labourlist--2020-04-24--Labour launches review into coronavirus impact on BAME communities

Labour has launched a review into the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black , asian and minority ethnic communities and appointed Baroness Doreen Lawrence to the post of race relations adviser .
Lawrence and the new party leader Keir Starmer kicked off the review with a digital roundtable discussion this morning , alongside Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Marsha de Cordova .
Other experts at the meeting included Muslim Council of Britain ’ s Harun Khan , Operation Black Vote ’ s Simon Woolley , deputy president of the Royal College of Nursing Yvonne Coghill , Sikh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish Medical Association ’ s David Katzand , the Board of Deputies of British Jews ’ Daniel Elton and chair of the British Medical Association Chaand Nagpaul .
Commenting on the new appointment , Starmer said : “ Doreen Lawrence has spent almost three decades campaigning against injustice .
I have seen first-hand her drive and determination , and was proud to stand beside her in fighting for justice for Stephen .
Her achievements embody Labour ’ s values and our historic mission to create a fairer , more equal society.
” After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lawrence founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and has continued to campaign on equality and justice .
His death was marked on Stephen Lawrence Day earlier this week on April 22nd .
On the review , the Labour leader declared : “ In the face of this national emergency , Labour will continue to work constructively with the government .
That includes shining a light on issues where it is clear more detailed understanding is needed .
“ It is extremely concerning to see the disproportionate toll coronavirus is taking on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to treat this as an issue to investigate once the crisis is over .
We must address it now.
” Official figures show more than a third of people in intensive care as a result of Covid-19 are from BAME backgrounds – almost triple the proportion of BAME people in the wider population .
Lawrence said : “ I am proud to take up this role at a critical moment for our country .
The coronavirus pandemic has brought society together , but it has also exposed the gulf in living standards that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities have long been disadvantaged by the social and economic injustice which still exists in our country .
There is a clear and tragic pattern emerging of the pandemic ’ s impact on those communities which must be better understood.
” The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre revealed earlier this month that while BAME workers represent 44 % of the NHS workforce , they have accounted for 68 % of the 57 NHS staff known to have died from the virus .
Commenting on the disproportionate impact of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs suggest BAME communities and healthcare workers are disproportionately bearing the brunt of coronavirus .
“ Across our frontline are huge numbers of BAME doctors , nurses , bus drivers and other BAME key workers .
Every day they put themselves in harm ’ s way to save and support the lives of others .
We must do everything to protect them , their families and communities who have been hit hardest by the virus.
” All of the 14 doctors that are known to have died from Covid-19 have been from BAME @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16th that it would be launching its own review into the impact of coronavirus on BAME communities .
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK has now reached 138,078 – but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher .
There have been 18,738 recorded hospital deaths from the virus .

Labour has launched a review into the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on Black, asian and minority ethnic communities and appointed Baroness Doreen Lawrence to the post of race relations adviser.
Lawrence and the new party leader Keir Starmer kicked off the review with a digital roundtable discussion this morning, alongside Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Marsha de Cordova.
Other experts at the meeting included Muslim Council of Britain’s Harun Khan, Operation Black Vote’s Simon Woolley, deputy president of the Royal College of Nursing Yvonne Coghill, Sikh Network’s Jas Khatkar, the Jewish Medical Association’s David Katzand, the Board of Deputies of British Jews’ Daniel Elton and chair of the British Medical Association Chaand Nagpaul.
Commenting on the new appointment, Starmer said: “Doreen Lawrence has spent almost three decades campaigning against injustice. I have seen first-hand her drive and determination, and was proud to stand beside her in fighting for justice for Stephen. Her achievements embody Labour’s values and our historic mission to create a fairer, more equal society.”
After the murder of her son in 1993, Lawrence founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust and has continued to campaign on equality and justice. His death was marked on Stephen Lawrence Day earlier this week on April 22nd.
On the review, the Labour leader declared: “In the face of this national emergency, Labour will continue to work constructively with the government. That includes shining a light on issues where it is clear more detailed understanding is needed.
“It is extremely concerning to see the disproportionate toll coronavirus is taking on our BAME communities. We cannot afford to treat this as an issue to investigate once the crisis is over. We must address it now.”
Official figures show more than a third of people in intensive care as a result of Covid-19 are from BAME backgrounds – almost triple the proportion of BAME people in the wider population.
Lawrence said: “I am proud to take up this role at a critical moment for our country. The coronavirus pandemic has brought society together, but it has also exposed the gulf in living standards that still blights our communities.
“BAME communities have long been disadvantaged by the social and economic injustice which still exists in our country. There is a clear and tragic pattern emerging of the pandemic’s impact on those communities which must be better understood.”
The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre revealed earlier this month that while BAME workers represent 44% of the NHS workforce, they have accounted for 68% of the 57 NHS staff known to have died from the virus.
Commenting on the disproportionate impact of the virus, de Cordova said: “All the early signs suggest BAME communities and healthcare workers are disproportionately bearing the brunt of coronavirus.
“Across our frontline are huge numbers of BAME doctors, nurses, bus drivers and other BAME key workers. Every day they put themselves in harm’s way to save and support the lives of others. We must do everything to protect them, their families and communities who have been hit hardest by the virus.”
All of the 14 doctors that are known to have died from Covid-19 have been from BAME backgrounds. The government announced on April 16th that it would be launching its own review into the impact of coronavirus on BAME communities.
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK has now reached 138,078 – but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher. There have been 18,738 recorded hospital deaths from the virus.


labourlist--2020-04-24--WATCH: “We’re scared” due to lack of PPE, says Labour MP and carer

Nadia Whittome has said that she and other frontline carers are “ scared ” because of the lack of personal protective equipment being provided to them by the government as they continue working throughout the Covid-19 crisis .
In an interview with BBC Newsnight on Thursday , the Labour MP and carer told viewers that she and her colleagues “ don ’ t feel as though our government is keeping us safe because there isn ’ t enough PPE ” .
Whittome explained that care workers are using homemade equipment that people have donated , and that the masks provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She added that staff are expected to use one of these for a whole day .
She added : “ The government has been slow to lockdown , slow to order PPE , slow to test .
Meanwhile they ’ ve bailed out in a single day private train companies , so what does that tell you about where their priorities are ?
” Whittome returned to her pre-parliamentary role as a care worker following the outbreak of the virus in the UK , warning that “ the care system is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis .
The 23-year old Labour MP for Nottingham East said she would be donating her salary from the part-time role at a retirement village to a local coronavirus support fund .
Trade unions and the Labour Party have been calling on the government throughout the crisis to intervene urgently to provide the protective equipment to workers in the care sector .
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK has now reached 138,078 – but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths from the virus .

