labourlist--2020-10-10--Dr Rosena Allin-Khan on World Mental Health Day: “We will get through this”

Labour ’ s shadow minister for mental health Rosena Allin-Khan has delivered the message on World Mental Health Day , taking place amid the coronavirus pandemic , that “ we will get through this ” .
In an exclusive interview with LabourList , the Labour frontbencher , former deputy leadership candidate and NHS doctor – who is undertaking a shift at her local emergency department this morning – said : “ It ’ s okay not to feel okay .
“ Everyone has been impacted by this virus in some way , shape or form , and the Labour Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s important that we keep hopeful and we understand that we are all in this together , we will get through this , it won ’ t last forever.
” Allin-Khan was appointed by Keir Starmer in April as Labour ’ s spokesperson for mental health in the shadow cabinet , where she is shadowing Nadine Dorries .
Throughout Covid-19 , the Labour MP has worked 12-hour shifts in her local Tooting hospital .
“ I ’ m enjoying the role immensely .
It was quite interesting adopting a novel approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their arguments in health questions by creating a video in which I unpicked the response that the minister gave me , ” she told LabourList .
Allin-Khan on Friday did not have the opportunity to respond to the answers of Nadine Dorries at ‘ health questions ’ in the chamber , and instead made a video that she tweeted to address the comments online instead .
Dorries had said that she did “ not recognise ” Allin-Khan ’ s description of the “ pending mental health crisis in our schools , colleges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strict rules for students on campuses .
The Labour MP told LabourList : “ I ’ m not sure what parallel universe she is living in – particularly when the Education Secretary himself acknowledges that students will be suffering with their mental health.
” On her approach to the shadow cabinet post , Allin-Khan said : “ I ’ m trying to bring some fight to the role , make the government feel hot under the collar and keep them on their toes .
Because ultimately our communities deserve it.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as she has been “ working throughout the Covid pandemic and then also having my dad in a care home and not being able to see him , just trying to manage homeschooling , while also taking on a new job ” .
Allin-Khan added : “ Really being in the shadow cabinet and being in a role that I ’ ve not been in before – it ’ s like taking on a new job , and I hadn ’ t thought about that until recently .
I think there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I rose to the challenge .
“ I certainly learnt to be kinder to myself and that ’ s really helped .
Accepting that I ’ m only human and I don ’ t need to do everything all of the time .
I can take five minutes for myself and it ’ s okay not to feel okay sometimes.
” The MP for Tooting stood as a candidate for Labour ’ s deputy leadership post earlier this year , which saw her place second after Angela Rayner – despite being relatively unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I didn ’ t expect to come runner-up , ” she said .
“ It was really quite fun and exciting but required a lot of energy .
On the back of a general election , I was fighting in a campaign where I realise that only 5 % of members knew who I was – rightly so , because I was such a new MP.
” She added : “ That was really exciting , but obviously I had to travel around the country , so I was already physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But me being me and having all the energy in the world , I kept going , and it was only this summer that I thought , ‘ gosh I do feel ready for a bit of a break ’ .
” On her work as a doctor and an MP , Allin-Khan told LabourList : “ If I ’ m going to be a mental health champion , I want to be able to do that from the frontline of the NHS as well as in parliament .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been gifted to be able to do – serve my community in the NHS – that I keep doing that .
“ Obviously having a shadow cabinet role and working so hard on that and having a constituency where people are on their knees… I haven ’ t been able to do as many shifts as I may have done before , but I ’ m still keeping them up very regularly.
” Asked about her experiences of working in A & E during Covid-19 , she said : “ During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more unwell .
Often people would stay away from A & E because they were concerned that they might catch the virus or concerned that they didn ’ t want to overwhelm the staff .
“ Everybody ’ s actually very kind and thinks ‘ the hospital is overwhelmed and I don ’ t want to make it more difficult for them , I don ’ t want to be a burden ’ , but I would say : please , please come .
Please come and see us .
“ When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have Covid , I was seeing them more unwell than they might ordinarily be .
For example , if someone was having a mental health issue , they were having a real crisis by the time I saw them.
” The Labour frontbencher has put forward a ‘ Care for Carers ’ plan designed to support the mental health of over three million NHS and care staff in England by offering fast-tracked help such as a new 24/7 national hotline .
Dr Allin-Khan said : “ It ’ s really important to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porters , cleaners .
Anyone that went to work was clearly feeling vulnerable about their safety , but also a porter or cleaner can meet a bereaved family outside the intensive care and be affected by that.
” She added : “ There is a distinct need in the NHS and with our care staff to support people who found it particularly stressful , being around Covid patients all of the time and having to break the most horrific news and break families ’ hearts.
” Although she has invited ministers to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health should not be a political football ” , the shadow minister said “ the government has refused to meet with me about it ” .
While the opposition frontbencher expressed concern over the economic impact of Covid-19 on mental health and the effects of the “ unclear messaging from government ” on people ’ s lives , she wanted to deliver a “ really positive message of hope ” on World Mental Health Day .
“ We are an incredibly country , ” she told LabourList in the interview , reflecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recent interventions .
“ We have really come together and done things we really never could have imagined doing .
“ Who would have thought that we would have to spend months schooling our children from home , working in strange times in a weird environment , feeling anxious about our jobs ?
But I do think we ’ ve come together incredibly well .
“ We are such a resilient country .
And in the Labour Party , we know what it is to support our neighbours… It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an impact on people ’ s mental health .
The government has to acknowledge this .
“ I see it as my role in the shadow cabinet to really make sure it ’ s on the government agenda .
And to highlight that mental health as a brief doesn ’ t exist in a health silo : this is about working together with my colleagues in education , housing , local government .
To get it right for people.
” She added : “ I think it ’ s really important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sense of hope , but to also know that although it might seem parliament isn ’ t able to interact as normal we are fighting your corner .
We are not letting anything slide… “ This isn ’ t about trying to undo the damage of the last general election and winning back seats , this is about how we genuinely care about everyone and their lives and their mental health and wellbeing .
”

Labour’s shadow minister for mental health Rosena Allin-Khan has delivered the message on World Mental Health Day, taking place amid the coronavirus pandemic, that “we will get through this”.
In an exclusive interview with LabourList, the Labour frontbencher, former deputy leadership candidate and NHS doctor – who is undertaking a shift at her local emergency department this morning – said: “It’s okay not to feel okay.
“Everyone has been impacted by this virus in some way, shape or form, and the Labour Party is here to fight your corner. It’s important that we keep hopeful and we understand that we are all in this together, we will get through this, it won’t last forever.”
Allin-Khan was appointed by Keir Starmer in April as Labour’s spokesperson for mental health in the shadow cabinet, where she is shadowing Nadine Dorries. Throughout Covid-19, the Labour MP has worked 12-hour shifts in her local Tooting hospital.
“I’m enjoying the role immensely. It was quite interesting adopting a novel approach this week with picking apart some of their arguments in health questions by creating a video in which I unpicked the response that the minister gave me,” she told LabourList.
Allin-Khan on Friday did not have the opportunity to respond to the answers of Nadine Dorries at ‘health questions’ in the chamber, and instead made a video that she tweeted to address the comments online instead.
Dorries had said that she did “not recognise” Allin-Khan’s description of the “pending mental health crisis in our schools, colleges and universities” following the disruption of exams and strict rules for students on campuses.
The Labour MP told LabourList: “I’m not sure what parallel universe she is living in – particularly when the Education Secretary himself acknowledges that students will be suffering with their mental health.”
On her approach to the shadow cabinet post, Allin-Khan said: “I’m trying to bring some fight to the role, make the government feel hot under the collar and keep them on their toes. Because ultimately our communities deserve it.”
She described recent months as “challenging” as she has been “working throughout the Covid pandemic and then also having my dad in a care home and not being able to see him, just trying to manage homeschooling, while also taking on a new job”.
Allin-Khan added: “Really being in the shadow cabinet and being in a role that I’ve not been in before – it’s like taking on a new job, and I hadn’t thought about that until recently. I think there’s a lot going on but I hope I rose to the challenge.
“I certainly learnt to be kinder to myself and that’s really helped. Accepting that I’m only human and I don’t need to do everything all of the time. I can take five minutes for myself and it’s okay not to feel okay sometimes.”
The MP for Tooting stood as a candidate for Labour’s deputy leadership post earlier this year, which saw her place second after Angela Rayner – despite being relatively unknown compared to her rivals in the contest.
“I didn’t expect to come runner-up,” she said. “It was really quite fun and exciting but required a lot of energy. On the back of a general election, I was fighting in a campaign where I realise that only 5% of members knew who I was – rightly so, because I was such a new MP.”
She added: “That was really exciting, but obviously I had to travel around the country, so I was already physically tired when we went into the pandemic. But me being me and having all the energy in the world, I kept going, and it was only this summer that I thought, ‘gosh I do feel ready for a bit of a break’.”
On her work as a doctor and an MP, Allin-Khan told LabourList: “If I’m going to be a mental health champion, I want to be able to do that from the frontline of the NHS as well as in parliament. I think it’s important that what I’ve been gifted to be able to do – serve my community in the NHS – that I keep doing that.
“Obviously having a shadow cabinet role and working so hard on that and having a constituency where people are on their knees… I haven’t been able to do as many shifts as I may have done before, but I’m still keeping them up very regularly.”
Asked about her experiences of working in A&E during Covid-19, she said: “During the pandemic, people were generally coming in more unwell. Often people would stay away from A&E because they were concerned that they might catch the virus or concerned that they didn’t want to overwhelm the staff.
“Everybody’s actually very kind and thinks ‘the hospital is overwhelmed and I don’t want to make it more difficult for them, I don’t want to be a burden’, but I would say: please, please come. Please come and see us.
“When I was seeing patients that didn’t have Covid, I was seeing them more unwell than they might ordinarily be. For example, if someone was having a mental health issue, they were having a real crisis by the time I saw them.”
The Labour frontbencher has put forward a ‘Care for Carers’ plan designed to support the mental health of over three million NHS and care staff in England by offering fast-tracked help such as a new 24/7 national hotline.
Dr Allin-Khan said: “It’s really important to me that we leave nobody behind – hospital porters, cleaners. Anyone that went to work was clearly feeling vulnerable about their safety, but also a porter or cleaner can meet a bereaved family outside the intensive care and be affected by that.”
She added: “There is a distinct need in the NHS and with our care staff to support people who found it particularly stressful, being around Covid patients all of the time and having to break the most horrific news and break families’ hearts.”
Although she has invited ministers to discuss the proposals with her, because “mental health should not be a political football”, the shadow minister said “the government has refused to meet with me about it”.
While the opposition frontbencher expressed concern over the economic impact of Covid-19 on mental health and the effects of the “unclear messaging from government” on people’s lives, she wanted to deliver a “really positive message of hope” on World Mental Health Day.
“We are an incredibly country,” she told LabourList in the interview, reflecting the patriotism and positivity of Keir Starmer’s recent interventions. “We have really come together and done things we really never could have imagined doing.
“Who would have thought that we would have to spend months schooling our children from home, working in strange times in a weird environment, feeling anxious about our jobs? But I do think we’ve come together incredibly well.
“We are such a resilient country. And in the Labour Party, we know what it is to support our neighbours… It’s about saying: of course this has had an impact on people’s mental health. The government has to acknowledge this.
“I see it as my role in the shadow cabinet to really make sure it’s on the government agenda. And to highlight that mental health as a brief doesn’t exist in a health silo: this is about working together with my colleagues in education, housing, local government. To get it right for people.”
She added: “I think it’s really important for people’s mental health to feel a sense of hope, but to also know that although it might seem parliament isn’t able to interact as normal we are fighting your corner. We are not letting anything slide…
“This isn’t about trying to undo the damage of the last general election and winning back seats, this is about how we genuinely care about everyone and their lives and their mental health and wellbeing.”


