labourlist--2020-12-14--We simply cannot afford to lose the Barnoldswick battle

As workers start their sixth week of strike action at the Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick plant in Lancashire , the stakes are getting higher .
The factory faces hundreds of redundancies stemming from short-sighted and uncaring decisions by the company that would offshore jobs , leading to potentially catastrophic impacts on the local community and the wider supply chain .
And Rolls-Royce announced even more job cuts a week ago .
It was a great privilege last week to chair the third edition of Our Collective Voice , a new initiative from Unite politics that aims to highlight the connection between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intertwined they are .
We focused on the nature of the ongoing struggle at Barnoldswick , now an all-too-familiar feature of Britain ’ s troubled economic landscape under the Tories – just one of many major industrial disputes in which workers around the country are starting to take action .
It was a solidarity event that sought to give voice to the working people living and breathing the reality of these unaccountable corporate decisions and what they actually mean on the ground for our communities and local economies .
The stories we heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional trade unionists in the face of the incredible injustice of these attacks on working people , a grim reminder that footloose corporate decision making all too often takes place with no concern whatsoever for workers and the wider community .
We saw the dedication and hard work of these Unite members – exactly what being in a trade union is all about .
One of the most poignant moments of the evening was when Catherine Greaves , an engineer and the fourth generation of her family to work at the plant posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please give Barnoldswick a chance – we can ’ t have been that bad for 78 years ?
” The Barnoldswick dispute is not a case of layoffs being driven by technological changes and automation but rather a pure profit-seeking exercise and race to the bottom in which jobs are being exported overseas .
It is being carried out by a company that has been the recipient of considerable largesse in public funds .
And it is occurring under the watch of a Tory government big on promises of ‘ levelling up ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very short on delivery when it comes to real action on the ground .
The loss of skills both immediately and in the future represents an avoidable tragedy .
These workers are among the very few people in the world who have the requisite knowledge and experience to perform such highly-skilled work .
They have a demonstrable desire to evolve as is necessary , and would like to be part of the journey Britain as a whole needs to make toward the greener jobs of the future .
The planned redundancies would represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engineering capacity at just the point at which it is going to be needed .
We heard how Catherine has been going down every day to the Barnoldswick picket line to support dedicated trade unionists like Ross Quinn , regional officer for Unite , and Rolls-Royce convenor Mark Porter , who have been out every single day in all weathers in the midst of a global pandemic .
It was difficult to hear how history is once again repeating itself as we heard tales from community members , who were part of past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastated that Barnoldswick finds itself back in this awful position .
Also in the discussion were MP for Easington and chair of the Unite parliamentary group Grahame Morris and MP for Luton South Rachel Hopkins .
A fight is currently going on in Westminster , and Grahame and Rachel issued a call for action .
It is vital that we all show support and spread the word , emailing and putting pressure on our local MPs to sign Early Day Motion 1200 on the subject and get on the case .
The Tories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not simply avoid or wash their hands of this dispute , which is occurring on their watch .
While the strikers at Barnoldswick deserve our full support and solidarity , this is not only about them .
It is also about the history and future of our country .
Rolls-Royce has styled itself as ‘ the best of British ’ but that is the result of the skill and dedication of the workforce , not of company management – and management is now proposing to simply throw all that away .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be critical in shaping the future of communities all over country , especially in the North of England .
It is a dispute that both the Rolls-Royce workers and the wider trade union movement simply can not afford to lose .
There have been over 30,000 views of Thursday ’ s event at the time of writing .
Word is getting out , but it needs to get out still further .
We all need to do our part to show solidarity and keep up the pressure — on both the company and @ @ @

As workers start their sixth week of strike action at the Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick plant in Lancashire, the stakes are getting higher. The factory faces hundreds of redundancies stemming from short-sighted and uncaring decisions by the company that would offshore jobs, leading to potentially catastrophic impacts on the local community and the wider supply chain. And Rolls-Royce announced even more job cuts a week ago.
It was a great privilege last week to chair the third edition of Our Collective Voice, a new initiative from Unite politics that aims to highlight the connection between the industrial and the political and how completely intertwined they are. We focused on the nature of the ongoing struggle at Barnoldswick, now an all-too-familiar feature of Britain’s troubled economic landscape under the Tories – just one of many major industrial disputes in which workers around the country are starting to take action. It was a solidarity event that sought to give voice to the working people living and breathing the reality of these unaccountable corporate decisions and what they actually mean on the ground for our communities and local economies.
The stories we heard underscored the evident commitment of local and regional trade unionists in the face of the incredible injustice of these attacks on working people, a grim reminder that footloose corporate decision making all too often takes place with no concern whatsoever for workers and the wider community. We saw the dedication and hard work of these Unite members – exactly what being in a trade union is all about.
One of the most poignant moments of the evening was when Catherine Greaves, an engineer and the fourth generation of her family to work at the plant posed the simple but powerful question: “Please give Barnoldswick a chance – we can’t have been that bad for 78 years?” The Barnoldswick dispute is not a case of layoffs being driven by technological changes and automation but rather a pure profit-seeking exercise and race to the bottom in which jobs are being exported overseas. It is being carried out by a company that has been the recipient of considerable largesse in public funds. And it is occurring under the watch of a Tory government big on promises of ‘levelling up’ the North and greening British industry but very short on delivery when it comes to real action on the ground.
The loss of skills both immediately and in the future represents an avoidable tragedy. These workers are among the very few people in the world who have the requisite knowledge and experience to perform such highly-skilled work. They have a demonstrable desire to evolve as is necessary, and would like to be part of the journey Britain as a whole needs to make toward the greener jobs of the future. The planned redundancies would represent a serious loss of Britain’s engineering capacity at just the point at which it is going to be needed.
We heard how Catherine has been going down every day to the Barnoldswick picket line to support dedicated trade unionists like Ross Quinn, regional officer for Unite, and Rolls-Royce convenor Mark Porter, who have been out every single day in all weathers in the midst of a global pandemic. It was difficult to hear how history is once again repeating itself as we heard tales from community members, who were part of past disputes and strikes in the 1970s, devastated that Barnoldswick finds itself back in this awful position.
Also in the discussion were MP for Easington and chair of the Unite parliamentary group Grahame Morris and MP for Luton South Rachel Hopkins. A fight is currently going on in Westminster, and Grahame and Rachel issued a call for action. It is vital that we all show support and spread the word, emailing and putting pressure on our local MPs to sign Early Day Motion 1200 on the subject and get on the case. The Tories must be made to feel that they cannot simply avoid or wash their hands of this dispute, which is occurring on their watch.
While the strikers at Barnoldswick deserve our full support and solidarity, this is not only about them. It is also about the history and future of our country. Rolls-Royce has styled itself as ‘the best of British’ but that is the result of the skill and dedication of the workforce, not of company management – and management is now proposing to simply throw all that away. The outcome of the struggle in Barnoldswick will be critical in shaping the future of communities all over country, especially in the North of England. It is a dispute that both the Rolls-Royce workers and the wider trade union movement simply cannot afford to lose.
There have been over 30,000 views of Thursday’s event at the time of writing. Word is getting out, but it needs to get out still further. We all need to do our part to show solidarity and keep up the pressure — on both the company and the government.


labourlist--2020-12-14--Race against the clock continues in post-Brexit trade negotiations