Nadia Whittome has said that she and other frontline carers are “scared” because of the lack of personal protective equipment being provided to them by the government as they continue working throughout the Covid-19 crisis.
In an interview with BBC Newsnight on Thursday, the Labour MP and carer told viewers that she and her colleagues “don’t feel as though our government is keeping us safe because there isn’t enough PPE”.
Whittome explained that care workers are using homemade equipment that people have donated, and that the masks provided are “not the right masks”. She added that staff are expected to use one of these for a whole day.
“We’re scared and we don’t feel as though our government is keeping us safe because there isn’t enough PPE.” Labour MP and care worker @NadiaWhittomeMP says they are using "visors that people have made at home and donated” and don't have the right masks
#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/UR49bFWUay — BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) April 23, 2020
She added: “The government has been slow to lockdown, slow to order PPE, slow to test. Meanwhile they’ve bailed out in a single day private train companies, so what does that tell you about where their priorities are?”
Whittome returned to her pre-parliamentary role as a care worker following the outbreak of the virus in the UK, warning that “the care system is in serious danger of falling apart” during the crisis.
The 23-year old Labour MP for Nottingham East said she would be donating her salary from the part-time role at a retirement village to a local coronavirus support fund.
Trade unions and the Labour Party have been calling on the government throughout the crisis to intervene urgently to provide the protective equipment to workers in the care sector.
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK has now reached 138,078 – but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher. There have been 18,738 recorded hospital deaths from the virus.


labourlist--2020-04-24--Emergency meeting on Labour’s leaked internal report – Alice Perry’s NEC report

An emergency meeting of Labour ’ s national executive committee ( NEC ) was held on April 23rd to agree the terms of reference into an investigation about a leaked internal Labour Party report , which contained serious allegations about behaviour and culture .
The meeting took place via Zoom .
The NEC welcomed eight new members , including a new leader and deputy leader , two new local party reps , a new BAME rep and three new frontbench appointments .
The NEC congratulated Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner on their victories .
It was a shame that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jennie Formby gave a brief report .
It was agreed that the meeting would not discuss the report itself , and instead focus on agreeing the terms of reference for the external , independent investigation .
Jennie outlined some of the actions taken as a result of the leak , including reporting the incident to the Information Commissioner ’ s Office and the police , who will be updated on any relevant issues that might arise .
An internal investigation is taking place into the serious data breach , and Labour is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down any copies of the leaked document that exist online .
CLP secretaries have been reminded that the leaked report should not be shared .
Support has been put in place to support staff , and anyone found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour will face disciplinary action .
Keir Starmer gave his first leader ’ s report .
He described the content and publication of the report as a dark moment in our party ’ s history .
He noted that its timing during a national crisis means we are talking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the huge challenges the country faces .
Keir said he understood the anger at the content of the report and the anger of the people named in the report , some of whom have received death threats .
Keir noted that we believe in law and natural justice , so must get to the truth and facts of the report and the circumstances that led to them being in the public domain .
If people have broken party rules , they should face the consequences , whoever they are .
The NEC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of amendments , some of which were accepted .
The panel leading the independent inquiry will be appointed now that the terms of reference have been agreed .
This special NEC meeting only discussed the terms of reference for the leaked report .
The next full NEC is scheduled for May .
Areas of future discussion include : reflecting on the general election defeat and learning the lessons for the future ; reviewing Labour ’ s policy-making process ; setting up an independent process for complaints ; and responding to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Labour Party .
The EHRC can make recommendations , which Labour will be obliged to adopt ( their recommendations are not voluntary ) .
Keir Starmer has been clear that restoring faith in Labour ’ s complaints process and regaining the trust of the Jewish community is a key priority .
I look forward to supporting him and NEC colleagues in this work .

An emergency meeting of Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) was held on April 23rd to agree the terms of reference into an investigation about a leaked internal Labour Party report, which contained serious allegations about behaviour and culture.
The meeting took place via Zoom. The NEC welcomed eight new members, including a new leader and deputy leader, two new local party reps, a new BAME rep and three new frontbench appointments. The NEC congratulated Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner on their victories. It was a shame that their first meeting took place in such circumstances.
Jennie Formby gave a brief report. It was agreed that the meeting would not discuss the report itself, and instead focus on agreeing the terms of reference for the external, independent investigation.
Jennie outlined some of the actions taken as a result of the leak, including reporting the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office and the police, who will be updated on any relevant issues that might arise. An internal investigation is taking place into the serious data breach, and Labour is working with social media outlets to take down any copies of the leaked document that exist online. CLP secretaries have been reminded that the leaked report should not be shared. Support has been put in place to support staff, and anyone found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour will face disciplinary action.
Keir Starmer gave his first leader’s report. He described the content and publication of the report as a dark moment in our party’s history. He noted that its timing during a national crisis means we are talking to ourselves and looking inward rather than focusing on the huge challenges the country faces. Keir said he understood the anger at the content of the report and the anger of the people named in the report, some of whom have received death threats. Keir noted that we believe in law and natural justice, so must get to the truth and facts of the report and the circumstances that led to them being in the public domain. If people have broken party rules, they should face the consequences, whoever they are.
The NEC discussed the terms of reference and suggested a number of amendments, some of which were accepted. The panel leading the independent inquiry will be appointed now that the terms of reference have been agreed.
This special NEC meeting only discussed the terms of reference for the leaked report. The next full NEC is scheduled for May. Areas of future discussion include: reflecting on the general election defeat and learning the lessons for the future; reviewing Labour’s policy-making process; setting up an independent process for complaints; and responding to the findings of the EHRC report into antisemitism in the Labour Party.
The EHRC can make recommendations, which Labour will be obliged to adopt (their recommendations are not voluntary). Keir Starmer has been clear that restoring faith in Labour’s complaints process and regaining the trust of the Jewish community is a key priority. I look forward to supporting him and NEC colleagues in this work.


labourlist--2020-04-24--The shocking failures of the early release scheme cannot be overlooked

