labourlist--2020-10-22--“Westminster bubble”: Regional mayors criticise London-centric government

Metro mayors from across England have argued that the Tory ‘ levelling up ’ agenda will not become a reality due to the “ Westminster bubble ” that means “ for far too long , too many decisions have been taken in the interests of London ” .
At a session of the business , energy and industrial strategy committee this morning , mayors expressed frustration over excessive centralisation , with Andy Burnham saying that England has “ devolution in name but not in reality ” .
The Greater Manchester metro mayor said he was left “ open-mouthed ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tier 2 businesses despite areas in the North being under such rules and without extra support for months .
Burnham told the committee : “ I think maybe if we all think about it positively , perhaps this a moment where England grows up a little around devolution and the relationship between Westminster and the rest of the country .
“ The culture is still : Westminster holds all the power and all the money , and the mayors on this call have to go on bended knee and we have to plead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I think that ’ s where this is still wrong .
“ We have kind of got devolution in name but not in reality yet and England needs to decide if it wants devolution in reality , because otherwise if Westminster carries on holding all the power , levelling up will be a slogan rather than a thing that happens.
” The former MP for Leigh and 2015 Labour leadership candidate concluded : “ You can ’ t level up from Whitehall , you can ’ t just drop projects on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Greater Manchester mayor has been battling with the government over the implementation of Tier 3 Covid restrictions in his region .
He and other local leaders opposed the severe restrictions unless more support was offered .
Negotiations with the government broke down this week as ministers refused to offer £65m in support , and it was confirmed that the region would be forced into Tier 3 restrictions on Friday evening without local agreement .
Burnham also told the BEIS committee that he was shocked by Chancellor Rishi Sunak being set to announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Tier 2 Covid restrictions in his economic update today .
The mayor said : “ I honestly was just open-mouthed when I read the headlines last night that there was going to be a support package that was billed as being for London and Birmingham and… we ’ ve been under these restrictions for three months.
” He added : “ Bolton had their pubs closed for three weeks with nothing , absolutely nothing , despite the fact we did raise that on a regular basis and it does bring me finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about then ?
” The Chancellor has announced to the House of Commons the new measures since the committee met this morning , including business support for Tier 2 areas that will be applied retrospectively going back to August .
The panel today , which was focused on post-pandemic ‘ levelling up ’ , featured local leaders including Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram and North of Tyne metro mayor Jamie Driscoll alongside Burnham .
Rotheram criticised UK over-centralisation and said until power was really given to devolved leaders across the country the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda set out in the general election campaign .
The former MP for Liverpool Walton added : “ Something needs to happen , we need meaningful economic progress because without that we won ’ t address the underlying social , educational and health disadvantages in our areas… “ When I was in parliament , I truly understood what the Westminster bubble really is .
And for far too long , too many decisions have been taken in the interests of London… and that has been hugely disadvantageous to areas such as ours.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee that he believed “ distributed leadership ” was key to making sure people in every region are supported by the government , as it allows for more reactive leadership .
Driscoll said : “ If all of our modern corporations understand distributed leadership… and all modern militaries do it , then surely a modern democracy should be distributing command to the people who are close to the decisions ?
” The Tory campaign in the general election last year emphasised a levelling up agenda across the country , promising to reverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other regions outside of the south of England .
The Labour Party has repeatedly criticised the government ’ s claims to be battling regional inequality in recent months and accused the government of “ turning their back ” on levelling up in August .

Metro mayors from across England have argued that the Tory ‘levelling up’ agenda will not become a reality due to the “Westminster bubble” that means “for far too long, too many decisions have been taken in the interests of London”.
At a session of the business, energy and industrial strategy committee this morning, mayors expressed frustration over excessive centralisation, with Andy Burnham saying that England has “devolution in name but not in reality”.
The Greater Manchester metro mayor said he was left “open-mouthed” as the government today announced more support for Tier 2 businesses despite areas in the North being under such rules and without extra support for months.
Burnham told the committee: “I think maybe if we all think about it positively, perhaps this a moment where England grows up a little around devolution and the relationship between Westminster and the rest of the country.
“The culture is still: Westminster holds all the power and all the money, and the mayors on this call have to go on bended knee and we have to plead at times for some of that money. And I think that’s where this is still wrong.
“We have kind of got devolution in name but not in reality yet and England needs to decide if it wants devolution in reality, because otherwise if Westminster carries on holding all the power, levelling up will be a slogan rather than a thing that happens.”
The former MP for Leigh and 2015 Labour leadership candidate concluded: “You can’t level up from Whitehall, you can’t just drop projects on places and call that levelling up.”
The Greater Manchester mayor has been battling with the government over the implementation of Tier 3 Covid restrictions in his region. He and other local leaders opposed the severe restrictions unless more support was offered.
Negotiations with the government broke down this week as ministers refused to offer £65m in support, and it was confirmed that the region would be forced into Tier 3 restrictions on Friday evening without local agreement.
Burnham also told the BEIS committee that he was shocked by Chancellor Rishi Sunak being set to announce a new package of measures for regions under Tier 2 Covid restrictions in his economic update today.
The mayor said: “I honestly was just open-mouthed when I read the headlines last night that there was going to be a support package that was billed as being for London and Birmingham and… we’ve been under these restrictions for three months.”
He added: “Bolton had their pubs closed for three weeks with nothing, absolutely nothing, despite the fact we did raise that on a regular basis and it does bring me finally to ask what this whole week was about then?”
The Chancellor has announced to the House of Commons the new measures since the committee met this morning, including business support for Tier 2 areas that will be applied retrospectively going back to August.
The panel today, which was focused on post-pandemic ‘levelling up’, featured local leaders including Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram and North of Tyne metro mayor Jamie Driscoll alongside Burnham.
Rotheram criticised UK over-centralisation and said until power was really given to devolved leaders across the country the government would struggle to fulfil its levelling up agenda set out in the general election campaign.
The former MP for Liverpool Walton added: “Something needs to happen, we need meaningful economic progress because without that we won’t address the underlying social, educational and health disadvantages in our areas…
“When I was in parliament, I truly understood what the Westminster bubble really is. And for far too long, too many decisions have been taken in the interests of London… and that has been hugely disadvantageous to areas such as ours.”
North of Tyne metro mayor Driscoll told the committee that he believed “distributed leadership” was key to making sure people in every region are supported by the government, as it allows for more reactive leadership.
Driscoll said: “If all of our modern corporations understand distributed leadership… and all modern militaries do it, then surely a modern democracy should be distributing command to the people who are close to the decisions?”
The Tory campaign in the general election last year emphasised a levelling up agenda across the country, promising to reverse years of chronic under-investment in the North and other regions outside of the south of England.
The Labour Party has repeatedly criticised the government’s claims to be battling regional inequality in recent months and accused the government of “turning their back” on levelling up in August.


labourlist--2020-10-22--Government “always running to keep up” as Sunak unveils more support

Anneliese Dodds has criticised the government for “ always running to keep up ” after the Chancellor used his third economic update in a month to unveil more financial support for businesses in the second coronavirus wave .
Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons this morning that the government would be offering a new grant scheme for businesses under Tier 2 restrictions .
The distribution of the grants will be decided by local authorities .
The Tier 2 grants will be equal to 70 % of the support currently available to businesses in Tier 3 areas , the Chancellor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with businesses able to backdate grants to August .
The retrospective aspect will be widely seen as a victory for mayors including Andy Burnham , who have complained that areas in the North of England and Midlands have been under Tier 2 for months without extra support .
Sunak told MPs that enough funding will be provided for every business premise in the hospitality , leisure and accommodation to be given a direct grant worth up to £2,100 for every month under Tier 2 rules .
The second measure unveiled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job support scheme announced in September .
The employer contribution towards hours not worked will change from 33 % to just 5 % .
The minimum hours worked requirement for eligibility will change from a third of normal hours to a fifth of normal hours – but workers who go down to a fifth of their hours will only receive just over 73 % of their salary .
The scheme was originally criticised by Labour and the Resolution Foundation for failing to incentivise short-hours working , as it was made less attractive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time employees .
Sunak also announced that the grants available to Covid-affected self-employed workers would double from 20 % of average monthly profits ( up to a total of £1,875 ) to 40 % , with the maximum grant increasing to £3,750 .
The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed ( IPSE ) has welcomed the increase but said there are “ deep structural problems ” with the system remain as a third of self-employed people are excluded entirely .
Although the Chancellor said making further revisions to his winter economic plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ acting fast as the moment demands and as the health situation evolves ” , Labour disagreed .
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds compared the situation to a “ long-running TV show ” with “ winter economic plan series three ” , and said : “ We ’ ve got to get ahead of this crisis instead of always running to keep up.
” Responding to the update , she reiterated the concerns of metro mayors by asking : “ What ’ s changed that means this is the right thing to do now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of North and Midlands entered Tier 2 months ago ?
” Dodds also asked again about the formula for local support that the government claims to have adopted but has never published , and reiterated the call made by Keir Starmer for a national circuit breaker over half-term .
The TUC ’ s Frances O ’ Grady described the new measures as a “ step forward ” but said “ there are still big holes ” as low-paid workers “ have to get by on less than 80 % of their wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still too low ” .
Labour MP Richard Burgon raised the idea a “ wage floor ” that would ensure no furloughed worker lives on less than the minimum wage .
Currently they will be on “ just £5.81 per hour – the minimum wage level of 11 years ago ” .

