labourlist--2020-11-25--As the first female metro mayor, I’ll be a champion for women’s empowerment

Hit and beaten with sticks , treated more like an animal than a human , Sarah was the first woman we ever worked with at A Way Out , the charity I founded in my 20s .
She was seven stone if that , skin and bones , very little hair and the biggest personality you ’ d ever come across .
We first met her when she hitched a lift with us to get away from her abusive partner and pimp .
Over the coming months , I was shocked to learn the level of abuse she would go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason she had so little hair was because of how often she ’ d be dragged about by it .
One day she ’ d been attacked with a sweeping brush .
Her life was a living hell , and until meeting us she had nowhere to turn .
We realised straight away that we had to get her out .
We arranged for a safe house and helped her prepare , creating a secret bag with some basic possessions , then arranged a set time in the day to be outside with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The first time we got a call from her – safe , alive and free – I was overwhelmed , and when we got a photograph of her , plump-faced and smiling , I think I cried .
Sarah eventually got her life back , she never returned to the abuse and was able to start again , but it always stayed with me .
What would have happened if we weren ’ t there , if women ’ s centres and domestic violence services weren ’ t there ?
Honestly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistic .
She would not be alive anymore .
Just like the scores of other women we worked with over the years .
This is why we started A Way Out .
I had met a 15-year-old girl who was selling her body on the streets of Stockton , coerced there by a 35-year-old drug pusher and gangster .
We began by helping young girls and young people , providing informal community based PSHE sessions , based upon my undergraduate dissertation project .
We also opened a drop-in centre for women , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the years , we helped thousands of people , yet it is these vital women ’ s services that have been hit through government cuts .
Since 2010 , spending on domestic violence refuges has been cut by nearly a quarter .
Some services locally have been struggling to survive , made to compete for funding , jump through hoops or simply have funding pulled .
But violence against women is getting worse .
In 2018 , 173 women were killed due to domestic violence .
Three people a week are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family member .
It seems time and time again that women are a lower priority for our political decision-makers – and it ’ s not just domestic violence services .
Women still earn less than men ( In the North East , it ’ s 22 % less ) .
Industries with high rates of women workers are lower-paid than industries that are traditionally more male-dominated .
The impact of welfare reform hurt women more with more having caring responsibilities and even the Covid-19 crisis and the government ’ s response hurt women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , care , hospitality and hair and beauty , by either being first to close and last to reopen or becoming more dangerous and challenging .
It is for this reason that we need more women in political positions , more women leading our councils and combined authorities , and more women leading our economies .
I am standing to be Tees Valley Mayor next year and should I win , I will be the UK ’ s first female metro mayor .
I will ensure that we have a balanced plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women are given the priority they deserve .
I will be a champion for women ’ s empowerment and women ’ s wellbeing , and I will lift my voice to challenge violence against women in all its forms .
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women .
Although this year we can ’ t meet together in person to celebrate , I will use my voice online to say we must fight on – because a better , safer , more equal world for women is possible @

Hit and beaten with sticks, treated more like an animal than a human, Sarah was the first woman we ever worked with at A Way Out, the charity I founded in my 20s. She was seven stone if that, skin and bones, very little hair and the biggest personality you’d ever come across. We first met her when she hitched a lift with us to get away from her abusive partner and pimp. Over the coming months, I was shocked to learn the level of abuse she would go through on a daily basis. The reason she had so little hair was because of how often she’d be dragged about by it. One day she’d been attacked with a sweeping brush.
Her life was a living hell, and until meeting us she had nowhere to turn. We realised straight away that we had to get her out. We arranged for a safe house and helped her prepare, creating a secret bag with some basic possessions, then arranged a set time in the day to be outside with our car to drive her to safety. The first time we got a call from her – safe, alive and free – I was overwhelmed, and when we got a photograph of her, plump-faced and smiling, I think I cried.
Sarah eventually got her life back, she never returned to the abuse and was able to start again, but it always stayed with me. What would have happened if we weren’t there, if women’s centres and domestic violence services weren’t there? Honestly, I know Sarah would have become a statistic. She would not be alive anymore. Just like the scores of other women we worked with over the years.
This is why we started A Way Out. I had met a 15-year-old girl who was selling her body on the streets of Stockton, coerced there by a 35-year-old drug pusher and gangster. We began by helping young girls and young people, providing informal community based PSHE sessions, based upon my undergraduate dissertation project. We also opened a drop-in centre for women, which is where Sarah would come for support.
Over the years, we helped thousands of people, yet it is these vital women’s services that have been hit through government cuts. Since 2010, spending on domestic violence refuges has been cut by nearly a quarter. Some services locally have been struggling to survive, made to compete for funding, jump through hoops or simply have funding pulled. But violence against women is getting worse. In 2018, 173 women were killed due to domestic violence. Three people a week are killed by a partner, ex-partner or family member.
It seems time and time again that women are a lower priority for our political decision-makers – and it’s not just domestic violence services. Women still earn less than men (In the North East, it’s 22% less). Industries with high rates of women workers are lower-paid than industries that are traditionally more male-dominated. The impact of welfare reform hurt women more with more having caring responsibilities and even the Covid-19 crisis and the government’s response hurt women with female-dominated sectors, such as retail, care, hospitality and hair and beauty, by either being first to close and last to reopen or becoming more dangerous and challenging.
It is for this reason that we need more women in political positions, more women leading our councils and combined authorities, and more women leading our economies. I am standing to be Tees Valley Mayor next year and should I win, I will be the UK’s first female metro mayor. I will ensure that we have a balanced plan for people and places to thrive, ensuring women are given the priority they deserve. I will be a champion for women’s empowerment and women’s wellbeing, and I will lift my voice to challenge violence against women in all its forms.
Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Although this year we can’t meet together in person to celebrate, I will use my voice online to say we must fight on – because a better, safer, more equal world for women is possible.


labourlist--2020-11-25--Trade unions criticise Chancellor’s “levelling down” spending review

