labourlist--2020-07-30--Will Boris Johnson’s lies ever catch up with him?

The PM is at it again .
As LabourList readers know , misleading parliament – and people generally – is a favourite hobby of his .
You ’ ll remember of course his dodgy adding up on the immigration health surcharge , and when he contradicted what was written in his own government ’ s advice on care homes .
In this particular instance of Tory deception , the Office for Statistic Regulation has concluded that Boris Johnson repeatedly made “ incorrect ” claims about the level of child poverty .
Following complaints by charities , the watchdog agreed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Marr Show in December last year , that there are “ 400,000 fewer children in poverty than there were in 2010 ” , was incorrect .
It also found that his claims during Prime Minister ’ s Questions about relative and absolute child poverty having fallen were simply not true .
Labour has slammed the PM for lying and called on him to correct the record .
Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said : “ Children and families in such difficult circumstances deserve better than this shabby treatment from an out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be honest about the challenges they face.
” The OSR has written to No 10 .
And it ’ s clear child poverty is going to be a key focus of the new Labour leadership , as discussed by Jonathan Reynolds in his interview with LabourList .
If you missed our event last night , catch up here on the conversation that covered scrapping Universal Credit , “ not ruling out ” a universal basic income and more .
Meanwhile , Rachel Reeves has declared that “ the landing zone for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be found in the principles and promises of the political declaration ” .
Labour has been pretty quiet on Brexit so far this year , but the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has set out the party ’ s position in an article for LabourList this morning .
Focusing on the political declaration , she made clear that Labour will be trying to keep the Conservatives to the commitments made in that document .
In particular , Reeves highlighted the promise to achieve a free trade agreement , free of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions across all sectors ” – and the fact that businesses look to be facing between £7bn and £13bn of extra business costs each year in customs declarations .
As far as Labour is concerned , it seems , the political declaration is the roadmap for the future – and the party is determined to make sure the Tories deliver on what they promised .
Labour has issued another stark warning to the government about childcare in the pandemic .
Earlier this month , shadow early years minister Tulip Siddiq warned of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , the party has described a “ perfect storm ” brewing in the sector – with significant increases in the cost of childcare since 2010 , in many regions by as much as 50 % , and a high number of providers being at risk of closure due to Covid-19 .
Both will stop parents returning to work , Labour has said .
Kate Green described this as a “ stark reminder that Boris Johnson is completely out of touch with the needs of working families ” .
And it certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly failed to mention childcare in their various speeches over the past few months about saving the economy .
The Chancellor failed to do so in his ‘ summer economic update ‘ , and the PM didn ’ t when outlining plans to reopen the education system .
It must not be much of a consideration for our Tory leaders .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The PM is at it again. As LabourList readers know, misleading parliament – and people generally – is a favourite hobby of his. You’ll remember of course his dodgy adding up on the immigration health surcharge, and when he contradicted what was written in his own government’s advice on care homes. In this particular instance of Tory deception, the Office for Statistic Regulation has concluded that Boris Johnson repeatedly made “incorrect” claims about the level of child poverty. Following complaints by charities, the watchdog agreed that the PM’s claim on The Andrew Marr Show in December last year, that there are “400,000 fewer children in poverty than there were in 2010”, was incorrect. It also found that his claims during Prime Minister’s Questions about relative and absolute child poverty having fallen were simply not true.
Labour has slammed the PM for lying and called on him to correct the record. Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said: “Children and families in such difficult circumstances deserve better than this shabby treatment from an out of touch Prime Minister who has repeatedly failed to be honest about the challenges they face.” The OSR has written to No 10. And it’s clear child poverty is going to be a key focus of the new Labour leadership, as discussed by Jonathan Reynolds in his interview with LabourList. If you missed our event last night, catch up here on the conversation that covered scrapping Universal Credit, “not ruling out” a universal basic income and more.
Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves has declared that “the landing zone for a negotiated deal with the EU will surely be found in the principles and promises of the political declaration”. Labour has been pretty quiet on Brexit so far this year, but the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has set out the party’s position in an article for LabourList this morning. Focusing on the political declaration, she made clear that Labour will be trying to keep the Conservatives to the commitments made in that document. In particular, Reeves highlighted the promise to achieve a free trade agreement, free of “tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions across all sectors” – and the fact that businesses look to be facing between £7bn and £13bn of extra business costs each year in customs declarations. As far as Labour is concerned, it seems, the political declaration is the roadmap for the future – and the party is determined to make sure the Tories deliver on what they promised.
Labour has issued another stark warning to the government about childcare in the pandemic. Earlier this month, shadow early years minister Tulip Siddiq warned of an impending “wave of nursery closures“. Now, the party has described a “perfect storm” brewing in the sector – with significant increases in the cost of childcare since 2010, in many regions by as much as 50%, and a high number of providers being at risk of closure due to Covid-19. Both will stop parents returning to work, Labour has said. Kate Green described this as a “stark reminder that Boris Johnson is completely out of touch with the needs of working families”. And it certainly feels that way – government figures have repeatedly failed to mention childcare in their various speeches over the past few months about saving the economy. The Chancellor failed to do so in his ‘summer economic update‘, and the PM didn’t when outlining plans to reopen the education system. It must not be much of a consideration for our Tory leaders. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-07-30--2m ineligible for sick pay undermines ‘test, trace and isolate’, warns Labour

Anneliese Dodds has warned that leaving two million people in the country ineligible for statutory sick pay undermines the government ’ s test and trace programme and efforts to prevent a second wave .
In a letter to Rishi Sunak today , the Shadow Chancellor wrote that the government has “ put its faith in a system of test , trace and isolate ” but added that the “ isolate ” part of the strategy is being put at risk by his economic policy .
In particular , she highlighted analysis from the TUC , which estimated that two million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay and therefore have no income to rely on if instructed to isolate through the government ’ s tracing programme .
Dodds wrote : “ The government was too slow to scale up testing , there were multiple failures in developing an effective contact tracing app on time and the NHS test and trace programme is still failing to reach significant numbers of people .
“ However , even if test and trace were working as effectively as possible , the government ’ s economic choices would still be putting the ‘ isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dodds went on to explain that even people who can claim statutory sick pay then have to get by with £95.85 per week .
She reminded the Chancellor that the Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said in March that he could not live on that income .
TUC general secretary France O ’ Grady has slammed the lack of support for those the government is asking to stay at home instead of going to work .
She said : “ It ’ s not viable to ask people to self-isolate if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government needs to ensure that anyone who has to self-isolate has access to decent financial support , meaning access to sick pay.
” Head of the government ’ s coronavirus “ test and trace ” programme Dido Harding has also raised concerns over the absence of support for people facing the need to take time off work but unable to claim .
She told a press briefing : “ It ’ s particularly challenging for that workforce… I continue to make the case that we need to think about how we support people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self employed.
” In order to qualify for statutory sick pay , workers in the UK have to meet the minimum income threshold .
This means that they must earn at least £120 a week to be eligible .

Anneliese Dodds has warned that leaving two million people in the country ineligible for statutory sick pay undermines the government’s test and trace programme and efforts to prevent a second wave.
In a letter to Rishi Sunak today, the Shadow Chancellor wrote that the government has “put its faith in a system of test, trace and isolate” but added that the “isolate” part of the strategy is being put at risk by his economic policy.
In particular, she highlighted analysis from the TUC, which estimated that two million people are not eligible to claim sick pay and therefore have no income to rely on if instructed to isolate through the government’s tracing programme.
Dodds wrote: “The government was too slow to scale up testing, there were multiple failures in developing an effective contact tracing app on time and the NHS test and trace programme is still failing to reach significant numbers of people.
“However, even if test and trace were working as effectively as possible, the government’s economic choices would still be putting the ‘isolate’ element of the strategy at risk.”
Dodds went on to explain that even people who can claim statutory sick pay then have to get by with £95.85 per week. She reminded the Chancellor that the Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said in March that he could not live on that income.
Statutory sick pay in the UK is just £95.85 a week – and almost 2 million people don't earn enough to get it. We need to know how many people will fall into debt if they have to self-isolate for two weeks without support. I’ve asked the Chancellor what he’s doing to find out. pic.twitter.com/qmtunttu4I — Anneliese Dodds (@AnnelieseDodds) July 30, 2020
TUC general secretary France O’Grady has slammed the lack of support for those the government is asking to stay at home instead of going to work. She said: “It’s not viable to ask people to self-isolate if they are pushed into hardship.
“The government needs to ensure that anyone who has to self-isolate has access to decent financial support, meaning access to sick pay.”
Head of the government’s coronavirus “test and trace” programme Dido Harding has also raised concerns over the absence of support for people facing the need to take time off work but unable to claim.
She told a press briefing: “It’s particularly challenging for that workforce… I continue to make the case that we need to think about how we support people in those lowest paid roles and the self employed.”
In order to qualify for statutory sick pay, workers in the UK have to meet the minimum income threshold. This means that they must earn at least £120 a week to be eligible.


