labourlist--2020-09-20--“Applause on a Thursday night doesn’t pay the rent” – Rayner’s full speech

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by deputy leader Angela Rayner to Labour Connected 2020 today .
In these unprecedented times , we aren ’ t able to hold our annual conference , but I was determined that we would still meet .
Being elected your deputy leader is the honour and privilege of my life .
And in the last six months , I have been humbled by the response of the Labour family to the coronavirus crisis .
Our Labour councillors keeping our public services going and our Labour members who have been working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You are the very best of our movement .
This crisis has shown who we can not survive without the NHS and social care staff who have put their lives on the line , the posties , bus drivers , shop workers , delivery drivers and so many others who have kept us all safe , fed and connected .
On behalf of our party and the labour movement , I want to pay tribute to all of you .
Your service and your sacrifice will never be forgotten .
You have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the truth is that you have always been heroes .
You ’ ve always been the backbone of our country and of our communities .
Before I became an MP I was a home carer , working nights in Stockport on poverty pay and a zero-hours contract .
So when I listen to social care workers who are being paid a wage that they can ’ t live on I know how it feels .
And when they tell me how badly they have been let down I feel their anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment , failed to provide the promised testing and discharged patients carrying the virus from hospitals into our care homes .
And it is a disgrace that the Prime Minister tried to blame our care workers for the spread of coronavirus in care homes .
The Health Secretary admitted he couldn ’ t live on statutory sick pay of £94 pounds a week .
And many social care staff are casual workers who get nothing , not even that derisory amount .
They are left in an appalling position .
Forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable people at risk , or isolating at home and not being able to pay the bills .
On his very first day in office , the Prime Minister promised to fix the crisis in social care , with a plan he said he ’ d already prepared .
The coronavirus crisis has made the crisis in our social care sector even more urgent .
But now it turns out that it won ’ t be published until next year .
It ’ s time he got on with it .
Show us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social care worker will be paid at least the real living wage .
Ministers have fallen over themselves to clap for our carers .
But applause on a Thursday night doesn ’ t pay the rent .
A pat on the back doesn ’ t put food on the table .
On Wednesday , the Prime Minister couldn ’ t even say how much the average social care worker was paid .
He had no idea .
So I ’ ll tell him again .
The average wage for a social care worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moral outrage even before this pandemic .
But now , it is indefensible .
After all their sacrifice and hardship , we can ’ t go back to business as usual , where the very same people who have risen to this challenge continue to be underpaid , undervalued and exploited .
And we will fight to make sure that every worker earns a decent wage for their work .
Fight for the nurses , midwives , hospital porters and other NHS staff who were denied a pay rise earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minimum wage .
And who could be better suited to rebuilding our communities and our country than the key workers who have got us through this crisis ?
That is why , working with our trade union movement , we are supporting key workers who want to run for office in May 2021 and beyond .
You kept our country running .
Now we want you to lead the recovery in every town hall and in every community .
Over the next three days , we will show what we can achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for our country .
At this time of national crisis , we are offering the country the leadership it needs .
We will act in the best interests of the British people , and in our shared mission to defeat this terrible virus .
And we will call this failing Conservative government out for its serial incompetence that is holding Britain back .
The coronavirus crisis has changed everything for all of us , for our country and for our Party .
But our values haven ’ t changed .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are seeing our country through this crisis .
Our key workers have answered the call , our public services have risen to the challenge , and the British people have shown the Tories beyond all doubt that Thatcher was wrong and there is such a thing as society .
A society in which people come together to support each other and have each other ’ s backs .
A society in which we have all seen the power of community during this crisis .
These are our values .
Labour values .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country ’ s recovery .
Out of this crisis , we can build a better , fairer , more equal society .
In 1945 , out of the ruins of war , it was a Labour government that rebuilt our country .
Built our National Health Service .
Built the welfare state .
And transformed Britain , and the lives of the British people , forever .
We did it once , and we can do it again .
We can show the British people a vision of a better , fairer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first step in politics wasn ’ t in the Oxford Union , it was in my trade union .
Not debating for bragging rights at the bar but negotiating because our livelihoods depended on it .
I know which union I ’ d rather be in .
Because I was born in Stockport , but I was made in our movement .
I never went to university , but when I joined my union I found an education and a vocation .
Together we are strong , and in the months ahead our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength as we fight to save jobs and protect our communities .
We will be campaigning on three economic priorities .
Jobs , jobs , jobs .
We will speak with one voice as one labour movement .
We can ’ t let ordinary working people pay the price for this crisis .
Yet if the government ends the furlough scheme with no support in place for the sectors and areas that need it .
Then workers and employers alike face a cliff edge , with mass unemployment just one step away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mass unemployment .
Our communities are still bearing the scars left by the last time a Tory government abandoned them and consigned our people to “ managed decline ” .
And there are workers facing another threat too .
Mass firing , and re-hiring , on lower pay and worse terms , using the threat of the dole queue to pick the pockets of the very staff who have kept those companies going .
So I say to companies like British Airways and British Gas .
If you use our country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country ’ s values .
And if they won ’ t end fire and rehire , it ’ s time the government stepped up and ended it for them .
Last Wednesday at PMQs , I faced a Prime Minister who pretends he ’ s a man of the people but has shown his contempt for women and the working class .
As a single mum , he said my children would grow up “ ill-raised , ignorant , and illegitimate ” .
He only knows one approach .
Denying that problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own incompetence .
We are facing a second spike , further restrictions and the prospect of another national lockdown because of his failure and incompetence .
Infections are rising , the testing system is collapsing and the government has lost control of the virus because they have failed to deliver an effective test , track and trace system .
We have been here before .
Now is the time for swift , decisive , national action .
And that action must be clearly communicated to the British people .
With lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford to be too slow again .
Never has there been a Prime Minister more out of his depth and ill-equipped to the task than this Bullingdon Club blagger .
He lights up Downing Street green for Grenfell and then whips Tory MPs to block the Grenfell inquiry recommendations .
He claps for our carers when it suits him for a photo opportunity .
But he doesn ’ t even know what they earn , and won ’ t pay them what they deserve .
He calls a Covid war cabinet meeting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get the tests they need and people can ’ t say goodbye to their loved ones .
Yet it ’ s always someone else ’ s fault .
Civil servants .
The public health body they voted to create in the first place .
Or even the public – for doing the right thing and trying to get a Covid test .
And what about the other testing disaster this summer , in education .
Not students failing exams .
Exams failing students .
Everyone responsible has lost their jobs except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge – the Education Secretary .
He ’ s gone from Private pike to General incompetence .
He ’ s denied knowing there was even a problem .
Now I don ’ t know if he ’ s lying or incompetent , or both .
But if Boris Johnson still has confidence in him then he must be the only person in the country who does .
His hero Thatcher once said : “ Advisers advise , but ministers decide ” .
Now the motto seems to be “ Ministers decide , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably make the algorithm resign if he could .
Under Boris Johnson , the only thing government advisers don ’ t have to resign for is driving to Durham with Covid symptoms .
We will offer a better alternative .
A new leadership for our country .
We know we have a mountain to climb to win the next election , but we are determined to climb it .
We must – and we will – restore people ’ s trust in Labour as a party of government .
And this work starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest set of elections we have ever fought outside of a general election .
In Scotland , in Wales , in London and in local elections across England .
There is so much at stake and so much on the line for our communities .
It is up to us to fight against a return to austerity .
To fight for the green jobs we need to meet the challenge of the climate crisis .
To fight racial discrimination and show that Black Lives Matter And when it comes to election time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our side or Russian oligarchs bankrolling our campaign .
What we have is hundreds of thousands of people who can carry our message into their communities , on the doorstep , and in the workplace .
The coronavirus crisis has changed everything .
We will rethink how we organise and campaign for the times that we live in .
But what hasn ’ t changed is the need for our movement , rooted in the life of the communities and people we serve .
40 years ago , a girl named Angela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty , and grew up in a Britain that was broken .
Scarred by mass unemployment and hardship .
The odds were stacked against her .
But a Labour government changed that .
The ‘ Sure Start ’ centre , the council house , the minimum wage and further education that Labour governments and councils built and provided – they changed that life .
That is what a Labour government does .
That is what our movement does .
It takes a girl from a council estate with no qualifications and no prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives her a voice .
Makes her a trade union rep , sends her to parliament and elects her deputy leader .
Today , there will be a child being born into poverty .
Under the Tories they will grow up in a Britain that is again broken , scarred by inequality and insecurity .
The odds are stacked against that child .
It is the Labour Party that will change that .
It is Labour – in government – that will change that child ’ s life .
We will deliver a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is ours to build , together .