Anneliese Dodds has criticised the government for “always running to keep up” after the Chancellor used his third economic update in a month to unveil more financial support for businesses in the second coronavirus wave.
Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons this morning that the government would be offering a new grant scheme for businesses under Tier 2 restrictions. The distribution of the grants will be decided by local authorities.
The Tier 2 grants will be equal to 70% of the support currently available to businesses in Tier 3 areas, the Chancellor said. They will also be retrospective, with businesses able to backdate grants to August.
The retrospective aspect will be widely seen as a victory for mayors including Andy Burnham, who have complained that areas in the North of England and Midlands have been under Tier 2 for months without extra support.
Sunak told MPs that enough funding will be provided for every business premise in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation to be given a direct grant worth up to £2,100 for every month under Tier 2 rules.
The second measure unveiled by the Chancellor today consisted of significant changes to the job support scheme announced in September. The employer contribution towards hours not worked will change from 33% to just 5%.
The minimum hours worked requirement for eligibility will change from a third of normal hours to a fifth of normal hours – but workers who go down to a fifth of their hours will only receive just over 73% of their salary.
The scheme was originally criticised by Labour and the Resolution Foundation for failing to incentivise short-hours working, as it was made less attractive to employ more employees part-time than fewer full-time employees.
Sunak also announced that the grants available to Covid-affected self-employed workers would double from 20% of average monthly profits (up to a total of £1,875) to 40%, with the maximum grant increasing to £3,750.
The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has welcomed the increase but said there are “deep structural problems” with the system remain as a third of self-employed people are excluded entirely.
Although the Chancellor said making further revisions to his winter economic plan so soon showed that the government was “acting fast as the moment demands and as the health situation evolves”, Labour disagreed.
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds compared the situation to a “long-running TV show” with “winter economic plan series three”, and said: “We’ve got to get ahead of this crisis instead of always running to keep up.”
Responding to the update, she reiterated the concerns of metro mayors by asking: “What’s changed that means this is the right thing to do now, but wasn’t when many parts of North and Midlands entered Tier 2 months ago?”
Dodds also asked again about the formula for local support that the government claims to have adopted but has never published, and reiterated the call made by Keir Starmer for a national circuit breaker over half-term.
The TUC’s Frances O’Grady described the new measures as a “step forward” but said “there are still big holes” as low-paid workers “have to get by on less than 80% of their wages” and “support for the self-employed is still too low”.
Unite said the measures “ought to have come weeks ago”, stressed the need for “a minimum commitment of 80% wage support” and warned of “certain hardship for a great many people” without this move.
Usdaw expressed disappointment that the Chancellor “made no mention of retail”. The union also called for 80% wage support and statutory sick pay levels that reflect average earnings for the low-paid.
General union GMB welcomed that Sunak was “removing excuses for employers not to retain their workforces” but added that the measures would “still leave many struggling to feed their families as winter sets in”.
Labour MP Richard Burgon raised the idea a “wage floor” that would ensure no furloughed worker lives on less than the minimum wage. Currently they will be on “just £5.81 per hour – the minimum wage level of 11 years ago”.


labourlist--2020-10-22--The government must support the North’s decimated hospitality sector

As the Northern Powerhouse Conference gets underway today , coronavirus will be front and centre for much of the discussion .
The long-term legacy of this pandemic will be staring our communities in the face for years to come .
We already know that the pandemic is hitting hardest those who are most vulnerable – health-wise , socially and economically .
It sometimes feels that the government hasn ’ t got a clue about what the reality is for those of us facing a second lockdown , or indeed , for those of us who have been in some form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case for many in the North .
Maybe they haven ’ t got any friends who work as employees in the hospitality industry , but I have .
Take my friend Abigail , for example , who works for a well-known restaurant chain in Leeds .
Currently facing Tier 2 restrictions , the restaurant is still open but footfall is way down – some weeks by 70 % .
The response by management has been to cut staff hours to keep people on while keeping the business operational .
Abigail has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to six hours a week .
It means she is still employed – and therefore not a blemish on government unemployment figures – but she is struggling to pay her rent and bills .
Abigail has talked to her boss , but he is also in a quandary .
He knows that most of his staff won ’ t be able to get another job in the current climate if he lays them off .
In fact , only around 1 % of workers who have lost their jobs are being re-employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working their original hours , and most have chewed through their savings .
For Abigail ’ s boss , the question is : “ Would it be more profitable to shut the site than keep it open ?
” .
Restaurants aren ’ t shutting because there ’ s no financial support but the Tier 2 restrictions are keeping punters away , decimating sales and destroying people ’ s incomes .
It raises the bigger question of what happens to low-paid and low-skilled workers over the next six months .
And we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those in the North .
Many of the jobs in the hospitality sector employ those with little work experience and a low skills base .
What do people with few transferable skills , or who may be working towards gaining qualifications , do in the face of this pandemic ?
There are no other similar jobs and retraining is difficult and takes far too long given the urgency of their current situation .
The temptation for business owners in the sector is to put everyone on zero-hours contracts or to cut hours drastically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an employment tribunal if you think you are being treated unfairly , the backlog is so great your case may not be heard until 2026 .
This is leading some unscrupulous firms to do things they know would normally risk a tribunal but can get away with as things stand today .
We risk a whole generation of people who are just starting out in the world of work being thrown onto the scrap heap unless we take urgent action .
We need a raft of financial packages to help those on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financially .
And we need support for families facing slashed wages , in the form of free school meals , rent breaks and an alternative to relying on loan sharks .
Councils also need help .
They have had ten years of austerity and have little fat left on their bones .
I watched the standoff between the metro mayor of Manchester and the government , and I have a lot of sympathy with the position Andy Burnham finds himself in .
He has a duty to protect the most financially vulnerable as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And , as he has been at pains to point out , these issues are going to affect every community around the country at some stage over the next few weeks .
This includes London where some businesses in the hospitality trade are seeing less than 20 % of their usual revenue .
It is vital that political leaders and business leaders come together to address the skills gap now to think about immediate support and to make sure that everyone has a future .
I would like to see Chancellor Rishi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , city leaders , leaders of industry and local entrepreneurs for a future skills summit focused on the hospitality and the food and drink sectors in England .
Most of all , I would like to see our government showing a little bit of empathy and compassion .
As we enter the new normal many of us are working from home and enjoying the extra access that gives us to the countryside and our families .
But for each one of us in that situation , there is a young person living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own in a tiny flat in central Bradford facing reduced hours at work and a five-week wait for Universal Credit , while rent and the bills begin to mount up .
We must not forget the young and those on low incomes across England , and particularly here in West Yorkshire .