labourlist--2020-07-30--Reynolds promises “no return” to George Osborne rhetoric on social security

Jonathan Reynolds , Labour ’ s work and pensions spokesperson , has promised that “ there will be no return ” by him to the ‘ undeserving poor ’ rhetoric used by George Osborne when talking about the social security system .
In an interview with LabourList on Wednesday evening , the new Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary addressed Labour members who worry that the party could use language blaming individuals for their poverty .
He said : “ There will be no return from me to the rhetoric that mirrors George Osborne .
People will know for many different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of Christians on the Left – that is the opposite direction from which I will be coming at this.
” Explaining his comments in a recent House magazine interview on strengthening contributory benefits , which attracted criticism from some members , Reynolds said : “ I don ’ t see any tension between a contributory principle and the universal system .
“ Because what you need is something that has all of those components to truly give people the support they need .
You need a much more supportive minimum for all… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s called wage replacement.
” He added : “ Anyone who has any concerns , let me tell you : our ambition is increasing from what we ’ ve said in the past .
We ’ re going to try to produce a blueprint for a truly effective modern system for social security that gives dignity , respect and support for everybody.
” Reynolds reiterated that Labour intends to scrap Universal Credit rather than reform it .
He said the party is “ still open-minded ” on whether UC is replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something different ” .
“ The crucial point is that contributory benefits already exist .
And I ’ m not in the business of cutting any benefits , closing any benefits , ” the shadow cabinet member concluded , adding that his focus is on a “ much more comprehensive system ” .
Asked about a universal basic income , which Reynolds has advocated in the past , he said : “ I ’ ve always been interested in UBI because I like benefits that aren ’ t means-tested .
I think something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to everyone is clearly a plus.
” He added that UBI is “ not a magic bullet ” , however , because there is still a need to further support people with disabilities and account for hugely variable housing costs , and it would need to be a “ component of the system ” instead .
“ The conversation is there to be had in terms of what people want to send to us , in terms of ideas , as to how to do it , ” Reynolds told LabourList .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out.
” Noting that he and John McDonnell are “ not from the same bit of the Labour Party ” , Reynolds said he had nonetheless “ very much enjoyed being on the frontbench over the last few years ” as shadow economic secretary in the Treasury team .
But the frontbencher criticised key parts of Labour ’ s 2019 manifesto , including the financial transactions tax – that the party said would raise £8.8bn – and the employee share ownership scheme .
Asked whether there were 2019 proposals that he did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transactions tax , saying : “ It was a very significant increase in taxation in a way that hasn ’ t been proven before in how that would actually be delivered .
That was a problem for me internally.
” He also said that in nationalising key industries “ you ’ ve got to be very clear as to how you would compensate that ” due to the effect not only on shareholders but also pension funds invested in the sectors .
And Reynolds said he was “ very much in favour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ You ’ ve got to have a credible mechanism to deliver that.
” He suggested that Labour ’ s plan – requiring large companies to set up Inclusive Ownership Funds – was not sufficient .
Asked about the changing world of work , Reynolds said of Labour : “ Have we struggled to understand and respond to the big changes in how people work and how they ’ re employed ?
I think the answer to that is yes.
” Reynolds cited self-employment – not only ‘ false self-employment ’ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of protections for workers who choose it because they need flexibility – and commented that the party had “ struggled ” with this aspect of work .
On automation , he said the last Labour Treasury team was keen to “ find a way to use technology to improve people ’ s lives , not resist it ” , adding : “ That was what we were about , and I think we could be a lot stronger , a lot clearer on that message .
“ Because there could be huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour wins and is more successful when we ’ re looking to the future and explaining how that future could be positive… rather than resisting or feeling that we can turn the clock back.
” Reynolds has been appointed by leader Keir Starmer as a frontbench representative on Labour ’ s national executive committee , but he was also on the NEC as a youth rep between 2003 and 2005 .
Comparing these different experiences of the NEC , the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said : “ It was a difficult time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so really difficult internal politics .
“ But I ’ ve got to be honest , from what I remember from the meetings back then , the culture and the conduct and the spirit of the meetings , they were better than what I ’ ve seen and experienced so far.
” The full interview is available to watch below .

Jonathan Reynolds, Labour’s work and pensions spokesperson, has promised that “there will be no return” by him to the ‘undeserving poor’ rhetoric used by George Osborne when talking about the social security system.
In an interview with LabourList on Wednesday evening, the new Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary addressed Labour members who worry that the party could use language blaming individuals for their poverty.
He said: “There will be no return from me to the rhetoric that mirrors George Osborne. People will know for many different reasons – my political history, being chair of Christians on the Left – that is the opposite direction from which I will be coming at this.”
Explaining his comments in a recent House magazine interview on strengthening contributory benefits, which attracted criticism from some members, Reynolds said: “I don’t see any tension between a contributory principle and the universal system.
“Because what you need is something that has all of those components to truly give people the support they need. You need a much more supportive minimum for all… but you also need to look at what’s called wage replacement.”
He added: “Anyone who has any concerns, let me tell you: our ambition is increasing from what we’ve said in the past. We’re going to try to produce a blueprint for a truly effective modern system for social security that gives dignity, respect and support for everybody.”
Reynolds reiterated that Labour intends to scrap Universal Credit rather than reform it. He said the party is “still open-minded” on whether UC is replaced “with a combined household benefit or something different”.
“The crucial point is that contributory benefits already exist. And I’m not in the business of cutting any benefits, closing any benefits,” the shadow cabinet member concluded, adding that his focus is on a “much more comprehensive system”.
Universal basic income
Asked about a universal basic income, which Reynolds has advocated in the past, he said: “I’ve always been interested in UBI because I like benefits that aren’t means-tested. I think something that is genuinely comprehensive and universal and open to everyone is clearly a plus.”
He added that UBI is “not a magic bullet”, however, because there is still a need to further support people with disabilities and account for hugely variable housing costs, and it would need to be a “component of the system” instead.
“The conversation is there to be had in terms of what people want to send to us, in terms of ideas, as to how to do it,” Reynolds told LabourList. “We’re not ruling anything out.”
Working under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership
Noting that he and John McDonnell are “not from the same bit of the Labour Party”, Reynolds said he had nonetheless “very much enjoyed being on the frontbench over the last few years” as shadow economic secretary in the Treasury team.
But the frontbencher criticised key parts of Labour’s 2019 manifesto, including the financial transactions tax – that the party said would raise £8.8bn – and the employee share ownership scheme.
Asked whether there were 2019 proposals that he did not find credible, Reynolds raised the financial transactions tax, saying: “It was a very significant increase in taxation in a way that hasn’t been proven before in how that would actually be delivered. That was a problem for me internally.”
He also said that in nationalising key industries “you’ve got to be very clear as to how you would compensate that” due to the effect not only on shareholders but also pension funds invested in the sectors.
And Reynolds said he was “very much in favour of” employee share ownership, but added: “You’ve got to have a credible mechanism to deliver that.” He suggested that Labour’s plan – requiring large companies to set up Inclusive Ownership Funds – was not sufficient.
The future of work
Asked about the changing world of work, Reynolds said of Labour: “Have we struggled to understand and respond to the big changes in how people work and how they’re employed? I think the answer to that is yes.”
Reynolds cited self-employment – not only ‘false self-employment’ in the gig economy, but also the lack of protections for workers who choose it because they need flexibility – and commented that the party had “struggled” with this aspect of work.
On automation, he said the last Labour Treasury team was keen to “find a way to use technology to improve people’s lives, not resist it”, adding: “That was what we were about, and I think we could be a lot stronger, a lot clearer on that message.
“Because there could be huge benefits for people. And I think Labour wins and is more successful when we’re looking to the future and explaining how that future could be positive… rather than resisting or feeling that we can turn the clock back.”
Labour’s NEC
Reynolds has been appointed by leader Keir Starmer as a frontbench representative on Labour’s national executive committee, but he was also on the NEC as a youth rep between 2003 and 2005.
Comparing these different experiences of the NEC, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary said: “It was a difficult time for the party. This was post-Iraq, so really difficult internal politics.
“But I’ve got to be honest, from what I remember from the meetings back then, the culture and the conduct and the spirit of the meetings, they were better than what I’ve seen and experienced so far.”
The full interview is available to watch below.


labourlist--2020-07-31--Labour’s 12 questions for the PM at the latest coronavirus press conference