labourlist--2020-10-10--Labour must stand shoulder to shoulder with retail and hospitality workers

As UK retail and hospitality have been badly impacted by coronavirus , employees across the sectors face an unprecedented present and an unpredictable future .
Around 1.7 million retail and hospitality workers have been furloughed since the pandemic started .
And since the end of the first wave of Covid , many businesses have opened fewer branches and taken half of their employees back to work with new safety measures , with the remaining workers staying on furlough .
125,000 retail jobs have been lost this year and 14,000 shops have permanently closed .
The retail sector is facing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for the Labour Party and its local and national leaders to go the extra mile and play a vital role – not only to save business in the high streets , but also to protect its employees .
Recent analysis by Labour found that there will be more job losses in November when the new job support scheme kicks off , as it will do little to stop the rise of unemployment , and there are gaps in the Chancellor ’ s most recent announcement .
The government recently rejected a call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect retail workers from abuse .
This will make the retail workers day-to-day job more challenging , as they now have an additional duty to follow the new safety measures with a reduced amount of staff in the business .
Some customers have not been following the government ’ s rules – such as wearing a mask , keeping their distance , using hand sanitiser – whether they are shopping in a super market , buying their lunch or dinner from a café or drinking pints in a pub .
We saw reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitality staff , while customers “ abused ” them , while the government promoted its ‘ Eat Out to Help Out ’ scheme .
The mandatory 10pm hospitality closing time in England has a big impact on staff when businesses are dealing with large crowds of customers with only half of their employees .
The hospitality employees have to work extra hard , without flexibility , to fulfil the business needs within the reduced time .
And they are earning less than before as they can not do a full shift , contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew .
Businesses big and small across the retail and hospitality sectors have taken advantage of government schemes throughout the pandemic .
They have received a good package of financial support , which costs billions of pounds .
But some of these businesses are planning to send their employees home empty-handed .
Many of them have already said they will have to consider making job cuts after the government ’ s furlough scheme ends if demand does not pick up to levels seen before Covid damaged sales .
Some retail employers have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since reopening , but their sales will not recover to pre-pandemic levels as long as social distancing rules are in place .
The Union of Shop , Distributive and Allied Workers ( Usdaw ) has urged the parliament for an urgent recovery plan to save the retail sector , from which shopworkers will undoubtedly benefit .
Labour needs to work with Usdaw and push the government to introduce an industrial strategy and recovery plan to protect existing jobs and businesses ; to create new employment for people out of work ; and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of workers so that employers can not change contractual hourly wages and other employment rights , which are also part of the human rights of a shopworker .
Within Labour ’ s proposal for a targeted , sector-based approach , the party leadership should consider prioritising the retail and hospitality sectors while also fighting for the rights of NHS staffs and care workers .
There is much Covid-related legislation that has been introduced by the government to protect the public .
The Labour leadership should push the government for a new jobs campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a possible sunset clause , if needed .
The law should be introduced to protect the jobs and rights of shopworkers .
Employment law has not been developed to protect retail staff from potential income and job losses , especially during the pandemic .
This is the time for Labour politicians to scrutinise business , and to look at the profit they have gained in previous years .
Labour must examine the future strategies of companies and offer to help protect the jobs of retail workers .
The government should also look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been taking loans , tax reliefs and cash grants and see what they have done to protect their employees .
The new job support scheme will start from November 1st , as set out in the winter economy plan and accompanying factsheet .
Labour has already warned that half of all jobs in the hospitality sector will be at risk and business owners have repeatedly claimed the scheme will not benefit them , let alone the employees .
If there is anything of use in the Chancellor ’ s plan , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same way the furlough scheme has benefited employers more than the ordinary employee .
If Labour does not come forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with retail and hospitality workers , they will be left behind and neglected by their millionaire bosses .
Key workers across both sectors have been undervalued for too long .
The public must be reminded that they have been working bravely and tirelessly , risking their lives , while serving our communities to fulfil the demands of our daily , essential needs .
Labour , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the trade unions , must continue to fight for the rights of these key workers .
That ’ s why its alternative economic plan should demand a distinct “ recover jobs , retrain workers and rebuild business ” for the retail and hospitality sector in particular .

As UK retail and hospitality have been badly impacted by coronavirus, employees across the sectors face an unprecedented present and an unpredictable future. Around 1.7 million retail and hospitality workers have been furloughed since the pandemic started. And since the end of the first wave of Covid, many businesses have opened fewer branches and taken half of their employees back to work with new safety measures, with the remaining workers staying on furlough.
125,000 retail jobs have been lost this year and 14,000 shops have permanently closed. The retail sector is facing a massive crisis, and this is the time for the Labour Party and its local and national leaders to go the extra mile and play a vital role – not only to save business in the high streets, but also to protect its employees. Recent analysis by Labour found that there will be more job losses in November when the new job support scheme kicks off, as it will do little to stop the rise of unemployment, and there are gaps in the Chancellor’s most recent announcement.
The government recently rejected a call from the unions to introduce legislation to protect retail workers from abuse. This will make the retail workers day-to-day job more challenging, as they now have an additional duty to follow the new safety measures with a reduced amount of staff in the business. Some customers have not been following the government’s rules – such as wearing a mask, keeping their distance, using hand sanitiser – whether they are shopping in a super market, buying their lunch or dinner from a café or drinking pints in a pub.
We saw reports in August showing employers “overworked” hospitality staff, while customers “abused” them, while the government promoted its ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. The mandatory 10pm hospitality closing time in England has a big impact on staff when businesses are dealing with large crowds of customers with only half of their employees. The hospitality employees have to work extra hard, without flexibility, to fulfil the business needs within the reduced time. And they are earning less than before as they cannot do a full shift, contracted hours or overtime due to the 10pm curfew.
Businesses big and small across the retail and hospitality sectors have taken advantage of government schemes throughout the pandemic. They have received a good package of financial support, which costs billions of pounds. But some of these businesses are planning to send their employees home empty-handed. Many of them have already said they will have to consider making job cuts after the government’s furlough scheme ends if demand does not pick up to levels seen before Covid damaged sales. Some retail employers have said they have been encouraged by their performance since reopening, but their sales will not recover to pre-pandemic levels as long as social distancing rules are in place.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) has urged the parliament for an urgent recovery plan to save the retail sector, from which shopworkers will undoubtedly benefit. Labour needs to work with Usdaw and push the government to introduce an industrial strategy and recovery plan to protect existing jobs and businesses; to create new employment for people out of work; and to introduce new legislation to protect the contract of workers so that employers cannot change contractual hourly wages and other employment rights, which are also part of the human rights of a shopworker. Within Labour’s proposal for a targeted, sector-based approach, the party leadership should consider prioritising the retail and hospitality sectors while also fighting for the rights of NHS staffs and care workers.
There is much Covid-related legislation that has been introduced by the government to protect the public. The Labour leadership should push the government for a new jobs campaign and to introduce Covid-19 related employment law with a possible sunset clause, if needed. The law should be introduced to protect the jobs and rights of shopworkers. Employment law has not been developed to protect retail staff from potential income and job losses, especially during the pandemic. This is the time for Labour politicians to scrutinise business, and to look at the profit they have gained in previous years. Labour must examine the future strategies of companies and offer to help protect the jobs of retail workers. The government should also look at the plans for those businesses that have been taking loans, tax reliefs and cash grants and see what they have done to protect their employees.
The new job support scheme will start from November 1st, as set out in the winter economy plan and accompanying factsheet. Labour has already warned that half of all jobs in the hospitality sector will be at risk and business owners have repeatedly claimed the scheme will not benefit them, let alone the employees. If there is anything of use in the Chancellor’s plan, it will only advance big business in much the same way the furlough scheme has benefited employers more than the ordinary employee.
If Labour does not come forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with retail and hospitality workers, they will be left behind and neglected by their millionaire bosses. Key workers across both sectors have been undervalued for too long. The public must be reminded that they have been working bravely and tirelessly, risking their lives, while serving our communities to fulfil the demands of our daily, essential needs. Labour, as a soulmate of working-class people, directly supported by the trade unions, must continue to fight for the rights of these key workers. That’s why its alternative economic plan should demand a distinct “recover jobs, retrain workers and rebuild business” for the retail and hospitality sector in particular.