Brexit talks were extended past the ‘ deadline ’ this Sunday , and will continue this week as both sides agreed to “ go the extra mile “ .
No new arbitrary deadline was set with negotiators working frantically ahead of the only one that matters – December 31st .
Michel Barnier said this morning that an agreement is “ still possible ” but differences remain over “ free and fair competition ” and “ reciprocal access to markets and waters ” .
In an energetic media appearance on Sunday , Ed Miliband stressed the importance of getting a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ stand up to a small bunch of people in his party whose fantasy it has always been to have no deal ” , also confirming Labour would be “ minded to support ” a deal .
His Labour colleague Steve Reed described the situation as “ surreal ” and highlighted that Boris Johnson told the public a year ago he had an ‘ oven-ready ’ deal .
Jeremy Corbyn yesterday announced his Peace and Justice Project .
In a short video message released on social media , the former Labour leader said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and economic justice , peace , and human rights in Britain and across the world ” .
Its mission statement commits to “ work with labour and social movements and provide platforms to those campaigning for change for the many , not the few ” .
A number on the left have tweeted in support of the project , including Labour MPs Ian Byrne , Beth Winter and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell who described it as a “ brilliant new initiative ” .
It will launch next month with an online event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general secretary Len McCluskey and MP Zarah Sultana .
Keir Starmer has this morning called on the Prime Minister to tackle rough sleeping this Christmas , warning it represents “ just the tip of an iceberg ” of poverty and destitution this winter .
In a letter to Johnson , the Labour leader urged him to work with local councils and mayors to ensure access to Covid-secure shelter .
The intervention from Starmer comes ahead of his visit to the West Midlands to meet with homelessness projects in Worcester and food poverty campaigners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look out for today is our editor Sienna in conversation with Andy Burnham at 6pm this evening .
Feel free to send in questions for the Greater Manchester mayor before tuning in .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Brexit talks were extended past the ‘deadline’ this Sunday, and will continue this week as both sides agreed to “go the extra mile“. No new arbitrary deadline was set with negotiators working frantically ahead of the only one that matters – December 31st. Michel Barnier said this morning that an agreement is “still possible” but differences remain over “free and fair competition” and “reciprocal access to markets and waters”. In an energetic media appearance on Sunday, Ed Miliband stressed the importance of getting a deal and called on the Prime Minister to “stand up to a small bunch of people in his party whose fantasy it has always been to have no deal”, also confirming Labour would be “minded to support” a deal. His Labour colleague Steve Reed described the situation as “surreal” and highlighted that Boris Johnson told the public a year ago he had an ‘oven-ready’ deal.
Jeremy Corbyn yesterday announced his Peace and Justice Project. In a short video message released on social media, the former Labour leader said the programme will work for “social and economic justice, peace, and human rights in Britain and across the world”. Its mission statement commits to “work with labour and social movements and provide platforms to those campaigning for change for the many, not the few”. A number on the left have tweeted in support of the project, including Labour MPs Ian Byrne, Beth Winter and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell who described it as a “brilliant new initiative”. It will launch next month with an online event featuring Labour peer Christine Blower, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey and MP Zarah Sultana.
Keir Starmer has this morning called on the Prime Minister to tackle rough sleeping this Christmas, warning it represents “just the tip of an iceberg” of poverty and destitution this winter. In a letter to Johnson, the Labour leader urged him to work with local councils and mayors to ensure access to Covid-secure shelter. The intervention from Starmer comes ahead of his visit to the West Midlands to meet with homelessness projects in Worcester and food poverty campaigners in Birmingham later today. Also to look out for today is our editor Sienna in conversation with Andy Burnham at 6pm this evening. Feel free to send in questions for the Greater Manchester mayor before tuning in. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-12-14--WATCH: “Schools should be the last thing to close,” says Reeves

Rachel Reeves has declared that “ schools should be the last thing to close ” in the coronavirus pandemic due to the impact on children ’ s learning following the decision by Greenwich Council to ask schools in the area to close .
In a Sky News interview this morning , the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told viewers that the government needs to work with local authorities to “ put in place what is needed to enable the schools to stay open ” .
Reeves said : “ Every council has to take decisions for their local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been very clear – that schools should be the last thing to close , after everything else because children ’ s education has been so disrupted… “ It is really tough for young people in terms of falling behind academically but also the mental health of our young people and those bonds of friendship that are formed at schools so we don ’ t want schools closing.
” She added that Labour wants central government to work much more closely with schools in the pandemic and deliver on promised support such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Asked what Labour would do in relation to the situation in Greenwich , Reeves said : “ I would urge government to work with the local authority in Greenwich and put in place what is needed to enable the schools to stay open… “ For example , mass testing would be really helpful because that ’ s something the government has promised but hasn ’ t been delivered .
“ Also , sorting out the test , trace and isolate system because one of the reasons we ’ ve struggled to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on top of it is because the outsourced test and trace model just isn ’ t working .
“ And still , again I would say to government , give local authorities , give Greenwich Council and other local authorities more powers over those test and trace systems so that they work better.
” Asked why Keir Starmer does not “ pick up the phone ” and speak to the Greenwich Council leader , Reeves said : “ The leader of Greenwich Council is responsible for decisions in that local authority rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London ’ s Greenwich Council decided to ask schools in the area to shut , with Labour council leader Danny Thorpe explaining that the borough was undergoing a period of “ exponential growth ” in coronavirus cases .
London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Prime Minister to consider closing secondary schools early and for a longer period over Christmas , amid expectations that London will be bumped up to Tier 3 restrictions this week .
The Labour mayor has written to Boris Johnson with London Councils chair Georgia Gould to express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital and the need for extra support for workers and businesses .
The government is set to review coronavirus tier allocations on Wednesday , December 16th .
It is expected that the results will be implemented from 19th , before five-day Christmas bubbles are allowed between 23rd and 27th .

Rachel Reeves has declared that “schools should be the last thing to close” in the coronavirus pandemic due to the impact on children’s learning following the decision by Greenwich Council to ask schools in the area to close.
In a Sky News interview this morning, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told viewers that the government needs to work with local authorities to “put in place what is needed to enable the schools to stay open”.
Reeves said: “Every council has to take decisions for their local area but the Labour leadership nationally has been very clear – that schools should be the last thing to close, after everything else because children’s education has been so disrupted…
“It is really tough for young people in terms of falling behind academically but also the mental health of our young people and those bonds of friendship that are formed at schools so we don’t want schools closing.”
She added that Labour wants central government to work much more closely with schools in the pandemic and deliver on promised support such as the provision of mass testing in school settings.
Asked what Labour would do in relation to the situation in Greenwich, Reeves said: “I would urge government to work with the local authority in Greenwich and put in place what is needed to enable the schools to stay open…
“For example, mass testing would be really helpful because that’s something the government has promised but hasn’t been delivered.
“Also, sorting out the test, trace and isolate system because one of the reasons we’ve struggled to get on top of this virus and stay on top of it is because the outsourced test and trace model just isn’t working.
“And still, again I would say to government, give local authorities, give Greenwich Council and other local authorities more powers over those test and trace systems so that they work better.”
Asked why Keir Starmer does not “pick up the phone” and speak to the Greenwich Council leader, Reeves said: “The leader of Greenwich Council is responsible for decisions in that local authority rather than the leader of the Labour Party.”
“Schools should be the last thing to close.” Shadow cabinet minister @RachelReevesMP responds to the news that a Labour run council will close schools in the London Borough of Greenwich, from the end of today. Get live #coronavirus updates: https://t.co/4JGYN3Pf3k pic.twitter.com/0ycWWqhWrh — Sky News (@SkyNews) December 14, 2020
London’s Greenwich Council decided to ask schools in the area to shut, with Labour council leader Danny Thorpe explaining that the borough was undergoing a period of “exponential growth” in coronavirus cases.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Prime Minister to consider closing secondary schools early and for a longer period over Christmas, amid expectations that London will be bumped up to Tier 3 restrictions this week.
The Labour mayor has written to Boris Johnson with London Councils chair Georgia Gould to express concern over the rise in coronavirus cases in the capital and the need for extra support for workers and businesses.
The government is set to review coronavirus tier allocations on Wednesday, December 16th. It is expected that the results will be implemented from 19th, before five-day Christmas bubbles are allowed between 23rd and 27th.


labourlist--2020-12-14--Sadiq Khan calls for early school closures, more testing and extra support