Labour has put together the following 12 questions about the new local coronavirus lockdowns in the North of England for the Prime Minister to answer at the midday press conference : • What is the guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people in these areas ?
What is the evidence behind pausing shielding for these groups given the local peaks ?
• How are changes being communicated to these vulnerable groups like those shielding and people in care homes ?
• Will there be increased testing of all NHS and care home staff and care home residents , to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who receive care in these areas ?
• Will the government publish the guidance behind the decision to not extend regular testing to care homes for under-65s and to domiciliary care staff ?
• In Greater Manchester , East Lancashire , West Yorkshire and Leicester , what is the rationale for banning households mixing in gardens but people are allowed to go to pubs ?
• Evidence from Europe suggests the virus is spreading among younger people with some speculation pubs and bars are to blame .
What assessments has the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ?
• An effective testing and tracing regime could have avoided these measures .
When will we move to a mass testing regime with regular routine testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic people ?
• Tracing is not ‘ world beating ’ as promised .
Boris Johnson promised all non-home tests would be done in 24 hours by 30 June .
Yet again in yesterday ’ s figures that promise has been broken a with a third of non-home tests still taking over 24 hours .
We also saw that while 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours 3 weeks ago – now it ’ s just 50.6 % .
Test and trace isn ’ t getting faster , it ’ s getting slower .
What is government going to do about this considering the urgency of this situation ?
• If a visitor to an area tests positive for Covid-19 while on holiday , then it would be recorded as an incident in their home location , not where they currently are .
Will government change this to help assess true local spikes ?
• People have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to check they are isolating .
This is a huge hole in our defences .
Why not give this data to local public health officials so they can follow up to check people are isolating ?
• Does the Prime Minister still think it is safe for workers to return to offices on the 1 August ?
Has the Chief Scientific Advisor endorsed this recommendation and will he publish the evidence for it ?
• Why was announcement made so late in the day , and will they implement a better , more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on any future potential local lockdowns ?
What is the trigger the government is using to go into local lockdowns or impose restrictions ?
Is it a certain number of infections per 100,000 population ?
What is the trigger to come out of local lockdown ?
Commenting on the new measures announced by the government late last night , Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth said that the party “ understands why measures have had to be taken to bring infection rates down ” .
He added : “ The virus remains widely distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official statistics confirming we have had the highest excess death rate in Europe is a clear reminder that being slow to act has devastating consequences .
“ But the way in which the government has made the announcement has called widespread confusion , anxiety and upset .
Clarity is everything when dealing with a pandemic and ministers need to offer clear guidance and answers at today ’ s press conference.
” The government has faced significant criticism after making the new local lockdown announcement late on Thursday evening before releasing further detailed guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Labour has put together the following 12 questions about the new local coronavirus lockdowns in the North of England for the Prime Minister to answer at the midday press conference:
What is the guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people in these areas? What is the evidence behind pausing shielding for these groups given the local peaks? How are changes being communicated to these vulnerable groups like those shielding and people in care homes? Will there be increased testing of all NHS and care home staff and care home residents, to ensure that staff are not transmitting the virus to people who receive care in these areas? Will the government publish the guidance behind the decision to not extend regular testing to care homes for under-65s and to domiciliary care staff? In Greater Manchester, East Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Leicester, what is the rationale for banning households mixing in gardens but people are allowed to go to pubs? Evidence from Europe suggests the virus is spreading among younger people with some speculation pubs and bars are to blame. What assessments has the government made of the impact of pubs on the virus? An effective testing and tracing regime could have avoided these measures. When will we move to a mass testing regime with regular routine testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic people? Tracing is not ‘world beating’ as promised. Boris Johnson promised all non-home tests would be done in 24 hours by 30 June. Yet again in yesterday’s figures that promise has been broken a with a third of non-home tests still taking over 24 hours. We also saw that while 55% of all tests were returned in 24 hours 3 weeks ago – now it’s just 50.6%. Test and trace isn’t getting faster, it’s getting slower. What is government going to do about this considering the urgency of this situation? If a visitor to an area tests positive for Covid-19 while on holiday, then it would be recorded as an incident in their home location, not where they currently are. Will government change this to help assess true local spikes? People have been asked to isolate are not followed up to check they are isolating. This is a huge hole in our defences. Why not give this data to local public health officials so they can follow up to check people are isolating? Does the Prime Minister still think it is safe for workers to return to offices on the 1 August? Has the Chief Scientific Advisor endorsed this recommendation and will he publish the evidence for it? Why was announcement made so late in the day, and will they implement a better, more uniform way of putting out this info on any future potential local lockdowns? What is the trigger the government is using to go into local lockdowns or impose restrictions? Is it a certain number of infections per 100,000 population? What is the trigger to come out of local lockdown?
Commenting on the new measures announced by the government late last night, Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said that the party “understands why measures have had to be taken to bring infection rates down”.
He added: “The virus remains widely distributed across the UK and yesterday’s official statistics confirming we have had the highest excess death rate in Europe is a clear reminder that being slow to act has devastating consequences.
“But the way in which the government has made the announcement has called widespread confusion, anxiety and upset. Clarity is everything when dealing with a pandemic and ministers need to offer clear guidance and answers at today’s press conference.”
The government has faced significant criticism after making the new local lockdown announcement late on Thursday evening before releasing further detailed guidance at 11.30pm and communicating without sufficient clarity.


labourlist--2020-07-31--Tory MP explicitly blames BAME communities for spike in coronavirus cases

Tory MP Craig Whittaker has explicitly blamed Black , Asian and minority ethnic communities for the spike in coronavirus cases seen across areas in the North of England that has led to new local lockdowns .
In an LBC interview this morning , the Calder Valley MP said : “ What I have seen in my constituency is that we have areas of our community – sections of our community – that are just not taking the pandemic seriously.
” Asked to clarify whether he was referring to the Muslim community , he replied : “ Of course .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve seen rises and cases , the vast majority – but not by any stretch of the imagination all areas – but it is the BME communities that are not taking this seriously enough.
” When Whittaker was warned by the LBC host Ian Payne that “ you could come in for a lot of criticism for this ” , the Tory MP added : “ Absolutely .
But I ’ ve been challenging our local leaders now for two weeks , three weeks , asking what are we doing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the lockdown was linked to Eid , but said : “ Look at all the areas .
You ’ ve got Bradford , Calderdale , Kirklees , and we have Bradford in particular and Kirklees have two of the largest populations in West Yorkshire.
” “ We ’ re talking , sort of , immigrant communities , are we ?
” asked Payne in response .
“ Yeah , ” Whittaker replied .
“ Well , immigrant and Asian population.
” Commenting on the remarks , shadow immigration minister Holly Lynch tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak to my local BAME community every day .
“ We are all looking at packed beaches , mass football celebrations + excessive drinking on nights out with despair .
That isn ’ t taking this seriously.
” Wes Streeting said it was “ racist scapegoating ” , while Charlotte Nichols tweeted that it was “ just racism , pure and simple ” , “ not borne out by the evidence ” and an example of “ Tory divide and rule ” .
Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth told Radio Times : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should do something about it because it is quite disgraceful , what he was saying.
” Miqdaad Versi , spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain , described the comments – issued on Eid day – as “ appalling ” and “ truly nasty ” , adding : “ Let ’ s not pretend this is anything other than race baiting & trying to # blametheMuslims ” .
Craig Whittaker has been MP for Calder Valley since 2010 .
He is currently a backbencher but has previously held government posts including several whip @ @ @ @ @

Tory MP Craig Whittaker has explicitly blamed Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities for the spike in coronavirus cases seen across areas in the North of England that has led to new local lockdowns.
In an LBC interview this morning, the Calder Valley MP said: “What I have seen in my constituency is that we have areas of our community – sections of our community – that are just not taking the pandemic seriously.”
Asked to clarify whether he was referring to the Muslim community, he replied: “Of course. And when you look at the areas where you’ve seen rises and cases, the vast majority – but not by any stretch of the imagination all areas – but it is the BME communities that are not taking this seriously enough.”
When Whittaker was warned by the LBC host Ian Payne that “you could come in for a lot of criticism for this”, the Tory MP added: “Absolutely. But I’ve been challenging our local leaders now for two weeks, three weeks, asking what are we doing to target these areas”.
He denied that the lockdown was linked to Eid, but said: “Look at all the areas. You’ve got Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and we have Bradford in particular and Kirklees have two of the largest populations in West Yorkshire.”
“We’re talking, sort of, immigrant communities, are we?” asked Payne in response. “Yeah,” Whittaker replied. “Well, immigrant and Asian population.”
Commenting on the remarks, shadow immigration minister Holly Lynch tweeted: “Simply not true. I speak to my local BAME community every day.
“We are all looking at packed beaches, mass football celebrations + excessive drinking on nights out with despair. That isn’t taking this seriously.”
Wes Streeting said it was “racist scapegoating”, while Charlotte Nichols tweeted that it was “just racism, pure and simple”, “not borne out by the evidence” and an example of “Tory divide and rule”.
Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth told Radio Times: “To be frank, the Tory Party should do something about it because it is quite disgraceful, what he was saying.”
Miqdaad Versi, spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain, described the comments – issued on Eid day – as “appalling” and “truly nasty”, adding: “Let’s not pretend this is anything other than race baiting & trying to #blametheMuslims”.
Craig Whittaker has been MP for Calder Valley since 2010. He is currently a backbencher but has previously held government posts including several whip roles in recent years.