As the Northern Powerhouse Conference gets underway today, coronavirus will be front and centre for much of the discussion. The long-term legacy of this pandemic will be staring our communities in the face for years to come. We already know that the pandemic is hitting hardest those who are most vulnerable – health-wise, socially and economically. It sometimes feels that the government hasn’t got a clue about what the reality is for those of us facing a second lockdown, or indeed, for those of us who have been in some form of lockdown since July – as is the case for many in the North. Maybe they haven’t got any friends who work as employees in the hospitality industry, but I have.
Take my friend Abigail, for example, who works for a well-known restaurant chain in Leeds. Currently facing Tier 2 restrictions, the restaurant is still open but footfall is way down – some weeks by 70%. The response by management has been to cut staff hours to keep people on while keeping the business operational. Abigail has seen her shifts go from 30 hours a week to six hours a week. It means she is still employed – and therefore not a blemish on government unemployment figures – but she is struggling to pay her rent and bills.
Abigail has talked to her boss, but he is also in a quandary. He knows that most of his staff won’t be able to get another job in the current climate if he lays them off. In fact, only around 1% of workers who have lost their jobs are being re-employed at the moment. Only 20% are working their original hours, and most have chewed through their savings. For Abigail’s boss, the question is: “Would it be more profitable to shut the site than keep it open?”. Restaurants aren’t shutting because there’s no financial support but the Tier 2 restrictions are keeping punters away, decimating sales and destroying people’s incomes.
It raises the bigger question of what happens to low-paid and low-skilled workers over the next six months. And we have more than our fair share of those in the North. Many of the jobs in the hospitality sector employ those with little work experience and a low skills base. What do people with few transferable skills, or who may be working towards gaining qualifications, do in the face of this pandemic? There are no other similar jobs and retraining is difficult and takes far too long given the urgency of their current situation.
The temptation for business owners in the sector is to put everyone on zero-hours contracts or to cut hours drastically. While there is always the recourse to an employment tribunal if you think you are being treated unfairly, the backlog is so great your case may not be heard until 2026. This is leading some unscrupulous firms to do things they know would normally risk a tribunal but can get away with as things stand today.
We risk a whole generation of people who are just starting out in the world of work being thrown onto the scrap heap unless we take urgent action. We need a raft of financial packages to help those on low pay and zero-hours contracts to survive financially. And we need support for families facing slashed wages, in the form of free school meals, rent breaks and an alternative to relying on loan sharks.
Councils also need help. They have had ten years of austerity and have little fat left on their bones. I watched the standoff between the metro mayor of Manchester and the government, and I have a lot of sympathy with the position Andy Burnham finds himself in. He has a duty to protect the most financially vulnerable as well the most vulnerable to the pandemic. And, as he has been at pains to point out, these issues are going to affect every community around the country at some stage over the next few weeks. This includes London where some businesses in the hospitality trade are seeing less than 20% of their usual revenue.
It is vital that political leaders and business leaders come together to address the skills gap now to think about immediate support and to make sure that everyone has a future. I would like to see Chancellor Rishi Sunak, meeting with our regional mayors, city leaders, leaders of industry and local entrepreneurs for a future skills summit focused on the hospitality and the food and drink sectors in England.
Most of all, I would like to see our government showing a little bit of empathy and compassion. As we enter the new normal many of us are working from home and enjoying the extra access that gives us to the countryside and our families. But for each one of us in that situation, there is a young person living in a shared house in Halifax or on their own in a tiny flat in central Bradford facing reduced hours at work and a five-week wait for Universal Credit, while rent and the bills begin to mount up. We must not forget the young and those on low incomes across England, and particularly here in West Yorkshire.


labourlist--2020-10-22--Tories refute “scum” claim by opposing Covid support and free school meals

Conservative MPs dutifully , or worse enthusiastically , traipsed into the voting lobbies yesterday to reject a “ fair deal ” for Tier 3 areas and to oppose free school meals during holidays in the coronavirus crisis .
Yet it was not these votes in the House of Commons but a heckle by Angela Rayner that made the news , after she appeared to call Tory MP Chris Clarkson “ scum ” during a debate .
Labour ’ s deputy leader apologised last night , but the response of many party activists has of course been : well , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her response came after Clarkson accused the opposition frontbench of “ opportunism ” and of holding the vote “ for release on social media afterwards ” .
As Rayner mentioned in the debate , her aunt died of Covid-19 only last week .
It was certainly a heated session in the chamber : Toby Perkins said the Tories were “ screwing people over ” , Rebecca Long-Bailey compared the sink-or-swim approach to The Hunger Games , and other key moments can be found in my write-up .
Just two Tory MPs rebelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s call for an 80 % , not 67 % , furlough scheme .
The debate that followed , on the motion to support Marcus Rashford ’ s free school meals campaign , was no less intense .
320 Conservatives voted against , and five voted with Labour .
Worse than that were the speeches , including that of Brendan Clarke-Smith who declared “ I do not believe in nationalising children ” , dismissed “ celebrity virtue signalling ” and called for everyone to “ get back to the idea of taking responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in keeping with the new Labour leadership ’ s sober style .
But any person capable of empathy will have understood where that anger came from , and – if watching the debates that followed – will have seen many on the Tory benches do nothing to disprove her .
They talked about free school meals in terms of parents not taking responsibility .
We ’ re in the middle of a pandemic and devastating economic crisis , yet still their ‘ scrounger ’ rhetoric survives – no matter that Serco receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK government .
Rishi Sunak will deliver his third economic update in a month , once again revising his winter economic plan this morning .
He is expected to announce support for businesses and workers in Tier 2 .
The measures will undoubtedly be welcome , though not go far enough .
A new joint statement from trade union , mayors , MPs and councillors brought together by Unite has called for 80 % furlough and more .
The Chancellor is not thought likely to deliver on these demands , but they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic update number four .

Conservative MPs dutifully, or worse enthusiastically, traipsed into the voting lobbies yesterday to reject a “fair deal” for Tier 3 areas and to oppose free school meals during holidays in the coronavirus crisis. Yet it was not these votes in the House of Commons but a heckle by Angela Rayner that made the news, after she appeared to call Tory MP Chris Clarkson “scum” during a debate.
Labour’s deputy leader apologised last night, but the response of many party activists has of course been: well, they are scum. Those close to Rayner said her response came after Clarkson accused the opposition frontbench of “opportunism” and of holding the vote “for release on social media afterwards”. As Rayner mentioned in the debate, her aunt died of Covid-19 only last week.
It was certainly a heated session in the chamber: Toby Perkins said the Tories were “screwing people over”, Rebecca Long-Bailey compared the sink-or-swim approach to The Hunger Games, and other key moments can be found in my write-up. Just two Tory MPs rebelled in the vote and supported Labour’s call for an 80%, not 67%, furlough scheme.
The debate that followed, on the motion to support Marcus Rashford’s free school meals campaign, was no less intense. 320 Conservatives voted against, and five voted with Labour. Worse than that were the speeches, including that of Brendan Clarke-Smith who declared “I do not believe in nationalising children”, dismissed “celebrity virtue signalling” and called for everyone to “get back to the idea of taking responsibility”.
Rayner’s heckle was not in keeping with the new Labour leadership’s sober style. But any person capable of empathy will have understood where that anger came from, and – if watching the debates that followed – will have seen many on the Tory benches do nothing to disprove her. They talked about free school meals in terms of parents not taking responsibility. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and devastating economic crisis, yet still their ‘scrounger’ rhetoric survives – no matter that Serco receives 40% of its income from the UK government.
Rishi Sunak will deliver his third economic update in a month, once again revising his winter economic plan this morning. He is expected to announce support for businesses and workers in Tier 2. The measures will undoubtedly be welcome, though not go far enough. A new joint statement from trade union, mayors, MPs and councillors brought together by Unite has called for 80% furlough and more. The Chancellor is not thought likely to deliver on these demands, but they will become increasingly necessary. Roll on, economic update number four.


labourlist--2020-10-22--“Above and beyond”: Rayner praises Welsh Labour government on Covid