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by deputy leader Angela Rayner to Labour Connected 2020 today.
In these unprecedented times, we aren’t able to hold our annual conference, but I was determined that we would still meet. Being elected your deputy leader is the honour and privilege of my life. And in the last six months, I have been humbled by the response of the Labour family to the coronavirus crisis. Our Labour councillors keeping our public services going and our Labour members who have been working on the frontline and volunteering in their communities. You are the very best of our movement.
This crisis has shown who we cannot survive without the NHS and social care staff who have put their lives on the line, the posties, bus drivers, shop workers, delivery drivers and so many others who have kept us all safe, fed and connected. On behalf of our party and the labour movement, I want to pay tribute to all of you. Your service and your sacrifice will never be forgotten.
You have rightly been praised as heroes this year. But the truth is that you have always been heroes. You’ve always been the backbone of our country and of our communities. Before I became an MP I was a home carer, working nights in Stockport on poverty pay and a zero-hours contract. So when I listen to social care workers who are being paid a wage that they can’t live on I know how it feels. And when they tell me how badly they have been let down I feel their anger. The government has left them without protective equipment, failed to provide the promised testing and discharged patients carrying the virus from hospitals into our care homes. And it is a disgrace that the Prime Minister tried to blame our care workers for the spread of coronavirus in care homes.
The Health Secretary admitted he couldn’t live on statutory sick pay of £94 pounds a week. And many social care staff are casual workers who get nothing, not even that derisory amount. They are left in an appalling position. Forced to choose between going to work and putting vulnerable people at risk, or isolating at home and not being able to pay the bills. On his very first day in office, the Prime Minister promised to fix the crisis in social care, with a plan he said he’d already prepared. The coronavirus crisis has made the crisis in our social care sector even more urgent. But now it turns out that it won’t be published until next year. It’s time he got on with it. Show us the plan. And guarantee that every social care worker will be paid at least the real living wage.
Ministers have fallen over themselves to clap for our carers. But applause on a Thursday night doesn’t pay the rent. A pat on the back doesn’t put food on the table. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister couldn’t even say how much the average social care worker was paid. He had no idea. So I’ll tell him again. The average wage for a social care worker is £8.10 an hour. This was a moral outrage even before this pandemic. But now, it is indefensible. After all their sacrifice and hardship, we can’t go back to business as usual, where the very same people who have risen to this challenge continue to be underpaid, undervalued and exploited. And we will fight to make sure that every worker earns a decent wage for their work. Fight for the nurses, midwives, hospital porters and other NHS staff who were denied a pay rise earlier this year. And fight any attempt to freeze the minimum wage. And who could be better suited to rebuilding our communities and our country than the key workers who have got us through this crisis?
That is why, working with our trade union movement, we are supporting key workers who want to run for office in May 2021 and beyond. You kept our country running. Now we want you to lead the recovery in every town hall and in every community. Over the next three days, we will show what we can achieve with a new leadership for our party and for our country. At this time of national crisis, we are offering the country the leadership it needs. We will act in the best interests of the British people, and in our shared mission to defeat this terrible virus. And we will call this failing Conservative government out for its serial incompetence that is holding Britain back.
The coronavirus crisis has changed everything for all of us, for our country and for our Party. But our values haven’t changed. And it is those values of fairness and compassion that are seeing our country through this crisis. Our key workers have answered the call, our public services have risen to the challenge, and the British people have shown the Tories beyond all doubt that Thatcher was wrong and there is such a thing as society. A society in which people come together to support each other and have each other’s backs. A society in which we have all seen the power of community during this crisis. These are our values. Labour values. And they must be the foundation of our country’s recovery. Out of this crisis, we can build a better, fairer, more equal society. In 1945, out of the ruins of war, it was a Labour government that rebuilt our country. Built our National Health Service. Built the welfare state. And transformed Britain, and the lives of the British people, forever. We did it once, and we can do it again. We can show the British people a vision of a better, fairer society that Labour will deliver.
My first step in politics wasn’t in the Oxford Union, it was in my trade union. Not debating for bragging rights at the bar but negotiating because our livelihoods depended on it. I know which union I’d rather be in. Because I was born in Stockport, but I was made in our movement. I never went to university, but when I joined my union I found an education and a vocation. Together we are strong, and in the months ahead our movement will need all of our collective strength as we fight to save jobs and protect our communities.
We will be campaigning on three economic priorities. Jobs, jobs, jobs. We will speak with one voice as one labour movement. We can’t let ordinary working people pay the price for this crisis. Yet if the government ends the furlough scheme with no support in place for the sectors and areas that need it. Then workers and employers alike face a cliff edge, with mass unemployment just one step away. Our communities know about the human cost of mass unemployment. Our communities are still bearing the scars left by the last time a Tory government abandoned them and consigned our people to “managed decline”.
And there are workers facing another threat too. Mass firing, and re-hiring, on lower pay and worse terms, using the threat of the dole queue to pick the pockets of the very staff who have kept those companies going. So I say to companies like British Airways and British Gas. If you use our country’s name, then you better respect our country’s values. And if they won’t end fire and rehire, it’s time the government stepped up and ended it for them.
Last Wednesday at PMQs, I faced a Prime Minister who pretends he’s a man of the people but has shown his contempt for women and the working class. As a single mum, he said my children would grow up “ill-raised, ignorant, and illegitimate”. He only knows one approach. Denying that problems exist and then blaming other people for his own incompetence. We are facing a second spike, further restrictions and the prospect of another national lockdown because of his failure and incompetence. Infections are rising, the testing system is collapsing and the government has lost control of the virus because they have failed to deliver an effective test, track and trace system.
“40 years ago, a girl named Angela was born. She was born into poverty and grew up in a Britain that was broken, scarred by mass unemployment and hardship. The odds were stacked against her. But a Labour government changed that.” Watch @AngelaRayner‘s powerful speech #Lab2020 pic.twitter.com/V6iU4CAvkU — The Labour Party (@UKLabour) September 20, 2020
We have been here before. Now is the time for swift, decisive, national action. And that action must be clearly communicated to the British people. With lives and livelihoods on the line we cannot afford to be too slow again. Never has there been a Prime Minister more out of his depth and ill-equipped to the task than this Bullingdon Club blagger. He lights up Downing Street green for Grenfell and then whips Tory MPs to block the Grenfell inquiry recommendations. He claps for our carers when it suits him for a photo opportunity. But he doesn’t even know what they earn, and won’t pay them what they deserve. He calls a Covid war cabinet meeting to allow grouse shooting when frontline staff can’t get the tests they need and people can’t say goodbye to their loved ones. Yet it’s always someone else’s fault. Civil servants. The public health body they voted to create in the first place. Or even the public – for doing the right thing and trying to get a Covid test.
And what about the other testing disaster this summer, in education. Not students failing exams. Exams failing students. Everyone responsible has lost their jobs except the man the Prime Minister put in charge – the Education Secretary. He’s gone from Private pike to General incompetence. He’s denied knowing there was even a problem. Now I don’t know if he’s lying or incompetent, or both. But if Boris Johnson still has confidence in him then he must be the only person in the country who does. His hero Thatcher once said: “Advisers advise, but ministers decide”. Now the motto seems to be “Ministers decide, but advisers resign”. He’d probably make the algorithm resign if he could.
Under Boris Johnson, the only thing government advisers don’t have to resign for is driving to Durham with Covid symptoms. We will offer a better alternative. A new leadership for our country. We know we have a mountain to climb to win the next election, but we are determined to climb it. We must – and we will – restore people’s trust in Labour as a party of government. And this work starts now, ahead of next May, the biggest set of elections we have ever fought outside of a general election. In Scotland, in Wales, in London and in local elections across England. There is so much at stake and so much on the line for our communities. It is up to us to fight against a return to austerity. To fight for the green jobs we need to meet the challenge of the climate crisis. To fight racial discrimination and show that Black Lives Matter
And when it comes to election time we won’t have press barons on our side or Russian oligarchs bankrolling our campaign. What we have is hundreds of thousands of people who can carry our message into their communities, on the doorstep, and in the workplace. The coronavirus crisis has changed everything. We will rethink how we organise and campaign for the times that we live in. But what hasn’t changed is the need for our movement, rooted in the life of the communities and people we serve.
40 years ago, a girl named Angela was born. She was born into poverty, and grew up in a Britain that was broken. Scarred by mass unemployment and hardship. The odds were stacked against her. But a Labour government changed that. The ‘Sure Start’ centre, the council house, the minimum wage and further education that Labour governments and councils built and provided – they changed that life. That is what a Labour government does. That is what our movement does. It takes a girl from a council estate with no qualifications and no prospects. It gives her a chance, gives her a voice. Makes her a trade union rep, sends her to parliament and elects her deputy leader.
Today, there will be a child being born into poverty. Under the Tories they will grow up in a Britain that is again broken, scarred by inequality and insecurity. The odds are stacked against that child. It is the Labour Party that will change that. It is Labour – in government – that will change that child’s life. We will deliver a better, fairer future. A future that is ours to build, together.