labourlist--2020-07-31--The Chancellor’s “historic mistake” would lead to a “python-like squeeze on jobs”

New coronavirus restrictions have come into force across Greater Manchester , east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire .
As of midnight , households in those areas of the North are not allowed to meet each other indoors – although they can still visit pubs and restaurants while social distancing .
There are plenty of details still to be cleared up , and this is yet another of government Covid communications being utterly unclear .
For example , can a family in an affected area meet a household from outside the area in their home ?
Matt Hancock didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this morning .
The news of these rules affecting four million people emerged after 9pm last night , with further information released at 11.30pm .
Is this incompetence , or is it deliberate ?
This will particularly affect families celebrating Eid , and the last-minute notification was a bit like being told on Christmas Eve that you shouldn ’ t be meeting with family members the next day , which is difficult to imagine happening .
Hancock has insisted that the new lockdown has nothing to do with Eid , but few will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keir Starmer was not impressed by the rushed announcement , calling it a “ new low for the government ’ s communications during this crisis ” .
But perhaps most importantly , he pointed out that a functioning track and trace system has not been delivered and that those affected by new lockdowns must be supported .
Because if one thing is clear , it ’ s that the government is thinking about how to balance the books – despite borrowing costs hitting record lows , even turning negative – and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we enter a deep recession .
Labour is launching a new ‘ jobs , jobs , jobs ’ campaign today , which will run throughout August .
As set out by the shadow Treasury team ’ s Dan Carden in a piece for LabourList , the party has a five-point plan to fight for jobs and offer targeted support as the furlough scheme comes to an end .
The campaign kicks off with a warning to Rishi Sunak : there are “ 24 hours to save British jobs ” before the first furlough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor refuses to abandon those changes , Anneliese Dodds says this “ historic mistake ” would lead to a “ python-like squeeze on jobs ” .
Usdaw ’ s general secretary Paddy Lillis has explained why this is so crucial to the retail sector in his LabourList piece , and asked exactly the right question : “ Why protect jobs through the early stages of the pandemic , just to sacrifice them now ?
” .
Unite ’ s Steve Turner has written this week about the struggles of UK aerospace and of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rickhuss has highlighted the importance of manufacturing in the coronavirus recovery .
The message from the labour movement is crystal clear : if the government ignores the warnings of trade unions at this critical moment , the consequences will be devastating .
And they will have been avoidable .
LabourList ’ s morning email will be paused throughout August – but we will return when there is big news for the Labour Party , including the publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on antisemitism , and we will keep returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the website is hosting new content every day .
We will be covering Labour news and publishing comment pieces as normal , and our weekly events will continue , such as our next ‘ in conversation ’ with Cat Smith on Wednesday .
Have a great summer .

New coronavirus restrictions have come into force across Greater Manchester, east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire. As of midnight, households in those areas of the North are not allowed to meet each other indoors – although they can still visit pubs and restaurants while social distancing. There are plenty of details still to be cleared up, and this is yet another of government Covid communications being utterly unclear. For example, can a family in an affected area meet a household from outside the area in their home? Matt Hancock didn’t seem able to answer that question this morning.
The news of these rules affecting four million people emerged after 9pm last night, with further information released at 11.30pm. Is this incompetence, or is it deliberate? This will particularly affect families celebrating Eid, and the last-minute notification was a bit like being told on Christmas Eve that you shouldn’t be meeting with family members the next day, which is difficult to imagine happening. Hancock has insisted that the new lockdown has nothing to do with Eid, but few will believe that the timing is purely coincidental.
Keir Starmer was not impressed by the rushed announcement, calling it a “new low for the government’s communications during this crisis”. But perhaps most importantly, he pointed out that a functioning track and trace system has not been delivered and that those affected by new lockdowns must be supported. Because if one thing is clear, it’s that the government is thinking about how to balance the books – despite borrowing costs hitting record lows, even turning negative – and not prioritising the need to protect jobs as we enter a deep recession.
Labour is launching a new ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ campaign today, which will run throughout August. As set out by the shadow Treasury team’s Dan Carden in a piece for LabourList, the party has a five-point plan to fight for jobs and offer targeted support as the furlough scheme comes to an end. The campaign kicks off with a warning to Rishi Sunak: there are “24 hours to save British jobs” before the first furlough changes come in tomorrow. If the Chancellor refuses to abandon those changes, Anneliese Dodds says this “historic mistake” would lead to a “python-like squeeze on jobs”.
Usdaw’s general secretary Paddy Lillis has explained why this is so crucial to the retail sector in his LabourList piece, and asked exactly the right question: “Why protect jobs through the early stages of the pandemic, just to sacrifice them now?”. Unite’s Steve Turner has written this week about the struggles of UK aerospace and of bus makers. Community’s Roy Rickhuss has highlighted the importance of manufacturing in the coronavirus recovery. The message from the labour movement is crystal clear: if the government ignores the warnings of trade unions at this critical moment, the consequences will be devastating. And they will have been avoidable.
LabourList’s morning email will be paused throughout August – but we will return when there is big news for the Labour Party, including the publication of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report on antisemitism, and we will keep returning to your inboxes to remind readers that the website is hosting new content every day. We will be covering Labour news and publishing comment pieces as normal, and our weekly events will continue, such as our next ‘in conversation’ with Cat Smith on Wednesday. Have a great summer.


labourlist--2020-07-31--Usdaw: Why Labour’s new jobs campaign is so important to retail workers

As the tragic human cost of the coronavirus pandemic continues to mount , we face an economic challenge that has the potential to rip the heart out of our communities and destroy the livelihoods of millions of people across the country .
So far , the government has failed to recognise the scale of the challenge or take decisive action to protect the economy and people ’ s jobs .
In his summer statement , the Chancellor announced billions of pounds in support for businesses .
But in too many cases , effective existing measures were being scrapped and new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they will likely fail to save jobs and protect businesses .
Anneliese Dodds was absolutely right to call for a targeted , sectoral approach in her response .
Usdaw represents hundreds of thousands of members across retail , distribution and manufacturing .
Whilst many retail workers have continued to work throughout the pandemic , keeping food on the shelves and serving their communities , for many others , especially on our at-risk high streets , the support initially available from the government was a lifeline , protecting their incomes and the viability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To rip away that support prematurely will push many businesses over a cliff edge and put thousands of jobs at risk .
Why protect jobs through the early stages of the pandemic , just to sacrifice them now ?
This is why Labour ’ s campaign on jobs is so welcome .
The Labour Party must hold the government to account for its failure on jobs and the economy .
As a sector , retail was struggling even before the pandemic , and Usdaw has long been calling for the government to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If any other sector of our economy was facing the scale of job losses that we see in retail , there would be swift government intervention .
We have already seen over 24,000 retail jobs lost this year and reports suggest that around 250,000 high street jobs are at risk .
Usdaw is calling for two things : a Retail Recovery Plan and a New Deal for Workers .
The two go hand in hand , and we need to deliver them both in order to safeguard and create jobs and to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihood and quality of life .
If this pandemic has shown anything , it ’ s that for too long we have all failed to recognise the true essential workers in our communities .
To support the retail sector , we need government action on : • A fundamental rebalancing between bricks and mortar and online retail .
Business rates , rents , leases , and tax loopholes mean that our high streets and other local bricks and mortar stores struggle to compete with online retail .
We need to recognise the value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing field .
• Funding for local authorities .
Local authorities need to have the funding available to support their local economies .
The connection between local services and transport infrastructure is vital to promoting successful local high streets and thriving local communities .
• Investment in skills and training .
With new technology being introduced all the time and working practices constantly evolving , there needs to be proper investment in skills , training and apprenticeships , including funding for highly successful Union Learning schemes .
And to support workers by providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A minimum wage that is a real living wage .
The national minimum wage should be immediately increased to £10 per hour .
• Guarantees over working hours .
A minimum 16 hours per week for everyone who wants it with contracts based on the normal hours worked and an end to zero-hour contracts .
• Freedom From Fear and Respect for Shopworkers .
Nobody should be abused or assaulted just for doing their job .
We need ‘ Protection of Workers ’ legislation to tackle abuse and violence frontline workers face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Improved sick pay and a proper social security system instead of the current Universal Credit mess .
• Job security .
Greater protection from redundancy , proper consultation over the introduction of new technologies/automation , and investment in skills .
• Fair treatment and equality for all workers .
Women workers need equal pay and they need decent pay .
We need new family friendly rights that give parents and carers real choices to support juggling work and family life .
There is so much that needs to be done – and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it looks like the government is getting it wrong .
They need to realise that time is not on their side , and none of us can afford for them to delay as they have done throughout the pandemic .
There needs to be a ruthless focus on jobs with tailored support for those sectors that need it the most .
This is exactly the approach that Labour is calling for , that we are calling for , that the country is calling for .
The government just needs to listen and act @