labourlist--2020-10-11--Sunday shows: PM “gone missing” while Covid decisions being made, says Nandy

Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy said Labour will not vote down Covid measures planned for the North “ with nothing in its place ” , but slammed the Prime Minister for having “ gone missing ” while restrictions have been decided .
• On the public response over Covid measures in the North : “ People feel that they haven ’ t just been abandoned by the government , they now feel that the government is actively working against us.
” • On the need for more support : “ We have people ringing our offices saying : ‘ Have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow ?
’ If they don ’ t do something quickly , they ’ re not just going to lose control of the virus – they ’ re going to lose trust.
” • Asked about calls for a parliamentary vote to reject the measures : “ We will be looking for mechanisms to make sure there is a vote.
” • She added : “ What we really want , though , is the government to come forward with a package of financial support that enables people to comply with the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the financial support outlined by government : “ The financial package is not sufficient .
We don ’ t want to get rid of what the Chancellor has done… but the help is by no means good enough.
” • On the challenge facing people : “ If he doesn ’ t think again , we will have people being evicted .
We ’ re in the middle of winter and a global pandemic .
This is really not a sensible way to continue.
” • On a vote : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package with nothing in its place… But we certainly will be seeking to find a way to force a vote in the House of Commons for a better support package.
” • On rules that would restrict travel and stop people leaving their local areas : “ It is oppressive , of course it is .
But it is also potentially necessary.
” • On measures restricting pubs : “ It is probably right to say that there are going to have to be restrictions on pubs .
I think that the length @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably is part of the driving force around this.
” • On evidence not being shared with local government : “ It is absolutely absurd that the mayor of Greater Manchester , who is seeing very high transmission rates in his area , can not get access to that data.
” • Asked if it is a good idea to close bars and restaurants : “ It is starting to look like that is necessary.
” • Put to her that workplaces , colleges and schools are greater sources of transmission : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week contradicted that .
It said that pubs , hospitality , were the major source of transmission.
” • She added : “ But this just shows how absurd it is that the government hasn ’ t shared this information , and we have a Prime Minister who has gone missing all weekend while these decisions are being made.
” • Asked why Labour is planning to abstain on the 10pm hospitality curfew , she said that it is “ clear that we do need further restrictions ” , and added that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the way it ’ s being implemented ” .
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick also appeared on the show this morning .
Asked if the country is heading for a national lockdown , he said : “ None of us want to return to a blanket national lockdown.
” He told viewers today that the government would be “ making use of local councils to do contact tracing ” but refused to say that control of the contract tracing system would be handed over to local authorities .
He added : “ People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder to reach communities , are bound to be better than Whitehall or national contact tracers.
” Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds discussed the Covid measures , as well as calling for an investigation following accusations that allocation of money through the Towns Fund favoured Tory battleground seats .
• On new Covid restrictions in the North : “ The first thing I just have to put on the record is the level of anger and frustration in towns and constituencies like mine at the way this has been happening.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been leaks to newspapers , there has been no consultation with local leaders .
People feel they are being treated with contempt and not with respect.
” • On the need for new rules : “ There are going to have to be further measures and the reason for that is the government has lost control.
” • On extra support needed : “ There are other things the government could do .
We haven ’ t yet got sick pay for everybody – the payment of £500 to people that was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eligible for that.
” • On the risk of more people breaking restrictions : “ It is a worry , to be frank .
At the beginning , we talked in the country about how there might be lockdown fatigue .
That is definitely more of a feature.
” • On Covid restrictions elsewhere : “ Just look over there to Wales and what they ’ ve been able to do is far superior to what we ’ ve got in England , so there are real lessons they ’ ve got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew : “ We back restrictions in hospitality as long as they ’ ve got the economic support that should go with that ` .
” • On an upcoming vote : “ It ’ s not a vote specifically on the 10pm rule , it ’ s a vote on all of the package of measures affecting areas like this .
When the infection rate is as it is in constituencies like mine , you can ’ t be arguing for less restrictions.
” • On Labour ’ s call for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund : “ We found out where that money has gone has very much been directed by ministers to what look like Conservative election battlegrounds.
” • On accusations against the Housing Secretary : “ We know that ministers have directly tried to influence that .
They have , in Robert Jenrick ’ s case , sat on the local board that made the application and then tried to cover that up.
” • He added : “ The whole question has always been a murky one on how this money has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions to answer and an investigation is the right way forward.
” Jenrick rejected accusations of failing to communicate with regional leaders , following reports they found out about restrictions from newspapers , arguing that he was “ trying to work very closely with mayors and council leaders ” .
Responding to whether the government should be doing more to support jobs after criticism of the Chancellor ’ s new job support scheme , the Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary said : “ We can ’ t do everything.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Towns Fund and argued the allegations were “ political point-scoring stories that are completely baseless ” .
He added that the allocations had been made on a “ robust and fair methodology ” .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said testing in Scotland , which is running at half its 30,000 daily capacity , was “ demand-led ” and was building up for winter when “ we are likely to see more people with symptoms ” .
She called out those who have criticised her role in the Alex Salmond scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a woman that ends up answering for them ” when a man is accused of misconduct against women .