Trade unions have reacted to the spending review delivered by Rishi Sunak in parliament this afternoon and argued that “ for all the government ’ s talk of levelling up , this spending review will level down Britain ” .
Responding after the Chancellor made his statement to the House of Commons today , trade unions including UNISON , the FBU , Usdaw , Unite , TSSA , Prospect , NEU and GMB joined the TUC , Labour and others in condemning the review .
Commenting on the public sector pay ‘ pause ’ , the TUC ’ s Frances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade of standstill pay , yet another pay freeze is a kick in the teeth for the key workers in the public sector who kept the country going in this crisis.
” Sunak announced this afternoon a public sector pay freeze , with NHS nurse and doctors exempt from the cap on wages , and that the national living wage would increase to £8.91 instead of the planned rise to £9.21 .
The general secretary added : “ Workers expecting a national minimum wage increase – not least the two million who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down by the government ’ s decision to row back on the full rise they were promised .
“ If the Chancellor wants to stop mass unemployment , the test will be how quickly today ’ s infrastructure announcements deliver enough good jobs in the parts of the country that need them most .
“ The TUC has shown that investing £85bn in green transport and infrastructure could create more than 1.2 million jobs in two years .
And the chancellor should have acted to unlock the 600,000 existing gaps and vacancies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers on payrolls has fallen by 782,000 between March and October this year .
Unemployment is expected to rise to a peak of 7.5 % in 2021 , or 2.6 million people , according to the Office for Budget Responsibility .
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis slammed the economic plan outlined by the Chancellor as “ austerity plain and simple ” and said a “ decade of spending cuts left public services exposed when Covid came calling ” .
He argued : “ The government is making the same disastrous mistake again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a bitter pill for key workers getting the UK through the pandemic and out the other side .
“ The Chancellor wants to pause the pay of care , school , council and other public service workers who ’ ve been on fast forward all year .
“ Extra money in pockets gets spent locally .
Less than a pound more a week for some won ’ t save the thousands of ailing shops and leisure , arts and hospitality venues across the country .
“ Health staff have already shown they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise this year .
This can ’ t wait on a lengthy pay review body process .
The government should deliver the goods now .
“ Reviving the economy will take a gargantuan effort from everyone .
That means investing in the entire economy , not seeking to divide and rule between the sectors .
Key workers mustn ’ t be taken for granted and left to carry the Covid can.
” In the run-up to the statement delivered by Sunak in the Commons today , Downing Street ’ s spokesperson insisted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor have been clear that we will not return to the austerity of the past ” .
These claims from Boris Johnson and the Chancellor follow an interview given by the Prime Minister in June this year , in which he said the government will “ not go back to the austerity of ten years ago ” .
Unite the Union assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail described the pay freeze unveiled by the Chancellor today as a “ body blow to the public sector workers he has targeted to bear the brunt of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She remarked : “ It is doubly disappointing that the Chancellor has adopted ‘ divide-and-rule ’ tactics over public sector pay with an award for NHS staff , but a freeze on pay for millions of others , such as teaching assistants , who are already low paid.
” Sunak said 2.1 million public sector staff who earn below the median wage of £24,000 would be guaranteed a £250 pay rise .
Cartmail slammed this as a “ sop ” and argued it “ compares badly ” with the money wasted on public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Prime Minister ’ s ‘ levelling up ’ agenda is in tatters as a result of the chancellor ’ s divisive pay announcement which does nothing to restore the ‘ lost ’ pay in real terms from a decade of austerity.
” Acting GMB general secretary Warren Kenny argued that “ punishing public sector workers doesn ’ t help those in the private sector and it doesn ’ t help the economy ” and accused Sunak of “ trying to divide and conquer ” .
Prospect ’ s Mike Clancy branded Sunak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector wages “ insulting ” and also called for him to “ address the millions of workers still unfairly excluded from his economic support schemes ” .
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack called the review a “ cold , hard , slap in the face ” for key workers and highlighted that the Chancellor has announced today ’ s measures despite clapping for them earlier in the pandemic .
He said : “ We ’ ve spent the last few weeks lobbying to show how urgently the fire and rescue service needs investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pandemics , and the building safety crisis exposed by Grenfell .
“ But rather than fund the frontline responders to these emergencies , the Chancellor has decided to try and give them a real-terms pay cut .
We won ’ t stand by and let the government attack key workers like this.
” Also responding this afternoon , Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis called for a “ new deal for workers ” , which includes demands for a £10 minimum wage , minimum contracts of 16 hours per week and improved sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , Lillis said : “ Millions of low-paid workers have provided essential services to help ensure the country is fed , healthy and safe through the lockdown and will continue to do so… “ There needs to be lasting and fundamental changes to the way society views our lowest paid workers .
We need a new deal for the workers : a minimum wage of at least £10 per hour , an end to insecure employment , respect for shopworkers and action to ensure that retail jobs are no longer underpaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many low-paid workers have to rely on Universal Credit to get by , and the temporary £20 uplift in Universal Credit has been really important in these difficult times .
Today was a missed opportunity for the Chancellor to make that increase permanent and give some assurance to millions of low income families.
” The government increased Universal Credit by £20 for a year in April .
Sunak was silent on whether this would be extended again next year .
Removing the uplift would reduce annual incomes for 16 million households by £1,040 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hat ” spending review announcement was a ‘ levelling up ’ fund worth £4bn , which will be managed jointly by the Treasury , Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government .
MPs will be able to lobby the government for investment in their area .
The Local Government Information Unit said the proposal cut out local government and warned “ local areas will bid against each other and Whitehall will pick the winners ” .
NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted declared : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept the country going during the pandemic , but pay cuts are their only reward from this government… “ It is not enough for government ministers to thank teachers for their vital contribution during Covid .
Such sentiments ring hollow when they are then subject to a pay freeze which follows previous pay freezes and years of below-inflation pay increases which have eaten into the real value of their pay since 2010.
” She added : “ True levelling up means investing more in education and other public services , not levelling down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general secretary Manuel Cortes criticised Sunak for failing to mention the climate crisis during his statement to MPs this afternoon and accused him of “ abandoning all pretence of ambition over decarbonisation ” .
He said : “ With debt repayments going down as a result of low interest rates – even when we have increased borrowing – now was the time to borrow more in order to kick start a green new deal .
This would in turn secure the future growth we need to significantly bring borrowing down over the medium-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an economy which can endure in the decades to come without catastrophic damage to our planet .
The lack of leadership from the Tories on this amounts to a tragic missed opportunity.
” Shadow BEIS Secretary Ed Miliband pointed out that only £3bn of new money was allocated to a green stimulus to tackle the unemployment crisis and argued the “ climate crisis was almost invisible in today ’ s statement ” .
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds accused Sunak of taking a “ sledgehammer ” to consumer confidence and warned that public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our small businesses and on our high streets , less in our private sector ” .
Other organisations joined the Labour Party and trade unions in slamming the statement from Sunak this afternoon .
The Institute for Public Policy and Research reiterated its call for a £164bn “ ambitious cash injection ” in 2020-21 .
The Fabian Society ’ s Andrew Harrop accused the government of pushing more than a million people into poverty with the measures announced by Sunak today , stressing in particular the negative impact of the inaction on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Sunak is pressing on with his plan to slash £1,000 a year from Universal Credit for people out of work .
Children will go hungry and families will lose their homes .
This is ‘ levelling down ’ not ‘ levelling up ’ .
” Sunak told MPs that borrowing would reach £394bn this year , and that the OBR has estimated the UK economy will shrink by 11.3 % , with output not expected to return to pre-crisis levels until the fourth quarter of 2022 .

Trade unions have reacted to the spending review delivered by Rishi Sunak in parliament this afternoon and argued that “for all the government’s talk of levelling up, this spending review will level down Britain”.
Responding after the Chancellor made his statement to the House of Commons today, trade unions including UNISON, the FBU, Usdaw, Unite, TSSA, Prospect, NEU and GMB joined the TUC, Labour and others in condemning the review.
Commenting on the public sector pay ‘pause’, the TUC’s Frances O’Grady said: “After a decade of standstill pay, yet another pay freeze is a kick in the teeth for the key workers in the public sector who kept the country going in this crisis.”
Sunak announced this afternoon a public sector pay freeze, with NHS nurse and doctors exempt from the cap on wages, and that the national living wage would increase to £8.91 instead of the planned rise to £9.21.
The general secretary added: “Workers expecting a national minimum wage increase – not least the two million who are key workers – have been let down by the government’s decision to row back on the full rise they were promised.
“If the Chancellor wants to stop mass unemployment, the test will be how quickly today’s infrastructure announcements deliver enough good jobs in the parts of the country that need them most.
“The TUC has shown that investing £85bn in green transport and infrastructure could create more than 1.2 million jobs in two years. And the chancellor should have acted to unlock the 600,000 existing gaps and vacancies in the public sector.”
The number of workers on payrolls has fallen by 782,000 between March and October this year. Unemployment is expected to rise to a peak of 7.5% in 2021, or 2.6 million people, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis slammed the economic plan outlined by the Chancellor as “austerity plain and simple” and said a “decade of spending cuts left public services exposed when Covid came calling”.
He argued : “The government is making the same disastrous mistake again. Going after the pay of millions will be a bitter pill for key workers getting the UK through the pandemic and out the other side.
“The Chancellor wants to pause the pay of care, school, council and other public service workers who’ve been on fast forward all year.
“Extra money in pockets gets spent locally. Less than a pound more a week for some won’t save the thousands of ailing shops and leisure, arts and hospitality venues across the country.
“Health staff have already shown they and the NHS more than deserve a rise this year. This can’t wait on a lengthy pay review body process. The government should deliver the goods now.
“Reviving the economy will take a gargantuan effort from everyone. That means investing in the entire economy, not seeking to divide and rule between the sectors. Key workers mustn’t be taken for granted and left to carry the Covid can.”
In the run-up to the statement delivered by Sunak in the Commons today, Downing Street’s spokesperson insisted that “both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have been clear that we will not return to the austerity of the past”.
These claims from Boris Johnson and the Chancellor follow an interview given by the Prime Minister in June this year, in which he said the government will “not go back to the austerity of ten years ago”.
Unite the Union assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail described the pay freeze unveiled by the Chancellor today as a “body blow to the public sector workers he has targeted to bear the brunt of the costs of the pandemic”.
She remarked: “It is doubly disappointing that the Chancellor has adopted ‘divide-and-rule’ tactics over public sector pay with an award for NHS staff, but a freeze on pay for millions of others, such as teaching assistants, who are already low paid.”
Sunak said 2.1 million public sector staff who earn below the median wage of £24,000 would be guaranteed a £250 pay rise. Cartmail slammed this as a “sop” and argued it “compares badly” with the money wasted on public contracts recently.
Cartmail added: “The Prime Minister’s ‘levelling up’ agenda is in tatters as a result of the chancellor’s divisive pay announcement which does nothing to restore the ‘lost’ pay in real terms from a decade of austerity.”
Acting GMB general secretary Warren Kenny argued that “punishing public sector workers doesn’t help those in the private sector and it doesn’t help the economy” and accused Sunak of “trying to divide and conquer”.
Prospect’s Mike Clancy branded Sunak’s comparison between private and public sector wages “insulting” and also called for him to “address the millions of workers still unfairly excluded from his economic support schemes”.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack called the review a “cold, hard, slap in the face” for key workers and highlighted that the Chancellor has announced today’s measures despite clapping for them earlier in the pandemic.
He said: “We’ve spent the last few weeks lobbying to show how urgently the fire and rescue service needs investment to respond to threats like climate change, pandemics, and the building safety crisis exposed by Grenfell.
“But rather than fund the frontline responders to these emergencies, the Chancellor has decided to try and give them a real-terms pay cut. We won’t stand by and let the government attack key workers like this.”
Also responding this afternoon, Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis called for a “new deal for workers”, which includes demands for a £10 minimum wage, minimum contracts of 16 hours per week and improved sick pay.
Commenting on low-paid workers in the pandemic, Lillis said: “Millions of low-paid workers have provided essential services to help ensure the country is fed, healthy and safe through the lockdown and will continue to do so…
“There needs to be lasting and fundamental changes to the way society views our lowest paid workers. We need a new deal for the workers: a minimum wage of at least £10 per hour, an end to insecure employment, respect for shopworkers and action to ensure that retail jobs are no longer underpaid and undervalued.”
He added: “Many low-paid workers have to rely on Universal Credit to get by, and the temporary £20 uplift in Universal Credit has been really important in these difficult times. Today was a missed opportunity for the Chancellor to make that increase permanent and give some assurance to millions of low income families.”
The government increased Universal Credit by £20 for a year in April. Sunak was silent on whether this would be extended again next year. Removing the uplift would reduce annual incomes for 16 million households by £1,040.
The Chancellor’s “rabbit in the hat” spending review announcement was a ‘levelling up’ fund worth £4bn, which will be managed jointly by the Treasury, Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
MPs will be able to lobby the government for investment in their area. The Local Government Information Unit said the proposal cut out local government and warned “local areas will bid against each other and Whitehall will pick the winners”.
NEU joint general secretary Dr Mary Bousted declared: “Education workers are key workers who have kept the country going during the pandemic, but pay cuts are their only reward from this government…
“It is not enough for government ministers to thank teachers for their vital contribution during Covid. Such sentiments ring hollow when they are then subject to a pay freeze which follows previous pay freezes and years of below-inflation pay increases which have eaten into the real value of their pay since 2010.”
She added: “True levelling up means investing more in education and other public services, not levelling down by further attacks on pay.”
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes criticised Sunak for failing to mention the climate crisis during his statement to MPs this afternoon and accused him of “abandoning all pretence of ambition over decarbonisation”.
He said: “With debt repayments going down as a result of low interest rates – even when we have increased borrowing – now was the time to borrow more in order to kick start a green new deal. This would in turn secure the future growth we need to significantly bring borrowing down over the medium-term.
“That is the only route to an economy which can endure in the decades to come without catastrophic damage to our planet. The lack of leadership from the Tories on this amounts to a tragic missed opportunity.”
Shadow BEIS Secretary Ed Miliband pointed out that only £3bn of new money was allocated to a green stimulus to tackle the unemployment crisis and argued the “climate crisis was almost invisible in today’s statement”.
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds accused Sunak of taking a “sledgehammer” to consumer confidence and warned that public sector employees will now “spend less in our small businesses and on our high streets, less in our private sector”.
Other organisations joined the Labour Party and trade unions in slamming the statement from Sunak this afternoon. The Institute for Public Policy and Research reiterated its call for a £164bn “ambitious cash injection” in 2020-21.
The Fabian Society’s Andrew Harrop accused the government of pushing more than a million people into poverty with the measures announced by Sunak today, stressing in particular the negative impact of the inaction on extending the UC uplift.
He said: “Sunak is pressing on with his plan to slash £1,000 a year from Universal Credit for people out of work. Children will go hungry and families will lose their homes. This is ‘levelling down’ not ‘levelling up’.”
Sunak told MPs that borrowing would reach £394bn this year, and that the OBR has estimated the UK economy will shrink by 11.3%, with output not expected to return to pre-crisis levels until the fourth quarter of 2022.