London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Prime Minister to consider closing secondary schools early and for a longer period over Christmas , amid expectations that London will be bumped up to Tier 3 restrictions this week .
The Labour mayor has written to Boris Johnson with London Councils chair Georgia Gould to express concern over the rise in coronavirus cases in the capital and the need for extra support for workers and businesses .
Khan has demanded that the government urgently put in place priority testing for schools , a compensation scheme before further restrictions come in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not just statutory sick pay ” to enable self-isolation .
He and Gould , leader of Camden Council , have also suggested to the Prime Minister that face coverings should be “ made mandatory in all busy outdoor spaces ” , as there is high footfall on high streets due to Christmas shopping .
Khan said : “ The surge in coronavirus cases across our capital is deeply concerning .
I am calling on the government to urgently provide additional support to get the spread under control , save lives and livelihoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this winter .
“ Increased testing is key to this , which is why I want to see regular asymptomatic testing extended to all those unable to work from home and to students and staff at London ’ s secondary schools , sixth-form college and FE colleges.
” He added : “ 2020 has been a dismal year for our once-thriving hospitality sector and world-famous cultural scene , which both contribute billions to our economy and attract millions of visitors .
Without protecting them , there can be no meaningful recovery.
” Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government will reject the demands on schools being closed earlier and kept closed for longer , telling Sky News : “ Our overall message is we want to keep schools open.
” When asked about Khan ’ s school closures proposal during LBC ’ s ‘ Call Keir ’ session this morning , Keir Starmer did not offer his support to the idea .
The Labour leader replied : “ I am very reluctant to close our schools.
” London ’ s Greenwich Council has unilaterally decided to ask schools in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danny Thorpe saying the borough was undergoing a period of “ exponential growth ” in Covid-19 cases .
The government is set to review coronavirus tier allocations on Wednesday , December 16th .
It is expected that the results will be implemented from 19th , before five-day Christmas bubbles are allowed between 23rd and 27th .
Below is the full text of the letter from Sadiq Khan and Georgia Gould .
Like you , we are deeply concerned in the rise in cases of Covid-19 across the capital .
We are grateful for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for increased testing in the worst hit boroughs so we can trace and isolate families who are preparing to mix with each other over the holiday period .
However , given the surge in cases in London , and in neighbouring counties of Kent and Essex , further urgent government action is needed to ensure we regain control of the virus .
There can be no doubt as to the catastrophic impact Covid-19 has had on lives and livelihoods and our health and care system , not just in London , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling on you to take further urgent measures , on the back of public health advice , to prevent a continued increase in cases and to highlight the additional support London needs should the government decide on new tougher restrictions .
The biggest spread of the virus in the capital is within education settings and specifically amongst the 10-19 year old age group .
If the government is considering moving London into Tier 3 – this will do nothing to address this , while having a catastrophic impact on our economy .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretaries of State for Health and MHCLG this week , Mobile Testing Units are now being rolled out in schools in the seven boroughs in North-East London .
However , following the guidance that was issued to T3 regions last week on increased testing provision this now needs to be mobilised right across the capital , from tomorrow .
London now has 17 local authorities where the 7-day case rate exceeds 200 cases per 100,000 , and the 7-day case rate has risen in 32 local authorities compared to the previous week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest in England and it is vital that asymptomatic testing is extended at a minimum to all Londoners who are unable to work from home , and to all pupils at secondary schools , sixth form and FE colleges this week , so that positive cases are able to self-isolate and prevent ongoing transmission to people in their communities .
All schools , sixth form and FE colleges , not just in the boroughs with higher levels of cases but across London , should be given priority testing tomorrow and Tuesday .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ensure those pupils and their families self-isolate before the holidays begin .
This would also enable teachers and teaching staff to explain to pupils , before they break up , of the measures they need to take in the holiday period to prevent the spread of infection .
Furthermore , urgent consideration must also be given to closing secondary schools , sixth form and FE colleges a few days early and keeping them closed for longer after Christmas to allow for further testing .
All secondary school age children should be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to keep down transmission in schools and colleges and keep in-person education open and as safe as possible .
Additional resources will also need to be given to support online learning and catch up provision if further restrictions are agreed to be necessary .
In addition , it is also vital that there is improved government support for those who need to self-isolate and additional funding to boroughs to strengthen the encouragement of and practical support for those self-isolating .
Should the government decide to move London to further restrictions , current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the self-employed afloat .
The Christmas and New Year period provides a huge part of annual takings for the hospitality , culture and events industries , and the period this year was likely to be the difference between businesses surviving the pandemic and failing .
For example , UKHospitality warn a move to Tier 3 could see £2.7bn wiped off London hospitality , and up to160,000 jobs permanently at risk by the end of December .
Many restaurant suppliers are holding large amounts of stock to cope with the additional Christmas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now go to waste .
Theatres and venues in London have begun to reopen , many for the first time since March and after making their venues as safe as possible .
Several major Christmas theatre productions are scheduled in December and January in the West End alone .
Last minute cancellations of these could prove ruinous .
Many did not receive support from the government ’ s Culture Recovery Fund and the impact on freelancers , artists and the supply chain ecosystem will be devastating .
For London ’ s local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film releases , closure now represents an existential threat .
The government needs to go much further and we are asking that you urgently put in place a compensation scheme – before any additional restrictions are placed – for all lost income for the crucial festive period based on last year ’ s returns .
For new businesses , compensation should be based on estimates of income using data for similar firms .
Workers who are required to self-isolate must also receive full pay and not just statutory sick pay if we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still infected and spreading the disease .
The Local Restrictions Support Grant is also insufficient given the duration of the crisis and needs urgently increasing .
Over £1.8bn of business rate support has been returned by retailers , providing a source of finance to fund this additional support .
Longer term , the government must guarantee business interruption insurance for theatres and the live performance sector – in the film sector , this has got £1bn of production back in business .
With London ’ s business leaders , we have previously written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe and full reopening of London ’ s economy which included specific measures such as extension to the business rates holiday due to expire at end of March – if further restrictions are brought in now , many businesses will be on the brink of collapse and need clarity now .
An urgent government response to this roadmap is still needed .
We are also asking that you announce face coverings will be made mandatory in all busy outdoor spaces .
Many Londoners are now used to wearing face coverings , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help contain the virus , especially as many people including young people , are congregating in public places given the holiday season and given the high footfall on our high streets in the run up to Christmas .
We look forward to an urgent response on the matters we have raised .
It is important the above steps are taken , and our points addressed before any additional restrictions are placed on London .
Cc Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP , Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Rt Hon Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MHCLG Rt Hon Michael Gove MP , Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster & Minister for the Cabinet Office Paul Scully MP , Minister for London Sir Edward Lister , 10 Downing Street

London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Prime Minister to consider closing secondary schools early and for a longer period over Christmas, amid expectations that London will be bumped up to Tier 3 restrictions this week.
The Labour mayor has written to Boris Johnson with London Councils chair Georgia Gould to express concern over the rise in coronavirus cases in the capital and the need for extra support for workers and businesses.
Khan has demanded that the government urgently put in place priority testing for schools, a compensation scheme before further restrictions come in, and workers to receive “full pay and not just statutory sick pay” to enable self-isolation.
He and Gould, leader of Camden Council, have also suggested to the Prime Minister that face coverings should be “made mandatory in all busy outdoor spaces”, as there is high footfall on high streets due to Christmas shopping.
Khan said: “The surge in coronavirus cases across our capital is deeply concerning. I am calling on the government to urgently provide additional support to get the spread under control, save lives and livelihoods and ensure our NHS is not overwhelmed this winter.
“Increased testing is key to this, which is why I want to see regular asymptomatic testing extended to all those unable to work from home and to students and staff at London’s secondary schools, sixth-form college and FE colleges.”
He added: “2020 has been a dismal year for our once-thriving hospitality sector and world-famous cultural scene, which both contribute billions to our economy and attract millions of visitors. Without protecting them, there can be no meaningful recovery.”
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has indicated that the government will reject the demands on schools being closed earlier and kept closed for longer, telling Sky News: “Our overall message is we want to keep schools open.”
When asked about Khan’s school closures proposal during LBC’s ‘Call Keir’ session this morning, Keir Starmer did not offer his support to the idea. The Labour leader replied: “I am very reluctant to close our schools.”
London’s Greenwich Council has unilaterally decided to ask schools in the area to shut, with Labour council leader Danny Thorpe saying the borough was undergoing a period of “exponential growth” in Covid-19 cases.
The government is set to review coronavirus tier allocations on Wednesday, December 16th. It is expected that the results will be implemented from 19th, before five-day Christmas bubbles are allowed between 23rd and 27th.
Below is the full text of the letter from Sadiq Khan and Georgia Gould.
Dear Prime Minister,
Like you, we are deeply concerned in the rise in cases of Covid-19 across the capital. We are grateful for the government support, from this week, for increased testing in the worst hit boroughs so we can trace and isolate families who are preparing to mix with each other over the holiday period.
However, given the surge in cases in London, and in neighbouring counties of Kent and Essex, further urgent government action is needed to ensure we regain control of the virus. There can be no doubt as to the catastrophic impact Covid-19 has had on lives and livelihoods and our health and care system, not just in London, but the whole country. We are therefore calling on you to take further urgent measures, on the back of public health advice, to prevent a continued increase in cases and to highlight the additional support London needs should the government decide on new tougher restrictions.
Community testing and testing in schools
The biggest spread of the virus in the capital is within education settings and specifically amongst the 10-19 year old age group. If the government is considering moving London into Tier 3 – this will do nothing to address this, while having a catastrophic impact on our economy.
We are grateful that following discussions with the Secretaries of State for Health and MHCLG this week, Mobile Testing Units are now being rolled out in schools in the seven boroughs in North-East London. However, following the guidance that was issued to T3 regions last week on increased testing provision this now needs to be mobilised right across the capital, from tomorrow. London now has 17 local authorities where the 7-day case rate exceeds 200 cases per 100,000, and the 7-day case rate has risen in 32 local authorities compared to the previous week. Levels of testing in London remain the lowest in England and it is vital that asymptomatic testing is extended at a minimum to all Londoners who are unable to work from home, and to all pupils at secondary schools, sixth form and FE colleges this week, so that positive cases are able to self-isolate and prevent ongoing transmission to people in their communities.
All schools, sixth form and FE colleges, not just in the boroughs with higher levels of cases but across London, should be given priority testing tomorrow and Tuesday. This will allow urgent identification of positive cases and ensure those pupils and their families self-isolate before the holidays begin. This would also enable teachers and teaching staff to explain to pupils, before they break up, of the measures they need to take in the holiday period to prevent the spread of infection.
Furthermore, urgent consideration must also be given to closing secondary schools, sixth form and FE colleges a few days early and keeping them closed for longer after Christmas to allow for further testing. All secondary school age children should be able to receive regular testing from January in order to keep down transmission in schools and colleges and keep in-person education open and as safe as possible. Additional resources will also need to be given to support online learning and catch up provision if further restrictions are agreed to be necessary. In addition, it is also vital that there is improved government support for those who need to self-isolate and additional funding to boroughs to strengthen the encouragement of and practical support for those self-isolating.
Support for business
Should the government decide to move London to further restrictions, current support is insufficient to keep many businesses and the self-employed afloat. The Christmas and New Year period provides a huge part of annual takings for the hospitality, culture and events industries, and the period this year was likely to be the difference between businesses surviving the pandemic and failing. For example, UKHospitality warn a move to Tier 3 could see £2.7bn wiped off London hospitality, and up to160,000 jobs permanently at risk by the end of December. Many restaurant suppliers are holding large amounts of stock to cope with the additional Christmas and New Year demand. Much of this will now go to waste.
Theatres and venues in London have begun to reopen, many for the first time since March and after making their venues as safe as possible. Several major Christmas theatre productions are scheduled in December and January in the West End alone. Last minute cancellations of these could prove ruinous. Many did not receive support from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund and the impact on freelancers, artists and the supply chain ecosystem will be devastating. For London’s local independent cinemas, dependent on blockbuster Christmas film releases, closure now represents an existential threat.
The government needs to go much further and we are asking that you urgently put in place a compensation scheme – before any additional restrictions are placed – for all lost income for the crucial festive period based on last year’s returns. For new businesses, compensation should be based on estimates of income using data for similar firms. Workers who are required to self-isolate must also receive full pay and not just statutory sick pay if we are to prevent people returning to work when still infected and spreading the disease.
The Local Restrictions Support Grant is also insufficient given the duration of the crisis and needs urgently increasing. Over £1.8bn of business rate support has been returned by retailers, providing a source of finance to fund this additional support.
Longer term, the government must guarantee business interruption insurance for theatres and the live performance sector – in the film sector, this has got £1bn of production back in business.
With London’s business leaders, we have previously written to you with a roadmap for the safe and full reopening of London’s economy which included specific measures such as extension to the business rates holiday due to expire at end of March – if further restrictions are brought in now, many businesses will be on the brink of collapse and need clarity now. An urgent government response to this roadmap is still needed.
Mandatory wearing of face masks in busy outdoor spaces
We are also asking that you announce face coverings will be made mandatory in all busy outdoor spaces. Many Londoners are now used to wearing face coverings, for example on public transport. This additional step will help contain the virus, especially as many people including young people, are congregating in public places given the holiday season and given the high footfall on our high streets in the run up to Christmas.
We look forward to an urgent response on the matters we have raised. It is important the above steps are taken, and our points addressed before any additional restrictions are placed on London.
Yours sincerely,
Sadiq Khan Cllr Georgia Gould
Mayor of London Chair, London Councils
Cc Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for MHCLG
Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster & Minister for the Cabinet Office
Paul Scully MP, Minister for London
Sir Edward Lister, 10 Downing Street