The Andrew Marr Show
Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy said Labour would not vote down the government’s Covid measures for the North of England as some restrictions are needed, but slammed the Prime Minister for having “gone missing” while restrictions have been decided.
On the public response to Covid measures in the North: “People feel that they haven’t just been abandoned by the government, they now feel that the government is actively working against us.”
On the need for more support: “We have people ringing our offices saying: ‘Have I got a job to go to tomorrow?’ If they don’t do something quickly, they’re not just going to lose control of the virus – they’re going to lose trust.”
On calls for a parliamentary vote to reject the measures in the North: “We will be looking for mechanisms to make sure that there is a vote… What we really want, though, is the government to come forward with a package of financial support that enables people to comply with the health restrictions.”
On the current proposals and the financial support available: “The financial package is not sufficient. We don’t want to get rid of what the Chancellor has done… but the help is by no means good enough.”
On the challenge facing people: “If he doesn’t think again, we will have people being evicted. We’re in the middle of winter and a global pandemic. This is really not a sensible way to carry on.”
On a vote: “We wouldn’t vote down a support package with nothing in its place. That wouldn’t be a responsible thing to do at all. But we certainly will be seeking to find a way to force a vote in the House of Commons for a better support package.” She added that the mayors have suggested legal action if the government does not offer more support.
On rules that would restrict travel and stop people leaving their local areas: “It is oppressive, of course it is. But it is also potentially necessary.”
On measures restricting pubs: “It is probably right to say that there are going to have to be restrictions on pubs. I think that the length of time young people spend in pubs probably is part of the driving force around this.”
On evidence not being shared with local government: “It is absolutely absurd that the mayor of Greater Manchester, who is seeing very high transmission rates in his area, cannot get access to that data.”
Asked if it is a good idea to close bars and restaurants: “It is starting to look like that is necessary.”
Put to her that workplaces, colleges and schools are greater sources of transmission: “The data that we were shown last week contradicted that. It said that pubs, hospitality, were the major source of transmission.”
She added: “But this just shows how absurd it is that the government hasn’t shared this information, and we have a Prime Minister who has gone missing all weekend while these decisions are being made.”
Asked why Labour is planning to abstain on the 10pm hospitality curfew, she said it is “clear that we do need further restrictions”, and added that the problems with the rule are caused by “the way it’s being implemented”.
People feel the government is actively working against parts of northern England says Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy
#Marr #Covid_19 https://t.co/JYYPxtoIYk pic.twitter.com/0h5zeldyAW — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 11, 2020
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick also appeared on the show this morning. Asked if the country is heading for a national lockdown, he said: “None of us want to return to a blanket national lockdown.”
He told viewers today that the government would be “making use of local councils to do contact tracing” but refused to say that control of the contract tracing system would be handed over to local authorities.
He added: “People who know their own community, particularly harder to reach communities, are bound to be better than Whitehall or national contact tracers.”
Sophy Ridge on Sunday
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Reynolds discussed the Covid measures, as well as calling for an investigation following accusations that allocation of money through the Towns Fund favoured Tory battleground seats.
On new Covid restrictions in the North: “The first thing I just have to put on the record is the level of anger and frustration in towns and constituencies like mine at the way this has been happening.”
He added: “There have been leaks to newspapers, there has been no consultation with local leaders. People feel they are being treated with contempt and not with respect.”
On the need for new rules: “There are going to have to be further measures and the reason for that is the government has lost control.”
On extra support needed: “There are other things the government could do. We haven’t yet got sick pay for everybody – the payment of £500 to people that was announced, only one in eight workers are eligible for that.”
On the risk of more people breaking restrictions: “It is a worry, to be frank. At the beginning, we talked in the country about how there might be lockdown fatigue. That is definitely more of a feature.”
On Covid restrictions elsewhere: “Just look over there to Wales and what they’ve been able to do is far superior to what we’ve got in England, so there are real lessons they’ve got to learn.”
On the 10pm hospitality curfew: “We back restrictions in hospitality as long as they’ve got the economic support that should go with that.”
On an upcoming vote: “It’s not a vote specifically on the 10pm rule, it’s a vote on all of the package of measures affecting areas like this. When the infection rate is as it is in constituencies like mine, you can’t be arguing for less restrictions.”
On Labour’s call for an investigation into Robert Jenrick regarding the Towns Fund: “We found out where that money has gone has very much been directed by ministers to what look like Conservative election battlegrounds.”
On accusations against the Housing Secretary: “We know that ministers have directly tried to influence that. They have, in Robert Jenrick’s case, sat on the local board that made the application and then tried to cover that up.”
He added: “The whole question has always been a murky one on how this money has been allocated, the Secretary of State has questions to answer and an investigation is the right way forward.”
Does Labour back the 10pm curfew for hospitality?@jreynoldsMP "We back restrictions in hospitality as long as they've got the economic support that should go with that" but he thinks it'll be "rendered obsolete" by tomorrow's announcements.https://t.co/pCgCjM7pvx#Ridge pic.twitter.com/rVHJFL678V — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) October 11, 2020
Jenrick rejected accusations of failing to communicate with regional leaders, following reports they found out about restrictions from newspapers, arguing that he was “trying to work very closely with mayors and council leaders”.
Responding to whether the government should be doing more to support jobs after criticism of the Chancellor’s new job support scheme, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary said: “We can’t do everything.”
He also rejected the call for an investigation into the Towns Fund and argued the allegations were “political point-scoring stories that are completely baseless”. He claimed the allocations had been made on a “robust and fair methodology”.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said testing in Scotland, which is running at half its 30,000 daily capacity, was “demand-led” and was building up for winter when “we are likely to see more people with symptoms”.
She called out those who have criticised her role in the Alex Salmond scandal, and argued that “often it’s a woman that ends up answering for them” when a man is accused of misconduct against women.
Alastair Campbell, former spokesman for Tony Blair and Downing Street press secretary, marked World Mental Health Day by highlighting the link between economic crises and suicide. He said: “I don’t have any sense of the government planning for this.”


labourlist--2020-10-11--Just one in four tenants safe from revenge evictions, says Generation Rent

Generation Rent has warned that just one in four private renters are currently protected from a revenge eviction if their home is found to be unsafe and called on the government to abolish ‘ no-fault ’ evictions .
The group has today revealed data secured through freedom of information requests , which shows that 11,801 severe hazards in homes were registered across 81 English councils in 2018-19 but only 2,898 improvement notices were issued .
The notices , issued in just 24.6 % of all cases analysed by the housing campaign , give tenants six months of protection from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landlord does not need to cite a reason for evicting a tenant from their property .
Generation Rent has argued that the 75 % of residents in unsafe homes who have not been given this level of protection are at risk of a retaliatory eviction from their landlord now that the Covid-19 emergency ban on evictions has been lifted .
Commenting on the new findings , director of the organisation Alicia Kennedy said : “ With courts reopening there is nothing to stop landlords from evicting tenants who have done nothing wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a leading cause of homelessness among those who rent from a private landlord yet , despite being promised in the Queen ’ s speech , we still have no idea when they will publish the bill to abolish it.
” The group highlighted that today marks one year since the public consultation on abolishing the piece of legislation closed .
Both Boris Johnson and predecessor Theresa May pledged to end no-fault evictions but failed to act on that promise .
Kennedy added : “ Boris Johnson can not let another year go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with leaks and mould , or another 30,000 families being made homeless at their landlord ’ s whim .
“ The answer to the inadequacy of the rental market is not 95 % mortgages , but a whole package of measures that make it possible for anyone to make their long-term home in it.
” The new data also exposed a disparity between different councils .
Local authorities in Croydon , East Yorkshire , Lewisham and Liverpool all issued improvement notices on about 90 % of hazards that they discovered .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Southend on Sea and Wigan were among six councils that have failed to issue a single improvement notice to landlords , leaving tenants unprotected from retaliatory evictions .
In a previous poll , carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation , of tenants evicted under section 21 notices revenge was cited as the third most frequent reason , behind the property being repurposed and landlords raising the level of rent .
The Conservative government first promised to abolish no-fault evictions in April 2019 .
Generation Rent has warned that there will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the notices since the ban on evictions has come to an end .
The government introduced legislation in March that stopped landlords from taking court proceedings to evict people during the pandemic .
But the suspension lifted on September 21st despite charities and Labour calling for its extension .
Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire at the time highlighted that , instead of bringing forward protections for renters , the government prioritised time in parliament for Brexit legislation including the controversial internal market bill .
322,000 people have fallen into rent arrears since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shelter , while councils have said that as many as half a million private renters are at risk of homelessness now the ban has been lifted .

Generation Rent has warned that just one in four private renters are currently protected from a revenge eviction if their home is found to be unsafe and called on the government to abolish ‘no-fault’ evictions.
The group has today revealed data secured through freedom of information requests, which shows that 11,801 severe hazards in homes were registered across 81 English councils in 2018-19 but only 2,898 improvement notices were issued.
The notices, issued in just 24.6% of all cases analysed by the housing campaign, give tenants six months of protection from a section 21 eviction – under which a landlord does not need to cite a reason for evicting a tenant from their property.
Generation Rent has argued that the 75% of residents in unsafe homes who have not been given this level of protection are at risk of a retaliatory eviction from their landlord now that the Covid-19 emergency ban on evictions has been lifted.
Commenting on the new findings, director of the organisation Alicia Kennedy said: “With courts reopening there is nothing to stop landlords from evicting tenants who have done nothing wrong.
“The government knows that section 21 is a leading cause of homelessness among those who rent from a private landlord yet, despite being promised in the Queen’s speech, we still have no idea when they will publish the bill to abolish it.”
The group highlighted that today marks one year since the public consultation on abolishing the piece of legislation closed. Both Boris Johnson and predecessor Theresa May pledged to end no-fault evictions but failed to act on that promise.
Kennedy added: “Boris Johnson cannot let another year go by with tenants being bullied into putting up with leaks and mould, or another 30,000 families being made homeless at their landlord’s whim.
“The answer to the inadequacy of the rental market is not 95% mortgages, but a whole package of measures that make it possible for anyone to make their long-term home in it.”
The new data also exposed a disparity between different councils. Local authorities in Croydon, East Yorkshire, Lewisham and Liverpool all issued improvement notices on about 90% of hazards that they discovered.
But Brighton & Hove, Kingston upon Thames, Southend on Sea and Wigan were among six councils that have failed to issue a single improvement notice to landlords, leaving tenants unprotected from retaliatory evictions.
In a previous poll, carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, of tenants evicted under section 21 notices revenge was cited as the third most frequent reason, behind the property being repurposed and landlords raising the level of rent.
The Conservative government first promised to abolish no-fault evictions in April 2019. Generation Rent has warned that there will now be an increase in the usage of the notices since the ban on evictions has come to an end.
The government introduced legislation in March that stopped landlords from taking court proceedings to evict people during the pandemic. But the suspension lifted on September 21st despite charities and Labour calling for its extension.
Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire at the time highlighted that, instead of bringing forward protections for renters, the government prioritised time in parliament for Brexit legislation including the controversial internal market bill.
322,000 people have fallen into rent arrears since the pandemic started, according to housing charity Shelter, while councils have said that as many as half a million private renters are at risk of homelessness now the ban has been lifted.


labourlist--2020-10-11--£630m in taxpayer money spent on Amazon contracts, TUC analysis shows