Angela Rayner has said she is proud of Welsh Labour for going “ above and beyond ” on the support on offer from the UK government to protect people in the pandemic and argued it is Labour values that are “ seeing us through this crisis ” .
Addressing members this evening as part of ‘ Welsh Labour Together ‘ , she declared that the Welsh Labour government is “ standing up for Wales and showing the rest of the UK the difference that a Labour government makes ” .
Rayner started by thanking First Minister Mark Drakeford and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect people in the pandemic , and told the audience this evening that “ every day we see the difference that Labour in power makes ” .
Commenting on last night ’ s vote in the UK parliament , Rayner highlighted that while the Tories voted down extending free school meals over the holidays , Labour has “ made sure that every child will get fed and every family has that security ” .
She added : “ Last night the Tories voted against proper economic support for people and businesses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Labour has gone above and beyond the support on offer from Westminster to support businesses , safeguard jobs and protect people ’ s incomes by delivering the most generous business support package anywhere in the UK .
“ In England the Tories are lining the pockets of management consultants and Serco shareholders , spending billions on a test and trace system that has collapsed .
In Wales , the system is working effectively because it is run locally and as a public service , focused on saving lives not boosting profits.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional Covid test sites , local test sites or mobile testing units in England are now waiting around 48 hours for their results , which is twice what the Prime Minister had promised by the end of June .
The update on the UK government ’ s test and trace system also found that it was only able to reach 59.6 % of Covid “ close contacts ” in England between October 8th and 14th , which is the worst result since the service launched in May .
The deputy Labour leader compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid and the strategy pursued by the Welsh government led by Drakeford , arguing that Boris Johnson has “ clearly lost control of the virus and he has no plan.
” She said : “ In England the Tories are following a course of action that their own scientific advisors have said will not be enough to bring infections down , and that the Prime Minister himself admitted only has a chance of working .
“ So as I said in parliament yesterday , I am proud of the Welsh government , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are putting lives and livelihoods in Wales first .
“ The Prime Minister has clearly lost control of the virus and he has no plan .
Infections are rising , hospital admissions are rising and tragically so are deaths .
Boris Johnson should follow Mark ’ s lead , follow the scientific advice and act now to control infections , protect our NHS and fix the testing system.
” Members of the scientific advisory group for emergencies ( SAGE ) have advised that Downing Street implement a ‘ circuit break ’ lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow this advice but he has ignored the calls .
Keir Starmer recently used a televised speech to the public to advocate for the national measure following reports that ministers ignored the advice from experts , warning that “ the government ’ s plan simply isn ’ t working ” .
But Johnson has continued to insist that the local , tier-based approach to the pandemic is working despite rising cases and told MPs during the latest session of Prime Minister ’ s Questions that it is the “ sensible ” approach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week that Wales will go into a national “ time-limited firebreak ” lockdown on Friday , describing the measure as a “ short , sharp , shock ” to “ slow down the virus and buy us more time ” .
Rayner told members at the online event this evening : “ The Welsh Labour government ’ s attention is rightly focused on dealing with the response to the coronavirus pandemic and doing what is needed to protect people and jobs .
“ But Welsh Labour Together is a chance for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think about what comes next and plan for the future that we can build together .
“ Next May we have a vital set of elections in Wales .
There is so much at stake and so much on the line for our communities .
“ The coronavirus crisis has changed everything , for all of us , and of course it will change how we organise and campaign in the elections .
But what hasn ’ t changed are our values .
“ It is those values of fairness and compassion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is these values that must be the foundation of our recovery .
Out of this crisis we can and we will build a better , fairer , more equal society.
” The event this evening formed part of a series of online workshops , panels and rallies in the Welsh Labour Together conference , which was arranged by the party to replace the usual annual gathering when it was cancelled due to the pandemic .
The Welsh Labour leader launched the week of events last Thursday with a Q & A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he discussed the internal market bill , holiday hunger , the transition to a green economy and more .
In his keynote address to the conference earlier today , Drakeford highlighted the approach Wales has taken to the crisis : “ We have shown over these last six months the power of collective action .
For us it has been practical socialism in action .
”

Angela Rayner has said she is proud of Welsh Labour for going “above and beyond” the support on offer from the UK government to protect people in the pandemic and argued it is Labour values that are “seeing us through this crisis”.
Addressing members this evening as part of ‘Welsh Labour Together‘, she declared that the Welsh Labour government is “standing up for Wales and showing the rest of the UK the difference that a Labour government makes”.
Rayner started by thanking First Minister Mark Drakeford and his cabinet for the work they have done to protect people in the pandemic, and told the audience this evening that “every day we see the difference that Labour in power makes”.
Commenting on last night’s vote in the UK parliament, Rayner highlighted that while the Tories voted down extending free school meals over the holidays, Labour has “made sure that every child will get fed and every family has that security”.
The party chair, deputy leader and Shadow First Secretary of State said: “Last night, the Tories voted against proper economic support for people and businesses in areas facing restrictions.
“In Wales, Labour has gone above and beyond the support on offer from Westminster to support businesses, safeguard jobs and protect people’s incomes by delivering the most generous business support package anywhere in the UK.
“In England the Tories are lining the pockets of management consultants and Serco shareholders, spending billions on a test and trace system that has collapsed. In Wales, the system is working effectively because it is run locally and as a public service, focused on saving lives not boosting profits.”
The latest figures show that people using regional Covid test sites, local test sites or mobile testing units in England are now waiting around 48 hours for their results, which is twice what the Prime Minister had promised by the end of June.
The update on the UK government’s test and trace system also found that it was only able to reach 59.6% of Covid “close contacts” in England between October 8th and 14th, which is the worst result since the service launched in May.
The deputy Labour leader compared the difference between the Tory approach to Covid and the strategy pursued by the Welsh government led by Drakeford, arguing that Boris Johnson has “clearly lost control of the virus and he has no plan.”
She said: “In England the Tories are following a course of action that their own scientific advisors have said will not be enough to bring infections down, and that the Prime Minister himself admitted only has a chance of working.
“So as I said in parliament yesterday, I am proud of the Welsh government, I am proud of Mark Drakeford and how you are putting lives and livelihoods in Wales first.
“The Prime Minister has clearly lost control of the virus and he has no plan. Infections are rising, hospital admissions are rising and tragically so are deaths. Boris Johnson should follow Mark’s lead, follow the scientific advice and act now to control infections, protect our NHS and fix the testing system.”
Members of the scientific advisory group for emergencies (SAGE) have advised that Downing Street implement a ‘circuit break’ lockdown. Labour figures have repeatedly demanded Johnson follow this advice but he has ignored the calls.
Keir Starmer recently used a televised speech to the public to advocate for the national measure following reports that ministers ignored the advice from experts, warning that “the government’s plan simply isn’t working”.
But Johnson has continued to insist that the local, tier-based approach to the pandemic is working despite rising cases and told MPs during the latest session of Prime Minister’s Questions that it is the “sensible” approach.
Drakeford announced during a Covid briefing earlier this week that Wales will go into a national “time-limited firebreak” lockdown on Friday, describing the measure as a “short, sharp, shock” to “slow down the virus and buy us more time”.
Rayner told members at the online event this evening: “The Welsh Labour government’s attention is rightly focused on dealing with the response to the coronavirus pandemic and doing what is needed to protect people and jobs.
“But Welsh Labour Together is a chance for us to come together as a party and think about what comes next and plan for the future that we can build together.
“Next May we have a vital set of elections in Wales. There is so much at stake and so much on the line for our communities.
“The coronavirus crisis has changed everything, for all of us, and of course it will change how we organise and campaign in the elections. But what hasn’t changed are our values.
“It is those values of fairness and compassion that are seeing us through this crisis, and it is these values that must be the foundation of our recovery. Out of this crisis we can and we will build a better, fairer, more equal society.”
The event this evening formed part of a series of online workshops, panels and rallies in the Welsh Labour Together conference, which was arranged by the party to replace the usual annual gathering when it was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The Welsh Labour leader launched the week of events last Thursday with a Q&A session with party members in Wales, in which he discussed the internal market bill, holiday hunger, the transition to a green economy and more.
In his keynote address to the conference earlier today, Drakeford highlighted the approach Wales has taken to the crisis: “We have shown over these last six months the power of collective action. For us it has been practical socialism in action.”


labourlist--2020-10-22--50 MPs and peers back public inquiry into death of Belly Mujinga