labourlist--2020-11-25--Labour demands answers over taxpayer cash wasted on unusable PPE

The Labour Party has challenged the Tories over the amount of taxpayer money wasted buying unusable personal protective equipment ( PPE ) in the pandemic after the government admitted it bought 184 million items not fit for purpose .
Reacting to a response from the Cabinet Office to the National Audit Office ( NAO ) report examining the procurement of public contracts during the Covid crisis , the party stressed that there is an “ urgent need for transparency ” .
A Labour spokesperson said : “ In attempting to rebut the NAO ’ s startling findings , the Cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their mishandling of PPE procurement .
“ As the NAO ’ s report made clear , there is an urgent need for transparency so the government can be properly held to account for their use of the public ’ s money .
“ When so many frontline workers were left without necessary PPE at the start of the pandemic , the Tories need to come clean on exactly how much has been wasted because of their incompetence and what they are doing to stop this happening again.
” The Cabinet Office had said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the NAO this morning that the government purchased 36.4 billion items of PPE so far and that “ 0.5 % of products bought have not met our high clinical standards ” .
It had previously emerged that the Conservative administration had wasted £150m of taxpayer money after it signed a contract with private equity company Ayanda Capital earlier this year for unusable face masks .
The call for transparency from Labour followed Prime Minister ’ s Questions this afternoon , during which Keir Starmer highlighted the answer from the Cabinet Office and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money at contracts ” .
The Labour leader added : “ Will the Prime Minister finally get his priorities right , stop wasting taxpayers money and give police officers , firefighters , care workers and other key workers the pay rise they so obviously deserve ?
” His challenge to the Prime Minister preceded the spending review delivered by Rishi Sunak shortly afterwards , in which he announced the expected pay freeze for public sector workers and a reduction in the planned rise to the minimum wage .
Responding to the spending review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Covid contracts during the health crisis , pointing out that Tory failure to stockpile PPE before the crisis cost the taxpayer £10bn .
Commenting on the decision to freeze public sector pay , the Shadow Chancellor argued : “ Many key workers who willingly took on so much responsibility during this crisis , are now being forced to tighten their belts.
” She added : “ In contrast there ’ s been a bonanza for those who have won contracts from this government… This waste and mismanagement is part of a longer-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examples of failed promises from the Conservatives , including pledges to build new hospitals and ‘ starter homes ’ across the country , deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail and modernise the courts .
An NAO report earlier this month found that half of all Covid contracts , worth £10.5bn , have been handed out without a competitive tender process and that applicants with political contacts were ten times more likely to be successful .
The call from Labour also follows reports from the Good Law Project that special pathways outside of the normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ height of the pandemic to help “ VIPs ” win lucrative government contracts for PPE .

The Labour Party has challenged the Tories over the amount of taxpayer money wasted buying unusable personal protective equipment (PPE) in the pandemic after the government admitted it bought 184 million items not fit for purpose.
Reacting to a response from the Cabinet Office to the National Audit Office (NAO) report examining the procurement of public contracts during the Covid crisis, the party stressed that there is an “urgent need for transparency”.
A Labour spokesperson said: “In attempting to rebut the NAO’s startling findings, the Cabinet Office have accidentally shone a light on their mishandling of PPE procurement.
“As the NAO’s report made clear, there is an urgent need for transparency so the government can be properly held to account for their use of the public’s money.
“When so many frontline workers were left without necessary PPE at the start of the pandemic, the Tories need to come clean on exactly how much has been wasted because of their incompetence and what they are doing to stop this happening again.”
The Cabinet Office had said in its response to the report published by the NAO this morning that the government purchased 36.4 billion items of PPE so far and that “0.5% of products bought have not met our high clinical standards”.
It had previously emerged that the Conservative administration had wasted £150m of taxpayer money after it signed a contract with private equity company Ayanda Capital earlier this year for unusable face masks.
The call for transparency from Labour followed Prime Minister’s Questions this afternoon, during which Keir Starmer highlighted the answer from the Cabinet Office and accused Boris Johnson of “spraying public money at contracts”.
The Labour leader added: “Will the Prime Minister finally get his priorities right, stop wasting taxpayers money and give police officers, firefighters, care workers and other key workers the pay rise they so obviously deserve?”
His challenge to the Prime Minister preceded the spending review delivered by Rishi Sunak shortly afterwards, in which he announced the expected pay freeze for public sector workers and a reduction in the planned rise to the minimum wage.
Responding to the spending review, Anneliese Dodds highlighted reckless government spending on Covid contracts during the health crisis, pointing out that Tory failure to stockpile PPE before the crisis cost the taxpayer £10bn.
Commenting on the decision to freeze public sector pay, the Shadow Chancellor argued: “Many key workers who willingly took on so much responsibility during this crisis, are now being forced to tighten their belts.”
She added: “In contrast there’s been a bonanza for those who have won contracts from this government… This waste and mismanagement is part of a longer-term pattern.”
Dodds went on to highlight examples of failed promises from the Conservatives, including pledges to build new hospitals and ‘starter homes’ across the country, deliver the Northern Powerhouse Rail and modernise the courts.
An NAO report earlier this month found that half of all Covid contracts, worth £10.5bn, have been handed out without a competitive tender process and that applicants with political contacts were ten times more likely to be successful.
The call from Labour also follows reports from the Good Law Project that special pathways outside of the normal procurement process were set up at the height of the pandemic to help “VIPs” win lucrative government contracts for PPE.


labourlist--2020-11-25--“We needed ambitious action” – Dodds’ speech in response to spending review