The TUC has criticised the government as up to £630m of taxpayers ’ money has been spent on contracts with tech giant Amazon over the last five years – despite its poor record on workers ’ rights .
The new analysis , conducted for the Trades Union Congress and the GMB union , found that in 2020 alone Amazon has been given contracts worth over £23m , including several in Test and Trace valued at £8.3m .
The trade union federation is now urging the government to put pressure on Amazon via its upcoming employment bill and “ level up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly mistreats its workers .
TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ This is a key test for the government ’ s levelling up agenda .
If ministers are serious about improving lives , they must help ‘ level up ’ working conditions at places like Amazon .
“ Amazon workers have played a key role during this pandemic .
But many are treated like disposable labour .
That is not right .
Public contracts should not reward bad working practices .
“ The government must use its purchasing power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and a wage they can live on .
And the government must get on with introducing its long-awaited employment bill .
This is a golden opportunity to boost rights and pay.
” The new research shows that central government procurement accounts for 82 different contracts that were awarded to Amazon in the last five years , which have a total lifetime value of £225m .
The tech giant also received a staggering £405m contract from the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation ( YPO ) to create a digital marketplace for the 13 local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called out over 600 times to 14 Amazon warehouses in Britain between 2015 and 2018 , according to a freedom of information request filed by GMB .
Amazon ’ s chief executive is the world ’ s richest person , Jeff Bezos .
GMB national officer Mick Rix said : “ Amazon is trousering hundreds of millions of taxpayers ’ hard-earned cash through public sector contracts – while paying a pittance in tax on their vast profits .
It ’ s beyond parody .
“ Meanwhile , workers in Amazon warehouses are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the toilet using bins and bottles and are now contracting Covid while packed into warehouses like sardines .
“ This report is a warning to the public sector that it can no longer turn a blind eye to Amazon ’ s exploitative practices… It ’ s time for the UK government and safety regulators to either tell Amazon ’ s management to put their house in order or send them packing.
” The TUC has called on the government to include a variety of new measures to protect workers , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its proposed employment bill that was announced as part of the Queen ’ s Speech last year .
The union body wants the legislation to ensure unions have access to workplaces , to ban zero-hour contracts , end bogus self-employment claims and strengthen liability laws to protect the rights of workers in supply chains .
Amazon has a history of being hostile to any attempts to unionise its workforce in the fight for better pay and conditions , particularly in the US where it issued management with training videos on how to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including GMB , Usdaw and CWU in the UK , called on the European Commission to investigate Amazon last month for alleged “ illegal ” spying after it posted job listings for two analysts to track “ labor organising threats ” .
The latest revelations about Amazon ’ s contracts follow criticism of the government ’ s use of private firms during coronavirus .
Labour earlier this month accused Downing Street of “ rewarding private sector failings ” .
Serco and Sitel , the two firms hired by the government to help run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are set to receive over £1bn for their work on the scheme .
Serco receives 40 % of its annual revenue from running UK public services .
The TUC is hosting a panel this afternoon titled ‘ Challenging Amazon – what can we do about Amazon ’ s treatment of workers ?
‘ .
A range of trade union figures will discuss Amazon ’ s exploitation of workers .

The TUC has criticised the government as up to £630m of taxpayers’ money has been spent on contracts with tech giant Amazon over the last five years – despite its poor record on workers’ rights.
The new analysis, conducted for the Trades Union Congress and the GMB union, found that in 2020 alone Amazon has been given contracts worth over £23m, including several in Test and Trace valued at £8.3m.
The trade union federation is now urging the government to put pressure on Amazon via its upcoming employment bill and “level up” conditions amid accusations that the company badly mistreats its workers.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This is a key test for the government’s levelling up agenda. If ministers are serious about improving lives, they must help ‘level up’ working conditions at places like Amazon.
“Amazon workers have played a key role during this pandemic. But many are treated like disposable labour. That is not right. Public contracts should not reward bad working practices.
“The government must use its purchasing power to ensure people are given dignity at work and a wage they can live on. And the government must get on with introducing its long-awaited employment bill. This is a golden opportunity to boost rights and pay.”
The new research shows that central government procurement accounts for 82 different contracts that were awarded to Amazon in the last five years, which have a total lifetime value of £225m.
The tech giant also received a staggering £405m contract from the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) to create a digital marketplace for the 13 local authorities covered by the YPO.
Ambulances were called out over 600 times to 14 Amazon warehouses in Britain between 2015 and 2018, according to a freedom of information request filed by GMB. Amazon’s chief executive is the world’s richest person, Jeff Bezos.
GMB national officer Mick Rix said: “Amazon is trousering hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash through public sector contracts – while paying a pittance in tax on their vast profits. It’s beyond parody.
“Meanwhile, workers in Amazon warehouses are being taken away in ambulances, forced to go to the toilet using bins and bottles and are now contracting Covid while packed into warehouses like sardines.
“This report is a warning to the public sector that it can no longer turn a blind eye to Amazon’s exploitative practices… It’s time for the UK government and safety regulators to either tell Amazon’s management to put their house in order or send them packing.”
The TUC has called on the government to include a variety of new measures to protect workers, such as those in Amazon warehouses, in its proposed employment bill that was announced as part of the Queen’s Speech last year.
The union body wants the legislation to ensure unions have access to workplaces, to ban zero-hour contracts, end bogus self-employment claims and strengthen liability laws to protect the rights of workers in supply chains.
Amazon has a history of being hostile to any attempts to unionise its workforce in the fight for better pay and conditions, particularly in the US where it issued management with training videos on how to combat trade unionism.
Unions across Europe, including GMB, Usdaw and CWU in the UK, called on the European Commission to investigate Amazon last month for alleged “illegal” spying after it posted job listings for two analysts to track “labor organising threats”.
The latest revelations about Amazon’s contracts follow criticism of the government’s use of private firms during coronavirus. Labour earlier this month accused Downing Street of “rewarding private sector failings”.
Serco and Sitel, the two firms hired by the government to help run the national test and trace programme, are set to receive over £1bn for their work on the scheme. Serco receives 40% of its annual revenue from running UK public services.
The TUC is hosting a panel this afternoon titled ‘Challenging Amazon – what can we do about Amazon’s treatment of workers?‘. A range of trade union figures will discuss Amazon’s exploitation of workers.


labourlist--2020-10-12--Sunak support schemes will save only 230,000 jobs, new research finds

New research has found that only 230,000 jobs will be saved by the Chancellor ’ s new job support schemes in the coronavirus pandemic while predicting that just under two million people in otherwise viable work will be made unemployed .
The analysis by the Institute of Public Policy Research ( IPPR ) published today indicates that Rishi Sunak ’ s new employment support programme and job retention bonus will not make it viable for many businesses to retain their staff .
The two schemes were announced as replacements for furlough , which will be withdrawn at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policies will only benefit those who earn between £625 and £987 a month , around 10 % of workers .
Employees who earn less than that figure do not meet the requirements for the job retention bonus , while for those who earn more the special Covid retention bonus is too small to justify keeping them employed .
IPPR previously predicted that roughly two million viable jobs will still need support when furlough comes to an end .
Just 230,000 workers are set to benefit from the new support scheme , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unemployment .
Commenting on the new findings , IPPR senior economist Carsten Jung said : “ It is shocking how narrow the range of workers is who would benefit from the current government schemes .
“ Overall , nine in ten jobs at risk will not be saved by the schemes , at great and wider economic cost .
A design change to employment support schemes could save hundreds of thousands of viable jobs and hugely improve value for money .
“ It would target resources at those firms that truly need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all firms that used job support schemes at some point – including those that are now doing fine or even profited from the pandemic.
” The job retention bonus , announced by the Chancellor in July , will see employers get a £1,000 bonus for each furloughed employee that they bring back to work and keep on the payroll until at least January next year .
Under the recently unveiled job support scheme , people who work at least a third of their normal hours will have their worked hours paid as usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covering 33 % of the hours not worked .
But the new research from the IPPR indicates that neither measure will offer the same level of job protection as the furlough scheme , and the think tank has put forward a variety of proposed reforms to make the measures more effective .
The organisation has suggested that the government should convert the one-off job retention bonus payments into a monthly payment based on the number of hours an employee has worked part-time , up to a ceiling of £2,500 .
The new payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would be targeted exclusively at firms that qualify for the job support scheme , which means companies without the need for support would not be able to receive funding .
The report also recommended increasing the generosity of the job support scheme by 10 % , meaning the government would cover 43 % rather than 33 % of a worker ’ s wage .
This would help reduce the cost of saving jobs for participating companies .
The more targeted proposals would cost an estimated £7.4bn compared to the £7.5bn set aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new reforms would actually save the government more money in the long run .
IPPR associate director Clare McNeil added : “ It is absolutely right for the government to bring health and economic measures in line with each other – recognising that businesses forced to close due to lockdown measures need compensation to do so and to protect jobs and incomes .
“ But a far larger number of people are being abandoned by government due to the flawed design of the job support scheme .
We estimate that only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be supported by this scheme.
” McNeil concluded : “ What we need is a part-time work subsidy that avoids mass redundancies while allowing more employees to keep their jobs on fewer hours.
” The intervention from IPPR follows repeated criticism from Labour on the flaws on the schemes in recent weeks .
The party has stressed that the job support scheme , designed to protect “ viable jobs ” , does not offer sector-specific help .
Anneliese Dodds wrote to her counterpart Sunak this month to highlight seven ways that the support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
She accused the Chancellor of returning to Margaret Thatcher ’ s “ sink or swim ” jobs mentality .
The party previously predicted as many as half of those who work in hospitality could be at risk of losing their jobs due to the lack of support in the scheme due to the excess costs being placed on employers under the scheme .