labourlist--2020-12-15--Andy Burnham: Labour needs to become more enthusiastic about devolution

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has declared that the Labour Party “ needs to become more enthusiastic about devolution ” in an exclusive interview with LabourList about his role during Covid and bid for re-election .
“ I struggled more and more with Westminster the longer I was there , ” Burnham told LabourList when asked whether he is most at home in his current mayoral position , after for years serving as an MP and in various cabinet posts .
“ In this role , you can speak with authenticity , ” he said .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think devolution is something the party really needs to get behind .
This party of ours needs to get a plan together for the north of England.
” Referring to the Conservative slogan of ‘ levelling up ’ to tackle regional inequality , Burnham said of Labour : “ It needs to get its own version of levelling up .
It needs to become more enthusiastic about devolution .
And I think it starts next year.
” The Labour mayor later added : “ The government fought an election on the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a bit exposed as not really , really being there for the North , because it ’ s been trying to lock us down without giving us the support we need .
“ There ’ s an opportunity opened up again for Labour to come in and say , ‘ right , now hang on a minute , we really want to give more power to the North , more power to the North to do more for itself ’ .
“ More ability to put Labour policies in place ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s an attractive story .
And we ’ ve got to get in there and own it .
Before we let the government back in.
” While making the case that Labour nationally should advocate more strongly for devolution , Burnham revealed to LabourList that he is exploring the idea of a ‘ Northern Labour Manifesto ’ for metro mayors to develop and share .
On the mayoral elections taking place in May next year , including his own combined authority , he said : “ It ’ s such an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve got to use it as a bit of a referendum on English devolution .
“ I think the party should be saying : ‘ If you want more of this , more of a mandate for the masses , more power for local areas and combined authorities , then go out and vote in these elections ’ .
“ ‘ If you feel that your area hasn ’ t been fairly treated during this pandemic , make your voice heard in these elections.
’ And I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Tees Valley mayoral candidate Jessie Joe Jacobs , Burnham added : “ Jessie and I were talking today about whether we could have a Northern Labour Manifesto .
Could we agree , as mayors , that we will all do the same policy ?
“ So I ’ ll give you an example .
In Greater Manchester , we ’ ve got something called the good employment charter , which is about a real living wage , banning enforced zero-hours contracts , closing the gender pay gap in a really substantive document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken the same template , and they ’ re calling it the fair employment charter .
It would be great if Tracy [ Brabin ] and Jessie could get behind it as well , because then we build out the power of some of these Labour policies from the bottom up.
” Burnham came out in favour of scrapping the whip system as it currently functions in parliament , saying : “ I ’ ve come to this view that I think we should get rid of the whip system in parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Let them be free to really represent and really be champions of their areas .
And yeah , of course , on budget votes or the crucial confidence votes .
But just trust people that they will broadly vote with the Labour way , just allow them just to be that bit freer .
“ I think in terms of making the argument , if northern MPs , Labour MPs , got together and forced a Labour or a Conservative government to change their spending priorities on transport , Labour ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north , if they saw those MPs acting in that way .
“ But the whip system doesn ’ t allow that .
It kind of makes everyone all fall into a different position .
And I think that ’ s probably one of the reasons why the way politics is organised in Westminster doesn ’ t help people be really powerful advocates for the people who put them there.
” The Labour mayor also spoke in support of Lords reform , telling LabourList : “ I would say , let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senate of the regions and nations , and why shouldn ’ t elected mayors be in there ?
“ Because it remains the case in 2020 , unbelievably , that the great and the good , many of whom have never stood for election , are making our laws .
And parliamentary bills get changed more in the Lords .
It just can ’ t be right .
“ So change in parliament , and then maximum devolution of power out to the regions .
I think when you add all that together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exciting proposal .
And I think that ’ s where Gordon Brown is going with his vision of a more federal UK , and I strongly , strongly support what he ’ s saying.
” The Labour mayor described the policy of ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ , which means some migrants in the UK are not eligible to access to benefits such as income support or housing benefit , as “ just morally indefensible ” .
Noting that it was “ a Labour policy originally ” , Burnham said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some people can receive no support at all ” , adding : “ It ’ s a policy that says destitution is okay , in law .
And I just think we should just have none of it.
” He told LabourList : “ I ’ ll hold my hands up Sienna and say this : that policy , I didn ’ t fully understand it when I was in Westminster .
But now in this role , when I see the practical effects of it on the ground… Some of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be honest.
” Asked about the debate over school closures as a measure to tackle the spread of coronavirus , Burnham said he had “ a slightly different position to the Labour frontbench ” as he believed schools “ should have been included ” in the national lockdown .
“ I still think we should have done , because schools would have been less disrupted coming out of the national lockdown .
You know , because it is the case that kids are being sent home a lot , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be looked at a little differently.
” On his preferred approach to Covid , he explained : “ If I was running this thing right now , I would pretty much have the country in Tier Two .
I don ’ t think there ’ s evidence that this Tier Three is so much stronger than Tier Two .
They ’ ve given this green light to retail , I don ’ t think that is sensible at all.
” “ The difference between Tier Two and Tier Three , I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of a difference , ” Burnham said .
“ I would definitely not have had five days [ of relaxed rules ] at Christmas .
It ’ s far too risky , what they ’ re proposing .
“ And then when it comes to the new year , I probably would have a steady state of Tier Two , with national circuit breaks around the school holidays so that everyone can kind of see what ’ s coming and what ’ s ahead.
” He added : “ I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
The danger is just this mantra that ‘ schools must stay open ’ doesn ’ t pick up enough that some schools are heavily disrupted .
And there ’ s quite a random impact on the kids.
” Asked whether end-of-year exams should be scrapped in England as they have been by Labour in Wales , Burnham replied : “ I think we should move to a hybrid where there ’ s a basic exam but it ’ s largely done through centre assessments .
“ I ’ m not sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be happier with the Welsh model than what we ’ ve got in England at the moment , definitely.
” Coming out of the crisis Burnham said Labour was “ too timid ” in both the 2010 and 2015 general elections , particularly on social care .
“ Why are we so ambivalent about saying everyone should contribute for care , and pay it ?
And in the same way we do for the NHS ?
“ I honestly don ’ t understand it .
And that sort of timidity , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t necessarily gone away .
The party needs to be able to put forward big reforms , particularly coming out of this pandemic , ” he told LabourList .
Burnham said he “ wouldn ’ t rule out ” a return to Westminster , but added : “ I don ’ t sort of sit here plotting my return .
But there may come a day where I think , you know what , that social care reform , I ’ m coming back to do it.
” Below is the full @