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds in parliament this afternoon in response to the spending review .
This spending review was a moment for the Chancellor to take the responsible choices our country needs .
It was an opportunity to protect key workers , secure the economy and recover jobs in every part of our country .
During this crisis we ’ ve seen who ’ s taken responsibility .
Community health workers working round the clock to keep us all safe .
The teachers who kept working so key workers could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff who made sure we had critical food supplies .
Earlier this year the Chancellor stood on his doorstep and clapped for key workers .
Today , his government institutes a pay freeze for many of them .
This takes a sledgehammer to consumer confidence .
Firefighters , police officers and teachers will know their spending power is going down , so they will spend less in our small businesses and on our High Streets .
They will spend less in our private sector .
Many key workers who willingly took on so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being forced to tighten their belts .
Now , not in the medium term to which the Chancellor refers , now .
In contrast there ’ s been a bonanza for those who have won contracts from this government .
Companies with political connections have been ten times more likely to win government contracts .
So many businesses have worked tirelessly through this pandemic – to support local communities , keep critical supplies going , and to produce drugs and vaccines – at cost-price , in AstraZeneca ’ s case , working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best scientists .
But in its response to this pandemic , the Conservative government has wasted and mismanaged public finances on an industrial scale .
£130m to a Conservative donor for testing kits that were unsafe ; £150m for facemasks and £700m on coveralls that couldn ’ t be used .
A £12bn hit to our economy because the more effective , shorter circuit breaker was blocked , and a lengthier , more expensive lockdown put in place instead .
£12bn – so far – spent on a test and trace system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , news of £10bn in additional costs for PPE , at least partly down to the Conservatives ’ lack of pre-pandemic planning .
This waste and mismanagement is part of a longer-term pattern – showing that claims today around levelling up simply don ’ t match the evidence .
Hospitals in Liverpool and Sandwell left unbuilt , over deadline by years and over budget by hundreds of millions of pounds .
Not a single ‘ starter home ’ built , despite almost £200m being spent .
Northern Powerhouse Rail still not even approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The courts modernisation programme three years behind schedule , letting victims down , up and down this country .
People in the North more likely to have been made redundant during this crisis , holding everything else equal .
Photocalls aren ’ t enough , we need delivery – like Liam Byrne ’ s promotion of green manufacturing in the West Midlands and the work of Labour mayors and councils across the country .
And we need a government in Westminster that takes its responsibility towards all four nations seriously .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the shorter timescale for this spending review ahead of time and fulfilling the ‘ New Decade , New Approach ’ commitments .
It means the doing the right thing by the people of Wales to repair flood damage and make safe legacy coal tips .
It means ending the barney between Westminster and Holyrood and instead working together in partnership to protect jobs and livelihoods .
And it means a shared prosperity fund which is effective because it ’ s delivered , not on the whim of Conservative ministers , but from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ‘ levelling up fund ’ the Chancellor just announced – his rabbit out of the hat – yet again involves MPs , just as with the Beechings reopening programme , going to ministers and begging for support for their areas .
Rather than that change being driven from local communities .
So much for taking back control , this about the centre handing over support in a very top down manner .
Now , Labour has been clear about the responsible choices we wanted the Chancellor to make today – to recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To recover jobs , Labour called for £30bn of capital spending accelerated into the next 18 months , focused on green initiatives , supporting 400,000 jobs and bringing us in line with countries like France and Germany .
This government ’ s ambition is for half that number of new jobs .
To retrain workers , we needed an emergency programme to support people back into work .
But Kickstart has been slow to get started and the skills offer for those over 25 won ’ t start until April .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech that our economic emergency ‘ has only just begun ’ .
Try telling that to people who ’ ve been out of work since March .
And Restart announced today , must meet three key tests to be effective : it should help people who need it most , not cherry pick .
It should be up and running as soon as possible – yet it appears only a fraction of Restart funding will be available next year .
And Restart must involve local actors who know their communities , not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job search support ultimately only works if sufficient new jobs actually exist .
That ’ s why we needed ambitious action to boost our economy and to support our businesses .
To rebuild business , we called for a National Investment Bank and I welcome the announcement of a new UK Infrastructure Bank , having lost valuable years since the Green Investment Bank was sold off .
Now the Chancellor must boost its firepower and he must deliver on his Department ’ s responsibility for the drive to net zero .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the climate crisis is the biggest long-term threat to our economy .
Yet far too often this spending review locks us into a path that will make the transition to net zero harder , not easier – locking our economy out of the green jobs of the future .
To rebuild business the Chancellor also needs to listen to business .
We are less than a week from the end of the lockdown – yet we ’ ve heard nothing about whether extra support will be provided through the Additional Restrictions Support Grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to tough restrictions .
And the Chancellor is still threatening employers with an increased contribution to furlough in January at the worst possible time for increasing and building confidence .
Mr Speaker , in less than 40 days , we are due to leave the transition period .
Yet the Chancellor didn ’ t even mention that in his speech .
There ’ s still no trade deal .
So does the Chancellor truly believe that his government is prepared and that he has done enough to help those businesses that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsible action also to help those excluded from government support ?
Why is he still refusing to make the speedy fixes to Universal Credit Labour has advocated , which would aid the self-employed ?
And why won ’ t he provide families with certainty , by ensuring the increase in Universal Credit is continued beyond April ?
The IMF has made clear , time and time again , that now would be the worst time to slam on the brakes and put the car into reverse .
They have called for a ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; to “ maintain fiscal support until the recovery is on a sound footing ” .
The UK ’ s GDP is 10 % smaller now than it was at the end of last year .
We ’ ve seen the worst downturn in the G7 .
We needed ambitious action today to stimulate growth and maintain demand .
And we needed this government to take responsibility for the real reasons why people and communities are being held back , up and down our country .
Over the last ten years , child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve had the worst decade for pay growth in eight generations .
The cost of childcare has risen twice as fast as wages .
The number of young apprentices has plummeted .
Last quarter we saw the highest level of redundancies on record .
Social care is in increasing crisis , and despite his party ’ s manifesto promising a “ long-term solution ” , we ’ re still waiting .
In the press it was trailed that the Chancellor would be moving 20,000 jobs out of London .
Yet cuts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen 240,000 jobs lost – twelve times that figure – with the hardest hit communities often those in the North , Midlands and South West .
Today , the Chancellor could have matched his government ’ s promise to do ‘ whatever is necessary ’ to support local authorities through this crisis – he did not .
And yet again , he showed his government ’ s lack of confidence in its own measures , by failing to provide an equality impact assessment .
Mr Speaker , the measure of this government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press releases it issued during this crisis or the number of pictures it published on Instagram .
It will be the responsible action it took – or didn ’ t take – for the sake of our country .
Next year , the eyes of the world will be on the UK as we assume the presidency of the G7 and of the UN Security Council and host the COP26 summit .
Yet now is the time the Chancellor has turned his back on the world ’ s poorest by cutting international aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s national interest to lay the foundations for economic growth across the world – no wonder many British businesses have condemned his move .
And businesses have been more and more vocal about the problems with this government ’ s last-minute approach – always one step behind , when we need to plan responsibly for the future .
We must learn the lessons from previous failures , and ensure that the next challenge – the roll-out of the vaccine – is dealt with as efficiently , effectively and as speedily as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a comprehensive spending review which takes responsible choices , to build a future for our country as the best place in the world to grow up in , and the best place to grow old in .
People should have opportunities on their doorstep , not at the other end of the country .
Everywhere in the UK should feel like a good place to set up home .
That ’ s what the Chancellor must deliver .