50 MPs and peers , including 37 from the Labour Party , have signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of transport worker Belly Mujinga .
The letter , penned by former shadow immigration minister Bell Ribeiro-Addy , expresses concern over the handling of the case by police and employers and highlights the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the BAME community .
Mujinga , who had an underlying respiratory conditi on , contracted the virus after she and a colleague were spat at while working on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who claimed to have the virus .
She died of coronavirus in early April .
After a 19-day investigation by the British Transport Police , it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone with a crime relating to the incident .
The Crown Prosecution Service backed the police decision .
“ It ’ s clear that there are unanswered questions about the incident in question , as well as her employer ’ s conduct in this situation .
We need to get a full understanding of what happened and why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening again.
” Transport union TSSA wrote to Johnson earlier this month following a BBC Panorama programme .
General secretary Manuel Cortes called for an inquest into the death and urged the Prime Minister to “ act without delay ” .
A petition by Mujinga ’ s solicitors that also calls for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death , as well as an official Coroner ’ s inquest , has reached over two million signatures at the time of writing .
Studies have shown that coronavirus is having a disproportionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one report from the first wave of the pandemic , Black people were found to be almost twice as likely to die from Covid than white people .
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
We write to you to call for a public inquiry into the death of Belly Mujinga .
As you will no doubt be aware , Belly and her colleague , Motolani Sunmola , both employees of Govia Thameslink Railway ( GTR ) , were spat at by a customer at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who had an underlying health condition , subsequently contracted coronavirus and died in Barnet Hospital on the 5th of April .
It is clear that there are unanswered questions about the incident in question , as well as her employer ’ s conduct in this situation .
We are highly concerned by reports that Belly and her colleague were sent out onto the Victoria station concourse by GTR without adequate PPE , and on the basis of bad medical advice .
As a government contractor , GTR must be held to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-discrimination practice .
We all know that whilst the coronavirus has highlighted the issue of safety at work , every year thousands suffer work-related illnesses , injuries and deaths .
Safety at work is a right , not a privilege .
Belly ’ s death is sad evidence of a wider trend .
Black people are statistically more likely to work in frontline jobs where they can not work from home , placing them at heightened risk of contracting the virus .
Government statistics have repeatedly shown how frontline workers and Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying from coronavirus during the pandemic .
According to ONS data published in June , Black women are two and a half times more likely to die with COVID-19 than white women .
It is paramount that we get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding Belly Mujinga ’ s death .
With coronavirus cases once again spiralling out of control in the UK , we need to understand the failings of the past to protect the most vulnerable in the near future .
We , therefore , join the two million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in calling for justice and urge the government to hold a public inquiry into the full circumstances of her death .

50 MPs and peers, including 37 from the Labour Party, have signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of transport worker Belly Mujinga.
The letter, penned by former shadow immigration minister Bell Ribeiro-Addy, expresses concern over the handling of the case by police and employers and highlights the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on the BAME community.
Mujinga, who had an underlying respiratory condition, contracted the virus after she and a colleague were allegedly spat at while working on the concourse at Victoria Station by a customer who claimed to have the virus. She died in early April.
After a 19-day investigation by the British Transport Police, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone with a crime relating to the incident. The Crown Prosecution Service backed the police decision.
The British Transport Police investigation concluded that there was no evidence of a spitting incident on March 21st and found on the basis of an antibody test that the man concerned had not contracted Covid-19.
But the new letter is calling for a public inquiry to resolve unanswered questions in the case, including why Mujinga and her colleague, who also contracted Covid after the incident, were not provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Govia Thameslink Railway, Mujinga’s former employer, has noted that at the time of the incident there was no guidance from government suggesting that workers should be wearing face coverings or masks.
Commenting on the new letter she has written and the campaign to have a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Mujinga’s death, Streatham MP Ribeiro-Addy said: “Belly’s family deserves answers.
“It’s clear that there are unanswered questions about the incident in question, as well as her employer’s conduct in this situation. We need to get a full understanding of what happened and why, to prevent the same thing from happening again.”
Transport union TSSA wrote to Johnson earlier this month following a BBC Panorama programme. General secretary Manuel Cortes called for an inquest into the death and urged the Prime Minister to “act without delay”.
A petition by Mujinga’s solicitors that also calls for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death, as well as an official Coroner’s inquest, has reached over two million signatures at the time of writing.
Angie Doll, managing director of Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “Belly Mujinga was a much-loved and very popular member of our team at Victoria Station and we, like so many others, remain heart-broken by her loss.
“We completed and published our investigation report in August and as people know now, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was no spitting incident. Our thoughts, as ever, remain with Belly’s family and most of all her husband and her daughter.”
Studies have shown that coronavirus is having a disproportionate impact on the Black community. In one report from the first wave of the pandemic, Black people were found to be almost twice as likely to die from Covid than white people.
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Dear Prime Minister,
We write to you to call for a public inquiry into the death of Belly Mujinga.
As you will no doubt be aware, Belly and her colleague, Motolani Sunmola, both employees of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), were spat at by a customer at Victoria station on 21st March. Belly, who had an underlying health condition, subsequently contracted coronavirus and died in Barnet Hospital on the 5th of April.
It is clear that there are unanswered questions about the incident in question, as well as her employer’s conduct in this situation. We are highly concerned by reports that Belly and her colleague were sent out onto the Victoria station concourse by GTR without adequate PPE, and on the basis of bad medical advice. As a government contractor, GTR must be held to the highest standards on both workplace safety and anti-discrimination practice. We all know that whilst the coronavirus has highlighted the issue of safety at work, every year thousands suffer work-related illnesses, injuries and deaths. Safety at work is a right, not a privilege.
Belly’s death is sad evidence of a wider trend. Black people are statistically more likely to work in frontline jobs where they cannot work from home, placing them at heightened risk of contracting the virus. Government statistics have repeatedly shown how frontline workers and Black people are both at a heightened risk of dying from coronavirus during the pandemic. According to ONS data published in June, Black women are two and a half times more likely to die with COVID-19 than white women.
It is paramount that we get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding Belly Mujinga’s death. With coronavirus cases once again spiralling out of control in the UK, we need to understand the failings of the past to protect the most vulnerable in the near future.
We, therefore, join the two million people who signed her family’s petition in calling for justice and urge the government to hold a public inquiry into the full circumstances of her death.
Yours sincerely,
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Streatham
Diane Abbott MP
Hannah Bardell MP
Paula Barker MP
Apsana Begum MP
Olivia Blake MP
Baroness Christine Blower
Baroness Pauline Bryan
Dawn Butler MP
Richard Burgon MP
Ian Byrne MP
Baroness Shami Chakrabarti CBE
Sarah Champion MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Stella Creasy MP
Jon Cruddas MP
Allan Dorans MP
Dr Stephen Farry MP
Claire Hanna MP
Lord John Hendy QC
Wera Hobhouse MP
Rachel Hopkins MP
George Howarth MP
Christine Jardine MP
Kim Johnson MP
Ian Lavery MP
Clive Lewis MP
Tony Lloyd MP
Caroline Lucas MP
Siobhain McDonagh MP
John McDonnell MP
Anne McLaughlin MP
Ian Mearns MP
Navendu Mishra MP
Grahame Morris MP
Sarah Olney MP
Kate Osamor MP
Kate Osborne MP
Virendra Sharma MP
Tommy Sheppard MP
Andy Slaughter MP
Jamie Stone MP
Zarah Sultana MP
Sam Tarry MP
Alison Thewliss MP
Stephen Timms MP
Claudia Webbe MP
Dr Philippa Whitford MP
Mick Whitley MP
Nadia Whittome MP
Beth Winter MP


labourlist--2020-10-22--‘NHS’ Test and Trace is getting worse. These are the latest record lows

New figures released today show that far from being a “ world-beating ” service , Boris Johnson ’ s so-called ‘ NHS ’ test and trace system is hitting record lows – again .
Labour ’ s Justin Madders has described the data as “ absolutely staggering ” .
With the shadow health minister concluding that “ the system is falling apart ” and that the “ need for a circuit break is absolutely critical now ” , as it will allow time to address the problems , LabourList has taken a look at what we can learn from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s test and trace system was only able to reach 59.6 % of coronavirus “ close contacts ” in England between October 8th and 14th , which is the worst result since the service launched in May .
The 59.6 % figure means that more than 40 % of those who had been in contact with someone with Covid-19 were not reached by NHS Test and Trace and told to self-isolate at home for 14 days as required .
The figures are even lower than the figure released last week of 62.6 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record low .
Experts have said 80 % of close contacts must be reached if the contact tracing system is to be effective .
Private sector performance is going further downhill .
In line with the trend we have seen throughout the coronavirus pandemic in England , local public health teams have massively outperformed their privatised counterparts in the latest contact tracing outcomes .
For ‘ complex ’ cases handled by local teams , 94.8 % of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate in the week up to October 14th .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private firms , the figure was 57.6 % .
238,093 non-complex close contacts were identified , but only 137,102 were reached .
As the government puts it , this “ increased between the end of August and mid-September but has declined over the past three weeks ” .
The gap in performance between public and private was almost half that size earlier on in the crisis , with local public health teams reportedly able to reach 80 % of contacts compared to the 60 % by private firms in late August .
Serco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired to handle the national test and trace programme , will receive over £1bn for their work .
Serco gains 40 % of its overall income each year from contracts running UK public services .
The Prime Minister promised a 24-hour turnaround for 100 % of Covid test results by June .
This has never been achieved , and the system is actually going in the opposite direction – achieving just 7.4 % in the latest figures .
The proportion of in-person tests from local , mobile and regional testing sites received within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That figure is less than half of the 32.8 % received within a day in the previous data released .
With all testing routes included , rather than just in-person tests , only 7.4 % of tests were received within 24 hours earlier this month , compared to twice that figure in the previous week .
Another record low for the system .