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has declared that the Labour Party “needs to become more enthusiastic about devolution” in an exclusive interview with LabourList about his role during Covid and bid for re-election.
“I struggled more and more with Westminster the longer I was there,” Burnham told LabourList when asked whether he is most at home in his current mayoral position, after for years serving as an MP and in various cabinet posts.
“In this role, you can speak with authenticity,” he said. “I’m not plotting any return to Westminster. I think devolution is something the party really needs to get behind. This party of ours needs to get a plan together for the north of England.”
Referring to the Conservative slogan of ‘levelling up’ to tackle regional inequality, Burnham said of Labour: “It needs to get its own version of levelling up. It needs to become more enthusiastic about devolution. And I think it starts next year.”
The Labour mayor later added: “The government fought an election on the North, and this year it’s been a bit exposed as not really, really being there for the North, because it’s been trying to lock us down without giving us the support we need.
“There’s an opportunity opened up again for Labour to come in and say, ‘right, now hang on a minute, we really want to give more power to the North, more power to the North to do more for itself’.
“More ability to put Labour policies in place ahead of a Labour government. I think it’s an attractive story. And we’ve got to get in there and own it. Before we let the government back in.”
While making the case that Labour nationally should advocate more strongly for devolution, Burnham revealed to LabourList that he is exploring the idea of a ‘Northern Labour Manifesto’ for metro mayors to develop and share.
On the mayoral elections taking place in May next year, including his own combined authority, he said: “It’s such an opportunity for the party. And I think we’ve got to use it as a bit of a referendum on English devolution.
“I think the party should be saying: ‘If you want more of this, more of a mandate for the masses, more power for local areas and combined authorities, then go out and vote in these elections’.
“‘If you feel that your area hasn’t been fairly treated during this pandemic, make your voice heard in these elections.’ And I think it’s exciting.”
With reference to Labour’s Tees Valley mayoral candidate Jessie Joe Jacobs, Burnham added: “Jessie and I were talking today about whether we could have a Northern Labour Manifesto. Could we agree, as mayors, that we will all do the same policy?
“So I’ll give you an example. In Greater Manchester, we’ve got something called the good employment charter, which is about a real living wage, banning enforced zero-hours contracts, closing the gender pay gap in a really substantive document.
“Steve Rotheram has pretty much taken the same template, and they’re calling it the fair employment charter. It would be great if Tracy [Brabin] and Jessie could get behind it as well, because then we build out the power of some of these Labour policies from the bottom up.”
Westminster reforms
Burnham came out in favour of scrapping the whip system as it currently functions in parliament, saying: “I’ve come to this view that I think we should get rid of the whip system in parliament. Let people be advocates for their places.
“Let them be free to really represent and really be champions of their areas. And yeah, of course, on budget votes or the crucial confidence votes. But just trust people that they will broadly vote with the Labour way, just allow them just to be that bit freer.
“I think in terms of making the argument, if northern MPs, Labour MPs, got together and forced a Labour or a Conservative government to change their spending priorities on transport, Labour’s standing would go up in the north, if they saw those MPs acting in that way.
“But the whip system doesn’t allow that. It kind of makes everyone all fall into a different position. And I think that’s probably one of the reasons why the way politics is organised in Westminster doesn’t help people be really powerful advocates for the people who put them there.”
The Labour mayor also spoke in support of Lords reform, telling LabourList: “I would say, let’s have the House of Lords as a senate of the regions and nations, and why shouldn’t elected mayors be in there?
“Because it remains the case in 2020, unbelievably, that the great and the good, many of whom have never stood for election, are making our laws. And parliamentary bills get changed more in the Lords. It just can’t be right.
“So change in parliament, and then maximum devolution of power out to the regions. I think when you add all that together, it starts to feel like quite an exciting proposal. And I think that’s where Gordon Brown is going with his vision of a more federal UK, and I strongly, strongly support what he’s saying.”
No recourse to public funds
The Labour mayor described the policy of ‘no recourse to public funds’, which means some migrants in the UK are not eligible to access to benefits such as income support or housing benefit, as “just morally indefensible”.
Noting that it was “a Labour policy originally”, Burnham said it is “morally indefensible to say that some people can receive no support at all”, adding: “It’s a policy that says destitution is okay, in law. And I just think we should just have none of it.”
He told LabourList: “I’ll hold my hands up Sienna and say this: that policy, I didn’t fully understand it when I was in Westminster. But now in this role, when I see the practical effects of it on the ground… Some of these issues have been a re-education for me, to be honest.”
Covid restrictions
Asked about the debate over school closures as a measure to tackle the spread of coronavirus, Burnham said he had “a slightly different position to the Labour frontbench” as he believed schools “should have been included” in the national lockdown.
“I still think we should have done, because schools would have been less disrupted coming out of the national lockdown. You know, because it is the case that kids are being sent home a lot,” he said. “I think schools need to be looked at a little differently.”
On his preferred approach to Covid, he explained: “If I was running this thing right now, I would pretty much have the country in Tier Two. I don’t think there’s evidence that this Tier Three is so much stronger than Tier Two. They’ve given this green light to retail, I don’t think that is sensible at all.”
“The difference between Tier Two and Tier Three, I don’t think is going to make much of a difference,” Burnham said. “I would definitely not have had five days [of relaxed rules] at Christmas. It’s far too risky, what they’re proposing.
“And then when it comes to the new year, I probably would have a steady state of Tier Two, with national circuit breaks around the school holidays so that everyone can kind of see what’s coming and what’s ahead.”
He added: “I think the schools issue was a bit missed by people. The danger is just this mantra that ‘schools must stay open’ doesn’t pick up enough that some schools are heavily disrupted. And there’s quite a random impact on the kids.”
Asked whether end-of-year exams should be scrapped in England as they have been by Labour in Wales, Burnham replied: “I think we should move to a hybrid where there’s a basic exam but it’s largely done through centre assessments.
“I’m not sure entirely the Welsh model. But I would be happier with the Welsh model than what we’ve got in England at the moment, definitely.”
Coming out of the crisis
Burnham said Labour was “too timid” in both the 2010 and 2015 general elections, particularly on social care. “Why are we so ambivalent about saying everyone should contribute for care, and pay it? And in the same way we do for the NHS?
“I honestly don’t understand it. And that sort of timidity, I think, is a problem that hasn’t necessarily gone away. The party needs to be able to put forward big reforms, particularly coming out of this pandemic,” he told LabourList.
Burnham said he “wouldn’t rule out” a return to Westminster, but added: “I don’t sort of sit here plotting my return. But there may come a day where I think, you know what, that social care reform, I’m coming back to do it.”
Below is the full interview


labourlist--2020-12-14--Scottish Labour general secretary Michael Sharpe quits

Scottish Labour ’ s general secretary Michael Sharpe has announced that he will be leaving the top post ahead of Scottish parliamentary elections taking place in May next year .
Sharpe released a statement via Twitter this afternoon , which reads : “ After deep consideration and discussions with my family , I will be leaving my post as Scottish general secretary .
“ The Labour Party has always been – and will continue to be – a cherished part of my life .
It ’ s been an honour to work with the party in Holyrood for nine years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now more than ever , we need the radical progressive change that only Labour can bring .
I will continue to help Richard Leonard and Keir Starmer return Labour to government in Scotland and the UK and to help Labour to power in local councils across the country .
“ However , with elections for the Scottish Parliament five months away , I realise that I can not give my young family and the party I love the commitment that they each deserve .
“ I want to take this opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all the party members , our talented staff , our elected representatives at all levels and our trade union comrades for all that they do to advance the cause of labour.
” Commenting on Sharpe ’ s decision to step down , Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said : “ I would like to put on record my thanks and appreciation to Michael Sharpe for all he has done for the Scottish Labour Party .
“ For over a decade Michael has dedicated his life to the party .
His extensive political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be greatly missed but I know he will continue to campaign for the party in the future .
“ I respect his decision to take a step back from the high demands of the role of general secretary in order to focus on his young family .
I wish him , Laura and Maxton all the very best for the next chapter in their lives .
”