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds in parliament this afternoon in response to the spending review.
This spending review was a moment for the Chancellor to take the responsible choices our country needs. It was an opportunity to protect key workers, secure the economy and recover jobs in every part of our country. During this crisis we’ve seen who’s taken responsibility. Community health workers working round the clock to keep us all safe. The teachers who kept working so key workers could too. The delivery drivers and shop staff who made sure we had critical food supplies. Earlier this year the Chancellor stood on his doorstep and clapped for key workers. Today, his government institutes a pay freeze for many of them.
This takes a sledgehammer to consumer confidence. Firefighters, police officers and teachers will know their spending power is going down, so they will spend less in our small businesses and on our High Streets. They will spend less in our private sector. Many key workers who willingly took on so much responsibility during this crisis, are now being forced to tighten their belts. Now, not in the medium term to which the Chancellor refers, now. In contrast there’s been a bonanza for those who have won contracts from this government. Companies with political connections have been ten times more likely to win government contracts.
So many businesses have worked tirelessly through this pandemic – to support local communities, keep critical supplies going, and to produce drugs and vaccines – at cost-price, in AstraZeneca’s case, working with some of our country’s best scientists. But in its response to this pandemic, the Conservative government has wasted and mismanaged public finances on an industrial scale. £130m to a Conservative donor for testing kits that were unsafe; £150m for facemasks and £700m on coveralls that couldn’t be used. A £12bn hit to our economy because the more effective, shorter circuit breaker was blocked, and a lengthier, more expensive lockdown put in place instead. £12bn – so far – spent on a test and trace system that is still not working. And today, news of £10bn in additional costs for PPE, at least partly down to the Conservatives’ lack of pre-pandemic planning.
This waste and mismanagement is part of a longer-term pattern – showing that claims today around levelling up simply don’t match the evidence. Hospitals in Liverpool and Sandwell left unbuilt, over deadline by years and over budget by hundreds of millions of pounds. Not a single ‘starter home’ built, despite almost £200m being spent. Northern Powerhouse Rail still not even approved, six years after being announced. The courts modernisation programme three years behind schedule, letting victims down, up and down this country. People in the North more likely to have been made redundant during this crisis, holding everything else equal.
Photocalls aren’t enough, we need delivery – like Liam Byrne’s promotion of green manufacturing in the West Midlands and the work of Labour mayors and councils across the country. And we need a government in Westminster that takes its responsibility towards all four nations seriously. That means informing the finance minister of Northern Ireland about the shorter timescale for this spending review ahead of time and fulfilling the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ commitments.
It means the doing the right thing by the people of Wales to repair flood damage and make safe legacy coal tips. It means ending the barney between Westminster and Holyrood and instead working together in partnership to protect jobs and livelihoods. And it means a shared prosperity fund which is effective because it’s delivered, not on the whim of Conservative ministers, but from our devolved governments and our regions. The ‘levelling up fund’ the Chancellor just announced – his rabbit out of the hat – yet again involves MPs, just as with the Beechings reopening programme, going to ministers and begging for support for their areas. Rather than that change being driven from local communities. So much for taking back control, this about the centre handing over support in a very top down manner.
Now, Labour has been clear about the responsible choices we wanted the Chancellor to make today – to recover jobs, retrain workers and rebuild businesses. To recover jobs, Labour called for £30bn of capital spending accelerated into the next 18 months, focused on green initiatives, supporting 400,000 jobs and bringing us in line with countries like France and Germany. This government’s ambition is for half that number of new jobs. To retrain workers, we needed an emergency programme to support people back into work. But Kickstart has been slow to get started and the skills offer for those over 25 won’t start until April.
The Chancellor said at the beginning of his speech that our economic emergency ‘has only just begun’. Try telling that to people who’ve been out of work since March. And Restart announced today, must meet three key tests to be effective: it should help people who need it most, not cherry pick. It should be up and running as soon as possible – yet it appears only a fraction of Restart funding will be available next year. And Restart must involve local actors who know their communities, not be imposed from Whitehall. And of course job search support ultimately only works if sufficient new jobs actually exist. That’s why we needed ambitious action to boost our economy and to support our businesses.
To rebuild business, we called for a National Investment Bank and I welcome the announcement of a new UK Infrastructure Bank, having lost valuable years since the Green Investment Bank was sold off. Now the Chancellor must boost its firepower and he must deliver on his Department’s responsibility for the drive to net zero. We’ve known since the Stern report that the climate crisis is the biggest long-term threat to our economy. Yet far too often this spending review locks us into a path that will make the transition to net zero harder, not easier – locking our economy out of the green jobs of the future.
To rebuild business the Chancellor also needs to listen to business. We are less than a week from the end of the lockdown – yet we’ve heard nothing about whether extra support will be provided through the Additional Restrictions Support Grant, for areas subject, once again, to tough restrictions. And the Chancellor is still threatening employers with an increased contribution to furlough in January at the worst possible time for increasing and building confidence.
Mr Speaker, in less than 40 days, we are due to leave the transition period. Yet the Chancellor didn’t even mention that in his speech. There’s still no trade deal. So does the Chancellor truly believe that his government is prepared and that he has done enough to help those businesses that will be heavily affected? Will he take responsible action also to help those excluded from government support? Why is he still refusing to make the speedy fixes to Universal Credit Labour has advocated, which would aid the self-employed? And why won’t he provide families with certainty, by ensuring the increase in Universal Credit is continued beyond April?
The IMF has made clear, time and time again, that now would be the worst time to slam on the brakes and put the car into reverse. They have called for a ‘meaningful additional push’ from our government; to “maintain fiscal support until the recovery is on a sound footing”. The UK’s GDP is 10% smaller now than it was at the end of last year. We’ve seen the worst downturn in the G7. We needed ambitious action today to stimulate growth and maintain demand. And we needed this government to take responsibility for the real reasons why people and communities are being held back, up and down our country.
Over the last ten years, child poverty has risen by 600,000, we’ve had the worst decade for pay growth in eight generations. The cost of childcare has risen twice as fast as wages. The number of young apprentices has plummeted. Last quarter we saw the highest level of redundancies on record. Social care is in increasing crisis, and despite his party’s manifesto promising a “long-term solution”, we’re still waiting.
In the press it was trailed that the Chancellor would be moving 20,000 jobs out of London. Yet cuts to local authorities over the last ten years have seen 240,000 jobs lost – twelve times that figure – with the hardest hit communities often those in the North, Midlands and South West. Today, the Chancellor could have matched his government’s promise to do ‘whatever is necessary’ to support local authorities through this crisis – he did not. And yet again, he showed his government’s lack of confidence in its own measures, by failing to provide an equality impact assessment.
Mr Speaker, the measure of this government won’t be the number of press releases it issued during this crisis or the number of pictures it published on Instagram. It will be the responsible action it took – or didn’t take – for the sake of our country.
Next year, the eyes of the world will be on the UK as we assume the presidency of the G7 and of the UN Security Council and host the COP26 summit. Yet now is the time the Chancellor has turned his back on the world’s poorest by cutting international aid. It’s in Britain’s national interest to lay the foundations for economic growth across the world – no wonder many British businesses have condemned his move.
And businesses have been more and more vocal about the problems with this government’s last-minute approach – always one step behind, when we need to plan responsibly for the future. We must learn the lessons from previous failures, and ensure that the next challenge – the roll-out of the vaccine – is dealt with as efficiently, effectively and as speedily as possible.
Next time, Mr Speaker, we need a comprehensive spending review which takes responsible choices, to build a future for our country as the best place in the world to grow up in, and the best place to grow old in. People should have opportunities on their doorstep, not at the other end of the country. Everywhere in the UK should feel like a good place to set up home. That’s what the Chancellor must deliver.


labourlist--2020-11-25--Chancellor taking “sledgehammer” to confidence via pay freeze, says Dodds

Labour ’ s Anneliese Dodds has accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of taking a “ sledgehammer ” to consumer confidence after his spending review confirmed a pay freeze for millions of public sector workers .
Sunak announced in his statement to the House of Commons this afternoon that reports of a freeze were correct , saying : “ I can not justify a significant across-the-board pay increase for all public sector workers.
” He told MPs that over one million NHS workers would be getting a pay rise , but increases in the rest of the public sector would be paused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a “ pay rise ” of £250 .
As Yvette Cooper raised in the chamber , however , the 2.1 million workers earning under the median wage will face a real-terms pay cut rather than a rise , as a flat rate of £250 is mostly less than the 2 % inflation forecast .
The Chancellor also told the Commons that the national living wage would be increased by 2.2 % to £8.91 an hour , and that this would be extended to those aged 23 and over , in line with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrowing would reach £394bn this year , and that the Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated the UK economy will shrink by 11.3 % , with output not expected to return to pre-crisis levels until the fourth quarter of 2022 .
Responding to the spending review in the chamber , Labour ’ s Shadow Chancellor said it had been an opportunity to “ take responsible choices , protect key workers , secure the economy , recover jobs in every part of our country ” .
But Dodds criticised many of the policies announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on workers , telling MPs : “ The Chancellor clapped for key workers – today his government institutes a pay freeze for many of them.
” On the consumer confidence hit , she said : “ Firefighters , police officers and teachers will know their spending power is going down , so they will spend less in our small businesses and on our high streets , less in our private sector.
” She argued , as Keir Starmer did in the Prime Minister ’ s Questions session immediately beforehand , that the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an industrial scale ” during the Covid crisis .
Dodds highlighted that companies with political connections have been ten times more likely to win government contracts due to the approach taken amid the pandemic , as revealed by a recent National Audit Office report .
“ Photocalls aren ’ t enough – we need delivery , ” Dodds told the Commons , pointing out that no ‘ starter homes ’ had been built , Northern Powerhouse Rail had not been approved and hospitals in Liverpool and Sandwell were left unbuilt .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hat ” spending review announcement was a ‘ levelling up ’ fund worth £4bn , which will be managed jointly by the Treasury , Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government .
But Sunak specified that local areas would bid for grants directly , which Dodds described as “ MPs going to ministers and begging for support for their areas ” rather than “ change being driven from local communities ” .
The Shadow Chancellor said : “ So much for taking back control – this is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very top-down manner.
” Future criticisms of the centralised scheme will likely refer to the Towns Fund scandal .
Labour called for an inquiry into pre-election allocation of spending after it was revealed that out of 61 areas picked by ministers for the Towns Fund , 60 were in Tory-held seats or Tory targets with an average majority of just 3,000 .
Sunak told the Commons the new ‘ levelling up ’ grants would need to “ command local support , including from their MP ” but a Treasury spokesperson later clarified that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayoral authorities or MPs .
The Chancellor also announced that a new UK Infrastructure Bank would be set up .
Dodds welcomed the move , but noted that the government had “ lost valuable years ” after selling the green investment bank in 2017 .
Dodds criticised Sunak ’ s failure to provide an equality impact assessment , his decision to cut international aid , his silence on the absence of a UK-EU trade deal and his lack of action on Universal Credit .
She asked : “ Why is he still refusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit Labour has advocated , which would aid the self-employed ?
And why won ’ t he [ ensure ] the increase in Universal Credit is continued beyond April ?
” In response to Labour ’ s criticisms , Sunak concluded : “ I ’ m confident that in private at least they will recognise the significant investment we are making to project jobs , strengthen our public services and improve infrastructure .
”