The spread of Covid-19 is creating remarkable challenges for our public services .
Whilst the focus has understandably been on our National Health Service and care sector , the government and media should not overlook the immense pressures being seen in prisons .
There is an emerging public health crisis that the Ministry of Justice appears unable to confront .
Prisons , after years of underfunding and a failure to reform short-term sentencing , are severely overcrowded .
The ten most overcrowded prisons have over 150 % capacity .
Swansea prison , for example , is designed for a capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 436 inmates .
Prisons are a perfect environment for the virus to spread quickly .
Every other institution where hundreds of people live in close proximity , sharing essential resources , has been disbanded during the lockdown .
Prisons are the exception , and accordingly pose a significant public health risk to the prison population but also to local NHS services .
The government apparently understands this concern .
Two weeks ago , the Ministry of Justice stated that “ risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives ” .
This followed an announcement last month that pregnant inmates ( it may surprise many that there are such a cohort ) shall be released as well .
At the time of writing , the Justice department had managed to release just 20 % of pregnant prisoners .
Of the 4,000 prisoners planned to be temporarily released – a step deemed essential to save lives – only 30 have been released .
This week , it emerged that six of those releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not fulfil the risk assessment requirements .
They had to be recalled .
Meanwhile , the virus spreads through the prison population swiftly , with half of prisons now having a confirmed case .
Public Health England suggests that 15,000 inmates need to be released to avoid an epidemic in prison .
Due to the error in releasing six individuals , the scheme has been suspended .
It is a remarkable failure from the Ministry of Justice , and has been a catalyst for legal action from the Howard League for Penal Reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released is already too narrow , but the failure to administrate the scheme competently – putting lives of prisoners and NHS workers at risk – is damning .
Another issue overlooked by the MoJ is what happens to those that are released during this period .
The 5,000 prisoners released each month because their sentence has to come to an end are re-entering a closed society , unable to access the most basic services .
Research from the charity Switchback – who work with released offenders – show that 42 % of young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a third have no bank account or any formal identification document .
They receive £46 as a discharge grant ( a figure which shockingly has not risen since 1996 ) .
During this period , they are less likely to be welcomed back by family members for fear of spreading the virus .
They are alone , without anywhere to be during the lockdown .
This lacuna , albeit representing a small chunk of the population , could lead to pressures for our public services at a time when they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , this is not just a health challenge , but a moral one too .
Reports in the media suggest that prisons are now attempting to cope with a skeletal staff , with a third of prison and probation staff off work .
Prisoners – including youth offenders – are often left in their cells for 23 hours a day .
There are reports of prisoners being forced to defecate in their cells with no access to toilet facilities .
In Italy , riots broke out in prisons .
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred here .
Ultimately , there can be no doubt that prisoners have and will die as a result of the failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk and effect of coronavirus in our prisons .
When this is over , and the review of the Government response takes place , the Ministry of Justice will have many questions to answer .

The spread of Covid-19 is creating remarkable challenges for our public services. Whilst the focus has understandably been on our National Health Service and care sector, the government and media should not overlook the immense pressures being seen in prisons. There is an emerging public health crisis that the Ministry of Justice appears unable to confront.
Prisons, after years of underfunding and a failure to reform short-term sentencing, are severely overcrowded. The ten most overcrowded prisons have over 150% capacity. Swansea prison, for example, is designed for a capacity of 250 men, but currently holds 436 inmates. Prisons are a perfect environment for the virus to spread quickly.
Every other institution where hundreds of people live in close proximity, sharing essential resources, has been disbanded during the lockdown. Prisons are the exception, and accordingly pose a significant public health risk to the prison population but also to local NHS services.
The government apparently understands this concern. Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Justice stated that “risk-assessed prisoners who are within two months of their release date will be temporarily released from jail as part of the national plan to protect the NHS and save lives”. This followed an announcement last month that pregnant inmates (it may surprise many that there are such a cohort) shall be released as well.
At the time of writing, the Justice department had managed to release just 20% of pregnant prisoners. Of the 4,000 prisoners planned to be temporarily released – a step deemed essential to save lives – only 30 have been released. This week, it emerged that six of those releases were done in error, and did not fulfil the risk assessment requirements. They had to be recalled. Meanwhile, the virus spreads through the prison population swiftly, with half of prisons now having a confirmed case. Public Health England suggests that 15,000 inmates need to be released to avoid an epidemic in prison.
Due to the error in releasing six individuals, the scheme has been suspended. It is a remarkable failure from the Ministry of Justice, and has been a catalyst for legal action from the Howard League for Penal Reform. The criteria for the group being released is already too narrow, but the failure to administrate the scheme competently – putting lives of prisoners and NHS workers at risk – is damning.
Another issue overlooked by the MoJ is what happens to those that are released during this period. The 5,000 prisoners released each month because their sentence has to come to an end are re-entering a closed society, unable to access the most basic services. Research from the charity Switchback – who work with released offenders – show that 42% of young prisoners from London on release are homeless, and a third have no bank account or any formal identification document. They receive £46 as a discharge grant (a figure which shockingly has not risen since 1996). During this period, they are less likely to be welcomed back by family members for fear of spreading the virus. They are alone, without anywhere to be during the lockdown. This lacuna, albeit representing a small chunk of the population, could lead to pressures for our public services at a time when they are already stretched almost beyond breaking point.
Of course, this is not just a health challenge, but a moral one too. Reports in the media suggest that prisons are now attempting to cope with a skeletal staff, with a third of prison and probation staff off work. Prisoners – including youth offenders – are often left in their cells for 23 hours a day. There are reports of prisoners being forced to defecate in their cells with no access to toilet facilities. In Italy, riots broke out in prisons. It would come as no surprise if similar events occurred here.
Ultimately, there can be no doubt that prisoners have and will die as a result of the failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk and effect of coronavirus in our prisons. When this is over, and the review of the Government response takes place, the Ministry of Justice will have many questions to answer.