As the tragic human cost of the coronavirus pandemic continues to mount, we face an economic challenge that has the potential to rip the heart out of our communities and destroy the livelihoods of millions of people across the country. So far, the government has failed to recognise the scale of the challenge or take decisive action to protect the economy and people’s jobs.
In his summer statement, the Chancellor announced billions of pounds in support for businesses. But in too many cases, effective existing measures were being scrapped and new, expensive measures were so poorly targeted that they will likely fail to save jobs and protect businesses. Anneliese Dodds was absolutely right to call for a targeted, sectoral approach in her response.
Usdaw represents hundreds of thousands of members across retail, distribution and manufacturing. Whilst many retail workers have continued to work throughout the pandemic, keeping food on the shelves and serving their communities, for many others, especially on our at-risk high streets, the support initially available from the government was a lifeline, protecting their incomes and the viability of the businesses they work for.
To rip away that support prematurely will push many businesses over a cliff edge and put thousands of jobs at risk. Why protect jobs through the early stages of the pandemic, just to sacrifice them now? This is why Labour’s campaign on jobs is so welcome. The Labour Party must hold the government to account for its failure on jobs and the economy.
As a sector, retail was struggling even before the pandemic, and Usdaw has long been calling for the government to take meaningful action to support the sector. If any other sector of our economy was facing the scale of job losses that we see in retail, there would be swift government intervention. We have already seen over 24,000 retail jobs lost this year and reports suggest that around 250,000 high street jobs are at risk.
Usdaw is calling for two things: a Retail Recovery Plan and a New Deal for Workers. The two go hand in hand, and we need to deliver them both in order to safeguard and create jobs and to make sure that those jobs provide a proper livelihood and quality of life. If this pandemic has shown anything, it’s that for too long we have all failed to recognise the true essential workers in our communities.
To support the retail sector, we need government action on:
A fundamental rebalancing between bricks and mortar and online retail. Business rates, rents, leases, and tax loopholes mean that our high streets and other local bricks and mortar stores struggle to compete with online retail. We need to recognise the value of our high streets and level the playing field.
Funding for local authorities. Local authorities need to have the funding available to support their local economies. The connection between local services and transport infrastructure is vital to promoting successful local high streets and thriving local communities.
Investment in skills and training . With new technology being introduced all the time and working practices constantly evolving, there needs to be proper investment in skills, training and apprenticeships, including funding for highly successful Union Learning schemes.
And to support workers by providing good quality jobs, we need:
A minimum wage that is a real living wage. The national minimum wage should be immediately increased to £10 per hour.
Guarantees over working hours. A minimum 16 hours per week for everyone who wants it with contracts based on the normal hours worked and an end to zero-hour contracts.
Freedom From Fear and Respect for Shopworkers. Nobody should be abused or assaulted just for doing their job. We need ‘Protection of Workers’ legislation to tackle abuse and violence frontline workers face.
More support for low-paid workers . Improved sick pay and a proper social security system instead of the current Universal Credit mess.
Job security. Greater protection from redundancy, proper consultation over the introduction of new technologies/automation, and investment in skills.
Fair treatment and equality for all workers. Women workers need equal pay and they need decent pay. We need new family friendly rights that give parents and carers real choices to support juggling work and family life.
A real voice at work . Trade unions recognised in the workplace.
There is so much that needs to be done – and on all the evidence we have, it looks like the government is getting it wrong. They need to realise that time is not on their side, and none of us can afford for them to delay as they have done throughout the pandemic. There needs to be a ruthless focus on jobs with tailored support for those sectors that need it the most. This is exactly the approach that Labour is calling for, that we are calling for, that the country is calling for. The government just needs to listen and act.


labourlist--2020-07-31--Hugh Goulbourne: Why I want to be Labour’s West Yorkshire mayoral candidate

The coronavirus pandemic is far from over , but already we are seeing the huge strain that it is placing on our communities here in West Yorkshire .
Our social and political landscape is changing fast , and it is becoming increasingly clear that regions like ours and towns like mine need support .
As we build towards next year ’ s local and mayoral elections , people here will vote for the political parties and the leaders who have a focused plan .
Our actions in recent months have rightly been focused on trying to stop the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who are infected , to protect those most at risk and to hold together our society and our economy .
As well as the tragic loss of life from this virus , it has become crystal clear that we are also facing the worst global economic crisis since 1945 .
Much of our region was already struggling before this current crisis due to the decline in manufacturing and swingeing cuts to local authority budgets .
West Yorkshire still retains some fantastic assets , including world class universities and a financial district in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this just provides an additional level of complexity in a devolution package which could set the needs of thriving economies in Leeds , and smaller knowledge hubs in villages like Slaithwaite or Hebden Bridge , up against those who are just trying to survive in the other areas of West Yorkshire .
Against this backdrop , we ’ re going to need a mayor with bold interventions to prepare workers for the 21st century jobs market , repurpose and ‘ green ’ our urban centres and improve our health and resilience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as nine out of ten people currently in work need to retrain or reskill over the next ten years .
Here in West Yorkshire , we will need to support many thousands of people of all ages if we are going to enable businesses here to remain competitive in an increasingly digital and hi-tech economy .
There has long been a gap in what business says it needs – people able to synthesise lots of data , write computer code , solve problems or manage teams effectively – and the skills being developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the supply chain of skills requires urgent attention , and a West Yorkshire mayor must bring together small and large businesses , trade unions , colleges , universities and the enterprise teams from our local authorities to tackle this issue .
The government ’ s recently launched Kickstarter Programme provides a welcome place from which to start but the picture is very different in West Yorkshire to London and the South East .
It is also changing almost on a daily basis , which means this process must be agile – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace , responds to evidence and is not afraid to change course quickly if programmes are not working .
Online retailing has reduced footfall hugely and forced many retailers to close and/or consolidate into the region ’ s commercial centres , such as Leeds , where thousands of office workers are present during the week .
This shift to online – away from the high street – has been accelerated by the Covid-19 lockdown , and with many people also now working from home there is increasingly a problem even for thriving commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new digital and decentralised world of work , there are huge productivity gains that come from a workforce that converts hours spent crammed on trains or stuck in traffic jams into hours working , exercising , eating properly and/or walking children to school .
In addition to the economic and social benefits of working from home , there are also sizeable cuts that can be made to our carbon emissions by pushing down the number of journeys we all make .
A West Yorkshire mayor must have the confidence to review the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers , talk to parents and explore new technologies in order to design urban spaces and transport systems that respond to our new situation .
We are already entering a world where online shopping deliveries take up more of our transport capacity and where people are mainly going to the hairdresser or visiting a cafe in their local high street rather than visiting town centres .
In that context , hydrogen-fuelled or electric vehicles could provide a better way to address our climate crisis than more public transport , and our town and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of ‘ mini villages ’ connected by cycling highways and walking routes .
We need our mayor to lead the civic innovation that will enable our councils , business groups and residents to work together on this journey .
In this new world , we also need a mayor who can use their skills and influence to deliver a public health system which is fit for the 21st century .
Countries that have invested more in health education and digital healthcare programmes , such as Germany , South Korea and Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of Covid-19 and are building back their economies more quickly .
The current devolution deal already provides the new mayor with an opportunity to create an ActEarly North Institute , which will build on the success of the ActEarly pilot project run by the Bradford Institute of Health .
The institute provides the platform from which to deliver better public health locally , while at the same time promoting economic development by positioning West Yorkshire globally at the forefront of innovation in lifelong preventive health care .
This is an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizen whilst also securing thousands of new jobs , so the new mayor must make this a priority on day-one of their administration and must have the skills and experience to deliver this project .
They must be able to reach out beyond the five local authorities that are within the mayoral deal so that we can build on the existing collaboration between West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership and academic institutions across Yorkshire .
They must ensure that the different innovation hubs that will make up the institute are spread evenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just become a Bradford and Leeds initiative .
To do this , we need a mayor who can forge fresh relationships between the private and the public sectors .
Our local authorities and health bodies need private enterprise and innovation if they are going to tackle the health , social and environmental challenges ahead .
This does not mean outsourcing profitable services to the private sector , but instead facilitating collaboration to generate new products and services that respond to local need .
The pandemic is giving us the chance to reboot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything is truly valued , including the joy and mental wellbeing that human contact brings .
With public finances stretched , private enterprise could and should be encouraged to help society keep its dignity and purpose , with greater investment into the wellbeing of our local communities .
We need a mayor who is not afraid to use the current West Yorkshire deal as a stepping stone to greater devolution , and to build back our communities better by bringing a new and more collaborative approach to the way that public sector programmes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The coronavirus pandemic is far from over, but already we are seeing the huge strain that it is placing on our communities here in West Yorkshire. Our social and political landscape is changing fast, and it is becoming increasingly clear that regions like ours and towns like mine need support. As we build towards next year’s local and mayoral elections, people here will vote for the political parties and the leaders who have a focused plan.
Our actions in recent months have rightly been focused on trying to stop the spread of the virus, to care for those people who are infected, to protect those most at risk and to hold together our society and our economy. As well as the tragic loss of life from this virus, it has become crystal clear that we are also facing the worst global economic crisis since 1945. Much of our region was already struggling before this current crisis due to the decline in manufacturing and swingeing cuts to local authority budgets.
West Yorkshire still retains some fantastic assets, including world class universities and a financial district in Leeds that is second only to London. But this just provides an additional level of complexity in a devolution package which could set the needs of thriving economies in Leeds, and smaller knowledge hubs in villages like Slaithwaite or Hebden Bridge, up against those who are just trying to survive in the other areas of West Yorkshire.
Against this backdrop, we’re going to need a mayor with bold interventions to prepare workers for the 21st century jobs market, repurpose and ‘green’ our urban centres and improve our health and resilience.
Skills for the future
The CBI estimates that as many as nine out of ten people currently in work need to retrain or reskill over the next ten years. Here in West Yorkshire, we will need to support many thousands of people of all ages if we are going to enable businesses here to remain competitive in an increasingly digital and hi-tech economy.
There has long been a gap in what business says it needs – people able to synthesise lots of data, write computer code, solve problems or manage teams effectively – and the skills being developed by traditional learning routes.
This problem in the supply chain of skills requires urgent attention, and a West Yorkshire mayor must bring together small and large businesses, trade unions, colleges, universities and the enterprise teams from our local authorities to tackle this issue.
The government’s recently launched Kickstarter Programme provides a welcome place from which to start but the picture is very different in West Yorkshire to London and the South East. It is also changing almost on a daily basis, which means this process must be agile – a test and see approach that delivers at pace, responds to evidence and is not afraid to change course quickly if programmes are not working.
Repurposing our town centres
Online retailing has reduced footfall hugely and forced many retailers to close and/or consolidate into the region’s commercial centres, such as Leeds, where thousands of office workers are present during the week. This shift to online – away from the high street – has been accelerated by the Covid-19 lockdown, and with many people also now working from home there is increasingly a problem even for thriving commercial centres such as Leeds.
In this new digital and decentralised world of work, there are huge productivity gains that come from a workforce that converts hours spent crammed on trains or stuck in traffic jams into hours working, exercising, eating properly and/or walking children to school. In addition to the economic and social benefits of working from home, there are also sizeable cuts that can be made to our carbon emissions by pushing down the number of journeys we all make.
A West Yorkshire mayor must have the confidence to review the evidence, talk to workers, talk to employers, talk to parents and explore new technologies in order to design urban spaces and transport systems that respond to our new situation.
We are already entering a world where online shopping deliveries take up more of our transport capacity and where people are mainly going to the hairdresser or visiting a cafe in their local high street rather than visiting town centres. In that context, hydrogen-fuelled or electric vehicles could provide a better way to address our climate crisis than more public transport, and our town and city centres may be better off as a series of ‘mini villages’ connected by cycling highways and walking routes.
We need our mayor to lead the civic innovation that will enable our councils, business groups and residents to work together on this journey.
Building health and resilience
In this new world, we also need a mayor who can use their skills and influence to deliver a public health system which is fit for the 21st century. Countries that have invested more in health education and digital healthcare programmes, such as Germany, South Korea and Japan, have so far responded better to the threat of Covid-19 and are building back their economies more quickly.
The current devolution deal already provides the new mayor with an opportunity to create an ActEarly North Institute, which will build on the success of the ActEarly pilot project run by the Bradford Institute of Health. The institute provides the platform from which to deliver better public health locally, while at the same time promoting economic development by positioning West Yorkshire globally at the forefront of innovation in lifelong preventive health care.
This is an opportunity to improve the lives of every local citizen whilst also securing thousands of new jobs, so the new mayor must make this a priority on day-one of their administration and must have the skills and experience to deliver this project.
They must be able to reach out beyond the five local authorities that are within the mayoral deal so that we can build on the existing collaboration between West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership and academic institutions across Yorkshire. They must ensure that the different innovation hubs that will make up the institute are spread evenly across West Yorkshire so that this does not just become a Bradford and Leeds initiative.
To do this, we need a mayor who can forge fresh relationships between the private and the public sectors. Our local authorities and health bodies need private enterprise and innovation if they are going to tackle the health, social and environmental challenges ahead. This does not mean outsourcing profitable services to the private sector, but instead facilitating collaboration to generate new products and services that respond to local need.
The pandemic is giving us the chance to reboot our approach to human values, where everything is truly valued, including the joy and mental wellbeing that human contact brings. With public finances stretched, private enterprise could and should be encouraged to help society keep its dignity and purpose, with greater investment into the wellbeing of our local communities.
We need a mayor who is not afraid to use the current West Yorkshire deal as a stepping stone to greater devolution, and to build back our communities better by bringing a new and more collaborative approach to the way that public sector programmes are designed and delivered in our region.