Labour’s Anneliese Dodds has accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of taking a “sledgehammer” to consumer confidence after his spending review confirmed a pay freeze for millions of public sector workers.
Sunak announced in his statement to the House of Commons this afternoon that reports of a freeze were correct, saying: “I cannot justify a significant across-the-board pay increase for all public sector workers.”
He told MPs that over one million NHS workers would be getting a pay rise, but increases in the rest of the public sector would be paused, although those earning below £24,000 would get a “pay rise” of £250.
As Yvette Cooper raised in the chamber, however, the 2.1 million workers earning under the median wage will face a real-terms pay cut rather than a rise, as a flat rate of £250 is mostly less than the 2% inflation forecast.
The Chancellor also told the Commons that the national living wage would be increased by 2.2% to £8.91 an hour, and that this would be extended to those aged 23 and over, in line with Low Pay Commission recommendations.
He said borrowing would reach £394bn this year, and that the Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated the UK economy will shrink by 11.3%, with output not expected to return to pre-crisis levels until the fourth quarter of 2022.
Responding to the spending review in the chamber, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor said it had been an opportunity to “take responsible choices, protect key workers, secure the economy, recover jobs in every part of our country”.
But Dodds criticised many of the policies announced by her opposite number and their impact on workers, telling MPs: “The Chancellor clapped for key workers – today his government institutes a pay freeze for many of them.”
On the consumer confidence hit, she said: “Firefighters, police officers and teachers will know their spending power is going down, so they will spend less in our small businesses and on our high streets, less in our private sector.”
She argued, as Keir Starmer did in the Prime Minister’s Questions session immediately beforehand, that the government has “wasted and mismanaged public finances on an industrial scale” during the Covid crisis.
Dodds highlighted that companies with political connections have been ten times more likely to win government contracts due to the approach taken amid the pandemic, as revealed by a recent National Audit Office report.
“Photocalls aren’t enough – we need delivery,” Dodds told the Commons, pointing out that no ‘starter homes’ had been built, Northern Powerhouse Rail had not been approved and hospitals in Liverpool and Sandwell were left unbuilt.
The Chancellor’s “rabbit in the hat” spending review announcement was a ‘levelling up’ fund worth £4bn, which will be managed jointly by the Treasury, Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
But Sunak specified that local areas would bid for grants directly, which Dodds described as “MPs going to ministers and begging for support for their areas” rather than “change being driven from local communities”.
The Shadow Chancellor said: “So much for taking back control – this is about the centre handing over support in a very top-down manner.” Future criticisms of the centralised scheme will likely refer to the Towns Fund scandal.
Labour called for an inquiry into pre-election allocation of spending after it was revealed that out of 61 areas picked by ministers for the Towns Fund, 60 were in Tory-held seats or Tory targets with an average majority of just 3,000.
Sunak told the Commons the new ‘levelling up’ grants would need to “command local support, including from their MP” but a Treasury spokesperson later clarified that the support can come from councils, mayoral authorities or MPs.
The Chancellor also announced that a new UK Infrastructure Bank would be set up. Dodds welcomed the move, but noted that the government had “lost valuable years” after selling the green investment bank in 2017.
Dodds criticised Sunak’s failure to provide an equality impact assessment, his decision to cut international aid, his silence on the absence of a UK-EU trade deal and his lack of action on Universal Credit.
She asked: “Why is he still refusing to make the speedy fixes to Universal Credit Labour has advocated, which would aid the self-employed? And why won’t he [ensure] the increase in Universal Credit is continued beyond April?”
In response to Labour’s criticisms, Sunak concluded: “I’m confident that in private at least they will recognise the significant investment we are making to project jobs, strengthen our public services and improve infrastructure.”


labourlist--2020-11-25--PMQs: Priorities in the pandemic. Starmer demands a key worker pay rise

This Prime Minister ’ s Questions , ahead of the long-awaited spending review later shortly afterwards , saw Keir Starmer contrast Tory cronyism and wasted taxpayer cash against the struggle of key workers facing the prospect of a pay freeze .
Taking MPs point-by-point through the ministerial code this afternoon – which prohibits bullying , harassment , leaking , misuse of taxpayers money and actual or perceived conflicts of interest – Starmer painted a stark picture , from bullying and harassment by Priti Patel to Matt Hancock hiring his mates for top jobs .
The Labour leader concluded : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one rule for the British public and another for the Prime Minister and his friends.
” Starmer built upon lines of attack the Labour Party has been developing over recent weeks as the scale of Tory cronyism and incompetence has become increasingly apparent .
Indeed , last week saw the Labour leader point out a number of the dodgy procurement deals made by the government .
He reiterated and expanded on those today .
He highlighted , for example , new information suggesting that the government bought over 184 million items of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy lets Starmer not only emphasise an out-of-touch and corrupt Etonian clique taking the country from crisis to crisis in the pandemic , but also the poor character and leadership of a PM resolutely “ standing by ” his friends instead of firing them .
The PM tried to land a blow in return , asking Starmer whether he is happy Jeremy Corbyn is still in the party .
Starmer replied : “ The difference is that I ’ m tackling the issues in my party – he ’ s running away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step change today was that Starmer moved from the description of fiscal recklessness and cronyism over government contracts in the crisis to demand the pay rise for key workers .
He asked : “ Will the Prime Minister finally get his priorities right , stop wasting taxpayers money and give police officers , firefighters , care workers and other key workers the pay rise they so obviously deserve ?
” Johnson attempted to tell the Commons that Starmer was “ focusing on trivia ” .
But this could not be further from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement shortly after PMQs , announced the expected public sector pay freeze and slash in the rise to the minimum wage .
A return to austerity that both he and Johnson told us would not happen .
Starmer made clear this afternoon that while the Tories have just asked the people to trust in their call for fiscal prudence , laying the burden of the pandemic on millions of the lowest paid and those on the frontline , they have spent months “ spraying public money at contracts ” .
While friends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wastes your hard-earned cash , low-paid workers will pay the price .

This Prime Minister’s Questions, ahead of the long-awaited spending review later shortly afterwards, saw Keir Starmer contrast Tory cronyism and wasted taxpayer cash against the struggle of key workers facing the prospect of a pay freeze. Taking MPs point-by-point through the ministerial code this afternoon – which prohibits bullying, harassment, leaking, misuse of taxpayers money and actual or perceived conflicts of interest – Starmer painted a stark picture, from bullying and harassment by Priti Patel to Matt Hancock hiring his mates for top jobs. The Labour leader concluded: “It’s the same old story, one rule for the British public and another for the Prime Minister and his friends.”
Starmer built upon lines of attack the Labour Party has been developing over recent weeks as the scale of Tory cronyism and incompetence has become increasingly apparent. Indeed, last week saw the Labour leader point out a number of the dodgy procurement deals made by the government. He reiterated and expanded on those today. He highlighted, for example, new information suggesting that the government bought over 184 million items of unusable personal protective equipment. And the strategy lets Starmer not only emphasise an out-of-touch and corrupt Etonian clique taking the country from crisis to crisis in the pandemic, but also the poor character and leadership of a PM resolutely “standing by” his friends instead of firing them. The PM tried to land a blow in return, asking Starmer whether he is happy Jeremy Corbyn is still in the party. Starmer replied: “The difference is that I’m tackling the issues in my party – he’s running away from the issues in his.”
The main step change today was that Starmer moved from the description of fiscal recklessness and cronyism over government contracts in the crisis to demand the pay rise for key workers. He asked: “Will the Prime Minister finally get his priorities right, stop wasting taxpayers money and give police officers, firefighters, care workers and other key workers the pay rise they so obviously deserve?” Johnson attempted to tell the Commons that Starmer was “focusing on trivia”. But this could not be further from the truth.
The Chancellor, delivering his statement shortly after PMQs, announced the expected public sector pay freeze and slash in the rise to the minimum wage. A return to austerity that both he and Johnson told us would not happen. Starmer made clear this afternoon that while the Tories have just asked the people to trust in their call for fiscal prudence, laying the burden of the pandemic on millions of the lowest paid and those on the frontline, they have spent months “spraying public money at contracts”. While friends of the Tories make bank and the PM wastes your hard-earned cash, low-paid workers will pay the price.


labourlist--2020-11-25--Trade unions are part of the fight to end violence against women and girls