labourlist--2020-09-20--Fire up your laptop. Let’s build the big ideas for Labour to win

As we virtually arrive at conference , the call to action is clear .
Your registration acceptance email reads : “ Connected – bringing our movement together ” .
The explicit goal is aligned with Keir Starmer ’ s leadership pitch – unity and an ability to enable all sides to work together .
Whether you ’ re Zooming , WhatsApping or hashtag-ing between conversations , we wish you and the party ’ s digital connection experiment well .
Along with relationship building , conference has always been about assessing the current leader ’ s performance , where we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policy ideas to drive us forward .
So , let ’ s get down to business .
How has Keir been doing ?
His personal leadership ratings are high – yes , higher than those of Boris .
The party ’ s performance is following ; we have drawn level in the polls , and Tory U-turns on school meals , A-Level results , masks and lockdowns have helped Keir ’ s narrative of incompetence start to stick .
Cue ‘ A New Leadership ’ – the billed slogan for the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer versus buffoon journalist Johnson , the contrast could not be starker .
The Prime Minister ’ s strengths , in relative terms : positive , tub-thumping , campaigning , but populism has descended into shambolic performances and vague waffle .
Starmer , by contrast , exudes clarity , confidence and calm .
The complexity of the Covid crisis is being processed , analysed and communicated in barristerial summaries that reassure and win over the jury of public opinion .
And when it comes to Johnson ’ s populist style – ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ) want me to ’ – Starmer is ruthlessly tacking a course where he makes clear and decisive judgement calls .
Even when not universally popular , especially with the membership .
Think , the swift sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey and the condemnation of Edward Colston statue protestors .
His aim ?
To neutralise the key issues of antisemitism and the view that Labour doesn ’ t get what is great about Britain – areas where the electorate definitively rejected Jeremy Corbyn .
His challenge will be to continue bringing party members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides that they have values in common .
In short , like Clement Attlee in the run-up to the 1945 Labour government , Keir is aiming to demonstrate that the party can regenerate the nation as we emerge from another global crisis that has changed our world .
But if perceived competence to govern is moving to green on the strategic plan , where are the big ideas and big campaigns to make them tangible to the nation as we respond to this most seismic of changes ?
Keir ’ s ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we say it… a bit predictable .
He has offered no real vision for the future beyond Covid .
Surely the public ask , where are you ?
Or perhaps , calm reassurance is enough – Starmer ’ s judgement call , we presume .
And while we have started to hear of new policy emerging – alternatives to furlough and a timely call for care workers to be paid the living wage – the ideas of substance that will be needed to convince both the membership and the electorate that there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another Future is Possible ’ slogan are still a little thin on the ground .
The development of the big ideas for 2024 must start now .
And those ideas shouldn ’ t just come from the top .
That ’ s why we ’ ve just launched Hard Labour , a new podcast to search our movement for the big ideas that will transform our country .
Inspired by the galvanizing force that the Beveridge report provided for Attlee , we hope we can play a small role in slaying the evils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2024 .
What ’ s on the menu ?
Star guests are pitching plans for the self employed ; a green recovery to tackle the climate and nature crises ; a ‘ Red Wall ’ investment strategy ; policy making through the lens of racial justice ; a citizens ’ assembly to remake the party ; family policy for the 21st century ; and Labour ’ s vision of the future city .
These are just some of the ideas and areas we ’ ve been discussing with thinkers across our movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and of course we can ’ t do it alone .
We need your ideas and suggestions .
Why not join us this Sunday to contribute to the search .
Tune in at 6.30pm for a special video edition of the podcast where we will be joined by five star guests – echoing Beveridge ’ s five pledges – pitching their own ideas for Labour to win .
We are recording the podcast live , so it ’ s a chance to come behind the scenes of our virtual studio and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fire up your laptop , ‘ bring our movement together ’ as your conference email suggests , and enjoy this virtual fringe by clicking here to register and using this Zoom link to join .
Hard Labour is released on the last Sunday of every month at 7pm .
Check it out here .