New figures released today show that far from being a “world-beating” service, Boris Johnson’s so-called ‘NHS’ test and trace system is hitting record lows – again. Labour’s Justin Madders has described the data as “absolutely staggering”.
With the shadow health minister concluding that “the system is falling apart” and that the “need for a circuit break is absolutely critical now”, as it will allow time to address the problems, LabourList has taken a look at what we can learn from the latest numbers.
Contact tracing has hit a record low.
The UK government’s test and trace system was only able to reach 59.6% of coronavirus “close contacts” in England between October 8th and 14th, which is the worst result since the service launched in May.
The 59.6% figure means that more than 40% of those who had been in contact with someone with Covid-19 were not reached by NHS Test and Trace and told to self-isolate at home for 14 days as required.
The figures are even lower than the figure released last week of 62.6% reached contacts, which was itself a record low. Experts have said 80% of close contacts must be reached if the contact tracing system is to be effective.
Private sector performance is going further downhill.
In line with the trend we have seen throughout the coronavirus pandemic in England, local public health teams have massively outperformed their privatised counterparts in the latest contact tracing outcomes.
For ‘complex’ cases handled by local teams, 94.8% of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate in the week up to October 14th. For ‘non-complex’ cases, handled by private firms, the figure was 57.6%.
238,093 non-complex close contacts were identified, but only 137,102 were reached. As the government puts it, this “increased between the end of August and mid-September but has declined over the past three weeks”.
The gap in performance between public and private was almost half that size earlier on in the crisis, with local public health teams reportedly able to reach 80% of contacts compared to the 60% by private firms in late August.
Serco and Sitel, the two private firms hired to handle the national test and trace programme, will receive over £1bn for their work. Serco gains 40% of its overall income each year from contracts running UK public services.
Receiving a test result in 24 hours? You’d be lucky.
The Prime Minister promised a 24-hour turnaround for 100% of Covid test results by June. This has never been achieved, and the system is actually going in the opposite direction – achieving just 7.4% in the latest figures.
The proportion of in-person tests from local, mobile and regional testing sites received within 24 hours was just 15.1%. That figure is less than half of the 32.8% received within a day in the previous data released.
With all testing routes included, rather than just in-person tests, only 7.4% of tests were received within 24 hours earlier this month, compared to twice that figure in the previous week. Another record low for the system.


labourlist--2020-10-22--Trickle-down Covid support: Sunak’s statement for business

Rishi Sunak this morning outlined an updated package of support for businesses in the Covid crisis .
The backlash against his wholly underwhelming ‘ winter economy plan ‘ and the job support scheme has forced another U-turn from the government .
He announced today support for Tier 2 businesses equal to around 70 % of that available to those in Tier 3 .
The Chancellor unveiled a new cash grants of up to £2,100 a month to businesses , mostly to support the hospitality and leisure sectors , and doubled the value of payments to self-employed workers to 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the job support scheme .
The Chancellor has cut the amount employers are required to contribute towards hours unworked from 33 % to 5 % and reduced the hours staff need to work to be eligible from 33 % of their normal hours to 20 % .
Now , this is definitely a good thing ; it will make the programme actually potentially attractive for employers to enter into , making it likely that more workers will now be supported through the scheme .
Under the initial plans outlined , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to retain two members of staff on a part-time basis than one person full time .
But there are still major flaws .
The Chancellor made no mention of those on zero-hours contracts .
I can tell you from personal experience working in the hospitality sector that for many , many workers the number of hours put down on paper in your contract nowhere near represents the hours they actually work .
Particularly in pubs , bars and restaurants , staff will regularly work a hefty full-time week on a zero-hours contract .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on contracted hours .
Employers can amend employment contracts to make their staff eligible with the government advising them to “ make any changes to the employment contract by agreement ” .
But with an economy rife with these exploitative contracts , underlining many business plans and already offering workers no security in their employment , how many bosses do we think are going to suddenly put all their staff on full-time contracts ?
And this is really just indicative of the real problem with the approach to support here : any help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the employers .
All of the changes made today are for businesses ; they rightly offer businesses a better package than what was outlined last month .
The hope is that this all trickles down to mean more support for workers , through a greater take-up in the job support scheme next month for example .
And this approach is nothing new .
The Conservatives have throughout this crisis looked to shore up business and then hope that , through some sort of trickle-down process , people can survive .
The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retention scheme for example , offer support for workers only at the discretion of their bosses .
The job support scheme , like furlough , relies on employers applying for the support that their workers need and while lots are nice people and will do so , many others have not and won ’ t when the new scheme kicks in .
Support from the government directly to people in the pandemic has only been grudgingly given where it exists .
Look no further than the Tory plans to claw back the £20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit – a move that will slash incomes by £1,040 for 16 million households across the UK , just as we face the worst recession in 300 years .
Statutory sick pay , a sum the Health Secretary told people he could not live on , is the second-lowest in Europe at £95.85 a week .
And the government recently unveiled , to much fanfare and then completely justified widespread ridicule , a £13.20 per-day payment for those forced to self-isolate in the crisis – later updated to £500 for two weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement from Sunak underlining a commitment to business over people .
Workers on local furlough will get just 67 % of their wage , others in workplaces with reduced trade due to Covid will see at most 77 % .
And the self-employed are expected somehow get by on 40 % of their income .
None of their costs – rent , bills , food – will go down .
We still need a scheme paying 80 % of wages , at least .
For many , the months ahead look miserable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to businesses , but left workers at the mercy of their employers .
Make no mistake , this is ideological .
The Tories are determined that people do not get used to the idea that they should be able to survive even when not bound to their workplace .
Support is conditional on the job you are tied to , at the discretion of the person you work for .