The Covid pandemic is far more than a health and economic crisis .
It has created what the United Nations has called a “ shadow pandemic ” of surging violence against women .
While domestic abuse may be in the shadows of public consciousness , it has long been writ large in women ’ s lives .
One woman is murdered on average every three days in the UK , according to the Femicide Census , and one in every three women aged 16 to 59 will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime .
This has escalated during the Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic abuse website soaring by 150 % and at least 16 women killed in domestic abuse-related homicides in the first six weeks of lockdown – more than triple the number from the same period in 2019 .
At least ten more women are known to have lost their lives since then .
Today , on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women , we have a chance to bring this epidemic out of the shadows and into the light .
Activists across the world stand together to demand an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the government action that will make this possible .
Trade unions are part of this fight .
We are clear that violence against women is a workplace issue for employers to address , not a private issue .
TUC research showed that domestic abuse has a profound impact on women ’ s working lives .
One in ten victims – 12.6 % – of domestic abuse said the violence they experienced at home followed them into the workplace .
For nearly half of those experiencing abuse , the perpetrator threatened them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
A staggering 81 % said they were harassed by the perpetrator at work via emails and phone calls .
Research by the Home Office found one in five women have had to take time off from work as a result of domestic abuse and 2 % of survivors lost their jobs as a direct result .
Nobody should lose their job or livelihood due to abuse .
Maintaining an independent source of income and ongoing financial stability is vital for those seeking to escape abuse .
Employers have a duty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe .
The TUC has produced guidance for reps and line managers to help them spot the signs and support workers at risk of domestic abuse – including about the different experiences and additional barriers facing disabled women and Black and ethnic minority women .
Individual trade unions have won important workplace gains for survivors .
For example , the RMT has negotiated specific workplace policies about domestic abuse .
Usdaw and GMB have secured paid leave for survivors of domestic abuse in some workplaces .
UNISON and Unite have produced guidance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be offered through the established international framework for responding to domestic abuse as a form of violence against women and girls .
And it must be part of a wider strategy to promote gender equality across all areas of society , including in the workplace .
Violence against women and girls is a trade union issue , a workplace issue and an issue that should worry everyone .
We all have a role to play in making sure women and girls are safe .
On behalf of the trade union movement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love and solidarity to all those fighting violence against women and girls on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2020 .

The Covid pandemic is far more than a health and economic crisis. It has created what the United Nations has called a “shadow pandemic” of surging violence against women. While domestic abuse may be in the shadows of public consciousness, it has long been writ large in women’s lives. One woman is murdered on average every three days in the UK, according to the Femicide Census, and one in every three women aged 16 to 59 will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
This has escalated during the Covid crisis, with visits to the national domestic abuse website soaring by 150% and at least 16 women killed in domestic abuse-related homicides in the first six weeks of lockdown – more than triple the number from the same period in 2019. At least ten more women are known to have lost their lives since then.
Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we have a chance to bring this epidemic out of the shadows and into the light. Activists across the world stand together to demand an end to violence against women and girls – and for the government action that will make this possible. Trade unions are part of this fight. We are clear that violence against women is a workplace issue for employers to address, not a private issue.
TUC research showed that domestic abuse has a profound impact on women’s working lives. One in ten victims – 12.6% – of domestic abuse said the violence they experienced at home followed them into the workplace. For nearly half of those experiencing abuse, the perpetrator threatened them or stalked them at their place of work. A staggering 81% said they were harassed by the perpetrator at work via emails and phone calls. Research by the Home Office found one in five women have had to take time off from work as a result of domestic abuse and 2% of survivors lost their jobs as a direct result.
Nobody should lose their job or livelihood due to abuse. Maintaining an independent source of income and ongoing financial stability is vital for those seeking to escape abuse. Employers have a duty of care to support workers and keep them safe. The TUC has produced guidance for reps and line managers to help them spot the signs and support workers at risk of domestic abuse – including about the different experiences and additional barriers facing disabled women and Black and ethnic minority women.
Individual trade unions have won important workplace gains for survivors. For example, the RMT has negotiated specific workplace policies about domestic abuse. Usdaw and GMB have secured paid leave for survivors of domestic abuse in some workplaces. UNISON and Unite have produced guidance and training for employers. Support for survivors should be offered through the established international framework for responding to domestic abuse as a form of violence against women and girls. And it must be part of a wider strategy to promote gender equality across all areas of society, including in the workplace.
Violence against women and girls is a trade union issue, a workplace issue and an issue that should worry everyone. We all have a role to play in making sure women and girls are safe. On behalf of the trade union movement in the UK, we send pride, love and solidarity to all those fighting violence against women and girls on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2020.


labourlist--2020-11-26--Hancock: Return to tiered Covid system will see majority of England enter Tier 2

The full list of allocated coronavirus tier restrictions to different areas of England have been unveiled this morning despite ongoing technical difficulties with the government postcode checker .
Just three areas of England – Cornwall , the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Scilly – have been placed in Tier 1 .
“ In all three areas , they ’ ve had very low case rates throughout , ” Heath Secretary Matt Hancock said .
Offering a Covid-19 update to the House of Commons , Matt Hancock confirmed that there would be UK-wide arrangements for Christmas with households able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Urging caution , however , he told MPs today : “ But we must remain vigilant .
There are still 16,570 people in hospital with coronavirus across the UK and 696 deaths were reported yesterday.
” Reflecting the words of the Prime Minister to parliament on Monday , the minister said : “ We can not simply flick a switch and try to return life straight back to normal.
” He added that the tiers have been made “ tougher ” .
Across all three tiers in England , shops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , while collective worship , weddings and outdoor sports will resume , and the rule of six for gatherings of people will apply .
Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open in Tier 1 and alcohol can be served with a “ substantial ” meal in Tier 2 .
All hospitality and indoor entertainment will be closed in Tier 3 except delivery and takeaways .
“ The majority of England will be Tier 2 .
But a significant number of areas , I ’ m afraid , need to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know how tough this is , ” Hancock told parliament , “ but they are necessary ” .
London will return to Tier 2 after the lockdown in England .
Liverpool has been moved into Tier 2 , but Greater Manchester remains in Tier 3 despite being under tough rules since July .
Birmingham will enter Tier 3 .
Manchester Central Labour MP Lucy Powell said : “ Tier 3 .
Pretty inevitable for us in GM .
But given sharp and consistent decline in infection rates , I really hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Tier 2 in two weeks review.
” Government ministers have said that the tiered system will be reviewed regularly and the tier level of any area may change before Christmas , with the first review of the allocations set to take place on December 16th .
Responding to Hancock ’ s statement today , Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth urged his opposite number to “ accept that the Serco model has failed ” and asked why statutory sick pay had not been increased .
Keir Starmer this week accused the Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Boris Johnson announced that England would return to three tiers of Covid-19 rules after its lockdown ends on December 2nd .
“ If we ’ re reintroducing a three-tier system without having fixed test , trace and isolate , that is a major risk , ” the Labour leader said .
“ There are huge gaps in this plan , huge uncertainties and huge risk.
” Below is the full list of tiering allocations .
East of England Suffolk Hertfordshire Cambridgeshire , including Peterborough Norfolk Essex , Thurrock and Southend on Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boroughs plus the City of London South East East Sussex West Sussex Brighton and Hove Surrey Reading Wokingham Bracknell Forest Windsor and Maidenhead West Berkshire Hampshire ( except the Isle of Wight ) , Portsmouth and Southampton Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire South West South Somerset , Somerset West and Taunton , Mendip and Sedgemoor Bath and North East Somerset Dorset Bournemouth Christchurch Poole Gloucestershire Wiltshire and Swindon Devon Yorkshire and The Humber The Humber West Yorkshire South Yorkshire West Midlands Birmingham and Black Country Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Warwickshire , Coventry and Solihull East Midlands Derby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leicestershire Lincolnshire South East Slough ( remainder of Berkshire is Tier 2 : High alert ) Kent and Medway