labourlist--2020-07-31--‘Long Covid’, NHS pride and casework: Labour MPs recovering from coronavirus

“ I ’ ve had some pretty horrid days over the past 17 weeks , but the last couple of days have been OK.
I ’ ve been pacing myself so as not to overdo it.
” I ’ m speaking to Andrew Gwynne , the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish and former shadow cabinet member .
He is telling me about his experience of contracting coronavirus back in March .
Explaining the symptoms he experienced , the MP tells me : “ I only had a fever for one of the days .
It lasted about 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone pushing down on your lungs , couldn ’ t get proper lung capacity , banging headaches , and just fatigue all the time.
” Although the coronavirus passed , the illness hasn ’ t .
Andrew has reported enduring effects of coronavirus .
“ I ’ ll be dripping like I ’ d run a marathon just from hoovering the front room .
Sheer exhaustion all the time .
And brain fog .
“ When the brain fog descends , it ’ s horrible .
I ’ ll ask my wife what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll tell me .
Five minutes later , I ’ ll say : what are we having for tea ?
She ’ ll say ‘ I ’ ve told you ’ and I can ’ t remember.
” It feels “ incredibly frustrating ” , Andrew says , particularly when trying to work .
“ It ’ s sometimes difficult to get the words that you want .
You can see them in your head and you ’ re grasping for them but you can ’ t reach them .
And if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t put them in the right order to make a coherent sentence.
” He adds : “ I ’ ve felt that doing some of my questions remotely on parliamentary proceedings , ” And after a few mid-sentence pauses : “ Even talking to you now , and it ’ s not a bad day today , I am struggling to find the words of what to say and put them in the right order.
” While not reported as a symptom of Covid-19 , Andrew says brain fog is known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” or of having “ long Covid ” , which can also leave him “ wiped out for the rest of the day ” after doing a single parliamentary question from home .
He is raising awareness of this phenomenon , and wants the government to provide more support for long-haulers who are currently having to rely on Facebook groups .
“ What worries me is that as the economy switches back on , there ’ ll be lots of people who aren ’ t in a privileged position like I am , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , do a Zoom question to a minister and go back to bed , ” Andrew says .
He is very concerned that if the Department of Work and Pensions does not recognise ‘ long Covid ’ , “ people who are genuinely ill are going to end up with sanctions ” .
“ You probably know that I was on a ventilator in hospital and all the rest of it , ” Tony Lloyd begins our conversation .
“ In that sense , really , it was life and death.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parliament for 37 years , had perhaps the most serious case of coronavirus of all MPs .
It required a 25-day hospital stay in April , including ten days in an induced coma .
Somewhat surprisingly , however , Tony – while tired – doesn ’ t suffer from the kind of exhaustion experienced by Andrew Gwynne .
He stresses this at the start of our interview , but then adds that he is going in for a “ post-Covid MOT ” next week involving lung function tests .
“ Maybe they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bloody hell , you ’ re lucky to be walking around.
” Tony is glad to see Labour MPs such as shadow minister Alex Norris push the government to look into the long-term effects of coronavirus , yet in terms of his personal Covid experiences , the main takeaways relate to the NHS and frontline workers .
“ You ’ ve got to come away with a deep sense of humility , really .
I ’ d got the condition but I had people looking after me , from the specialist consultants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who chatted to me when he was cleaning the Covid ward , who were putting themselves at risk.
” The MP describes “ little acts of kindness ” , such as a nurse cutting his hair and one nursing assistant who gave him a couple of masks as he was leaving and said , “ I think you ’ ll be needing those in the future ” .
He says : “ It ’ s almost at a trivial level , but just people who genuinely wanted to be there for you.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the NHS , Tony says that as he left hospital a Nigerian British nurse helped carry his belongings .
“ As she dropped it at the door , she clapped me off the premises .
Things like that are not just endearing – they make you humble… You can ’ t buy that .
We ’ re foolish if we ’ re prepared to give that up.
” Explaining how the experience shaped his view of the NHS , Tony said : “ On the left we ’ re proud of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view of the NHS .
But actually seeing it ’ s done by real people and the culture is an embedded one , it does make you realise what a fantastic organisation we have .
It ’ s way beyond the organogram or the financial streams or even the intellectual medical systems .
I almost want to say it ’ s driven by… well , I ’ d like to say love , actually.
” The Brighton MP was on a train to France when I contacted him , so we just had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already written in detail about experiencing Covid for his local paper back in March .
“ Sweats , headache , backache , muscle ache and a sore throat ” – Lloyd got the whole lot .
With a tight chest and shallow breathing , shivers that became hot sweats , he was given the all-clear after 14 days .
Compared to the flu , it was “ worse but not much worse ” for him .
He is able to continue swimming daily .
Lloyd says he hadn ’ t been scared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he wasn ’ t worried about testing positive for Covid-19 either .
“ Being HIV positive means I know it ’ s much better to be tested than not , so treatment can be adjusted , ” he tells me .
Has he considered getting an antibody test ?
Although Lloyd had a number of tests , he says he never got a result and only found he was positive for Covid-19 by mistake when talking to his doctor about something else .
“ I did get a call last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood because they want to look at blood with antibodies , so I assume I have them .
I wear masks and take precautions… I feel safe enough but I ’ m aware that might be false confidence.
” Kate Osborne , the newly elected representative for Jarrow , was the first Labour MP to publicly say that she had tested positive for Covid-19 in early March .
Andrew had a fever for just one day , and similarly a high temperature wasn ’ t a main feature of Kate ’ s coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around my breathing , my respiratory system , I struggled and felt out of breath even when I was just sitting in the chair .
And generally felt unwell .
I didn ’ t end up in hospital , although at one point I think I was quite close .
It was a little bit scary , I suppose , because I was on my own , ” she tells me .
The new MP self-isolated alone in her London flat for three weeks .
“ I have to say that I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a degree with what they ’ re now calling long Covid .
I ’ m still not quite right .
And I ’ m having days where I ’ m really struggling .
Others not so.
” She adds : “ I think that the true effects of Covid aren ’ t really known to us in terms of the long term .
And that ’ s quite scary in terms of not just how individuals might feel and deal with that , but also how that might impact on our NHS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal life.
” Asked about her long Covid symptoms , Kate explains : “ I ’ m tired a lot of the time .
I don ’ t know whether that ’ s because I ’ ve not really had a break since the election in December .
Maybe a heavy workload , it could be that .
But I kind of get the feeling it ’ s not .
So I would say fatigue.
” She also lists an upset stomach , weight loss and headaches .
“ But fatigue is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had it quite mildly , I did find it quite scary .
I ’ m fairly fit and healthy .
To find that you ’ re having breathing problems , knowing that some people have died from it , not knowing at what point you ’ re going to get better , it ’ s scary.
” Kate points out that she was fortunate not to have to worry about her income and paying bills , however , and says her office has been “ inundated ” with casework .
As a 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compare this to pre-Covid times , but colleagues have told her that the level of constituent help needed has been off the scale .
“ We ’ ve tried to do it as quickly as we can , and everybody ’ s emails are important , ” Kate says of her office ’ s caseload .
“ Trying to prioritise is quite difficult .
Sometimes I don ’ t know how you do that .
Because everybody ’ s issues are important , aren ’ t they ?
”