As we virtually arrive at conference, the call to action is clear. Your registration acceptance email reads: “Connected – bringing our movement together”. The explicit goal is aligned with Keir Starmer’s leadership pitch – unity and an ability to enable all sides to work together. Whether you’re Zooming, WhatsApping or hashtag-ing between conversations, we wish you and the party’s digital connection experiment well.
Along with relationship building, conference has always been about assessing the current leader’s performance, where we are on the road to government and exploring the policy ideas to drive us forward. So, let’s get down to business. How has Keir been doing? His personal leadership ratings are high – yes, higher than those of Boris. The party’s performance is following; we have drawn level in the polls, and Tory U-turns on school meals, A-Level results, masks and lockdowns have helped Keir’s narrative of incompetence start to stick.
Cue ‘A New Leadership’ – the billed slogan for the next part of the journey. Forensic lawyer Starmer versus buffoon journalist Johnson, the contrast could not be starker. The Prime Minister’s strengths, in relative terms: positive, tub-thumping, campaigning, but populism has descended into shambolic performances and vague waffle. Starmer, by contrast, exudes clarity, confidence and calm. The complexity of the Covid crisis is being processed, analysed and communicated in barristerial summaries that reassure and win over the jury of public opinion.
And when it comes to Johnson’s populist style – ‘I’ll U-turn if you (the public) want me to’ – Starmer is ruthlessly tacking a course where he makes clear and decisive judgement calls. Even when not universally popular, especially with the membership. Think, the swift sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey and the condemnation of Edward Colston statue protestors. His aim? To neutralise the key issues of antisemitism and the view that Labour doesn’t get what is great about Britain – areas where the electorate definitively rejected Jeremy Corbyn. His challenge will be to continue bringing party members closer to the wider public, reassuring both sides that they have values in common. In short, like Clement Attlee in the run-up to the 1945 Labour government, Keir is aiming to demonstrate that the party can regenerate the nation as we emerge from another global crisis that has changed our world.
But if perceived competence to govern is moving to green on the strategic plan, where are the big ideas and big campaigns to make them tangible to the nation as we respond to this most seismic of changes? Keir’s ten pledges look decidedly pre-Covid, and dare we say it… a bit predictable. He has offered no real vision for the future beyond Covid. Surely the public ask, where are you? Or perhaps, calm reassurance is enough – Starmer’s judgement call, we presume. And while we have started to hear of new policy emerging – alternatives to furlough and a timely call for care workers to be paid the living wage – the ideas of substance that will be needed to convince both the membership and the electorate that there’s a tangible vision behind his ‘Another Future is Possible’ slogan are still a little thin on the ground. The development of the big ideas for 2024 must start now. And those ideas shouldn’t just come from the top.
That’s why we’ve just launched Hard Labour, a new podcast to search our movement for the big ideas that will transform our country. Inspired by the galvanizing force that the Beveridge report provided for Attlee, we hope we can play a small role in slaying the evils of today and of course the Tories in 2024. What’s on the menu? Star guests are pitching plans for the self employed; a green recovery to tackle the climate and nature crises; a ‘Red Wall’ investment strategy; policy making through the lens of racial justice; a citizens’ assembly to remake the party; family policy for the 21st century; and Labour’s vision of the future city. These are just some of the ideas and areas we’ve been discussing with thinkers across our movement. There will be more to come, and of course we can’t do it alone. We need your ideas and suggestions.
Why not join us this Sunday to contribute to the search. Tune in at 6.30pm for a special video edition of the podcast where we will be joined by five star guests – echoing Beveridge’s five pledges – pitching their own ideas for Labour to win. We are recording the podcast live, so it’s a chance to come behind the scenes of our virtual studio and have your say. Get yourself a drink, fire up your laptop, ‘bring our movement together’ as your conference email suggests, and enjoy this virtual fringe by clicking here to register and using this Zoom link to join.
Hard Labour is released on the last Sunday of every month at 7pm. Check it out here.


labourlist--2020-09-21--Labour will be the party of “opportunity, family and security”, vows Starmer

Keir Starmer will use his first keynote speech since becoming leader to promise Britain that the party he leads will be one of “ opportunity , family and security ” as he asks voters to “ take another look at Labour ” .
Addressing Labour ’ s online event ‘ Connected ’ from Doncaster on Tuesday morning , the new Labour leader will set out his vision for how Britain can be the “ best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in ” .
Starmer , born to a nurse and a toolmaker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal background and the opportunities that have been afforded to him , before promoting the patriotic themes of his pitch to the country .
He will tell the online event replacing Labour ’ s annual conference : “ My vision for Britain is simple : I want this to be the best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in .
A country in which we put family first .
“ A country that embodies the values I hold dear .
Decency , fairness , opportunity , compassion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our families and all of our communities.
” Starmer will go on to say : “ I can see in my mind ’ s eye the country I want us to be .
Properly funded universal public services .
World-class education which unleashes everyone ’ s potential .
“ A huge investment in skills and a plan , working hand-in-hand with businesses and trade unions , to create high quality jobs .
“ An economy that doesn ’ t force people to move hundreds of miles from family and friends just to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly works for all regions and nations of this United Kingdom , with opportunity and security in every part of the country and at every stage of our lives .
“ A country committed to a greener , cleaner and fairer society .
Where every policy is judged not just by how much it costs today but by what it does for the planet tomorrow .
“ A country which would be an active force for good in the world , once again admired and respected leading the world – and leading by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Starmer will send a message to those who have switched to support the Conservative Party in recent elections , saying : “ Trust takes time .
It starts with being a credible opposition .
With taking the job seriously .
“ That ’ s what we will do .
So , to those people in Doncaster and Deeside , in Glasgow and Grimsby , in Stoke and in Stevenage to those who have turned away from Labour , I say this : we hear you.
” In his direct appeal , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : take another look at Labour .
We ’ re under new leadership .
We love this country as you do .
“ This is the country I grew up in and it ’ s the country I will grow old in .
And I want it to be the country I know it can be .
That , in the end , is why I do this .
To change lives for the better.
” With an emphasis on education , the Labour leader will describe closing the attainment gap between advantaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission ” and a key part of the government ’ s ‘ levelling up ’ agenda .
“ I ’ m calling on the Prime Minister to make this his priority .
Bring forward a national strategy to close the education gap , ” he will say .
“ Enforce it through an independent body , such as the Children ’ s Commissioner , and make sure no family loses out because of the exams fiasco or delays in getting children into school.
” During the speech now taking place from 9am , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest rise in coronavirus cases .
The Prime Minister will announce new restrictions to the public on Tuesday .
Following the warning of chief medical officer Chris Whitty that the UK is on course for up to 50,000 new daily cases by mid-October , all pubs bars , restaurants and other hospitality in England will be required to close by 10pm from Thursday .

Keir Starmer will use his first conference speech since becoming leader to promise Britain that the party he leads will be one of “opportunity, family and security” as he asks voters to “take another look at Labour”.
Addressing Labour’s online event ‘Connected’ from Doncaster on Tuesday morning, the new Labour leader will set out his vision for how Britain can be the “best place to grow up in and the best place to grow old in”.
Starmer, born to a nurse and a toolmaker, is expected to talk about his own personal background and the opportunities that have been afforded to him, before promoting the patriotic themes of his pitch to the country.
He will tell the online event replacing Labour’s annual conference: “My vision for Britain is simple: I want this to be the best country to grow up in and the best country to grow old in. A country in which we put family first.
“A country that embodies the values I hold dear. Decency, fairness, opportunity, compassion and security. Security for our nation, our families and all of our communities.”
Starmer will go on to say: “I can see in my mind’s eye the country I want us to be. Properly funded universal public services. World-class education which unleashes everyone’s potential.
“A huge investment in skills and a plan, working hand-in-hand with businesses and trade unions, to create high quality jobs.
“An economy that doesn’t force people to move hundreds of miles from family and friends just to find a decent job. One that truly works for all regions and nations of this United Kingdom, with opportunity and security in every part of the country and at every stage of our lives.
“A country committed to a greener, cleaner and fairer society. Where every policy is judged not just by how much it costs today but by what it does for the planet tomorrow.
“A country which would be an active force for good in the world, once again admired and respected leading the world – and leading by example – in tackling the climate emergency.”
Starmer will send a message to those who have switched to support the Conservative Party in recent elections, saying: “Trust takes time. It starts with being a credible opposition. With taking the job seriously.
“That’s what we will do. So, to those people in Doncaster and Deeside, in Glasgow and Grimsby, in Stoke and in Stevenage to those who have turned away from Labour, I say this: we hear you.”
In his direct appeal, he will add: “I ask you: take another look at Labour. We’re under new leadership. We love this country as you do.
“This is the country I grew up in and it’s the country I will grow old in. And I want it to be the country I know it can be. That, in the end, is why I do this. To change lives for the better.”
With an emphasis on education, the Labour leader will describe closing the attainment gap between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils as a “national mission” and a key part of the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.
“I’m calling on the Prime Minister to make this his priority. Bring forward a national strategy to close the education gap,” he will say.
“Enforce it through an independent body, such as the Children’s Commissioner, and make sure no family loses out because of the exams fiasco or delays in getting children into school.”
During the speech now taking place from 9am, Starmer is also expected to respond to the latest rise in coronavirus cases. The Prime Minister will announce new restrictions to the public on Tuesday.
Following the warning of chief medical officer Chris Whitty that the UK is on course for up to 50,000 new daily cases by mid-October, all pubs bars, restaurants and other hospitality in England will be required to close by 10pm from Thursday.