Scottish Labour’s general secretary Michael Sharpe has announced that he will be leaving the top post ahead of Scottish parliamentary elections taking place in May next year.
Sharpe released a statement via Twitter this afternoon, which reads: “After deep consideration and discussions with my family, I will be leaving my post as Scottish general secretary.
“The Labour Party has always been – and will continue to be – a cherished part of my life. It’s been an honour to work with the party in Holyrood for nine years before joining as Scottish general secretary.
“Now more than ever, we need the radical progressive change that only Labour can bring. I will continue to help Richard Leonard and Keir Starmer return Labour to government in Scotland and the UK and to help Labour to power in local councils across the country.
“However, with elections for the Scottish Parliament five months away, I realise that I cannot give my young family and the party I love the commitment that they each deserve.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Richard as leader of Scottish Labour, all the party members, our talented staff, our elected representatives at all levels and our trade union comrades for all that they do to advance the cause of labour.”
Commenting on Sharpe’s decision to step down, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “I would like to put on record my thanks and appreciation to Michael Sharpe for all he has done for the Scottish Labour Party.
“For over a decade Michael has dedicated his life to the party. His extensive political acumen and policy knowledge and skills will be greatly missed but I know he will continue to campaign for the party in the future.
“I respect his decision to take a step back from the high demands of the role of general secretary in order to focus on his young family. I wish him, Laura and Maxton all the very best for the next chapter in their lives.”


labourlist--2020-12-14--Fixing test and trace “fiercely urgent”, says Labour as new Covid variant found

Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth has emphasised the need to fix testing and tracing after Matt Hancock announced that a “ new variant ” of coronavirus was identified in the UK and London is set to enter Tier 3 .
Responding to a Covid update from the Health Secretary in parliament this afternoon , the Shadow Health Secretary asked the government to keep MPs updated on the new variant of the virus .
Hancock had used his parliamentary statement this afternoon to warn that a new variant is “ growing faster than the existing variants ” and “ may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East of England ” .
He said : “ We ’ ve currently identified over a thousand cases of this variant , predominately in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different areas and numbers are increasingly significantly.
” But Hancock told MPs that “ the medical advice we have is that it is highly unlikely this new variant will impinge the vaccine ” and there is no evidence so far that the new variant is likely to cause worse ill health than that already seen .
Ashworth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases and hospital admissions across the country , and expressed concern over the performance of the government ’ s tier system of Covid restrictions .
The Labour frontbencher said : “ Last week , the England-wide rate was 159 per 100,000 .
Now it ’ s 188 per 100,000 .
That ’ s a 20 % increase .
Across London cases have increased 30 % in a week , the East of England 36 % .
“ None of us are surprised at the action he is taking today .
Indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be enough to contain the spread of this virus .
Now it looks like in some areas , such as Kent , Tier 3 isn ’ t enough to contain the spread either.
” Hancock announced to parliament that the capital , along with parts of Essex and Hertfordshire , would enter Tier 3 from Wednesday .
The next review of Covid cases and measures will take place on December 23rd and weekly thereafter .
Ashworth added : “ As things stand , we are heading into the Christmas easing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiers were supposed to provide is getting much thinner .
So what is his plan to keep people safe through Christmas ?
“ What is his plan to keep people safe through Christmas and to avoid huge pressures in the NHS in January ?
What is his plan to support an exhausted , understaffed NHS through January to deliver the care patients will need ?
“ And is he confident that our NHS won ’ t be so overwhelmed in January that it impacts the vaccination programme ?
” The Shadow Health Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England to Covid “ could have been stronger had Serco ’ s contact tracing not left a gaping hole in our defences ” , and he criticised the performance of the outsourced tracing system .
He highlighted that many local authorities in London had seen poor levels of contact tracing by the outsourced provider , such as reaching only 65 % of Covid contacts in Islington , 60 % in Tower Hamlets and 61 % in Barking .
Ashworth reminded MPs that the test and trace system currently costs the taxpayer £22bn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more than the budgets of both the police and fire services combined .
“ Serco have subcontracted to 21 other firms offering little training to staff , ” Ashworth told the Commons .
“ With some in call centres alongside others making sales calls for gambling websites.
” Reiterating the call for more local authority involvement , he said : “ Surely , it ’ s time to scrap Serco and put all public health teams in the lead doing the retrospective cluster busting contact tracing we need.
” The transition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for London and parts of the South East will see thousands of bars , pubs and restaurants close .
They will still be able to operate takeaway , delivery and click and collect services .
Under Tier 3 restrictions , people are not allowed to meet socially indoors or in private gardens with anyone they do not live with or with anyone not in their support bubble .
But rules will be relaxed for five days over Christmas .
London mayor Sadiq Khan and London Councils chair Georgia Gould this morning called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools early and for a longer period over the festive period .
Khan and Gould demanded an immediate increase in the level of Covid testing provision in London and a compensation scheme to be put in place for businesses ahead of any further restrictions being imposed on the city .
Commenting on the decision made this afternoon to move London into the highest tier , Khan said : “ This is incredibly disappointing for our businesses who have suffered so much already this year .
“ But it ’ s clear that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again across London and the lives of Londoners are at risk.
” The latest data showed almost 24,000 confirmed cases in London in a week and cases rising in every borough .
Public Health England figures show that Havering in East London has the highest proportion of cases , at 470 per 100,000 people .
The greatest surge of coronavirus cases in the capital , compared with the number of cases recorded in the previous week , has been seen in the North London borough of Enfield , which saw a dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxing Covid rules over Christmas , the Prime Minister ’ s spokesperson this morning said : “ There is no plan to review the Christmas guidance .
But what we ’ ve said alongside that is that the public should continue to be cautious.
” On whether Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions could be ‘ toughened up ’ , the spokesperson said : “ We ’ ve set out Tier 3 and what it entails .
It ’ s important that the public continue to adhere to the guidance .
”

Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has emphasised the need to fix testing and tracing after Matt Hancock announced that a “new variant” of coronavirus was identified in the UK and London is set to enter Tier 3.
Responding to a Covid update from the Health Secretary in parliament this afternoon, the Shadow Health Secretary asked the government to keep MPs updated on the new variant of the virus.
Hancock had used his parliamentary statement this afternoon to warn that a new variant is “growing faster than the existing variants” and “may be associated with faster spread in the South East of England”.
He said: “We’ve currently identified over a thousand cases of this variant, predominately in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different areas and numbers are increasingly significantly.”
But Hancock told MPs that “the medical advice we have is that it is highly unlikely this new variant will impinge the vaccine” and there is no evidence so far that the new variant is likely to cause worse ill health than that already seen.
Ashworth also commented this afternoon on the increasing number of cases and hospital admissions across the country, and expressed concern over the performance of the government’s tier system of Covid restrictions.
The Labour frontbencher said: “Last week, the England-wide rate was 159 per 100,000. Now it’s 188 per 100,000. That’s a 20% increase. Across London cases have increased 30% in a week, the East of England 36%.
“None of us are surprised at the action he is taking today. Indeed he was warned that Tier 2 wouldn’t be enough to contain the spread of this virus. Now it looks like in some areas, such as Kent, Tier 3 isn’t enough to contain the spread either.”
Hancock announced to parliament that the capital, along with parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, would enter Tier 3 from Wednesday. The next review of Covid cases and measures will take place on December 23rd and weekly thereafter.
Ashworth added: “As things stand, we are heading into the Christmas easing with diminishing headroom. The buffer zone these tiers were supposed to provide is getting much thinner. So what is his plan to keep people safe through Christmas?
“What is his plan to keep people safe through Christmas and to avoid huge pressures in the NHS in January? What is his plan to support an exhausted, understaffed NHS through January to deliver the care patients will need?
“And is he confident that our NHS won’t be so overwhelmed in January that it impacts the vaccination programme?”
The Shadow Health Secretary told the chamber that the response in England to Covid “could have been stronger had Serco’s contact tracing not left a gaping hole in our defences”, and he criticised the performance of the outsourced tracing system.
He highlighted that many local authorities in London had seen poor levels of contact tracing by the outsourced provider, such as reaching only 65% of Covid contacts in Islington, 60% in Tower Hamlets and 61% in Barking.
Ashworth reminded MPs that the test and trace system currently costs the taxpayer £22bn, which the Shadow Health Secretary pointed out is more than the budgets of both the police and fire services combined.
“Serco have subcontracted to 21 other firms offering little training to staff,” Ashworth told the Commons. “With some in call centres alongside others making sales calls for gambling websites.”
Reiterating the call for more local authority involvement, he said: “Surely, it’s time to scrap Serco and put all public health teams in the lead doing the retrospective cluster busting contact tracing we need.”
The transition to the more severe set of Covid restrictions for London and parts of the South East will see thousands of bars, pubs and restaurants close. They will still be able to operate takeaway, delivery and click and collect services.
Under Tier 3 restrictions, people are not allowed to meet socially indoors or in private gardens with anyone they do not live with or with anyone not in their support bubble. But rules will be relaxed for five days over Christmas.
London mayor Sadiq Khan and London Councils chair Georgia Gould this morning called on the Prime Minister to consider closing secondary schools early and for a longer period over the festive period.
Khan and Gould demanded an immediate increase in the level of Covid testing provision in London and a compensation scheme to be put in place for businesses ahead of any further restrictions being imposed on the city.
Commenting on the decision made this afternoon to move London into the highest tier, Khan said: “This is incredibly disappointing for our businesses who have suffered so much already this year.
“But it’s clear that the virus is accelerating in the wrong direction once again across London and the lives of Londoners are at risk.”
The latest data showed almost 24,000 confirmed cases in London in a week and cases rising in every borough. Public Health England figures show that Havering in East London has the highest proportion of cases, at 470 per 100,000 people.
The greatest surge of coronavirus cases in the capital, compared with the number of cases recorded in the previous week, has been seen in the North London borough of Enfield, which saw a dramatic increase of 74.1%.
Asked about relaxing Covid rules over Christmas, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson this morning said: “There is no plan to review the Christmas guidance. But what we’ve said alongside that is that the public should continue to be cautious.”
On whether Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions could be ‘toughened up’, the spokesperson said: “We’ve set out Tier 3 and what it entails. It’s important that the public continue to adhere to the guidance.”