labourlist--2020-04-24--Why we still need more support for the self-employed

It ’ s almost a month since the Chancellor announced a support package that will help millions of self-employed workers in response to Covid-19 .
Many will have felt reassured that their incomes would be protected during many months of uncertainty .
However , for the millions of self-employed workers who fell through the gaps of the government ’ s support package , their lack of work and income have pushed them into financial hardship and difficulty .
The self-employed income support scheme was a welcome safety net for those who saw their work and incomes dry up due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their trading profits , up to a maximum of £2,500 per month , taken from up to three years of tax assessment records will help thousands of workers get by .
The big caveat is that cash won ’ t get to the pockets of those who need it until June .
In the meantime , those who are self-employed can turn to Universal Credit , and potentially wait five weeks for a payment .
If they aren ’ t eligible for Universal Credit , they can look at taking out a loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stock , suppliers and bills for their business .
For those not eligible for the scheme – such as those who are recently self-employed , those who run as limited companies and those who make a profit of over £50k – there is no June payment to plan around and rely on .
These workers have nothing more than Universal Credit or hard to come by loans to keep them going for however long the lockdown lasts .
It is simply not fair that if you started up a business as solely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a penny to help towards your loss of income .
Neither is it fair that self-employed workers who run as limited companies and pay themselves through dividends will be penalised throughout this crisis .
Those whose small businesses earn just over £50,000 profit , regardless of their often large expenses , are also all but abandoned by this scheme .
Finally , even those – primarily women – workers who have taken parental leave during the past three years are at risk of receiving less support .
The poverty charity Turn 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of their benefits calculator last month .
Nearly one million people applied for Universal Credit between March 16th and 31st , rather than the normal 100,000 .
Thousands of those are low paid self-employed workers who are not eligible for the income support scheme .
We have seen some welcome changes to Universal Credit – from the minimum income floor to not counting savings to pay tax as part of the £16,000 savings cap .
But £92.25 is still not enough to provide for your family , pay your bills and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the self-employed just want to be treated equally and be given the same support that is being rightly provided to employees .
On the first day the job retention scheme launched , 1.3 million were employees reported as furloughed so far .
That means vast numbers of jobs and livelihoods protected , and it is a profound and welcome achievement .
We need to be sure we can match those achievements for the self-employed .
There are five million self-employed and freelance workers in the UK , and this is growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often gives these workers flexibility and freedom over their work , enables them to better manage health conditions by deciding when and how they work , and can be more rewarding than traditional employment .
That ’ s why more and more people across the UK economy are choosing this way of working , and why we need to get support for this vital part of the economy right .
If we don ’ t , we risk hurting millions of people in one of the growing areas of our economy .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-employed organising amongst themselves and supporting one another on dozens of Facebook groups and support pages during the pandemic .
Even more encouraging is that they are also turning to trade unions , seeing the benefits of becoming part of a collective voice and ensuring their voices are no longer forgotten .
There ’ s lots to do to ensure all self-employed and freelance workers get the support they need to get through the uncertain and stressful months ahead , and we need the government to show it wants to get this right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll continue to be lobbying for the government to plug the gaps in the support scheme , and along with sister unions across the movement look to offer solutions and feedback on how we get there .
Waiting for over another month is too long a wait for income support , but waiting indefinitely is unforgivable .

It’s almost a month since the Chancellor announced a support package that will help millions of self-employed workers in response to Covid-19. Many will have felt reassured that their incomes would be protected during many months of uncertainty. However, for the millions of self-employed workers who fell through the gaps of the government’s support package, their lack of work and income have pushed them into financial hardship and difficulty.
The self-employed income support scheme was a welcome safety net for those who saw their work and incomes dry up due to the pandemic. Covering 80% of their trading profits, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, taken from up to three years of tax assessment records will help thousands of workers get by. The big caveat is that cash won’t get to the pockets of those who need it until June. In the meantime, those who are self-employed can turn to Universal Credit, and potentially wait five weeks for a payment. If they aren’t eligible for Universal Credit, they can look at taking out a loan, or a grant to cover salaries, stock, suppliers and bills for their business.
For those not eligible for the scheme – such as those who are recently self-employed, those who run as limited companies and those who make a profit of over £50k – there is no June payment to plan around and rely on. These workers have nothing more than Universal Credit or hard to come by loans to keep them going for however long the lockdown lasts.
It is simply not fair that if you started up a business as solely self-employed in January 2020 you will not receive a penny to help towards your loss of income. Neither is it fair that self-employed workers who run as limited companies and pay themselves through dividends will be penalised throughout this crisis. Those whose small businesses earn just over £50,000 profit, regardless of their often large expenses, are also all but abandoned by this scheme. Finally, even those – primarily women – workers who have taken parental leave during the past three years are at risk of receiving less support.
The poverty charity Turn 2 Us saw a 1,800% increase in the use of their benefits calculator last month. Nearly one million people applied for Universal Credit between March 16th and 31st, rather than the normal 100,000. Thousands of those are low paid self-employed workers who are not eligible for the income support scheme. We have seen some welcome changes to Universal Credit – from the minimum income floor to not counting savings to pay tax as part of the £16,000 savings cap. But £92.25 is still not enough to provide for your family, pay your bills and keep your business ticking over.
The majority of the self-employed just want to be treated equally and be given the same support that is being rightly provided to employees. On the first day the job retention scheme launched, 1.3 million were employees reported as furloughed so far. That means vast numbers of jobs and livelihoods protected, and it is a profound and welcome achievement. We need to be sure we can match those achievements for the self-employed.
There are five million self-employed and freelance workers in the UK, and this is growing every year. This way of working often gives these workers flexibility and freedom over their work, enables them to better manage health conditions by deciding when and how they work, and can be more rewarding than traditional employment. That’s why more and more people across the UK economy are choosing this way of working, and why we need to get support for this vital part of the economy right. If we don’t, we risk hurting millions of people in one of the growing areas of our economy.
It’s been encouraging to see the self-employed organising amongst themselves and supporting one another on dozens of Facebook groups and support pages during the pandemic. Even more encouraging is that they are also turning to trade unions, seeing the benefits of becoming part of a collective voice and ensuring their voices are no longer forgotten.
There’s lots to do to ensure all self-employed and freelance workers get the support they need to get through the uncertain and stressful months ahead, and we need the government to show it wants to get this right. At Community trade union, we’ll continue to be lobbying for the government to plug the gaps in the support scheme, and along with sister unions across the movement look to offer solutions and feedback on how we get there. Waiting for over another month is too long a wait for income support, but waiting indefinitely is unforgivable.


labourlist--2020-04-25--‘Justice Not Charity’: The blind workers marching for rights in 1920