labourlist--2020-09-21--Labour attacks “shameful broken promise” by Tories on NHS immigration surcharge

Labour has attacked the government over a “ shameful broken promise ” after it was revealed that the Tories have not delivered on their pledge to scrap the immigration health surcharge for all health and care workers .
The IHS was introduced by the Tory-led coalition in 2015 to combat alleged ‘ medical tourism ’ .
Labour claimed a “ victory for common decency ” when the government performed a U-turn on the policy in May .
Keir Starmer argued that it was not fair to apply the charge to health and care workers .
The Prime Minister initially defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed the Labour proposal for an exemption just 24 hours later .
Labour is now highlighting that health and care workers on the frontline – expected to be hit imminently by another wave of coronavirus – are still required to pay the charge , before being reimbursed at a later date .
The opposition party is also stressing that a majority of care workers would be left out of the government exemptions , supposedly for all health and care staff , under the new health and care visa .
New Tory legislation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to £624 , which will be unaffordable for many care workers in the country , who earn £19,104 a year on average .
A family of two care workers with a child would face a bill of up to £1,718 .
Labour ’ s shadow immigration minister Holly Lynch said : “ This amounts to a shameful broken promise by the government to health and care workers who have given so much at the frontline of the Covid crisis .
“ The reality is that ministers have been happy to clap for carers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fees to use the NHS system that depends on them .
It ’ s completely unacceptable to level upfront charges on low-paid care workers that can amount to thousands of pounds for a family .
“ The government is effectively borrowing money from families without ever saying when they will get it back .
This will be impossible for many to pay.
” A freedom of information request by Labour in August revealed that the NHS has been forced to pay out more than £15m in immigration fees to the government since 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialist staff .

Labour has attacked the government over a “shameful broken promise” after it was revealed that the Tories have not delivered on their pledge to scrap the immigration health surcharge for all health and care workers.
The IHS was introduced by the Tory-led coalition in 2015 to combat alleged ‘medical tourism’. Labour claimed a “victory for common decency” when the government performed a U-turn on the policy in May.
Keir Starmer argued that it was not fair to apply the charge to health and care workers. The Prime Minister initially defended the IHS in all cases, but backed the Labour proposal for an exemption just 24 hours later.
Labour is now highlighting that health and care workers on the frontline – expected to be hit imminently by another wave of coronavirus – are still required to pay the charge, before being reimbursed at a later date.
The opposition party is also stressing that a majority of care workers would be left out of the government exemptions, supposedly for all health and care staff, under the new health and care visa.
New Tory legislation is set to increase the IHS from £400 to £624, which will be unaffordable for many care workers in the country, who earn £19,104 a year on average. A family of two care workers with a child would face a bill of up to £1,718.
Labour’s shadow immigration minister Holly Lynch said: “This amounts to a shameful broken promise by the government to health and care workers who have given so much at the frontline of the Covid crisis.
“The reality is that ministers have been happy to clap for carers, but are now charging them exorbitant fees to use the NHS system that depends on them. It’s completely unacceptable to level upfront charges on low-paid care workers that can amount to thousands of pounds for a family.
“The government is effectively borrowing money from families without ever saying when they will get it back. This will be impossible for many to pay.”
A freedom of information request by Labour in August revealed that the NHS has been forced to pay out more than £15m in immigration fees to the government since 2017 to enable the service to secure enough specialist staff.


labourlist--2020-09-21--“This is why I am Labour” – Ashworth’s full speech at Labour ‘Connected’

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth at Labour ’ s online ‘ Connected ’ conference .
Day after day , week after week our NHS staff showed the most extraordinary compassion , dedication , professionalism in the face of the most monumental pressures .
They gave their all .
Some ultimately gave their lives , many of them from Black , Asian and minority backgrounds .
Tonight we honour their memory and affirm that we will never forget .
And tonight I want to celebrate our NHS staff and care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we as a nation came together in this crisis to express solidarity with our NHS and social care staff like never before .
The windows filled with rainbows , applause was heard on every street .
So tonight in that spirit , we say thank you again to every single one of our NHS and social care staff .
To the nurses , midwives , paramedics , the doctors , the caterers , the cleaners , the porters , the managers , the physios , the OTs , the pathologists , the medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health teams as well we say thank you .
And we thank those who have come from across the globe to work in our NHS and social care sector .
We owe them gratitude and support not Home Office hostility .
But our NHS and social care staff deserve more than rainbows , clapping and praise .
They deserve our backing at every step .
They deserve decent pay , training bursaries and protection on the frontline .
Never again should NHS staff be forced to use plastic carrier bags for personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for others , we will care for them .
We meet online in the midst of the biggest public health crisis for 100 years .
Across the world over 960,000 deaths .
Here 400,000 confirmed infections .
41,788 of our fellow citizens have died .
The highest death rate in Europe .
A scale of human tragedy incomprehensible at the start of this year .
Many who have had the virus struggle daily for weeks even months with debilitating long term illness .
So we reject those who say let this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the shielded and the herd .
Instead every reasonable measure must be taken to supress this virus , drive infections down , save lives , minimise harm and keep children in school .
It ’ s why we supported taking this country into lockdown .
Today we continue to support local restrictions .
Of course , I didn ’ t come into politics to restrict our freedoms .
I long for the day when my children can hug their grandmother again , when we can visit our relatives in care homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t need to be rearranged or families can ’ t say a final goodbye at funerals , or women don ’ t have face labour alone .
People have made huge sacrifices .
They stuck to their side of the bargain , but ministers failed to deliver on theirs .
They failed to sufficiently increase testing over the summer even though the medical experts warned them in July if didn ’ t fix testing , infections would rise in September .
So they failed to plan and testing went into meltdown .
Ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hundreds of children out of school unable to get a test .
It ’ s become not so much test and trace , but more like trace a test .
When testing breaks down , tracing breaks down , you can ’ t track the virus and you lose control .
The result ?
The virus is currently doubling every seven days .
Hospital admissions are increasing .
We are at a perilous moment and facing a second wave .
The last thing we need now is a second wave of ministerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver an effective test , trace and isolate regime it ’ s left us more vulnerable to a possible second national lockdown that will extract a heavy social and economic price especially on the poorest and most vulnerable .
They should have followed our plan .
Instead of restricting hospital testing they should invest in our 44 NHS labs to drive up testing capacity .
They should support more of our university labs to develop the new rapid testing techniques that will help widen access to testing now and in the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost the earth , we need mass routine testing strategy for our nation ’ s key workers especially NHS and social care staff .
We need contact tracing transformed to break the chains of transmission .
Ministers gave responsibility for this precious lifesaving work to failing outsourcing firms like Serco .
And in areas of high infection like Oldham , Serco is only finding around 50 % of contacts .
That ’ s a disgrace .
Yet we are the country who led the world in public health .
For decades our local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , testing , tracking , and isolating infectious diseases every day of the year .
The first duty of a government in a pandemic should be protecting people through public health not privatisation and profit .
So put our local public health teams in charge of case finding and contact tracing .
Hand test and trace to the NHS and public health .
And thirdly those required to isolate should never be faced with a choice between health or putting food on their table to feed their family .
Together with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have made progress today but we have further to go to give people full support and security so they isolate when required .
This pandemic has exposed a fundamental truth about the condition of Britain .
Ten years of Tory rule left Britain weaker and exposed to a pandemic at the very time when thanks to climate change , pandemics are becoming more likely not less .
And ten years of cutting 15,000 beds from our NHS , of cutting social care , of cutting public health services made us more vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result we ’ ve seen operations cancelled , vital cancer treatment delayed and mental health support squeezed .
Our NHS now faces a monumental backlog in non-Covid care , yet is short of resources .
I want to be your Labour Health and Social Care Secretary in a Keir Starmer Labour government not to just rebuild our NHS and provide the care people need but to create a fairer society as well .
The creation of the NHS wasn ’ t just about the relief of the woman in the throes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a midwife to come to her bedside .
It wasn ’ t just about the parents in tears because they couldn ’ t afford a doctor to see their sick child .
And it wasn ’ t just the right to free health care for all to relieve suffering and pain .
It was about equality .
Yet here we are today .
With life expectancy advances stalling even going backwards for some of the poorest .
Where a girl born tonight in one of poorest parts of the country can expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a girl born in the richest .
Poverty condemns our fellow citizens to ill health quicker and now Covid is hitting the disadvantaged hardest including many from our black , Asian and minority ethnic communities who are suffering disproportionally .
Inequality in health is the worst inequality of all .
There can be no greater social injustice than people dying sooner because of poverty .
This is why I am Labour .
And tackling these health inequalities is my mission .
That starts with an assault on poverty .
It means tackling climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a green future .
It means rebuilding a public universal NHS and a social care service we can all be proud of .
It means parity of esteem for mental health services and a guarantee that every child receives the mental health care they deserve .
It involves supporting our science base to develop the vaccine to tame this virus and ensure equitable distribution to deliver good health for all .
And it means recognising our key workers for their true worth .
This is the cause of Labour .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through this crisis .
With Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner we ’ re offering new leadership to the country .
And we will build a society with fairness , health and wellbeing at the heart .

Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth at Labour’s online ‘Connected’ conference.
Day after day, week after week our NHS staff showed the most extraordinary compassion, dedication, professionalism in the face of the most monumental pressures. They gave their all. Some ultimately gave their lives, many of them from Black, Asian and minority backgrounds. Tonight we honour their memory and affirm that we will never forget.
And tonight I want to celebrate our NHS staff and care workers. It makes me so proud that we as a nation came together in this crisis to express solidarity with our NHS and social care staff like never before. The windows filled with rainbows, applause was heard on every street. So tonight in that spirit, we say thank you again to every single one of our NHS and social care staff. To the nurses, midwives, paramedics, the doctors, the caterers, the cleaners, the porters, the managers, the physios, the OTs, the pathologists, the medical scientists, lab technicians, our local public health teams as well we say thank you.
And we thank those who have come from across the globe to work in our NHS and social care sector. We owe them gratitude and support not Home Office hostility. But our NHS and social care staff deserve more than rainbows, clapping and praise. They deserve our backing at every step. They deserve decent pay, training bursaries and protection on the frontline. Never again should NHS staff be forced to use plastic carrier bags for personal protective equipment. So just as NHS care for others, we will care for them.
We meet online in the midst of the biggest public health crisis for 100 years. Across the world over 960,000 deaths. Here 400,000 confirmed infections. 41,788 of our fellow citizens have died. The highest death rate in Europe. A scale of human tragedy incomprehensible at the start of this year. Many who have had the virus struggle daily for weeks even months with debilitating long term illness. So we reject those who say let this virus rip through the population, dividing us between the shielded and the herd.
Instead every reasonable measure must be taken to supress this virus, drive infections down, save lives, minimise harm and keep children in school. It’s why we supported taking this country into lockdown. Today we continue to support local restrictions.
Of course, I didn’t come into politics to restrict our freedoms. I long for the day when my children can hug their grandmother again, when we can visit our relatives in care homes. For the days when weddings don’t need to be rearranged or families can’t say a final goodbye at funerals, or women don’t have face labour alone.
People have made huge sacrifices. They stuck to their side of the bargain, but ministers failed to deliver on theirs. They failed to sufficiently increase testing over the summer even though the medical experts warned them in July if didn’t fix testing, infections would rise in September. So they failed to plan and testing went into meltdown.
Ill people expected to travel hundreds of miles. Hundreds of children out of school unable to get a test. It’s become not so much test and trace, but more like trace a test. When testing breaks down, tracing breaks down, you can’t track the virus and you lose control. The result? The virus is currently doubling every seven days.
Hospital admissions are increasing. We are at a perilous moment and facing a second wave. The last thing we need now is a second wave of ministerial mistakes as well. By failing to deliver an effective test, trace and isolate regime it’s left us more vulnerable to a possible second national lockdown that will extract a heavy social and economic price especially on the poorest and most vulnerable. They should have followed our plan.
Instead of restricting hospital testing they should invest in our 44 NHS labs to drive up testing capacity. They should support more of our university labs to develop the new rapid testing techniques that will help widen access to testing now and in the future. Instead of ‘moon shots’ that cost the earth, we need mass routine testing strategy for our nation’s key workers especially NHS and social care staff.
We need contact tracing transformed to break the chains of transmission. Ministers gave responsibility for this precious lifesaving work to failing outsourcing firms like Serco. And in areas of high infection like Oldham, Serco is only finding around 50% of contacts. That’s a disgrace.
Yet we are the country who led the world in public health. For decades our local health protection teams have kept us all safe, testing, tracking, and isolating infectious diseases every day of the year. The first duty of a government in a pandemic should be protecting people through public health not privatisation and profit. So put our local public health teams in charge of case finding and contact tracing. Hand test and trace to the NHS and public health. And thirdly those required to isolate should never be faced with a choice between health or putting food on their table to feed their family.
Together with the trade unions we campaigned for extra help and have made progress today but we have further to go to give people full support and security so they isolate when required. This pandemic has exposed a fundamental truth about the condition of Britain. Ten years of Tory rule left Britain weaker and exposed to a pandemic at the very time when thanks to climate change, pandemics are becoming more likely not less.
And ten years of cutting 15,000 beds from our NHS, of cutting social care, of cutting public health services made us more vulnerable and less resilient as a society. As a result we’ve seen operations cancelled, vital cancer treatment delayed and mental health support squeezed. Our NHS now faces a monumental backlog in non-Covid care, yet is short of resources.
I want to be your Labour Health and Social Care Secretary in a Keir Starmer Labour government not to just rebuild our NHS and provide the care people need but to create a fairer society as well. The creation of the NHS wasn’t just about the relief of the woman in the throes of difficult labour who had to pay for a midwife to come to her bedside. It wasn’t just about the parents in tears because they couldn’t afford a doctor to see their sick child. And it wasn’t just the right to free health care for all to relieve suffering and pain. It was about equality.
Yet here we are today. With life expectancy advances stalling even going backwards for some of the poorest. Where a girl born tonight in one of poorest parts of the country can expect to live 19 fewer healthy years than a girl born in the richest. Poverty condemns our fellow citizens to ill health quicker and now Covid is hitting the disadvantaged hardest including many from our black, Asian and minority ethnic communities who are suffering disproportionally.
Inequality in health is the worst inequality of all. There can be no greater social injustice than people dying sooner because of poverty. This is why I am Labour. And tackling these health inequalities is my mission. That starts with an assault on poverty.
It means tackling climate change because there is no healthy future without a green future. It means rebuilding a public universal NHS and a social care service we can all be proud of. It means parity of esteem for mental health services and a guarantee that every child receives the mental health care they deserve. It involves supporting our science base to develop the vaccine to tame this virus and ensure equitable distribution to deliver good health for all. And it means recognising our key workers for their true worth.
This is the cause of Labour. We will play our part in helping the nation through this crisis. With Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner we’re offering new leadership to the country. And we will build a society with fairness, health and wellbeing at the heart.