labourlist--2020-12-14--We need root-and-branch reform of Labour’s policy-making process

The Labour Party is carrying out another review of its policy-making process .
It is the fifth such review since the creation of the national policy forum ( NPF ) 20 years ago .
If the party is serious this time about developing a more open , inclusive , transparent and democratic policy-making process , which reaches out beyond the party , then root-and-branch reform is necessary .
The reality is that a lot of policy ends up being developed by shadow ministers and their advisers , often with input from external interest groups .
This is not always necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really want Labour members and the public to play a meaningful role , the process must change .
I get the sense that member input into policy-making is not taken very seriously , and this is in part because a relatively small number of party members engage in policy development and neither they nor the membership more broadly is necessarily representative of broader opinion on many issues .
Most of us are also not experts in writing policy , nor do we have the time to do so .
And the party itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support policy development .
The key to a successful policy development process is that it is more accessible , engages more members and in different ways , but also reaches beyond the membership to the public , particularly those groups hardest to reach and most underrepresented in our party , alongside engagement with unions , businesses , charities , community groups , etc .
If we want to be a party of government , we need policies that represent the interests of a majority in the country – in line with our values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
We need a greater focus on policy in the party , with more staff in HQ and regional offices to support policy development and member/public engagement .
And yes , policy should be evidence-based and informed by experts .
I have five suggestions for how the party can develop such a process : 1 .
There needs to be a new , easier way , using technology , for members , representatives , branches , Constituency Labour Parties ( CLPs ) , Local Government Committees ( LGCs ) , socialist societies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track their outcomes and edit and endorse eventual policy proposals .
This should not replace a good debate at a CLP meeting on an issue , but provide a way for all members to contribute something and see the results of their efforts .
We have become better as a party at using technology to reach out , yet often it feels like a one-way dialogue .
New tech tools used in workplaces to engage employees could be adapted to create a real two-way conversation and make members feel like their voice is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2 .
The party needs to invest in bringing in experts to turn ideas generated by members into costed , workable policy position papers in line with our values .
We can and should make better use of experts to help us develop our policy proposals into deliverable plans for government .
This would both help us to develop better , evidence-based policies , with input from those they would impact , and also counter the onslaught of attacks we receive from the right-wing press for what sometimes seem like ill-thought out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have survived rigorous independent analysis ?
3 .
We need a bigger policy development team in head office and dedicated staff in regional teams responsible for member and public engagement on policy .
We can not possibly match the resource or expertise available when in government , but we can beef up our existing policy team and grow our regional teams with dedicated staff that would lead a programme of member and public engagement on policy-making .
They would seek ideas and consult on proposals from members and party units , work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage the public , lobby groups , local businesses , charities and community groups .
Ordinary people want to have their say .
I once organised a policy consultation event on behalf of an MP I worked for and 100 normal people – not members – turned up to a cold school gymnasium on a wet Sunday afternoon to discuss ideas with councillors and shadow ministers .
But such examples are few and far between .
We rightly focus on campaigning and there is little resource or time for local volunteers to commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can support local efforts would make a huge difference .
4 .
Labour ’ s NPF as it stands is not fit for purpose and needs restructuring or replacing with something new .
I am sure its members work very hard , but I have no idea who is supposed to represent me and I ’ ve never been asked for my view on anything .
I also do not know how a handful of volunteers elected regionally from whichever faction is more dominant at the time , and who do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expected to represent the whole membership let alone the wider public whose input and support we need .
Perhaps we should cut out the middle man , or perhaps there is a way to create a truly representative policy-making body that is properly resourced , with access to expert advice , and able to more effectively engage the membership and the public .
5 .
Funding should be made available to local parties pitching good ideas for public engagement with policy development to encourage outreach and broader input .
If local parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resources to undertake local policy development work , there would be much greater take-up than there is at present and the end product would be more useful .
The very local level is also the best place to engage with hard to reach groups .
The new regional engagement staff could have access to a budget that parties could bid for to hold local events or do some detailed outreach with particular communities or interest groups .
There are a dozen things I can think of that I would organise in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you agree with me , write to our local party representatives on Labour ’ s national executive committee .
Let ’ s ensure we get a policy development process that is truly open , inclusive , transparent and democratic , and that will lead to a policy platform with broad support among the party membership and members of the public come the next general election .

The Labour Party is carrying out another review of its policy-making process. It is the fifth such review since the creation of the national policy forum (NPF) 20 years ago. If the party is serious this time about developing a more open, inclusive, transparent and democratic policy-making process, which reaches out beyond the party, then root-and-branch reform is necessary.
The reality is that a lot of policy ends up being developed by shadow ministers and their advisers, often with input from external interest groups. This is not always necessarily a bad thing – but if we really want Labour members and the public to play a meaningful role, the process must change.
I get the sense that member input into policy-making is not taken very seriously, and this is in part because a relatively small number of party members engage in policy development and neither they nor the membership more broadly is necessarily representative of broader opinion on many issues. Most of us are also not experts in writing policy, nor do we have the time to do so. And the party itself has a relatively small policy team to support policy development.
The key to a successful policy development process is that it is more accessible, engages more members and in different ways, but also reaches beyond the membership to the public, particularly those groups hardest to reach and most underrepresented in our party, alongside engagement with unions, businesses, charities, community groups, etc.
If we want to be a party of government, we need policies that represent the interests of a majority in the country – in line with our values – not just the interests of party members. We need a greater focus on policy in the party, with more staff in HQ and regional offices to support policy development and member/public engagement. And yes, policy should be evidence-based and informed by experts.
I have five suggestions for how the party can develop such a process:
1. There needs to be a new, easier way, using technology, for members, representatives, branches, Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs), Local Government Committees (LGCs), socialist societies and unions to submit policy ideas, track their outcomes and edit and endorse eventual policy proposals. This should not replace a good debate at a CLP meeting on an issue, but provide a way for all members to contribute something and see the results of their efforts. We have become better as a party at using technology to reach out, yet often it feels like a one-way dialogue. New tech tools used in workplaces to engage employees could be adapted to create a real two-way conversation and make members feel like their voice is really being heard at the highest levels.
2. The party needs to invest in bringing in experts to turn ideas generated by members into costed, workable policy position papers in line with our values. We can and should make better use of experts to help us develop our policy proposals into deliverable plans for government. This would both help us to develop better, evidence-based policies, with input from those they would impact, and also counter the onslaught of attacks we receive from the right-wing press for what sometimes seem like ill-thought out policies. Would free broadband for everyone have survived rigorous independent analysis?
3. We need a bigger policy development team in head office and dedicated staff in regional teams responsible for member and public engagement on policy. We cannot possibly match the resource or expertise available when in government, but we can beef up our existing policy team and grow our regional teams with dedicated staff that would lead a programme of member and public engagement on policy-making. They would seek ideas and consult on proposals from members and party units, work with Labour MPs, councillors and members to engage the public, lobby groups, local businesses, charities and community groups.
Ordinary people want to have their say. I once organised a policy consultation event on behalf of an MP I worked for and 100 normal people – not members – turned up to a cold school gymnasium on a wet Sunday afternoon to discuss ideas with councillors and shadow ministers. But such examples are few and far between. We rightly focus on campaigning and there is little resource or time for local volunteers to commit to policy development. Dedicated regional staff who can support local efforts would make a huge difference.
4. Labour’s NPF as it stands is not fit for purpose and needs restructuring or replacing with something new. I am sure its members work very hard, but I have no idea who is supposed to represent me and I’ve never been asked for my view on anything. I also do not know how a handful of volunteers elected regionally from whichever faction is more dominant at the time, and who do not have access to members, can possibly be expected to represent the whole membership let alone the wider public whose input and support we need. Perhaps we should cut out the middle man, or perhaps there is a way to create a truly representative policy-making body that is properly resourced, with access to expert advice, and able to more effectively engage the membership and the public.
5. Funding should be made available to local parties pitching good ideas for public engagement with policy development to encourage outreach and broader input. If local parties were supported with guidance, best practice and resources to undertake local policy development work, there would be much greater take-up than there is at present and the end product would be more useful. The very local level is also the best place to engage with hard to reach groups. The new regional engagement staff could have access to a budget that parties could bid for to hold local events or do some detailed outreach with particular communities or interest groups. There are a dozen things I can think of that I would organise in my area if we had access to resources.
If you agree with me, write to our local party representatives on Labour’s national executive committee. Let’s ensure we get a policy development process that is truly open, inclusive, transparent and democratic, and that will lead to a policy platform with broad support among the party membership and members of the public come the next general election.