This weekend marks the centenary of a march by blind trade unionists from across the country .
Their cause is just as relevant today with only 53.3 % of disabled people compared to 81.8 % of non-disabled people in work .
In 2019 the TUC estimated a 15.5 % disability pay gap .
On April 25th , 1920 , 171 blind trade unionists reached London to hold a rally with their banners calling for ‘ Justice Not Charity ’ .
Organised by the National League of the Blind , the 20-day march involved 74 blind workers from Scotland and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Ireland and the North West marching from Manchester and 37 from the South West marching from Newport .
The blind trade unionists took the novel approach of a march from different locations to converge on London for a mass demonstration in Trafalgar Square .
There had been many protest marches before , but none had choreographed different contingents to raise awareness with rallies in towns along their route .
The Jarrow March in 1936 later was based on their experience .
Blind people had been considered incapable , but with the opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to change .
The Royal Commission on the Blind in 1889 established compulsory education that would lead to trades such as basket-weaving and rug-making .
The schools and workshops were segregated facilities .
Pay was on piece rate because it was believed that blind workers could not compete with the output of sighted people .
Wages were not enough to meet living costs , and the blind factory workers contrasted their treatment with the affluence of charity administrators who they considered corrupt .
Like other workers of the time , they recognised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take collective action .
Prior to the march Ben Tillett , Labour MP for Salford North , introduced a bill in support of blind workers ’ demands , but it was blocked by the government .
The pressure arising from the march and subsequent talks with Lloyd George led to the Blind Persons Act 1920 .
It was less prescriptive than the league had wanted .
Consequently , they continued to lobby against a postcode lottery in local authority pay and provision .
In October 1936 the league held another march .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade unions .
But the public mood was less supportive , and the blind workers were marginalised by the more prominent national unemployed hunger marches .
However , some concessions were secured from the government with a second Blind Persons Act in 1938 .
Provision of welfare services and access standards were improved by the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 , introduced by Alf Morris , Labour MP for Manchester Wythenshawe , who went on to be the first Minister for Disabled People in 1974 .
The league merged with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working and new technology have changed production lines and offices over the last century .
The range of occupations undertaken by blind and other disabled people have widened .
Yet high rates of unemployment and low pay continue to hold us back .
For those out of work , the situation has been exacerbated by Tory austerity , which has cut public services and brought in the pernicious Universal Credit system .
The legislative framework has strengthened over the last 25 years on disability discrimination and wider equality , but disabled people remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of society .
The impact of Covid-19 is likely to disproportionately adversely impact on the lives of disabled people .
On the other hand , post-lockdown affords an opportunity to do things differently , for example by investing in public services and establishing a National Independent Living Service .
As our movement remembers the 1920 blind workers marching for ‘ Justice Not Charity ’ , disabled people today demand fairness not inequality .
That ’ s why the Labour and trade union movements needs to empower and be more representatives of disabled people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour government should enshrine the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons into domestic law .

This weekend marks the centenary of a march by blind trade unionists from across the country. Their cause is just as relevant today with only 53.3% of disabled people compared to 81.8% of non-disabled people in work. In 2019 the TUC estimated a 15.5% disability pay gap.
On April 25th, 1920, 171 blind trade unionists reached London to hold a rally with their banners calling for ‘Justice Not Charity’. Organised by the National League of the Blind, the 20-day march involved 74 blind workers from Scotland and the North East marching from Leeds, 60 from Ireland and the North West marching from Manchester and 37 from the South West marching from Newport.
The blind trade unionists took the novel approach of a march from different locations to converge on London for a mass demonstration in Trafalgar Square. There had been many protest marches before, but none had choreographed different contingents to raise awareness with rallies in towns along their route. The Jarrow March in 1936 later was based on their experience.
Blind people had been considered incapable, but with the opening of special schools and sheltered workshop expectations began to change. The Royal Commission on the Blind in 1889 established compulsory education that would lead to trades such as basket-weaving and rug-making. The schools and workshops were segregated facilities.
Pay was on piece rate because it was believed that blind workers could not compete with the output of sighted people. Wages were not enough to meet living costs, and the blind factory workers contrasted their treatment with the affluence of charity administrators who they considered corrupt. Like other workers of the time, they recognised that the way forward lay in uniting to take collective action.
Prior to the march Ben Tillett, Labour MP for Salford North, introduced a bill in support of blind workers’ demands, but it was blocked by the government. The pressure arising from the march and subsequent talks with Lloyd George led to the Blind Persons Act 1920. It was less prescriptive than the league had wanted. Consequently, they continued to lobby against a postcode lottery in local authority pay and provision.
In October 1936 the league held another march. As before, it was supported by trade unions. But the public mood was less supportive, and the blind workers were marginalised by the more prominent national unemployed hunger marches. However, some concessions were secured from the government with a second Blind Persons Act in 1938.
Provision of welfare services and access standards were improved by the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, introduced by Alf Morris, Labour MP for Manchester Wythenshawe, who went on to be the first Minister for Disabled People in 1974.
The league merged with the union Community in 2000. Ways of working and new technology have changed production lines and offices over the last century. The range of occupations undertaken by blind and other disabled people have widened. Yet high rates of unemployment and low pay continue to hold us back. For those out of work, the situation has been exacerbated by Tory austerity, which has cut public services and brought in the pernicious Universal Credit system.
The legislative framework has strengthened over the last 25 years on disability discrimination and wider equality, but disabled people remain left behind economically and excluded from much of society. The impact of Covid-19 is likely to disproportionately adversely impact on the lives of disabled people. On the other hand, post-lockdown affords an opportunity to do things differently, for example by investing in public services and establishing a National Independent Living Service.
As our movement remembers the 1920 blind workers marching for ‘Justice Not Charity’, disabled people today demand fairness not inequality. That’s why the Labour and trade union movements needs to empower and be more representatives of disabled people. Moreover, a future Keir Starmer Labour government should enshrine the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons into domestic law.


labourlist--2020-04-26--Sunday shows: Reeves, Allin-Khan and Burnham on lockdown exit plan