New research has found that only 230,000 jobs will be saved by the Chancellor’s new job support schemes in the coronavirus pandemic while predicting that just under two million people in otherwise viable work will be made unemployed.
The analysis by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) published today indicates that Rishi Sunak’s new employment support programme and job retention bonus will not make it viable for many businesses to retain their staff.
The two schemes were announced as replacements for furlough, which will be withdrawn at the end of October, but IPPR has argued that the policies will only benefit those who earn between £625 and £987 a month, around 10% of workers.
Employees who earn less than that figure do not meet the requirements for the job retention bonus, while for those who earn more the special Covid retention bonus is too small to justify keeping them employed.
IPPR previously predicted that roughly two million viable jobs will still need support when furlough comes to an end. Just 230,000 workers are set to benefit from the new support scheme, meaning a remaining 1.8 million are at risk of unemployment.
Commenting on the new findings, IPPR senior economist Carsten Jung said: “It is shocking how narrow the range of workers is who would benefit from the current government schemes.
“Overall, nine in ten jobs at risk will not be saved by the schemes, at great and wider economic cost. A design change to employment support schemes could save hundreds of thousands of viable jobs and hugely improve value for money.
“It would target resources at those firms that truly need it rather than paying out money to all firms that used job support schemes at some point – including those that are now doing fine or even profited from the pandemic.”
The job retention bonus, announced by the Chancellor in July, will see employers get a £1,000 bonus for each furloughed employee that they bring back to work and keep on the payroll until at least January next year.
Under the recently unveiled job support scheme, people who work at least a third of their normal hours will have their worked hours paid as usual with the government and their employer each covering 33% of the hours not worked.
But the new research from the IPPR indicates that neither measure will offer the same level of job protection as the furlough scheme, and the think tank has put forward a variety of proposed reforms to make the measures more effective.
The organisation has suggested that the government should convert the one-off job retention bonus payments into a monthly payment based on the number of hours an employee has worked part-time, up to a ceiling of £2,500.
The new payments would be aimed at encouraging part-time work and would be targeted exclusively at firms that qualify for the job support scheme, which means companies without the need for support would not be able to receive funding.
The report also recommended increasing the generosity of the job support scheme by 10%, meaning the government would cover 43% rather than 33% of a worker’s wage. This would help reduce the cost of saving jobs for participating companies.
The more targeted proposals would cost an estimated £7.4bn compared to the £7.5bn set aside for the job retention bonus, meaning the new reforms would actually save the government more money in the long run.
IPPR associate director Clare McNeil added: “It is absolutely right for the government to bring health and economic measures in line with each other – recognising that businesses forced to close due to lockdown measures need compensation to do so and to protect jobs and incomes.
“But a far larger number of people are being abandoned by government due to the flawed design of the job support scheme. We estimate that only one in ten workers in viable jobs will be supported by this scheme.”
McNeil concluded: “What we need is a part-time work subsidy that avoids mass redundancies while allowing more employees to keep their jobs on fewer hours.”
The intervention from IPPR follows repeated criticism from Labour on the flaws on the schemes in recent weeks. The party has stressed that the job support scheme, designed to protect “viable jobs”, does not offer sector-specific help.
Anneliese Dodds wrote to her counterpart Sunak this month to highlight seven ways that the support scheme “fails Britain’s workers”. She accused the Chancellor of returning to Margaret Thatcher’s “sink or swim” jobs mentality.
The party previously predicted as many as half of those who work in hospitality could be at risk of losing their jobs due to the lack of support in the scheme due to the excess costs being placed on employers under the scheme.


labourlist--2020-10-12--Luke Akehurst: Why I’m standing to represent local parties on Labour’s NEC

I am standing for Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) because we need a decent and rational governing body that supports Keir ’ s leadership and wants ‘ Labour to Win ’ .
My starting point is one of lifelong loyalty to the party .
I voted for Starmer in the leadership election and I am delighted that he won .
I want to work on the NEC to make his leadership a success , to reunite and rebuild a divided and demoralised Labour Party after four consecutive general election defeats and to get Labour into fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will work constructively with anyone , from any tradition in the party , who is committed to its unity and electoral success .
I am proud to be standing as part of a team of candidates from a wide range of political currents within Labour , all focused on party unity .
Starmer is making rapid progress in restoring our credibility , our moral purpose and our focus on winning so that we can change the country into a fairer , more equal society .
But he needs an NEC around him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not act as a roadblock to essential changes .
I and my fellow Labour to Win candidates Johanna Baxter , Gurinder Singh Josan , Terry Paul , Michael Payne and Shama Tatler want to represent members as friends of Starmer , but willing to hold the leadership to account when it falls short , and provide the party with experienced , effective and accountable governance .
I am passionate about tackling poverty and inequality .
As a parent and cancer survivor with a disability , I will fight to defend our NHS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not help the people Labour was founded to fight for unless we can win power .
That requires moving on decisively from the self-indulgence of the last five years .
The party wasted five years talking to ourselves about our own policy hobby horses and ideological purity , not developing the pragmatic solutions voters wanted .
The party turned on its own elected representatives and tried to find ways to deselect them , instead of helping them campaign against the Tories .
The party became a place where instead of experiencing comradeliness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for expressing dissent or , even worse , because they were Jewish .
The public saw what we had become and punished us with the worst election defeat since 1935 .
We need NEC members who are experienced campaigners and can contribute useful insights to the development of our plans to win in 2024 .
I bring over 30 years ’ experience of grassroots campaigning to the table .
As a previous parliamentary candidate , full-time and later voluntary organiser , I have first-hand knowledge of what works in local campaigning .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2002 , 2006 , 2010 and 2014 , I ran campaigns that increased the number of Labour seats from 29 to 50 .
We need NEC members who will uphold the rules and the highest standards of behaviour in the party and change the culture of bullying , factionalism and undermining of hard-working MPs and councillors , which damaged us so much in the last five years .
We need NEC members who will have zero tolerance of , and take tough disciplinary action against , the antisemitism that has damaged our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against any other form of hatred or discrimination that raises its head .
My track record dealing fairly and objectively with difficult disciplinary and selection issues as a council chief whip for seven years , as a regional board member and on the NEC disputes panel shows that I do the right thing when confronted with contentious issues – not what is politically expedient .
My political hero Neil Kinnock , who inspired me to join Labour as a 16-year-old angry about the inequality , unemployment and cuts to public services I saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind enough to say this about me : “ Luke Akehurst stands up for rank-and-file members , has sound judgement , passionate commitment to democratic socialism , decades of campaigning experience and the guts to take the tough decisions needed to win power for Labour .
He ’ ll certainly get one of my NEC votes.
” I hope you will agree and give me the chance to serve the party I love .

I am standing for Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) because we need a decent and rational governing body that supports Keir’s leadership and wants ‘Labour to Win’. My starting point is one of lifelong loyalty to the party. I voted for Starmer in the leadership election and I am delighted that he won. I want to work on the NEC to make his leadership a success, to reunite and rebuild a divided and demoralised Labour Party after four consecutive general election defeats and to get Labour into fighting shape for the next general election. I will work constructively with anyone, from any tradition in the party, who is committed to its unity and electoral success.
I am proud to be standing as part of a team of candidates from a wide range of political currents within Labour, all focused on party unity. Starmer is making rapid progress in restoring our credibility, our moral purpose and our focus on winning so that we can change the country into a fairer, more equal society. But he needs an NEC around him that will help him do that – not act as a roadblock to essential changes. I and my fellow Labour to Win candidates Johanna Baxter, Gurinder Singh Josan, Terry Paul, Michael Payne and Shama Tatler want to represent members as friends of Starmer, but willing to hold the leadership to account when it falls short, and provide the party with experienced, effective and accountable governance.
I am passionate about tackling poverty and inequality. As a parent and cancer survivor with a disability, I will fight to defend our NHS and schools from Tory cuts. But we cannot help the people Labour was founded to fight for unless we can win power. That requires moving on decisively from the self-indulgence of the last five years.
The party wasted five years talking to ourselves about our own policy hobby horses and ideological purity, not developing the pragmatic solutions voters wanted. The party turned on its own elected representatives and tried to find ways to deselect them, instead of helping them campaign against the Tories. The party became a place where instead of experiencing comradeliness and pluralism, members were hounded out for expressing dissent or, even worse, because they were Jewish. The public saw what we had become and punished us with the worst election defeat since 1935.
We need NEC members who are experienced campaigners and can contribute useful insights to the development of our plans to win in 2024. I bring over 30 years’ experience of grassroots campaigning to the table. As a previous parliamentary candidate, full-time and later voluntary organiser, I have first-hand knowledge of what works in local campaigning. As campaign manager in the Hackney borough elections in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, I ran campaigns that increased the number of Labour seats from 29 to 50.
We need NEC members who will uphold the rules and the highest standards of behaviour in the party and change the culture of bullying, factionalism and undermining of hard-working MPs and councillors, which damaged us so much in the last five years. We need NEC members who will have zero tolerance of, and take tough disciplinary action against, the antisemitism that has damaged our moral standing as a party – and against any other form of hatred or discrimination that raises its head. My track record dealing fairly and objectively with difficult disciplinary and selection issues as a council chief whip for seven years, as a regional board member and on the NEC disputes panel shows that I do the right thing when confronted with contentious issues – not what is politically expedient.
My political hero Neil Kinnock, who inspired me to join Labour as a 16-year-old angry about the inequality, unemployment and cuts to public services I saw in the Thatcher years, has been kind enough to say this about me: “Luke Akehurst stands up for rank-and-file members, has sound judgement, passionate commitment to democratic socialism, decades of campaigning experience and the guts to take the tough decisions needed to win power for Labour. He’ll certainly get one of my NEC votes.” I hope you will agree and give me the chance to serve the party I love.