Rishi Sunak this morning outlined an updated package of support for businesses in the Covid crisis. The backlash against his wholly underwhelming ‘winter economy plan‘ and the job support scheme has forced another U-turn from the government. He announced today support for Tier 2 businesses equal to around 70% of that available to those in Tier 3. The Chancellor unveiled a new cash grants of up to £2,100 a month to businesses, mostly to support the hospitality and leisure sectors, and doubled the value of payments to self-employed workers to 40%.
Probably most significant are the changes to the job support scheme. The Chancellor has cut the amount employers are required to contribute towards hours unworked from 33% to 5% and reduced the hours staff need to work to be eligible from 33% of their normal hours to 20%. Now, this is definitely a good thing; it will make the programme actually potentially attractive for employers to enter into, making it likely that more workers will now be supported through the scheme. Under the initial plans outlined, it would have been more expensive for a business to retain two members of staff on a part-time basis than one person full time.
But there are still major flaws. The Chancellor made no mention of those on zero-hours contracts. I can tell you from personal experience working in the hospitality sector that for many, many workers the number of hours put down on paper in your contract nowhere near represents the hours they actually work. Particularly in pubs, bars and restaurants, staff will regularly work a hefty full-time week on a zero-hours contract. And yet the job support scheme relies on contracted hours. Employers can amend employment contracts to make their staff eligible with the government advising them to “make any changes to the employment contract by agreement”. But with an economy rife with these exploitative contracts, underlining many business plans and already offering workers no security in their employment, how many bosses do we think are going to suddenly put all their staff on full-time contracts?
And this is really just indicative of the real problem with the approach to support here: any help for working people comes at the discretion of the employers. All of the changes made today are for businesses; they rightly offer businesses a better package than what was outlined last month. The hope is that this all trickles down to mean more support for workers, through a greater take-up in the job support scheme next month for example. And this approach is nothing new. The Conservatives have throughout this crisis looked to shore up business and then hope that, through some sort of trickle-down process, people can survive. The vast majority of measures, consider the job retention scheme for example, offer support for workers only at the discretion of their bosses. The job support scheme, like furlough, relies on employers applying for the support that their workers need and while lots are nice people and will do so, many others have not and won’t when the new scheme kicks in.
Support from the government directly to people in the pandemic has only been grudgingly given where it exists. Look no further than the Tory plans to claw back the £20 uplift in the standard allowance for Universal Credit – a move that will slash incomes by £1,040 for 16 million households across the UK, just as we face the worst recession in 300 years. Statutory sick pay, a sum the Health Secretary told people he could not live on, is the second-lowest in Europe at £95.85 a week. And the government recently unveiled, to much fanfare and then completely justified widespread ridicule, a £13.20 per-day payment for those forced to self-isolate in the crisis – later updated to £500 for two weeks.
The announcement today is just the latest statement from Sunak underlining a commitment to business over people. Workers on local furlough will get just 67% of their wage, others in workplaces with reduced trade due to Covid will see at most 77%. And the self-employed are expected somehow get by on 40% of their income. None of their costs – rent, bills, food – will go down. We still need a scheme paying 80% of wages, at least. For many, the months ahead look miserable. The Chancellor has rightly given more support to businesses, but left workers at the mercy of their employers. Make no mistake, this is ideological. The Tories are determined that people do not get used to the idea that they should be able to survive even when not bound to their workplace. Support is conditional on the job you are tied to, at the discretion of the person you work for.


labourlist--2020-10-22--Burnham: No regrets on standing up to government over Tier 3 measures

Andy Burnham has declared that he has no regrets over standing up to the government over imposing Tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester and accused Westminster politicians of putting “ politics before people ” .
In an interview with ITV News last night , the Greater Manchester mayor reiterated his opposition to the government as Downing Street is now set to impose the severe restrictions on the region without local approval .
Asked whether he had any regrets , Burnham said : “ No .
No , I don ’ t .
See , when I left Westminster with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Rotheram , we both said what we are about : people , not politics .
That ’ s what we ’ re in this for.
” “ And I think it ’ s sometimes where Westminster doesn ’ t understand us .
They put politics before people down there , so we ’ re always at cross purposes .
But this was all about standing up for people whose lives are about to change through no fault of their own.
” He added : “ I ’ ve been in politics a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen more than anybody how the North gets pushed around by Westminster .
I ’ ve seen it , I ’ ve lived through it .
But on this occasion , it was a step too far .
“ Because if you ’ re going to lock down people ’ s lives , it can ’ t be on someone else ’ s terms down there .
It has to be right for people here , on our terms , if we are to agree to that happening .
And that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision was imposed from miles away without truly understanding the impact that it would have on people ’ s lives , and , at some point , you have to stick up for what you feel is right for people.
” The Greater Manchester mayor has been in the midst of a fight with the government over the implementation of Tier 3 Covid restrictions in his region .
Burnham and other local leaders opposed the lockdown unless more support was offered .
But negotiations with the government broke down this week as ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it was confirmed that the region would be forced into Tier 3 restrictions from Friday evening without local agreement .
Boris Johnson only confirmed in Prime Minister ’ s Questions on Wednesday , almost 24-hours later , that Greater Manchester would still receive the initial £60m package of support being discussed in the final stages of negotiations .
The Greater Manchester mayor also accused the government of not understanding the cost a Tier 3 lockdown would have on normal people in the region during the 30-minute interview with ITV ’ s Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed that £75m fund and yes I probably could have found something in my own budget but that meant that £65m really had to come at least from the government , so that was my line and I couldn ’ t go below it .
“ Otherwise I couldn ’ t meet the commitment to those people working in pubs , working in bookies , driving taxies .
That was always what was driving me .
And they don ’ t understand that down there .
“ They don ’ t understand what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t really care enough about how their lives are going to change in lockdown… we ’ ve been under three months of restrictions and they come at a cost.
” On whether he would like the Prime Minister to visit Greater Manchester , the Labour mayor said : “ Of course , I would welcome him to come up here now to , if you like , clear the air , talk it through , reset things on a better footing .
“ I ’ m not after anything that is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did for the right reasons and it gets misunderstood down there… Manchester has always had a constructive pragmatic relationship with whatever government of the day.
” At a parliamentary committee meeting this morning , Burnham said he was left “ open-mouthed ” after the government said it would announce more support for businesses in Tier 2 areas despite leaving many regions without support for weeks .
Since the committee panel , the Chancellor has announced the new measures , including business support equal to 70 % of that provided to areas under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Commons .

Andy Burnham has declared that he has no regrets over standing up to the government over imposing Tier 3 restrictions on Greater Manchester and accused Westminster politicians of putting “politics before people”.
In an interview with ITV News last night, the Greater Manchester mayor reiterated his opposition to the government as Downing Street is now set to impose the severe restrictions on the region without local approval.
Asked whether he had any regrets, Burnham said: “No. No, I don’t. See, when I left Westminster with my good friend [Liverpool metro mayor] Steve Rotheram, we both said what we are about: people, not politics. That’s what we’re in this for.”
“And I think it’s sometimes where Westminster doesn’t understand us. They put politics before people down there, so we’re always at cross purposes. But this was all about standing up for people whose lives are about to change through no fault of their own.”
He added: “I’ve been in politics a long time and I’ve probably seen more than anybody how the North gets pushed around by Westminster. I’ve seen it, I’ve lived through it. But on this occasion, it was a step too far.
“Because if you’re going to lock down people’s lives, it can’t be on someone else’s terms down there. It has to be right for people here, on our terms, if we are to agree to that happening. And that’s what went wrong here.
“A decision was imposed from miles away without truly understanding the impact that it would have on people’s lives, and, at some point, you have to stick up for what you feel is right for people.”
The Greater Manchester mayor has been in the midst of a fight with the government over the implementation of Tier 3 Covid restrictions in his region. Burnham and other local leaders opposed the lockdown unless more support was offered.
But negotiations with the government broke down this week as ministers refused to provide £65m in support, and it was confirmed that the region would be forced into Tier 3 restrictions from Friday even without local agreement.
Boris Johnson only confirmed in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, almost 24-hours later, that Greater Manchester would still receive the initial £60m package of support being discussed in the final stages of negotiations.
The Greater Manchester mayor also accused the government of not understanding the cost a Tier 3 lockdown would have on normal people in the region during the 30-minute interview with ITV’s Daniel Hewitt.
Burnham said: “I needed that £75m fund and yes I probably could have found something in my own budget but that meant that £65m really had to come at least from the government, so that was my line and I couldn’t go below it.
“Otherwise I couldn’t meet the commitment to those people working in pubs, working in bookies, driving taxies. That was always what was driving me. And they don’t understand that down there.
“They don’t understand what their lives are like and they don’t really care enough about how their lives are going to change in lockdown… we’ve been under three months of restrictions and they come at a cost.”
On whether he would like the Prime Minister to visit Greater Manchester, the Labour mayor said: “Of course, I would welcome him to come up here now to, if you like, clear the air, talk it through, reset things on a better footing.
“I’m not after anything that is a lingering political argument. I did what I did for the right reasons and it gets misunderstood down there… Manchester has always had a constructive pragmatic relationship with whatever government of the day.”
WATCH: My full exclusive sit-down interview with @AndyBurnhamGM on 10 days negotiating with @BorisJohnson’s government. We go into lots of detail on how it all unfolded, what he learnt and why he thinks it’s a watershed moment for the North https://t.co/VdL01shkOt — Daniel Hewitt (@DanielHewittITV) October 21, 2020
At a parliamentary committee meeting this morning, Burnham said he was left “open-mouthed” after the government said it would announce more support for businesses in Tier 2 areas despite leaving many regions without support for weeks.
Since the committee panel, the Chancellor has announced the new measures, including business support equal to 70% of that provided to areas under Tier 3 restrictions in a statement to the House of Commons.


labourlist--2020-10-23--Universal basic income would offer a safety net as we adjust to the new normal

