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs , inadequate sick pay and employers who are more concerned with profits than public health .
When the government is so out of touch with ordinary people , our job as Labour councillors is to do all we can to keep them safe and informed .
Unions are our natural allies for this ; they are the original mutual aid organisations , which is why they set up the Labour Party to represent them .
When employers cut corners , workers run the risk of catching the virus , and if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those they live with , and anyone else they contact .
How can we keep them safe ?
Workplaces with trade union representation have fewer cases of work-related illness , injury and fatalities .
More than 6.5 million workers in the UK are members of trade unions , but all workers should enjoy the protection of trade union membership .
Islington Council has a proud track record of leading the way on standing up for workers ’ rights and decent pay – because without fair pay and decent jobs , we can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fairer place .
In 2012 , we became the first local authority in the country to become a Living Wage employer .
In 2013 , we joined Southwark Council in becoming the first councils to sign the Ethical Care Charter .
And in 2018 , we became the first in the country to sign the Modern Slavery charter .
As more people return to work this weekend , our top priority is keeping people safe and supported .
All workers have a right to be safe at work – wherever they work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people return to work from lockdown , this is more important than ever .
We ’ re proud to be the first local authority in the country to join forces with the TUC to promote a safe return to work , by encouraging and promoting union membership as an additional layer of protection for workers in the borough as the UK emerges from lockdown .
Together we have launched Stay Safe at Work – Join a Union .
The campaign signposts local people to the TUC ’ s resources , to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It features on more than 500 electronic and traditional noticeboards across Islington and is also promoted through council-run helplines and resources .
TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ Re-opening the economy must go hand-in-hand with keeping people safe at work .
It is great that Islington Council is working with unions to ensure that workers in the borough are protected .
This is in everyone ’ s interest .
One employer playing fast and loose with the rules puts the whole community at risk of a second spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , clear and pragmatic throughout this crisis – providing support and lobbying in the best interests of their members and our communities .
The government ’ s handling has been the opposite : self-interested , confused and dangerous .
We must stand with the unions to keep our residents safe .
We hope that other councils follow this lead .
It is an extraordinarily cost-effective way to protect the health and lives of our residents , especially those who have carried on doing essential work to get us through the pandemic .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these unsettling times ?
By joining a union , of course .

The government’s laissez-faire easing of lockdown restrictions has truly shown whose side it is on – profit over people, big business over ordinary workers, the few over the many. We are Labour councillors and our first duty is to keep our residents safe. In Islington, we take that seriously. We are supporting people to continue staying at home as much as possible. We’re asking everyone to wear masks when they are in public, and encouraging everyone to keep sticking to the rules – to keep themselves and our communities safe.
Our crisis service, We Are Islington, recently took its 10,000th call. We have an excellent relationship with 12 volunteer-led mutual aid groups, which have disproven the old Tory line that there is ‘no such thing as society’, and will work with them to strengthen our communities into the future. But as the government insists on a rapid lifting of restrictions, many local people – especially the least well-off, black people and people of colour – now face a hugely increased risk of infection. They are returning to work, sometimes forced by precarious jobs, inadequate sick pay and employers who are more concerned with profits than public health.
When the government is so out of touch with ordinary people, our job as Labour councillors is to do all we can to keep them safe and informed. Unions are our natural allies for this; they are the original mutual aid organisations, which is why they set up the Labour Party to represent them. When employers cut corners, workers run the risk of catching the virus, and if they do, so do their families, those they live with, and anyone else they contact. How can we keep them safe? Workplaces with trade union representation have fewer cases of work-related illness, injury and fatalities. More than 6.5 million workers in the UK are members of trade unions, but all workers should enjoy the protection of trade union membership.
Islington Council has a proud track record of leading the way on standing up for workers’ rights and decent pay – because without fair pay and decent jobs, we cannot achieve our ambition to make our borough a fairer place. In 2012, we became the first local authority in the country to become a Living Wage employer. In 2013, we joined Southwark Council in becoming the first councils to sign the Ethical Care Charter. And in 2018, we became the first in the country to sign the Modern Slavery charter.
As more people return to work this weekend, our top priority is keeping people safe and supported. All workers have a right to be safe at work – wherever they work and whatever they do – and as more people return to work from lockdown, this is more important than ever. We’re proud to be the first local authority in the country to join forces with the TUC to promote a safe return to work, by encouraging and promoting union membership as an additional layer of protection for workers in the borough as the UK emerges from lockdown. Together we have launched Stay Safe at Work – Join a Union.
The campaign signposts local people to the TUC’s resources, to encourage union membership and safe working conditions. It features on more than 500 electronic and traditional noticeboards across Islington and is also promoted through council-run helplines and resources.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Re-opening the economy must go hand-in-hand with keeping people safe at work. It is great that Islington Council is working with unions to ensure that workers in the borough are protected. This is in everyone’s interest. One employer playing fast and loose with the rules puts the whole community at risk of a second spike in infections.”
The unions have been consistent, clear and pragmatic throughout this crisis – providing support and lobbying in the best interests of their members and our communities. The government’s handling has been the opposite: self-interested, confused and dangerous. We must stand with the unions to keep our residents safe.
We hope that other councils follow this lead. It is an extraordinarily cost-effective way to protect the health and lives of our residents, especially those who have carried on doing essential work to get us through the pandemic. How can we stay safe at work during these unsettling times? By joining a union, of course.