labourlist--2020-10-12--Government has been treating local leaders with “contempt”, says Starmer

Keir Starmer has declared that the government has been “ treating local communities , particularly in the Midlands , North West and North East , and their leaders with contempt ” in the coronavirus pandemic .
In a ‘ Call Keir ’ session on LBC radio this morning , the Labour leader discussed the government ’ s response to Covid as well as his own party ’ s position on measures introduced to combat the spread of the virus .
Starmer told listeners that his party will not be voting against the 10pm hospitality curfew this week , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ despite Labour abstaining on it in a House of Commons vote last week .
Calling on the government to listen to local leaders , the Labour leader said : “ It is a major mistake from the government to have done everything from Whitehall and not worked with local leaders on this.
” Starmer argued that , so far in the pandemic , restrictions and other Covid measures have “ been done to people , particularly in the North , not with them ” , and shared his view that this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ The government has been treating local communities , particularly in the Midlands , North West and North East , and their leaders with contempt – that Whitehall knows best and we ’ ll simply tell you what ’ s coming your way .
“ And it ’ s just not good enough .
You have to take people with you on this .
Listen to what local leaders are saying.
” He added that local government leaders could have told the government what would happen with the 10pm hospitality curfew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month for bars and restaurants has sparked widespread criticism amid reports that customers have been gathering in large numbers outside pubs and bars immediately after 10pm .
But Starmer told listeners : “ We won ’ t vote against it , because in the end we ’ re voting against a restriction and then there is nothing in its place .
What we need , I think , is a lot more involvement of local leaders in the decision making.
” Starmer announced last week that Labour would not be voting against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming parliamentary vote on the measure , but said that there is a “ smarter way ” to implement the restriction .
The Labour leader suggested that Downing Street examine the implementation of a 10pm measure by the Labour government in Wales , which has put in place a “ drinking-up time ” rather than a deadline when guests are forced to leave .
Asked today why Labour abstained on a vote on the ‘ rule of six ’ despite having said it supports the measure , the Labour leader explained : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the Prime Minister ’ s own MPs wanted to vote against it .
“ Up until now these restrictions have gone through , if you like , on the nod .
So , there was no need for vote .
It was his own backbenchers that said , ‘ let ’ s force a division in order that we can vote against the Prime Minister ’ .
” Put to the Labour leader that he had been ‘ playing politics ’ with the vote , he said : “ No , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government where that is the right thing to do , challenge them when it ’ s not.
” He added : “ The ’ ve got a massive majority , they ’ ve [ the restrictions ] all gone through .
That would have gone through on the nod .
But do I support the rule of six ?
Yes , I do.
” The Labour leader also pushed back on endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden for President in the upcoming US election when asked today .
Earlier this year , Starmer told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back “ anybody but Trump ” .
This morning , however , Starmer said : “ As leader of the opposition and as someone who wants to win the next election , I wouldn ’ t endorse candidates in any other country.
” Starmer also refused to criticise the police investigation into right-wing blogger Darren Grime when asked about the probe .
He argued : “ It does sometimes have to involve the police , unfortunately .
“ When I was the director of public prosecutionsm there was a lot of focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should policed or not .
And I think there ’ s got to be a level of tolerance , of course .
“ But there is a point , there is a line that can be crossed and it ’ s very important that when it is crossed there is involvement and in some cases prosecutions.
” The police decided to interview under caution the Conservative commentator for broadcasting an interview with Dr David Starkey in which the historian used the phrase “ damn blacks ” .
Grimes has been accused of stirring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to award MPs with a pay rise during the pandemic , the Labour leader said it was wrong .
He argued : “ We shouldn ’ t have it… This year of all years , people would say that is money that should be spent on key workers.
” But Starmer added that Labour can not vote against it , as the decision is removed from the control of MPs by an independent body .
A 4.1 % increase in pay has been authorised , taking the Commons ’ salaries to around £85,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the ‘ Call Keir ’ session this morning came ahead of an expected announcement from the Prime Minister today that will see pubs and bars in areas with the highest coronavirus infection rate forced to close .

Keir Starmer has declared that the government has been “treating local communities, particularly in the Midlands, North West and North East, and their leaders with contempt” in the coronavirus pandemic.
In a ‘Call Keir’ session on LBC radio this morning, the Labour leader discussed the government’s response to Covid as well as his own party’s position on measures introduced to combat the spread of the virus.
Starmer told listeners that his party will not be voting against the 10pm hospitality curfew this week, and said he supports the ‘rule of six’ despite Labour abstaining on it in a House of Commons vote last week.
Calling on the government to listen to local leaders, the Labour leader said: “It is a major mistake from the government to have done everything from Whitehall and not worked with local leaders on this.”
Starmer argued that, so far in the pandemic, restrictions and other Covid measures have “been done to people, particularly in the North, not with them”, and shared his view that this is the “wrong approach”.
He added: “The government has been treating local communities, particularly in the Midlands, North West and North East, and their leaders with contempt – that Whitehall knows best and we’ll simply tell you what’s coming your way.
“And it’s just not good enough. You have to take people with you on this. Listen to what local leaders are saying.” He added that local government leaders could have told the government what would happen with the 10pm hospitality curfew.
The early closing time brought in last month for bars and restaurants has sparked widespread criticism amid reports that customers have been gathering in large numbers outside pubs and bars immediately after 10pm.
But Starmer told listeners: “We won’t vote against it, because in the end we’re voting against a restriction and then there is nothing in its place. What we need, I think, is a lot more involvement of local leaders in the decision making.”
Starmer announced last week that Labour would not be voting against the 10pm Covid hospitality curfew in any upcoming parliamentary vote on the measure, but said that there is a “smarter way” to implement the restriction.
The Labour leader suggested that Downing Street examine the implementation of a 10pm measure by the Labour government in Wales, which has put in place a “drinking-up time” rather than a deadline when guests are forced to leave.
Asked today why Labour abstained on a vote on the ‘rule of six’ despite having said it supports the measure, the Labour leader explained: “That vote last week only took place because the Prime Minister’s own MPs wanted to vote against it.
“Up until now these restrictions have gone through, if you like, on the nod. So, there was no need for vote. It was his own backbenchers that said, ‘let’s force a division in order that we can vote against the Prime Minister’.”
Put to the Labour leader that he had been ‘playing politics’ with the vote, he said: “No, I wasn’t… We will support the government where that is the right thing to do, challenge them when it’s not.”
He added: “The’ve got a massive majority, they’ve [the restrictions] all gone through. That would have gone through on the nod. But do I support the rule of six? Yes, I do.”
The Labour leader also pushed back on endorsing Democratic candidate Joe Biden for President in the upcoming US election when asked today. Earlier this year, Starmer told a Labour leadership hustings that he would back “anybody but Trump”.
This morning, however, Starmer said: “As leader of the opposition and as someone who wants to win the next election, I wouldn’t endorse candidates in any other country.”
Starmer also refused to criticise the police investigation into right-wing blogger Darren Grime when asked about the probe. He argued: “It does sometimes have to involve the police, unfortunately.
“When I was the director of public prosecutionsm there was a lot of focus on whether what people say on social media should policed or not. And I think there’s got to be a level of tolerance, of course.
“But there is a point, there is a line that can be crossed and it’s very important that when it is crossed there is involvement and in some cases prosecutions.”
The police decided to interview under caution the Conservative commentator for broadcasting an interview with Dr David Starkey in which the historian used the phrase “damn blacks”. Grimes has been accused of stirring up racial hatred.
On the decision to award MPs with a pay rise during the pandemic, the Labour leader said it was wrong. He argued: “We shouldn’t have it… This year of all years, people would say that is money that should be spent on key workers.”
But Starmer added that Labour cannot vote against it, as the decision is removed from the control of MPs by an independent body. A 4.1% increase in pay has been authorised, taking the Commons’ salaries to around £85,000.
The Labour leader’s comments in the ‘Call Keir’ session this morning came ahead of an expected announcement from the Prime Minister today that will see pubs and bars in areas with the highest coronavirus infection rate forced to close.