Google ‘ universal basic income ’ and 219,000,000 results pop up in an instant .
Clearly , the idea of a UBI for all citizens is gaining traction , and this article serves as a very brief introduction to some of the recent research .
Covid-19 has laid bare the grotesque inequality that exists within our society , testing the leadership of all governments around the world .
Ours is failing dramatically across all measures : £12bn spent on a track and trace system that doesn ’ t work ; the fifth highest death rate in the world ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far ( -20.4 % GDP growth Q2 2020 ) .
These results speak for themselves .
Unemployment is rising , with 60 % of new job losses affecting young people aged 16 to 24 .
Families are being squeezed into poverty through no fault of their own , with many being unfairly shamed by the stigma of having to claim benefits for the first time .
Do these pundits and politicians really believe that people enjoy being on benefits , if the alternative is to earn enough by doing the work that brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard about technology , artificial intelligence and the advent of robots taking over our jobs and livelihoods .
Coronavirus has accelerated this trend by transforming the world of work as we know it .
The “ rethink , reskill , reboot ” advertisement that patronised Fatima the ballerina was justly derided and subsequently disposed of by the Department of Work and Pensions .
But the challenge of automation and displacement of workers exists .
How can we prepare for this brave new world now ?
A UBI for all citizens is no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming a mainstream policy idea backed by leading thinkers and progressive politicians .
Why is a UBI a better and necessary alternative to the current tax and benefit system ?
Simplicity .
Imagine if every adult in the UK received £7,700 per annum unconditionally .
Every child got £3,850 with no strings attached , no form filling , no means testing , no judging , no stigmatising .
An average UK family of two adults and one child with no private income would receive enough to bring them just above the poverty line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a liveable income by any measure in modern Britain but the bare minimum necessary to survive in a Covid-19 , automated world .
Unconditionality .
The UK already has an unconditional form of UBI called child benefit .
A UBI takes this further by making choice and freedom available to every citizen in the UK .
The benefits to health and mental wellbeing of a UBI acting as a floor to poverty are difficult to measure .
But most would agree that the means testing , required disclosures of personal income , checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system dampen the human spirit – especially if you ’ ve just lost your job or had your hours cut yet again , or if a loved one has fallen ill. A UBI can also contribute towards the wellbeing and education of children , for broadband or saving up for that laptop for school .
Eradication of poverty .
A UBI could eradicate poverty amongst the elderly and children once and for all , draw a line in the sand and ensure that the most vulnerable in our country have the basic necessities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6th richest country on earth , yet food bank usage is rising at a record pace .
The top 1 % in the world now have more wealth than the rest of the 99 % combined .
What are the costs for a UBI ?
Several studies have focused on the gross cost of a UBI , but this is incorrect because it costs nothing for somebody to pay themselves a pound .
The correct measure is net cost .
Recent research has modelled changes to our taxation regime , with one study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a net cost of £67bn or 3.4 % of UK GDP borne by a 50 % marginal tax rate for net beneficiaries .
Another article points to subsidies and grants given to companies and businesses amounting to £93bn to illuminate the affordability of a UBI .
Any policy idea that could lead to the elimination of poverty in the UK warrants serious examination , and further research is necessary to model the tax and benefit system to accommodate the net cost of a UBI and its effect on the population .
What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus has laid bare the fragility of our economy and the meaning of work .
A UBI gives us the freedom to say no .
How many of us are in jobs with ogre-like bosses and no prospects just so that we can get by ?
A UBI offers us time to retrain and re-skill for jobs that we are genuinely interested in .
A UBI gives us time to pursue our real interests in the arts , culture or sports .
A UBI liberates a whole population of carers reliant on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers the breathing space necessary for a healthy and sustainable labour force , gives parents more time more resources for their children , and would reduce borrowing for students of all ages .
People are free to choose how they allocate their UBI – and best of all it alleviates the fear of losing more hours to Covid or automation .
It gives us a much-needed safety net as we adjust to the new normal .
I look forward to contributing more towards the discussion and development of a UBI as a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will benefit the vast majority of our society , including those at the very top .
After all , even if you don ’ t have a heart , you still have a wallet .

Google ‘universal basic income’ and 219,000,000 results pop up in an instant. Clearly, the idea of a UBI for all citizens is gaining traction, and this article serves as a very brief introduction to some of the recent research.
Covid-19 has laid bare the grotesque inequality that exists within our society, testing the leadership of all governments around the world. Ours is failing dramatically across all measures: £12bn spent on a track and trace system that doesn’t work; the fifth highest death rate in the world; the worst economic performance in the G7 thus far (-20.4% GDP growth Q2 2020). These results speak for themselves.
Unemployment is rising, with 60% of new job losses affecting young people aged 16 to 24. Families are being squeezed into poverty through no fault of their own, with many being unfairly shamed by the stigma of having to claim benefits for the first time. Do these pundits and politicians really believe that people enjoy being on benefits, if the alternative is to earn enough by doing the work that brings us joy and fulfilment?
We have heard about technology, artificial intelligence and the advent of robots taking over our jobs and livelihoods. Coronavirus has accelerated this trend by transforming the world of work as we know it. The “rethink, reskill, reboot” advertisement that patronised Fatima the ballerina was justly derided and subsequently disposed of by the Department of Work and Pensions. But the challenge of automation and displacement of workers exists. How can we prepare for this brave new world now? A UBI for all citizens is no longer a pipe dream – it is fast becoming a mainstream policy idea backed by leading thinkers and progressive politicians.
Why is a UBI a better and necessary alternative to the current tax and benefit system?
Simplicity. Imagine if every adult in the UK received £7,700 per annum unconditionally. Every child got £3,850 with no strings attached, no form filling, no means testing, no judging, no stigmatising. An average UK family of two adults and one child with no private income would receive enough to bring them just above the poverty line. This UBI is by no means a liveable income by any measure in modern Britain but the bare minimum necessary to survive in a Covid-19, automated world.
Unconditionality. The UK already has an unconditional form of UBI called child benefit. A UBI takes this further by making choice and freedom available to every citizen in the UK. The benefits to health and mental wellbeing of a UBI acting as a floor to poverty are difficult to measure. But most would agree that the means testing, required disclosures of personal income, checks and mountain of bureaucracy in the existing system dampen the human spirit – especially if you’ve just lost your job or had your hours cut yet again, or if a loved one has fallen ill. A UBI can also contribute towards the wellbeing and education of children, for broadband or saving up for that laptop for school.
Eradication of poverty. A UBI could eradicate poverty amongst the elderly and children once and for all, draw a line in the sand and ensure that the most vulnerable in our country have the basic necessities to survive. We live in the 6th richest country on earth, yet food bank usage is rising at a record pace. The top 1% in the world now have more wealth than the rest of the 99% combined.
What are the costs for a UBI?
Several studies have focused on the gross cost of a UBI, but this is incorrect because it costs nothing for somebody to pay themselves a pound. The correct measure is net cost. Recent research has modelled changes to our taxation regime, with one study finding that a poverty-level UBI would have a net cost of £67bn or 3.4% of UK GDP borne by a 50% marginal tax rate for net beneficiaries.
Another article points to subsidies and grants given to companies and businesses amounting to £93bn to illuminate the affordability of a UBI. Any policy idea that could lead to the elimination of poverty in the UK warrants serious examination, and further research is necessary to model the tax and benefit system to accommodate the net cost of a UBI and its effect on the population.
What are the other benefits of a UBI?
Coronavirus has laid bare the fragility of our economy and the meaning of work. A UBI gives us the freedom to say no. How many of us are in jobs with ogre-like bosses and no prospects just so that we can get by? A UBI offers us time to retrain and re-skill for jobs that we are genuinely interested in. A UBI gives us time to pursue our real interests in the arts, culture or sports. A UBI liberates a whole population of carers reliant on a sole bread winner.
A UBI gives workers the breathing space necessary for a healthy and sustainable labour force, gives parents more time more resources for their children, and would reduce borrowing for students of all ages. People are free to choose how they allocate their UBI – and best of all it alleviates the fear of losing more hours to Covid or automation. It gives us a much-needed safety net as we adjust to the new normal.
I look forward to contributing more towards the discussion and development of a UBI as a serious and transformative set of policy proposals that will benefit the vast majority of our society, including those at the very top. After all, even if you don’t have a heart, you still have a wallet.