Andrew Gwynne
“I’ve had some pretty horrid days over the past 17 weeks, but the last couple of days have been OK. I’ve been pacing myself so as not to overdo it.” I’m speaking to Andrew Gwynne, the Labour MP for Denton and Reddish and former shadow cabinet member. He is telling me about his experience of contracting coronavirus back in March.
Explaining the symptoms he experienced, the MP tells me: “I only had a fever for one of the days. It lasted about 24 hours. But it was this feeling of someone pushing down on your lungs, couldn’t get proper lung capacity, banging headaches, and just fatigue all the time.”
Although the coronavirus passed, the illness hasn’t. Andrew has reported enduring effects of coronavirus. “I’ll be dripping like I’d run a marathon just from hoovering the front room. Sheer exhaustion all the time. And brain fog.
“When the brain fog descends, it’s horrible. I’ll ask my wife what’s for tea, and she’ll tell me. Five minutes later, I’ll say: what are we having for tea? She’ll say ‘I’ve told you’ and I can’t remember.”
It feels “incredibly frustrating”, Andrew says, particularly when trying to work. “It’s sometimes difficult to get the words that you want. You can see them in your head and you’re grasping for them but you can’t reach them. And if you do reach them, you can’t put them in the right order to make a coherent sentence.”
He adds: “I’ve felt that doing some of my questions remotely on parliamentary proceedings,” And after a few mid-sentence pauses: “Even talking to you now, and it’s not a bad day today, I am struggling to find the words of what to say and put them in the right order.”
While not reported as a symptom of Covid-19, Andrew says brain fog is known as a symptom of being a “long-hauler” or of having “long Covid”, which can also leave him “wiped out for the rest of the day” after doing a single parliamentary question from home. He is raising awareness of this phenomenon, and wants the government to provide more support for long-haulers who are currently having to rely on Facebook groups.
“What worries me is that as the economy switches back on, there’ll be lots of people who aren’t in a privileged position like I am, to be able to sit in my study, do a Zoom question to a minister and go back to bed,” Andrew says. He is very concerned that if the Department of Work and Pensions does not recognise ‘long Covid’, “people who are genuinely ill are going to end up with sanctions”.
Tony Lloyd
“You probably know that I was on a ventilator in hospital and all the rest of it,” Tony Lloyd begins our conversation. “In that sense, really, it was life and death.” The Rochdale representative, who has served in parliament for 37 years, had perhaps the most serious case of coronavirus of all MPs. It required a 25-day hospital stay in April, including ten days in an induced coma.
Somewhat surprisingly, however, Tony – while tired – doesn’t suffer from the kind of exhaustion experienced by Andrew Gwynne. He stresses this at the start of our interview, but then adds that he is going in for a “post-Covid MOT” next week involving lung function tests. “Maybe they’re going to say to me, bloody hell, you’re lucky to be walking around.”
Tony is glad to see Labour MPs such as shadow minister Alex Norris push the government to look into the long-term effects of coronavirus, yet in terms of his personal Covid experiences, the main takeaways relate to the NHS and frontline workers.
“You’ve got to come away with a deep sense of humility, really. I’d got the condition but I had people looking after me, from the specialist consultants all the way through to the guy who chatted to me when he was cleaning the Covid ward, who were putting themselves at risk.”
The MP describes “little acts of kindness”, such as a nurse cutting his hair and one nursing assistant who gave him a couple of masks as he was leaving and said, “I think you’ll be needing those in the future”. He says: “It’s almost at a trivial level, but just people who genuinely wanted to be there for you.”
Noting that race is important in conversations about the NHS, Tony says that as he left hospital a Nigerian British nurse helped carry his belongings. “As she dropped it at the door, she clapped me off the premises. Things like that are not just endearing – they make you humble… You can’t buy that. We’re foolish if we’re prepared to give that up.”
Explaining how the experience shaped his view of the NHS, Tony said: “On the left we’re proud of the NHS, we have a rightly romantic view of the NHS. But actually seeing it’s done by real people and the culture is an embedded one, it does make you realise what a fantastic organisation we have. It’s way beyond the organogram or the financial streams or even the intellectual medical systems. I almost want to say it’s driven by… well, I’d like to say love, actually.”
Lloyd Russell-Moyle
The Brighton MP was on a train to France when I contacted him, so we just had a quick chat over WhatsApp. He had already written in detail about experiencing Covid for his local paper back in March.
“Sweats, headache, backache, muscle ache and a sore throat” – Lloyd got the whole lot. With a tight chest and shallow breathing, shivers that became hot sweats, he was given the all-clear after 14 days. Compared to the flu, it was “worse but not much worse” for him. Post-recovery, he is once again able to continue swimming daily.
Lloyd says he hadn’t been scared by reports of overloaded hospitals in Italy, and he wasn’t worried about testing positive for Covid-19 either. “Being HIV positive means I know it’s much better to be tested than not, so treatment can be adjusted,” he tells me.
Has he considered getting an antibody test? Although Lloyd had a number of tests, he says he never got a result and only found he was positive for Covid-19 by mistake when talking to his doctor about something else.
“I did get a call last week saying they would like me to donate blood because they want to look at blood with antibodies, so I assume I have them. I wear masks and take precautions… I feel safe enough but I’m aware that might be false confidence.”
Kate Osborne
Kate Osborne, the newly elected representative for Jarrow, was the first Labour MP to publicly say that she had tested positive for Covid-19 in early March. Andrew had a fever for just one day, and similarly a high temperature wasn’t a main feature of Kate’s coronavirus experience.
“My main issues were around my breathing, my respiratory system, I struggled and felt out of breath even when I was just sitting in the chair. And generally felt unwell. I didn’t end up in hospital, although at one point I think I was quite close. It was a little bit scary, I suppose, because I was on my own,” she tells me. The new MP self-isolated alone in her London flat for three weeks.
“I have to say that I think I’m still actually suffering to a degree with what they’re now calling long Covid. I’m still not quite right. And I’m having days where I’m really struggling. Others not so.”
She adds: “I think that the true effects of Covid aren’t really known to us in terms of the long term. And that’s quite scary in terms of not just how individuals might feel and deal with that, but also how that might impact on our NHS, on people’s work and their personal life.”
Asked about her long Covid symptoms, Kate explains: “I’m tired a lot of the time. I don’t know whether that’s because I’ve not really had a break since the election in December. Maybe a heavy workload, it could be that. But I kind of get the feeling it’s not. So I would say fatigue.” She also lists an upset stomach, weight loss and headaches. “But fatigue is the worst thing.”
“Even though I had it quite mildly, I did find it quite scary. I’m fairly fit and healthy. To find that you’re having breathing problems, knowing that some people have died from it, not knowing at what point you’re going to get better, it’s scary.”
Kate points out that she was fortunate not to have to worry about her income and paying bills, however, and says her office has been “inundated” with casework. As a 2019 intake MP, she can’t compare this to pre-Covid times, but colleagues have told her that the level of constituent help needed has been off the scale. “We’ve tried to do it as quickly as we can, and everybody’s emails are important,” Kate says of her office’s caseload. “Trying to prioritise is quite difficult. Sometimes I don’t know how you do that. Because everybody’s issues are important, aren’t they?”