labourlist--2020-10-12--Starmer’s ‘abstention strategy’ comes under pressure as PM unveils tier system

The Prime Minister will deliver a statement this afternoon on the new ‘ three tier ’ system , under which every area of the country will be classified as ‘ medium ’ , ‘ high ’ or ‘ very high ’ .
The details of which restrictions belong to each alert level are not entirely clear yet , but it is understood that ‘ medium ’ means current national rules , ‘ high ’ means additional restrictions on household mixing indoors , and ‘ very high ’ means no household mixing indoors or outdoors plus business closures .
Crucially , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in the highest tier will be under the same restrictions , which undermines the idea that this new system will clarify everything .
Andy Burnham predicted back in May that the local lockdown policy would be a “ recipe for chaos ” , and he is being proven right so far .
MPs , mayors and councils in the worst-hit places in the North of England – whether Labour or Tory – are not happy with the government ’ s handling of their Covid spikes , but the particular complaints vary : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of restrictions , and those most worried about insufficient financial support for businesses and workers .
The Chancellor has given his winter economy plan a makeover , but – as I set out on Friday – there are many holes in his latest set of proposals .
After months of no consultation with local elected representatives and little transparency over data and decision-making , the government is now trying to kill two birds with one stone – impose restrictions , but allow Labour mayors to take the blame .
They are continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but meetings are taking place to guard against complaints that local leaders are not being engaged with .
One minister is quoted by The Telegraph as saying of mayors : “ We want them to own it.
” For Liverpool , the focus is now on upping the financial support available ; for Manchester , Burnham is still fighting the extent of restrictions ( as students are a big factor in the spike there ) .
Negotiations are ongoing .
We have a busy day ahead , including a PM statement to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference at 6pm .
Keir Starmer will also address the Parliamentary Labour Party at 7pm , and there is much for Labour MPs to discuss .
At PMQs last week , Boris Johnson found a rather successful attack line : highlighting Labour abstentions on crucial matters .
The Conservatives have released attack ads to the same effect , saying Starmer “ can ’ t decide ” and “ Labour ’ s got new no leadership ” .
They must be aware that these abstentions are controversial within the party – not just with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LabourList understands that frustration among Labour MPs is growing over the leadership ’ s ‘ abstention strategy ’ .
Both the overseas operations bill and the ‘ spycops ’ bill saw Labour abstain at second reading , and Starmer has confirmed that they will also be told to abstain on the 10pm hospitality curfew this week despite Labour ’ s own tough criticisms of the arguably counterproductive measure .
The Labour leader says he is worried that if the curfew is voted down , nothing will take its place .
( There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government having a 10pm “ drinking-up time ” , which is why Starmer is calling for reform along those lines . )
But as Labour whips contacted MPs over the weekend , it is thought that irritation over the current approach was expressed by representatives from across the party and not just the left .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The Prime Minister will deliver a statement this afternoon on the new ‘three tier’ system, under which every area of the country will be classified as ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’. The details of which restrictions belong to each alert level are not entirely clear yet, but it is understood that ‘medium’ means current national rules, ‘high’ means additional restrictions on household mixing indoors, and ‘very high’ means no household mixing indoors or outdoors plus business closures. Crucially, however, it appears that not all areas in the highest tier will be under the same restrictions, which undermines the idea that this new system will clarify everything.
Andy Burnham predicted back in May that the local lockdown policy would be a “recipe for chaos”, and he is being proven right so far. MPs, mayors and councils in the worst-hit places in the North of England – whether Labour or Tory – are not happy with the government’s handling of their Covid spikes, but the particular complaints vary: there are those most concerned about the level of restrictions, and those most worried about insufficient financial support for businesses and workers. The Chancellor has given his winter economy plan a makeover, but – as I set out on Friday – there are many holes in his latest set of proposals.
After months of no consultation with local elected representatives and little transparency over data and decision-making, the government is now trying to kill two birds with one stone – impose restrictions, but allow Labour mayors to take the blame. They are continuing to present already finalised Covid measures, but meetings are taking place to guard against complaints that local leaders are not being engaged with. One minister is quoted by The Telegraph as saying of mayors: “We want them to own it.” For Liverpool, the focus is now on upping the financial support available; for Manchester, Burnham is still fighting the extent of restrictions (as students are a big factor in the spike there). Negotiations are ongoing.
We have a busy day ahead, including a PM statement to the Commons at 3.30pm and a coronavirus press conference at 6pm. Keir Starmer will also address the Parliamentary Labour Party at 7pm, and there is much for Labour MPs to discuss. At PMQs last week, Boris Johnson found a rather successful attack line: highlighting Labour abstentions on crucial matters. The Conservatives have released attack ads to the same effect, saying Starmer “can’t decide” and “Labour’s got new no leadership”. They must be aware that these abstentions are controversial within the party – not just with Labour activists, but MPs too.
LabourList understands that frustration among Labour MPs is growing over the leadership’s ‘abstention strategy’. Both the overseas operations bill and the ‘spycops’ bill saw Labour abstain at second reading, and Starmer has confirmed that they will also be told to abstain on the 10pm hospitality curfew this week despite Labour’s own tough criticisms of the arguably counterproductive measure. The Labour leader says he is worried that if the curfew is voted down, nothing will take its place. (There is also the issue of the Welsh Labour government having a 10pm “drinking-up time”, which is why Starmer is calling for reform along those lines.) But as Labour whips contacted MPs over the weekend, it is thought that irritation over the current approach was expressed by representatives from across the party and not just the left. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-10-12--WATCH: “Where’s the consistency?” Labour slams government Covid approach

Jim McMahon has criticised the government for a lack of consistency in its approach to the Covid pandemic and highlighted that “ it wasn ’ t that long ago we were being told to Eat Out to Help Out ' ” .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the Shadow Transport Secretary and MP for Oldham accused the government of failing to “ learn the lessons ” from the experience of northern constituencies like his .
McMahon told viewers today : “ Not that long later we were being told that hospitality is a problem of source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to close it down to bring the virus under control… ” “ From an Oldham perspective , it is very acutely felt around the unfairness but also the lack of evidence .
So , we ’ ve been now in social lockdown for over seven weeks… We ’ ve been suffering that now for seven weeks .
When that restriction was brought in our infection rate was at 62 per 100,000 , and it ’ s now well over 300 .
“ There is no evidence to say those measures have workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be based on robust evidence with proper financial support in place… “ Oldham in a sense was the Canary in the coal mine .
The government knew that , we were telling them that , and they still didn ’ t learn the lessons to make sure that they could then have proper , targeted support… Boris Johnson will set out new rules today that will see pubs and bars in areas with the highest infection rate forced to close as Downing Street has warned that the UK is at a “ critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government has received widespread criticism over its local lockdown approach to suppressing the virus , particularly in the North of England , and for its confused and last-minute communication in the pandemic .
Lisa Nandy told Andrew Marr on Sunday that “ people feel that they haven ’ t just been abandoned by the government , they now feel that the government is actively working against us ” .
The Shadow Foreign Secretary accused Johnson of having “ gone missing all weekend while these decisions are being made ” , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister while new measures have been leaked to the press .

Jim McMahon has criticised the government for a lack of consistency in its approach to the Covid pandemic and highlighted that “it wasn’t that long ago we were being told to Eat Out to Help Out'”.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the Shadow Transport Secretary and MP for Oldham accused the government of failing to “learn the lessons” from the experience of northern constituencies like his.
McMahon told viewers today: “Not that long later we were being told that hospitality is a problem of source transmission and we need to close it down to close it down to bring the virus under control…”
“From an Oldham perspective, it is very acutely felt around the unfairness but also the lack of evidence. So, we’ve been now in social lockdown for over seven weeks…
We’ve been suffering that now for seven weeks. When that restriction was brought in our infection rate was at 62 per 100,000, and it’s now well over 300.
“There is no evidence to say those measures have workers and so any further measures have to be based on robust evidence with proper financial support in place…
“Oldham in a sense was the Canary in the coal mine. The government knew that, we were telling them that, and they still didn’t learn the lessons to make sure that they could then have proper, targeted support…
'Where's the consistency? It wasn't that long ago we were being told to Eat Out to Help Out' Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon says further lockdown measures for Oldham "have to be based on robust evidence with proper financial support".#KayBurley https://t.co/33OzWYg2mb pic.twitter.com/ttalxxnMTv — SkyNews (@SkyNews) October 12, 2020
Boris Johnson will set out new rules today that will see pubs and bars in areas with the highest infection rate forced to close as Downing Street has warned that the UK is at a “critical juncture” in its fight against Covid.
The government has received widespread criticism over its local lockdown approach to suppressing the virus, particularly in the North of England, and for its confused and last-minute communication in the pandemic.
Lisa Nandy told Andrew Marr on Sunday that “people feel that they haven’t just been abandoned by the government, they now feel that the government is actively working against us”.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary accused Johnson of having “gone missing all weekend while these decisions are being made”, saying the public has heard nothing from the Prime Minister while new measures have been leaked to the press.