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rachel Reeves called for the government to count coronavirus deaths in care homes on a daily basis , and said the strategy of community testing and contract tracing would have to be reintroduced for lockdown measures to be lifted .
• On the coronavirus death toll : “ There ’ s a real problem here because if somebody you love and care for dies , it doesn ’ t matter if that ’ s in a hospital or a care home or at home .
It has the same devastating impact on you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are being counted in a different way .
I would urge the government to count the deaths in care homes in the same way they ’ re counted in hospitals on a daily basis.
” • On the concerns of care home staff : “ They ’ re not properly equipped to do their job… We ask a lot of those who serve on the frontline , and we owe it to them to ensure that they ’ re properly protected in the workplace with that equipment and clothing.
” • On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That level of testing needs to be ramped up further.
” • Pressed on how many tests need to be done and how that would be done : “ We ’ re going to need mass testing at a community level… We ’ re urging the government to work with local authorities , to open up town halls and libraries.
” • On the UK abandoning testing and contact tracing : “ It seems to me that if we ’ re to come out of this lockdown , those sorts of strategies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On people no longer following the rules : “ We need to take the people with us on this journey , by giving them a greater indication of what comes next , and part of that is keeping up morale.
” • Asked which non-essential businesses should open first , Reeves cited Denmark , Germany and Belgium , where there has been a reopening of small businesses and schools .
• On whether it ’ s possible to reopen schools without social distancing : “ In Denmark , class sizes have had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is going to be near impossible.
” She suggested reducing class sizes and having children outside where possible .
• Asked whether there will be an inquiry : “ It ’ s inevitable that there will be a public inquiry after this .
There are so many lessons to be learnt , as well as thinking about what kind of national recovery plan we need for the future.
” Frontbench Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan warned that the UK will see “ real mental health issues ” in families and NHS workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the family liaison unit in the NHS Nightingale hospital : “ I found myself coming home , heartbroken and asking myself : how much of this could have been avoided ?
” • On the government ’ s handling of the crisis : “ We did enter lockdown too late , we did not deliver PPE to the frontline when it was needed , we did not follow global advice on self isolation and we haven ’ t rolled out mass testing.
” • On mental health : “ We are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with for these grieving families , but also for the NHS workers who have had to hold their hands through this process.
” • On the 100,000 tests promised by the government by the end of the month : “ Are we too late ?
We are three months into having our first case.
” • On the recording of coronavirus cases : “ The government need to be recording the number of deaths in care homes and in the community… We won ’ t know whether we are fully on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working as well as they can be until we are recording all of the deaths.
” • Asked about patient numbers : “ My colleagues have been finding that the number of patients , worryingly , is going down for other illnesses… We don ’ t want to see a rise in deaths come out of those people who were too afraid to go to hospital.
” • On the implications of lockdown measures : “ I don ’ t think that deaths will be caused by the lockdown… Deaths will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to emergency departments and having had their cancer treatments delayed.
” • On Labour ’ s call for an exit strategy : “ Labour isn ’ t looking to have any sort of argument about what the exit strategy should be… what we are asking for is some strategy going forward.
” • Pushed on what Labour wants to see : “ What the Labour Party is calling for is some greater understanding and clarity.
” • On the new Labour leader : “ It was phenomenal to see Keir Starmer at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forensic in his responses and I think that was something that was really welcome.
” Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also appeared .
He rejected regional and sectoral approaches to exiting the lockdown , and instead outlined his proposal for a “ standards-led ” approach .
• On an exit strategy : “ It ’ s not a call for an early end to the lockdown… But what I would say is that Keir Starmer is right to call for an open debate about when and how.
” • On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach would be unworkable in my view , but a sectoral approach would possibly be unfair on businesses in certain parts of the economy , for example hospitality.
” • On his proposal : “ What I ’ m saying is let ’ s have a standards-led approach to this , i.e .
permission to open is linked to businesses ’ ability to operate safe working standards and social distancing.
” • He added : “ It would allow businesses in all parts of the economy to innovate , perhaps to change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of employees they have in work – but at least it would give them a route back.
” • On the implications of a sectoral approach : “ I ’ m worried that if we ’ re going down the sectoral approach it could have heavy consequences for a city like Manchester… The impact of a sectoral approach could hit certain places hard.
” • On how his plan would work : “ I would have this overseen by the health and safety executive , so if people are making complaints that procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an investigation and people can be required to close again.
” • On government support for business : “ Ongoing government support for businesses should be linked to good employment – and very specifically paying the real living wage.
” • Asked if the government is right to be so cautious in lifting the lockdown : “ Yes… because the worst of all worlds would be an early release , unmanaged release , that then saw the virus spreading again.
” • On discussion about an exit strategy : “ Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and agree how we are going to move from the position that we ’ re in at the moment… Otherwise people are losing hope and they can ’ t see where we ’ re going.
” • On the government ’ s handling of the crisis : “ I ’ ve been quite supportive of some of the way the Health Secretary has handled things but I think his predecessor the former Health Secretary has some questions to answer… I don ’ t believe the plans that were put in place were as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

The Andrew Marr Show
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rachel Reeves called for the government to count coronavirus deaths in care homes on a daily basis, and said the strategy of community testing and contract tracing would have to be reintroduced for lockdown measures to be lifted.
On the coronavirus death toll: “There’s a real problem here because if somebody you love and care for dies, it doesn’t matter if that’s in a hospital or a care home or at home. It has the same devastating impact on you and your family. And yet the numbers are being counted in a different way. I would urge the government to count the deaths in care homes in the same way they’re counted in hospitals on a daily basis.”
On the concerns of care home staff: “They’re not properly equipped to do their job… We ask a lot of those who serve on the frontline, and we owe it to them to ensure that they’re properly protected in the workplace with that equipment and clothing.”
On the number of tests needed: “That level of testing needs to be ramped up further.”
Pressed on how many tests need to be done and how that would be done: “We’re going to need mass testing at a community level… We’re urging the government to work with local authorities, to open up town halls and libraries.”
On the UK abandoning testing and contact tracing: “It seems to me that if we’re to come out of this lockdown, those sorts of strategies and measures need to be reintroduced.”
On people no longer following the rules: “We need to take the people with us on this journey, by giving them a greater indication of what comes next, and part of that is keeping up morale.”
Asked which non-essential businesses should open first, Reeves cited Denmark, Germany and Belgium, where there has been a reopening of small businesses and schools.
On whether it’s possible to reopen schools without social distancing: “In Denmark, class sizes have had to be reduced… For the youngest children, that is going to be near impossible.” She suggested reducing class sizes and having children outside where possible.
Asked whether there will be an inquiry: “It’s inevitable that there will be a public inquiry after this. There are so many lessons to be learnt, as well as thinking about what kind of national recovery plan we need for the future.”
#Marr: Is the government treating the British public like children? Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Rachel Reeves: It’s important that we “communicate with them, treat them like grown-ups” and explain to them “where we go next”#Marr https://t.co/WhRfiYdqIm pic.twitter.com/flQPVhAIl1 — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 26, 2020
Ridge on Sunday
Frontbench Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan warned that the UK will see “real mental health issues” in families and NHS workers affected by Covid-19.
On working with the family liaison unit in the NHS Nightingale hospital: “I found myself coming home, heartbroken and asking myself: how much of this could have been avoided?”
On the government’s handling of the crisis: “We did enter lockdown too late, we did not deliver PPE to the frontline when it was needed, we did not follow global advice on self isolation and we haven’t rolled out mass testing.”
On mental health: “We are going to have real mental health issues to deal with for these grieving families, but also for the NHS workers who have had to hold their hands through this process.”
On the 100,000 tests promised by the government by the end of the month: “Are we too late? We are three months into having our first case.”
On the recording of coronavirus cases: “The government need to be recording the number of deaths in care homes and in the community… We won’t know whether we are fully on top of this and whether lockdown measures have been working as well as they can be until we are recording all of the deaths.”
Asked about patient numbers: “My colleagues have been finding that the number of patients, worryingly, is going down for other illnesses… We don’t want to see a rise in deaths come out of those people who were too afraid to go to hospital.”
On the implications of lockdown measures: “I don’t think that deaths will be caused by the lockdown… Deaths will be caused by people being too afraid to go to emergency departments and having had their cancer treatments delayed.”
On Labour’s call for an exit strategy: “Labour isn’t looking to have any sort of argument about what the exit strategy should be… what we are asking for is some strategy going forward.”
Pushed on what Labour wants to see: “What the Labour Party is calling for is some greater understanding and clarity.”
On the new Labour leader: “It was phenomenal to see Keir Starmer at PMQs this week. He was utterly forensic in his responses and I think that was something that was really welcome.”
"We are going to have real mental health issues for grieving families and the NHS workers holding their hands through this process."@DrRosena tells @SophyRidgeSky the government was not quick enough in reacting to the #coronavirus.#Ridge: https://t.co/47EzyI9agK pic.twitter.com/hNDwqaFwej — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) April 26, 2020
Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also appeared. He rejected regional and sectoral approaches to exiting the lockdown, and instead outlined his proposal for a “standards-led” approach.
On an exit strategy: “It’s not a call for an early end to the lockdown… But what I would say is that Keir Starmer is right to call for an open debate about when and how.”
On the approaches being discussed: “A region-by-region approach would be unworkable in my view, but a sectoral approach would possibly be unfair on businesses in certain parts of the economy, for example hospitality.”
On his proposal: “What I’m saying is let’s have a standards-led approach to this, i.e. permission to open is linked to businesses’ ability to operate safe working standards and social distancing.”
He added: “It would allow businesses in all parts of the economy to innovate, perhaps to change the way they work, limit the number of employees they have in work – but at least it would give them a route back.”
On the implications of a sectoral approach: “I’m worried that if we’re going down the sectoral approach it could have heavy consequences for a city like Manchester… The impact of a sectoral approach could hit certain places hard.”
On how his plan would work: “I would have this overseen by the health and safety executive, so if people are making complaints that procedures aren’t being followed there can be an investigation and people can be required to close again.”
On government support for business: “Ongoing government support for businesses should be linked to good employment – and very specifically paying the real living wage.”
Asked if the government is right to be so cautious in lifting the lockdown: “Yes… because the worst of all worlds would be an early release, unmanaged release, that then saw the virus spreading again.”
On discussion about an exit strategy: “Let’s use this time to debate properly and agree how we are going to move from the position that we’re in at the moment… Otherwise people are losing hope and they can’t see where we’re going.”
On the government’s handling of the crisis: “I’ve been quite supportive of some of the way the Health Secretary has handled things but I think his predecessor the former Health Secretary has some questions to answer… I don’t believe the plans that were put in place were as robust as they needed to be.”