labourlist--2020-07-31--Caoimhe Hale: Why I’m running for chair of London Young Labour

For the past year , I have been a part of London Young Labour ’ s committee , and whilst I am proud of what I have achieved in that time , there is still so much to do .
That ’ s why this year , I am standing for chair .
I want to focus my experience , ideas and passion towards mobilising members , and organising campaigns .
I understand the concerns of young members across London because I have spent the last five years embedded in these same struggles .
Struggles for unionised workplaces and LGBT+ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most importantly , against the Tories .
At work , I represent union members in legal action against negligent employers , and when I am not at work , I try to impress these same values upon my peers .
But this is nothing extraordinary .
Young workers , students and Labour members from across London and the rest of the country do exactly the same .
The yearning for fair and equitable social relations , the hope for a better future and the desire to avert climate catastrophe defines my generation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ harness as LYL chair .
I want to lead an open , democratic , socialist London Young Labour willing to stand up to rogue landlords , exploitative bosses , fossil fuel profiteers and the cruel Conservative policy .
To serve as LGBT+ officer on this year ’ s committee was an honour that I did not take lightly .
I fought tirelessly for LGBT+ youth whilst in post .
As a socialist I understand that the liberation of LGBT+ people can not be divorced from the realities of class struggle , and any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without this analysis is no more than lip service .
I know that it is LGBT+ youth who suffer disproportionately under austerity , and it is trans youth who feel the brunt of renewed attacks on their existence by transphobic ministers .
My tenure as chair , if elected , will be defined by a reinvigorated fight for social justice for all members , regardless of their sexual orientation or gender .
When I organised an LYL vigil for the anniversary of the tragic Admiral Duncan attack , spoke out against Brunei ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood in solidarity with trans people against the dehumanising attempts to roll back trans rights by the government , I did so knowing the following to be true : there can be no socialism without social justice , and no equality without class analysis .
As an unapologetic socialist and queer woman , I will always ensure that we are represented by London Young Labour .
One of my proudest moments serving on last year ’ s committee was the response to our protective equipment drive .
In the wake of the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we would all need to step in to protect each other .
When I launched the PPE initiative ( which you can read more about here ) , I was blown away by the enthusiasm of our members .
As a result of this city-wide collaboration , goggles , visors , and other PPE was distributed to hospitals and social care facilities .
I continue to be inspired by the thousands of London Young Labour members .
Our ability to work together to achieve real change gives me hope for our collective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this that fill me with great optimism that I can lead a London Young Labour that can be both powerful and democratic .
The task of real socialist leadership is not to direct or instruct , but to listen .
We ought to be under no illusions that the entire labour movement currently faces enormous challenges .
As the disaster capitalism of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak wreaks havoc across working-class communities , superficially sugar-coating austerity and attacks on workers with empty soundbites , we need a labour movement that is equipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to do this is through broad coalition-building and avoiding a bunker mentality .
Factions in the Labour Party do exist , and we should be honest about this fact – but factions have existed in the Labour Party since its very inception , and we must not allow these sideshows to distract us from the real goal of improving millions of lives .
More than anything else , we need a Labour government and a strong union movement .
My candidacy aims to unite all sections of the left and leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , my decision to run for chair was informed by friends from across the movement , who supported a wealth of leadership candidates , and a wide array of socialist societies .
What we all have in common is an unerring vision of a fairer society and my focus as chair will be to make this a reality for young people in London , whilst maintaining and strengthening links with other regional Young Labour groups .
I can not wait to get stuck into the challenges ahead and with your support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobilise young people and build real , long-term networks of solidarity that can empower our movement once more .
If you want to be a part of a democratic , member-led LYL , you can nominate me here under the ‘ Young Labour London Representative ’ category .
My membership number is L1263751 .

For the past year, I have been a part of London Young Labour’s committee, and whilst I am proud of what I have achieved in that time, there is still so much to do. That’s why this year, I am standing for chair. I want to focus my experience, ideas and passion towards mobilising members, and organising campaigns. I understand the concerns of young members across London because I have spent the last five years embedded in these same struggles. Struggles for unionised workplaces and LGBT+ liberation, against exploitative landlords, and most importantly, against the Tories.
At work, I represent union members in legal action against negligent employers, and when I am not at work, I try to impress these same values upon my peers. But this is nothing extraordinary. Young workers, students and Labour members from across London and the rest of the country do exactly the same. The yearning for fair and equitable social relations, the hope for a better future and the desire to avert climate catastrophe defines my generation. It is this enthusiasm that I will harness as LYL chair. I want to lead an open, democratic, socialist London Young Labour willing to stand up to rogue landlords, exploitative bosses, fossil fuel profiteers and the cruel Conservative policy.
To serve as LGBT+ officer on this year’s committee was an honour that I did not take lightly. I fought tirelessly for LGBT+ youth whilst in post. As a socialist I understand that the liberation of LGBT+ people cannot be divorced from the realities of class struggle, and any attempt to deal with issues of identity without this analysis is no more than lip service. I know that it is LGBT+ youth who suffer disproportionately under austerity, and it is trans youth who feel the brunt of renewed attacks on their existence by transphobic ministers.
My tenure as chair, if elected, will be defined by a reinvigorated fight for social justice for all members, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. When I organised an LYL vigil for the anniversary of the tragic Admiral Duncan attack, spoke out against Brunei’s treatment of LGBT+ people, and stood in solidarity with trans people against the dehumanising attempts to roll back trans rights by the government, I did so knowing the following to be true: there can be no socialism without social justice, and no equality without class analysis. As an unapologetic socialist and queer woman, I will always ensure that we are represented by London Young Labour.
One of my proudest moments serving on last year’s committee was the response to our protective equipment drive. In the wake of the government’s incompetence, it became apparent that we would all need to step in to protect each other. When I launched the PPE initiative (which you can read more about here), I was blown away by the enthusiasm of our members. As a result of this city-wide collaboration, goggles, visors, and other PPE was distributed to hospitals and social care facilities. I continue to be inspired by the thousands of London Young Labour members. Our ability to work together to achieve real change gives me hope for our collective future. It is moments of unity like this that fill me with great optimism that I can lead a London Young Labour that can be both powerful and democratic. The task of real socialist leadership is not to direct or instruct, but to listen.
We ought to be under no illusions that the entire labour movement currently faces enormous challenges. As the disaster capitalism of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak wreaks havoc across working-class communities, superficially sugar-coating austerity and attacks on workers with empty soundbites, we need a labour movement that is equipped to face such challenges. The only way to do this is through broad coalition-building and avoiding a bunker mentality.
Factions in the Labour Party do exist, and we should be honest about this fact – but factions have existed in the Labour Party since its very inception, and we must not allow these sideshows to distract us from the real goal of improving millions of lives. More than anything else, we need a Labour government and a strong union movement. My candidacy aims to unite all sections of the left and leave the in-fighting and quarrelling in the past. In fact, my decision to run for chair was informed by friends from across the movement, who supported a wealth of leadership candidates, and a wide array of socialist societies. What we all have in common is an unerring vision of a fairer society and my focus as chair will be to make this a reality for young people in London, whilst maintaining and strengthening links with other regional Young Labour groups.
I cannot wait to get stuck into the challenges ahead and with your support, I know I can continue to mobilise young people and build real, long-term networks of solidarity that can empower our movement once more.
If you want to be a part of a democratic, member-led LYL, you can nominate me here under the ‘Young Labour London Representative’ category. My membership number is L1263751.