labourlist--2020-09-21--Government should apply conditions to employment programmes, says Dodds

Anneliese Dodds has said that the government should apply conditions for its investment in employment programmes to make sure that they result in “ good quality jobs ” and provide positive local benefits .
Appearing at an online ‘ in conversation with ’ event hosted by the Institute for Public Policy Research ( IPPR ) this afternoon , the Shadow Chancellor discussed the UK ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and Labour ’ s plan for the economy .
Dodds argued that the UK government must think about the local impact of its plan to invest in infrastructure projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boris Johnson ’ s ‘ new deal ‘ and commitment to “ build , build , build ” .
Commenting on the planned spending in the virtual event today , she said : “ We need to make sure that , while we ’ re focused particularly on the kinds of investment that are necessary , that it actually builds into good quality jobs .
“ I ’ ve said that with the government ’ s investment programme… there should be conditions there around local employment , around up-skilling , making sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can actually benefit… “ We haven ’ t had that kind of conditionality applied .
You know , we could end up with a situation where we have major contractors drafted in to do contracts , not developing the local workforce , not having that impact locally.
” Dodds added : “ Once the project is finished , they just go away again .
Well that ’ s not going to lead to the sustainable economic development – upskilling , involvement of young people etc – that we need.
” The comments from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference earlier today , in which she set out a three-step plan for the economy that she argued will “ recover jobs , retrain workers and rebuild business ” .
The plan from Labour includes a “ national retraining strategy to help people whose hours have been cut to increase their skills or to retrain in a new area , and to enable people who have lost their jobs to transition into new work ” .
Dodds also proposed a ‘ job recovery scheme ’ to enable businesses in certain sectors to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the government subsidising a proportion of wages for the rest of the working week .
This would be similar to the German ‘ Kurzarbeit ‘ programme , whereby employers can reduce workers ’ hours without laying them off with the state providing income replacement of up to 60 % .
Trade union leaders today issued a challenge to Labour by telling the party to “ be bold and embrace ” its 2017 and 2019 manifesto policies , advocate for a pay rise for key workers and be “ much more vocal ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Roosevelt-style deal earlier this year , the £5bn spending plan outlined by the Prime Minister amounts to just 0.2 % of GDP compared to the estimated 40 % of US national income spent in the 1920s stimulus .
Labour and the TUC at the time criticised the proposal set out by Johnson , declaring that it is “ not enough ” and represented only “ rehashed old promises ” from the Conservative manifesto in the 2019 general election .
The event today formed part of Labour ’ s online ‘ Connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled this year due to Covid .
The virtual replacement is running events for Labour members over the next few days through to September 22nd .

Anneliese Dodds has said that the government should apply conditions for its investment in employment programmes to make sure that they result in “good quality jobs” and provide positive local benefits.
Appearing at an online ‘in conversation with’ event hosted by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) this afternoon, the Shadow Chancellor discussed the UK’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and Labour’s plan for the economy.
Dodds argued that the UK government must think about the local impact of its plan to invest in infrastructure projects unveiled earlier this year as part of Boris Johnson’s ‘new deal‘ and commitment to “build, build, build”.
Commenting on the planned spending in the virtual event today, she said: “We need to make sure that, while we’re focused particularly on the kinds of investment that are necessary, that it actually builds into good quality jobs.
“I’ve said that with the government’s investment programme… there should be conditions there around local employment, around up-skilling, making sure that young people and others in different areas can actually benefit…
“We haven’t had that kind of conditionality applied. You know, we could end up with a situation where we have major contractors drafted in to do contracts, not developing the local workforce, not having that impact locally.”
Dodds added: “Once the project is finished, they just go away again. Well that’s not going to lead to the sustainable economic development – upskilling, involvement of young people etc – that we need.”
The comments from the Shadow Chancellor follow her speech to conference earlier today, in which she set out a three-step plan for the economy that she argued will “recover jobs, retrain workers and rebuild business”.
The plan from Labour includes a “national retraining strategy to help people whose hours have been cut to increase their skills or to retrain in a new area, and to enable people who have lost their jobs to transition into new work”.
Dodds also proposed a ‘job recovery scheme’ to enable businesses in certain sectors to bring back more staff on reduced hours, with the government subsidising a proportion of wages for the rest of the working week.
This would be similar to the German ‘Kurzarbeit‘ programme, whereby employers can reduce workers’ hours without laying them off with the state providing income replacement of up to 60%.
Trade union leaders today issued a challenge to Labour by telling the party to “be bold and embrace” its 2017 and 2019 manifesto policies, advocate for a pay rise for key workers and be “much more vocal” on Covid support for workers.
Presented as a Roosevelt-style deal earlier this year, the £5bn spending plan outlined by the Prime Minister amounts to just 0.2% of GDP compared to the estimated 40% of US national income spent in the 1920s stimulus.
Labour and the TUC at the time criticised the proposal set out by Johnson, declaring that it is “not enough” and represented only “rehashed old promises” from the Conservative manifesto in the 2019 general election.
The event today formed part of Labour’s online ‘Connected‘ conference. The usual conference was cancelled this year due to Covid. The virtual replacement is running events for Labour members over the next few days through to September 22nd.


labourlist--2020-09-21--Labour calls on government to expand eligibility for self-isolation support

Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth has called on the government to expand the eligibility criteria of the new Covid self-isolation support payments to include low-pay workers who are not claiming benefits .
The Shadow Health Secretary said he welcomed “ the recognition that people need financial support to self-isolate ” in his response to Matt Hancock ’ s Covid-19 update in parliament , but asked the government to include all people in need .
Low-paid workers in receipt of benefits will be able to claim £500 if they need to self-isolate under a newly announced support scheme – yet those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left out of the new policy .
Ashworth also criticised the Health Secretary for suggesting that the public could be blamed for the rise in infections after not following Covid guidelines .
He argued that “ people have done everything they were asked to do ” by the government .
Labour ’ s health spokesperson added : “ They have missed birthday celebrations , missed weddings , missed funerals .
They have sent their children , quite rightly , back to school .
They ’ ve gone back to work .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test , trace and isolate so we could – in the words of the government ’ s own adverts – ‘ get back to the things we love ’ .
” Ashworth suggested the real blame lay with government ministers who “ were warned ” of the risk of a significant rise in infections as lockdown eased but did not sufficiently increase testing capacity over the summer .
Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth in parliament this afternoon .
I thank the minister for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly welcome his announcements on childcare .
The presentation we saw today from the chief medical officer and chief scientific advisor earlier were stark and deeply concerning .
The Secretary of State yesterday described this as a “ tipping point ” .
I agree we are at a perilous moment .
The exponential growth in the virus can not be ignored .
This virus takes lives and it leaves many with long-term debilitating conditions .
Every reasonable action must be taken to save lives , minimise harm and keep our children in school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive infections down .
So will he reject those siren voices who are telling him the virus has lost potency or that we should let it rip through the herd while the vulnerable shield ?
We support the local restrictions that he has had to impose , including in Chorley , Mr Speaker , and I understand why he has made that decision .
Neither he nor I came into politics to place upon individuals a heavy burden of curtailments on our freedoms .
And while we would always welcome greater parliamentary scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work constructively on a cross-party basis where restrictions are necessary to arrest the spread of the virus .
But can I also say to him , that the tone of his remarks yesterday rather gave the impression he was blaming people for breaking the rules and allowing the virus to grow .
When the reality is that people have done everything they were asked to do .
They have missed birthday celebrations , missed weddings , missed funerals .
They have sent their children , quite rightly , back to school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In return , ministers were supposed to fix test , trace and isolate so we could – in the words of the government ’ s own adverts – “ get back to the things we love ” .
Before the summer the government commissioned the Academy of Medical Sciences to scenario plan .
They modelled the R-value could rise to 1.7 in September .
That ’ s what Imperial estimated it to be as well .
They recommended : “ Significantly expanding the capacity of the test , trace and isolate programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter.
” So ministers were warned .
Yet testing capacity in pillar one and pillar two did not increase significantly over the summer .
In recent weeks only half of all tests were have been received in less 24 hours and he repeated his point about asymptomatic people asking for tests .
Can he publish the pillar two data which breaks down how many were asymptomatic and how many were symptomatic when asking for those tests ?
Many parents report going to walk-in centres with sick children when themselves have had no symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a national policy and has that national policy been abandoned ?
We welcome the recognition that people need financial support to self-isolate .
But as I understand it it ’ s only available to those low-paid workers who are also on benefits but not all low-paid workers so will they consider expanding the eligibility criteria .
We ’ ve always said that when testing breaks down , tracing breaks down .
So we are now facing a second wave of infection , we don ’ t want a second wave of ministerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – extract a heavy social and economic price especially on the poorest and most vulnerable .
But controlling the virus and protecting the economy are linked objectives , not in conflict with one other .
So I understand he will tell us that we have to wait for the Prime Minister statement but can he confirm that we will use a lockdown , if we have one – he will use the time wisely .
That he will expand NHS lab capacity , that he will he put public health teams in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will quickly the assess the university pilots of saliva testing , that he will validate PCR pool testing so that when lockdown is lifted we can contain the virus for the future ?
I welcome what he said about prioritising NHS workers , care staff and teachers today .
But can he clarify why he has issued guidance to hospital trusts placing restrictions on the numbers of tests they can carry out ?
How will he protect care homes ?
According to reports today many care homes have had to wait over two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from PHE shows that over 200 care homes have had outbreaks of Covid in the last two weeks .
Will he ensure that no one is discharged into care homes without a Covid test ?
What is his advice for the shielding community ?
And what protections is he putting in place for BAME communities given that we know there is a disproportionate number from those communities in ICU today .
None of us wants to see another lockdown or circuit break but we , of course , understand if one becomes necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have been fixed .
That failure has left us vulnerable and exposed .
Now we must act with speed to save lives and minimise harm .

Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has called on the government to expand the eligibility criteria of the new Covid self-isolation support payments to include low-pay workers who are not claiming benefits.
The Shadow Health Secretary said he welcomed “the recognition that people need financial support to self-isolate” in his response to Matt Hancock’s Covid-19 update in parliament, but asked the government to include all people in need.
Low-paid workers in receipt of benefits will be able to claim £500 if they need to self-isolate under a newly announced support scheme – yet those who do not claim benefits have been left out of the new policy.
Ashworth also criticised the Health Secretary for suggesting that the public could be blamed for the rise in infections after not following Covid guidelines. He argued that “people have done everything they were asked to do” by the government.
Labour’s health spokesperson added: “They have missed birthday celebrations, missed weddings, missed funerals. They have sent their children, quite rightly, back to school. They’ve gone back to work.
“In return, ministers were supposed to fix test, trace and isolate so we could – in the words of the government’s own adverts – ‘get back to the things we love’.”
Ashworth suggested the real blame lay with government ministers who “were warned” of the risk of a significant rise in infections as lockdown eased but did not sufficiently increase testing capacity over the summer.
Below is the full text of the speech delivered by Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth in parliament this afternoon.
I thank the minister for advance sight of his statement and we particularly welcome his announcements on childcare. The presentation we saw today from the chief medical officer and chief scientific advisor earlier were stark and deeply concerning. The Secretary of State yesterday described this as a “tipping point”. I agree we are at a perilous moment. The exponential growth in the virus cannot be ignored. This virus takes lives and it leaves many with long-term debilitating conditions.
Every reasonable action must be taken to save lives, minimise harm and keep our children in school. That means a suppression strategy to drive infections down. So will he reject those siren voices who are telling him the virus has lost potency or that we should let it rip through the herd while the vulnerable shield? We support the local restrictions that he has had to impose, including in Chorley, Mr Speaker, and I understand why he has made that decision. Neither he nor I came into politics to place upon individuals a heavy burden of curtailments on our freedoms. And while we would always welcome greater parliamentary scrutiny of these restrictions, we will continue to work constructively on a cross-party basis where restrictions are necessary to arrest the spread of the virus.
But can I also say to him, that the tone of his remarks yesterday rather gave the impression he was blaming people for breaking the rules and allowing the virus to grow. When the reality is that people have done everything they were asked to do. They have missed birthday celebrations, missed weddings, missed funerals. They have sent their children, quite rightly, back to school. They’ve gone back to work.
In return, ministers were supposed to fix test, trace and isolate so we could – in the words of the government’s own adverts – “get back to the things we love”. Before the summer the government commissioned the Academy of Medical Sciences to scenario plan. They modelled the R-value could rise to 1.7 in September. That’s what Imperial estimated it to be as well. They recommended: “Significantly expanding the capacity of the test, trace and isolate programme to cope with increasing demands over the winter.” So ministers were warned. Yet testing capacity in pillar one and pillar two did not increase significantly over the summer.
In recent weeks only half of all tests were have been received in less 24 hours and he repeated his point about asymptomatic people asking for tests. Can he publish the pillar two data which breaks down how many were asymptomatic and how many were symptomatic when asking for those tests? Many parents report going to walk-in centres with sick children when themselves have had no symptoms and being given a test – was that a national policy and has that national policy been abandoned?
We welcome the recognition that people need financial support to self-isolate. But as I understand it it’s only available to those low-paid workers who are also on benefits but not all low-paid workers so will they consider expanding the eligibility criteria. We’ve always said that when testing breaks down, tracing breaks down. So we are now facing a second wave of infection, we don’t want a second wave of ministerial mistakes. Lockdowns – or circuit breaks – extract a heavy social and economic price especially on the poorest and most vulnerable. But controlling the virus and protecting the economy are linked objectives, not in conflict with one other.
So I understand he will tell us that we have to wait for the Prime Minister statement but can he confirm that we will use a lockdown, if we have one – he will use the time wisely. That he will expand NHS lab capacity, that he will he put public health teams in the lead on contact tracing, that he will quickly the assess the university pilots of saliva testing, that he will validate PCR pool testing so that when lockdown is lifted we can contain the virus for the future?
I welcome what he said about prioritising NHS workers, care staff and teachers today. But can he clarify why he has issued guidance to hospital trusts placing restrictions on the numbers of tests they can carry out? How will he protect care homes? According to reports today many care homes have had to wait over two weeks for their test results. Data from PHE shows that over 200 care homes have had outbreaks of Covid in the last two weeks. Will he ensure that no one is discharged into care homes without a Covid test? What is his advice for the shielding community? And what protections is he putting in place for BAME communities given that we know there is a disproportionate number from those communities in ICU today.
None of us wants to see another lockdown or circuit break but we, of course, understand if one becomes necessary. But test, trace and isolate should have been fixed. That failure has left us vulnerable and exposed. Now we must act with speed to save lives and minimise harm.