labourlist--2020-04-26--“Tough new measures” needed before people return to work, says TUC

The TUC has declared that “ tough new measures ” will need to be implemented before people return to their workplaces as coronavirus lockdown measures are lifted .
In a new report released today , the trade union body outlines the requirements that must first be met by government and employers in order to “ give staff the confidence they need ” .
The TUC is demanding that every UK employer be forced to conduct a coronavirus-specific risk assessment , which would be developed with unions and workers .
This process would identify risks in the workplace , set out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these “ completed and communicated ” to staff before they are expected to return .
TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ Many employers have struck sensible deals with unions to protect workers ’ health , safety and wellbeing .
But too often decent employers are let down by those who play fast and loose with safety .
“ We need tough new measures from government to reassure working people that their health and safety is a priority .
Too many workers have already been forced to put their health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We all want everyone to get back to work and start rebuilding Britain .
But workers need confidence that they won ’ t have to put themselves or their families at unnecessary risk .
“ Government must ensure that every employer performs a comprehensive risk assessment before asking staff to return to work .
And bosses who don ’ t take steps to protect workers should be prosecuted .
“ If workers are asked to work in conditions they think are unsafe , they can refuse .
And they should know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The TUC has also published new polling , conducted by YouGov , which saw 40 % of workers surveyed say they were worried about returning to their normal place of work .
39 % said they were concerned about not being able to socially distance from colleagues in the workplace , and 28 % expressed concern about not being able to distance from customers or clients .
The TUC last week called on the government to set up a public inquiry looking into the “ grotesque ” failure to provide frontline workers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Rachel Reeves told the BBC on Sunday that a public inquiry was “ inevitable ” as there are “ so many lessons to be learnt ” from the government ’ s handling of Covid-19 .

The TUC has declared that “tough new measures” will need to be implemented before people return to their workplaces as coronavirus lockdown measures are lifted.
In a new report released today, the trade union body outlines the requirements that must first be met by government and employers in order to “give staff the confidence they need”.
The TUC is demanding that every UK employer be forced to conduct a coronavirus-specific risk assessment, which would be developed with unions and workers.
This process would identify risks in the workplace, set out steps to mitigate them, and have these “completed and communicated” to staff before they are expected to return.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Many employers have struck sensible deals with unions to protect workers’ health, safety and wellbeing. But too often decent employers are let down by those who play fast and loose with safety.
“We need tough new measures from government to reassure working people that their health and safety is a priority. Too many workers have already been forced to put their health on the line during this pandemic.
“We all want everyone to get back to work and start rebuilding Britain. But workers need confidence that they won’t have to put themselves or their families at unnecessary risk.
“Government must ensure that every employer performs a comprehensive risk assessment before asking staff to return to work. And bosses who don’t take steps to protect workers should be prosecuted.
“If workers are asked to work in conditions they think are unsafe, they can refuse. And they should know that their unions will have their back.”
The TUC has also published new polling, conducted by YouGov, which saw 40% of workers surveyed say they were worried about returning to their normal place of work.
39% said they were concerned about not being able to socially distance from colleagues in the workplace, and 28% expressed concern about not being able to distance from customers or clients.
The TUC last week called on the government to set up a public inquiry looking into the “grotesque” failure to provide frontline workers with adequate personal protective equipment.
Labour’s Rachel Reeves told the BBC on Sunday that a public inquiry was “inevitable” as there are “so many lessons to be learnt” from the government’s handling of Covid-19.


labourlist--2020-04-27--Labour has a crucial role to play as the UK lifts coronavirus restrictions