labourlist--2020-12-14--Starmer criticised for not challenging racist conspiracy theory on LBC

Keir Starmer has been criticised for failing to directly challenge the white supremacist views of an LBC caller who joined his ‘ Call Keir ’ session this morning and promoted a conspiracy theory advocated by racists .
The Labour leader made clear repeatedly that he disagreed with the view that football players taking the knee should be booed , but he did not confront the other dangerous comments of the caller today .
Update , 3.10pm : Asked for comment on the LBC exchange this morning , a Labour spokesperson told LabourList : “ Keir completely rejects the racist conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A long history of migration has made Britain the great country it is today .
Under Keir ’ s leadership , the Labour Party stands for a patriotism that is built on the total inclusion of Brits from all ethnic backgrounds .
“ Keir gave a robust defence of sportspeople taking the knee to shine a light on the deep racial inequalities and injustices against Black , Asian and minority ethnic people that exist in our society .
“ Keir believes that these public displays of support have kept this vital cause front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it continues.
” The caller , who said her husband joined the booing of Millwall players for protesting racism , asked whether white people should “ also start playing identity politics now before they become a minority themselves by 2066 ” .
In asking the question , the caller introduced as Gemma promoted the white replacement conspiracy theory advanced by white nationalists and the far right .
Neither host Nick Ferrari nor Starmer picked up on it .
Responding to the initial question , Starmer said : “ Gemma , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there ’ s no getting away from that .
I really don ’ t think it was the right thing to do.
” She interrupted to ask : “ But do you agree with freedom of expression , should people have the right to do that ?
” Starmer replied : “ Of course I agree with freedom of expression , but that is also the freedom for me to say I think it ’ s the wrong thing to do .
“ Gemma , I ’ m really struck actually that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – clubs , all fans , across the piece are applauding the taking of the knee , certainly all the clubs that I ’ ve seen are applauding that .
I think Millwall was an outlier in that respect .
“ I think it was wrong .
What this represents is a recognition of injustice that has gone on for many , many years in relation to racial inequality .
It ’ s come to a head this year , as everybody knows .
We just need to hold on to that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband chose to boo the players .
She repeated the belief that “ racial inequality is now against the indigenous people of Britain because we are set to become a minority by 2066 ” .
The caller added : “ We just have to look across to the Middle East .
Israel has a state law that they are the only people in that country to have self-determination .
Why can ’ t I , as a white British female , have that same right ?
” Starmer replied : “ Gemma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about recognising some injustices that have gone on for a very long time , and I think people were genuinely moved this year and want to make sure that that injustice is dealt with .
“ People will look at it different ways but I think the vast majority of people do want a more equal society.
” Commenting on the exchange , Labour MP Clive Lewis said : “ For neither the presenter nor Keir to , at the very least , explore further , unpack and robustly challenge such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whittome MP said : “ This is a ‘ Great Replacement ’ conspiracy theory as old as time .
We must be able to recognise and robustly challenge white supremacy – especially when it is promoted on national radio.
” Zarah Sultana MP said : “ When white supremacist conspiracy theories and racist undemocratic laws are promoted on national radio , they must be called-out and vigorously challenged .
That ’ s a duty on presenters and on politicians.
” Labour national executive committee member Mish Rahman referred to the unconscious bias training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s missing in unconscious bias training is the ability to condemn outright white supremacy.
” Matthew McGregor of HOPE not hate said : “ Politicians of every stripe need to be able to spot fascist chat and call it out there and then .
The sort of language Keir was confronted with today needs to be challenged every time it gets an airing .
”

Keir Starmer has been criticised for failing to directly challenge the white supremacist views of an LBC caller who joined his ‘Call Keir’ session this morning and promoted a conspiracy theory advocated by racists.
The Labour leader made clear repeatedly that he disagreed with the view that football players taking the knee should be booed, but he did not confront the other dangerous comments of the caller today.
Update, 3.10pm: Asked for comment on the LBC exchange this morning, a Labour spokesperson told LabourList: “Keir completely rejects the racist conspiracy theory that this caller espoused.
“A long history of migration has made Britain the great country it is today. Under Keir’s leadership, the Labour Party stands for a patriotism that is built on the total inclusion of Brits from all ethnic backgrounds.
“Keir gave a robust defence of sportspeople taking the knee to shine a light on the deep racial inequalities and injustices against Black, Asian and minority ethnic people that exist in our society.
“Keir believes that these public displays of support have kept this vital cause front and centre of public consciousness and hopes it continues.”
The caller, who said her husband joined the booing of Millwall players for protesting racism, asked whether white people should “also start playing identity politics now before they become a minority themselves by 2066”.
In asking the question, the caller introduced as Gemma promoted the white replacement conspiracy theory advanced by white nationalists and the far right. Neither host Nick Ferrari nor Starmer picked up on it.
Responding to the initial question, Starmer said: “Gemma, I don’t think it was right to boo, there’s no getting away from that. I really don’t think it was the right thing to do.”
She interrupted to ask: “But do you agree with freedom of expression, should people have the right to do that?”
Starmer replied: “Of course I agree with freedom of expression, but that is also the freedom for me to say I think it’s the wrong thing to do.
“Gemma, I’m really struck actually that most – I think pretty well all – clubs, all fans, across the piece are applauding the taking of the knee, certainly all the clubs that I’ve seen are applauding that. I think Millwall was an outlier in that respect.
“I think it was wrong. What this represents is a recognition of injustice that has gone on for many, many years in relation to racial inequality. It’s come to a head this year, as everybody knows. We just need to hold on to that.”
Ferrari later asked the caller why her husband chose to boo the players. She repeated the belief that “racial inequality is now against the indigenous people of Britain because we are set to become a minority by 2066”.
The caller added: “We just have to look across to the Middle East. Israel has a state law that they are the only people in that country to have self-determination. Why can’t I, as a white British female, have that same right?”
Starmer replied: “Gemma, we all have those rights. This is about recognising some injustices that have gone on for a very long time, and I think people were genuinely moved this year and want to make sure that that injustice is dealt with.
“People will look at it different ways but I think the vast majority of people do want a more equal society.”
Commenting on the exchange, Labour MP Clive Lewis said: “For neither the presenter nor Keir to, at the very least, explore further, unpack and robustly challenge such an extreme statement is frankly appalling.”
Nadia Whittome MP said: “This is a ‘Great Replacement’ conspiracy theory as old as time. We must be able to recognise and robustly challenge white supremacy – especially when it is promoted on national radio.”
Zarah Sultana MP said: “When white supremacist conspiracy theories and racist undemocratic laws are promoted on national radio, they must be called-out and vigorously challenged. That’s a duty on presenters and on politicians.”
Labour national executive committee member Mish Rahman referred to the unconscious bias training taken by Starmer, saying: “What’s missing in unconscious bias training is the ability to condemn outright white supremacy.”
Matthew McGregor of HOPE not hate said: “Politicians of every stripe need to be able to spot fascist chat and call it out there and then. The sort of language Keir was confronted with today needs to be challenged every time it gets an airing.”