The full list of allocated coronavirus tier restrictions to different areas of England have been unveiled this morning despite ongoing technical difficulties with the government postcode checker.
Just three areas of England – Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Scilly – have been placed in Tier 1. “In all three areas, they’ve had very low case rates throughout,” Heath Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Offering a Covid-19 update to the House of Commons, Matt Hancock confirmed that there would be UK-wide arrangements for Christmas with households able to form a “five-day Christmas bubble”.
Urging caution, however, he told MPs today: “But we must remain vigilant. There are still 16,570 people in hospital with coronavirus across the UK and 696 deaths were reported yesterday.”
Reflecting the words of the Prime Minister to parliament on Monday, the minister said: “We cannot simply flick a switch and try to return life straight back to normal.” He added that the tiers have been made “tougher”.
Across all three tiers in England, shops, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to open, while collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports will resume, and the rule of six for gatherings of people will apply.
Pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open in Tier 1 and alcohol can be served with a “substantial” meal in Tier 2. All hospitality and indoor entertainment will be closed in Tier 3 except delivery and takeaways.
“The majority of England will be Tier 2. But a significant number of areas, I’m afraid, need to be in Tier 3 to bring case rates down. I know how tough this is,” Hancock told parliament, “but they are necessary”.
London will return to Tier 2 after the lockdown in England. Liverpool has been moved into Tier 2, but Greater Manchester remains in Tier 3 despite being under tough rules since July. Birmingham will enter Tier 3.
Manchester Central Labour MP Lucy Powell said: “Tier 3. Pretty inevitable for us in GM. But given sharp and consistent decline in infection rates, I really hope we are in a position to go into Tier 2 in two weeks review.”
Government ministers have said that the tiered system will be reviewed regularly and the tier level of any area may change before Christmas, with the first review of the allocations set to take place on December 16th.
Responding to Hancock’s statement today, Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth urged his opposite number to “accept that the Serco model has failed” and asked why statutory sick pay had not been increased.
Ashworth said: “I’m not against using the private sector, but I am against throwing shedloads of taxpayers’ money at failing private sector contracts. Local authorities should be leading retrospective tracing from day one.”
Keir Starmer this week accused the Prime Minister of reintroducing a “risky” system after Boris Johnson announced that England would return to three tiers of Covid-19 rules after its lockdown ends on December 2nd.
“If we’re reintroducing a three-tier system without having fixed test, trace and isolate, that is a major risk,” the Labour leader said. “There are huge gaps in this plan, huge uncertainties and huge risk.”
Below is the full list of tiering allocations.
Tier 1: Medium alert
South East
Isle of Wight
South West
Cornwall
Isles of Scilly
Tier 2: High alert
North West
Cumbria
Liverpool City Region
Warrington and Cheshire
Yorkshire
York
North Yorkshire
West Midlands
Worcestershire
Herefordshire
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin
East Midlands
Rutland
Northamptonshire
East of England
Suffolk
Hertfordshire
Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough
Norfolk
Essex, Thurrock and Southend on Sea
Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes
London
all 32 boroughs plus the City of London
South East
East Sussex
West Sussex
Brighton and Hove
Surrey
Reading
Wokingham
Bracknell Forest
Windsor and Maidenhead
West Berkshire
Hampshire (except the Isle of Wight), Portsmouth and Southampton
Buckinghamshire
Oxfordshire
South West
South Somerset, Somerset West and Taunton, Mendip and Sedgemoor
Bath and North East Somerset
Dorset
Bournemouth
Christchurch
Poole
Gloucestershire
Wiltshire and Swindon
Devon
Tier 3: Very High alert
North East
Tees Valley Combined Authority:
Hartlepool
Middlesbrough
Stockton-on-Tees
Redcar and Cleveland
Darlington
North East Combined Authority:
Sunderland
South Tyneside
Gateshead
Newcastle upon Tyne
North Tyneside
County Durham
Northumberland
North West
Greater Manchester
Lancashire
Blackpool
Blackburn with Darwen
Yorkshire and The Humber
The Humber
West Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
West Midlands
Birmingham and Black Country
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
East Midlands
Derby and Derbyshire
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Leicester and Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
South East
Slough (remainder of Berkshire is Tier 2: High alert)
Kent and Medway
South West
Bristol
South Gloucestershire
North Somerset


labourlist--2020-11-26--Why it’s time for Labour to consider voting for a Brexit deal

There are few governments as bad at negotiating a deal as the current Conservative administration .
Millions of pounds on dodgy Covid-19 testing kits and faulty personal protective equipment or ferries that did not exist , to name a few .
I guess it hurts Boris Johnson a lot less when it is not his own money that he is throwing away , but ours – the taxpayer .
The never-ending Brexit negotiations are yet another sign that this government could not negotiate its way out of a paper bag .
Even in opposition , I genuinely wish they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the future of entire industries depend on a decent deal with the European Union .
In Luton , our aviation industry has taken a huge hit during the pandemic and we can not afford a blow to our manufacturing base as well .
If we walk away with no deal agreed with the EU , trading on World Trade Organisation terms , and the subsequent tariffs on vehicles like our Luton-made Vauxhall vans , will be devastating .
The potential 10 % tariffs on cars and 22 % for vans would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most companies .
Although it has shrunk significantly in recent years , there is still a proud and strong association with manufacturing in our town .
Vauxhall came to Luton in 1905 and in its heyday hired nearly 40,000 at any one time .
We are a far cry from that number but there are still around 10,000 manufacturing jobs in Luton today and we need to keep every single one of them .
This risk is not just to Luton .
UK businesses that trade with the EU are saying the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough , they need certainty and a deal with the EU .
This is also the same message that I hear from workers as well as their unions .
It is rare to hear workers , unions and bosses all in harmony but the government should hear those calls .
They are the same calls we have seen from the heads of the TUC and Confederation of British Industry , working together to make Johnson and Michael Gove put our country before the whims of Mark Francois , Jacob Rees-Mogg and the like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs in manufacturing , there also thousands of Irish Lutonians – including my baby addition to the Luton Irish family !
The importance of maintaining the Good Friday Agreement can not be understated .
This is not just about the economy – this is also about peace .
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be the sole land border between the EU and UK .
Any attempt to reintroduce a hard border between the two will risk not only the free flow of goods but also long hoped-for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Good Friday Agreement also threatens future trade agreements with the US and UK .
As well as the President-elect Joe Biden , Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was absolutely clear just how important the protection of the agreement is when she said : “ If the UK violates that international treaty and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord , there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress.
” The US is currently the single country we trade most with , but if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are worth around 60 % ( the EU 47 % and the US 13 % ) of total UK imports and exports .
People can point to the recent trade deal with Japan as a good thing , and it is .
But we will need more of these , many times over , to get anywhere close to replacing the combined worth of US and EU trade with our country .
Given that only 4 % of Opel/Vauxhall ’ s global sales were outside of the EU , the Japan deal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants like mine in the constituency .
Yet again , this government finds itself on the back foot when it comes to another important set of trade negotiations with our most significant trading partners .
Like the country , the majority of Luton voted to leave the EU .
People had a number of different reasons for which they voted Leave and they are valid .
That argument is settled , and the question now is how we leave to ensure as bright a Brexit as possible for towns like Luton .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a negotiated Brexit deal , because the way things are looking , even a bad Tory deal is better than no deal .
Labour ’ s work can not stop there .
The issues facing many of our towns still need to be addressed , Britain ’ s role in the world outside the EU still needs to be defined , and there is no sign that this government is up to the task .

There are few governments as bad at negotiating a deal as the current Conservative administration. Millions of pounds on dodgy Covid-19 testing kits and faulty personal protective equipment or ferries that did not exist, to name a few. I guess it hurts Boris Johnson a lot less when it is not his own money that he is throwing away, but ours – the taxpayer. The never-ending Brexit negotiations are yet another sign that this government could not negotiate its way out of a paper bag. Even in opposition, I genuinely wish they were doing better because people’s livelihoods and the future of entire industries depend on a decent deal with the European Union.
In Luton, our aviation industry has taken a huge hit during the pandemic and we cannot afford a blow to our manufacturing base as well. If we walk away with no deal agreed with the EU, trading on World Trade Organisation terms, and the subsequent tariffs on vehicles like our Luton-made Vauxhall vans, will be devastating. The potential 10% tariffs on cars and 22% for vans would make vehicle manufacturing in the UK untenable for most companies. Although it has shrunk significantly in recent years, there is still a proud and strong association with manufacturing in our town. Vauxhall came to Luton in 1905 and in its heyday hired nearly 40,000 at any one time. We are a far cry from that number but there are still around 10,000 manufacturing jobs in Luton today and we need to keep every single one of them.
This risk is not just to Luton. UK businesses that trade with the EU are saying the same thing loud and clear: times are tough, they need certainty and a deal with the EU. This is also the same message that I hear from workers as well as their unions. It is rare to hear workers, unions and bosses all in harmony but the government should hear those calls. They are the same calls we have seen from the heads of the TUC and Confederation of British Industry, working together to make Johnson and Michael Gove put our country before the whims of Mark Francois, Jacob Rees-Mogg and the like.
As well as the thousands of jobs in manufacturing, there also thousands of Irish Lutonians – including my baby addition to the Luton Irish family! The importance of maintaining the Good Friday Agreement cannot be understated. This is not just about the economy – this is also about peace. The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be the sole land border between the EU and UK. Any attempt to reintroduce a hard border between the two will risk not only the free flow of goods but also long hoped-for peace.
Johnson’s threat to the Good Friday Agreement also threatens future trade agreements with the US and UK. As well as the President-elect Joe Biden, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was absolutely clear just how important the protection of the agreement is when she said: “If the UK violates that international treaty and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress.” The US is currently the single country we trade most with, but if you combine it with the EU both markets are worth around 60% (the EU 47% and the US 13%) of total UK imports and exports.
People can point to the recent trade deal with Japan as a good thing, and it is. But we will need more of these, many times over, to get anywhere close to replacing the combined worth of US and EU trade with our country. Given that only 4% of Opel/Vauxhall’s global sales were outside of the EU, the Japan deal is currently a drop in the ocean for plants like mine in the constituency. Yet again, this government finds itself on the back foot when it comes to another important set of trade negotiations with our most significant trading partners.
Like the country, the majority of Luton voted to leave the EU. People had a number of different reasons for which they voted Leave and they are valid. That argument is settled, and the question now is how we leave to ensure as bright a Brexit as possible for towns like Luton. This means the very real prospect of supporting a negotiated Brexit deal, because the way things are looking, even a bad Tory deal is better than no deal. Labour’s work cannot stop there. The issues facing many of our towns still need to be addressed, Britain’s role in the world outside the EU still needs to be defined, and there is no sign that this government is up to the task.