The Prime Minister has officially returned to work .
To mark his first day back , he delivered a speech outside 10 Downing Street less than an hour ago .
Boris Johnson warned that although it seems the UK is “ passing through the peak ” there is still a serious risk of a “ second spike ” that must be avoided .
“ I understand your impatience .
I share your anxiety , ” he told the country ’ s “ wealth creators ” .
He talked about “ firing up the engines of the economy one by one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the restrictions .
‘ Lifting the lockdown ’ is no longer the preferred phrase because there is a recognition that the next steps will be modifications rather than a wholesale shift back to ‘ normality ’ .
Does “ firing up the engines of the economy one by one ” refer to taking a sectoral approach to relaxing coronavirus measures ?
While the UK Labour Party led by Keir Starmer has not wanted to express views on specific options for exit plans , arguing that setting up a “ rival strategy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has shared his thoughts .
He has rejected either a regional or sectoral approach , describing the former as “ unworkable ” and latter as “ unfair ” .
Instead , he wants to see a “ standards-led ” approach whereby “ permission to open is linked to businesses ’ ability to operate safe working standards and social distancing ” .
The Prime Minister promised in his statement that he would try to reach consensus in the process of easing restrictions , and vowed to aim for “ maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by Burnham align with the obvious focus of the labour movement over the coming weeks .
The TUC has released a report today that says “ tough new measures ” will need to be implemented before people return to their workplaces .
The union body wants every UK employer to have to conduct a coronavirus-specific risk assessment , which would be developed with unions and workers .
These demands should be the starting point of any consensus .
Johnson referred to the “ impatience ” and “ anxiety ” of workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telegraph has portrayed public opinion .
The paper claimed that polling showed a majority want to see restaurants “ reopen as soon as new infections decrease ” – not mentioning the stated caveat “ with monitoring and restrictions ” was included .
Deltapoll survey results suggest that people are much more likely to be worried about lifting restrictions too quickly ( 63 % ) than too slowly ( 21 % ) .
The new TUC polling offers similar evidence .
Labour must help to ensure that workers are protected and prioritised , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth ahead of public health while bringing the UK out of lockdown .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

The Prime Minister has officially returned to work. To mark his first day back, he delivered a speech outside 10 Downing Street less than an hour ago. Boris Johnson warned that although it seems the UK is “passing through the peak” there is still a serious risk of a “second spike” that must be avoided. “I understand your impatience. I share your anxiety,” he told the country’s “wealth creators”. He talked about “firing up the engines of the economy one by one” and the need to “refine” the restrictions. ‘Lifting the lockdown’ is no longer the preferred phrase because there is a recognition that the next steps will be modifications rather than a wholesale shift back to ‘normality’.
Does “firing up the engines of the economy one by one” refer to taking a sectoral approach to relaxing coronavirus measures? While the UK Labour Party led by Keir Starmer has not wanted to express views on specific options for exit plans, arguing that setting up a “rival strategy” would be unhelpful, Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has shared his thoughts. He has rejected either a regional or sectoral approach, describing the former as “unworkable” and latter as “unfair”. Instead, he wants to see a “standards-led” approach whereby “permission to open is linked to businesses’ ability to operate safe working standards and social distancing”.
The Prime Minister promised in his statement that he would try to reach consensus in the process of easing restrictions, and vowed to aim for “maximum possible transparency”. The priorities set out by Burnham align with the obvious focus of the labour movement over the coming weeks. The TUC has released a report today that says “tough new measures” will need to be implemented before people return to their workplaces. The union body wants every UK employer to have to conduct a coronavirus-specific risk assessment, which would be developed with unions and workers. These demands should be the starting point of any consensus.
Johnson referred to the “impatience” and “anxiety” of workers and businesses, and this is how the Telegraph has portrayed public opinion. The paper claimed that polling showed a majority want to see restaurants “reopen as soon as new infections decrease” – not mentioning the stated caveat “with monitoring and restrictions” was included. Deltapoll survey results suggest that people are much more likely to be worried about lifting restrictions too quickly (63%) than too slowly (21%). The new TUC polling offers similar evidence. Labour must help to ensure that workers are protected and prioritised, and that the Tories cannot put private wealth ahead of public health while bringing the UK out of lockdown. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-04-27--WATCH: Coronavirus testing “nowhere near on track” says Labour

Jonathan Reynolds has said that coronavirus testing in the UK is “ nowhere near on track ” , and stressed that mass testing will be a “ viable means ” for the country to exit lockdown .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary reiterated that Labour supports the lockdown but repeated the party ’ s call for discussion on an exit strategy .
Reynolds cited the importance of both testing and contact tracing as part of this and highlighted issues with the current testing programme – including that many people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility .
The comments from the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde follow those of the Rachel Reeves over the weekend , who said that community testing and contract tracing would have to be reintroduced for lockdown measures to be lifted .
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster argued that mass testing is needed at a community level , and urged the government to “ work with local authorities , to open up town halls and libraries to have testing in the communities ” .
The current number of recorded coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher .
There have been a total of 20,732 confirmed hospital deaths linked to the virus .

Jonathan Reynolds has said that coronavirus testing in the UK is “nowhere near on track”, and stressed that mass testing will be a “viable means” for the country to exit lockdown.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary reiterated that Labour supports the lockdown but repeated the party’s call for discussion on an exit strategy.
Reynolds cited the importance of both testing and contact tracing as part of this and highlighted issues with the current testing programme – including that many people are required to travel long distances to a facility.
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions @jreynoldsMP says contact tracing and mass testing will be necessary to come out of lockdown, but adds that #coronavirus testing in the UK is "nowhere near on track"#KayBurley#COVID19 latest: https://t.co/256JhPtRWc pic.twitter.com/cbcMMjl6Is — SkyNews (@SkyNews) April 27, 2020
The comments from the MP for Stalybridge and Hyde follow those of the Rachel Reeves over the weekend, who said that community testing and contract tracing would have to be reintroduced for lockdown measures to be lifted.
The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster argued that mass testing is needed at a community level, and urged the government to “work with local authorities, to open up town halls and libraries to have testing in the communities”.
The current number of recorded coronavirus cases in the UK stands at 152,840, but with low levels of testing the true figure is thought to be much higher. There have been a total of 20,732 confirmed hospital deaths linked to the virus.


labourlist--2020-04-27--Labour proposes legislation to support domestic abuse services

Labour has proposed legislation that would force the government to deliver urgent support to domestic abuse services amid a surge in cases during the coronavirus lockdown .
The party hopes to amend the domestic abuse bill going through parliament so that 10 % of the funding for charities recently announced by the Chancellor is ring-fenced for domestic abuse charities .
This would dedicate £75m to these particular charities , at a time when organisations such as Refuge say calls to their helplines are significantly increasing as people are told to stay at home .
As well as ring-fencing funding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system to “ fast track investment to the frontline ” in a bid to rescue charities that are overwhelmed or struggling to pay staff .
Some of the support backed by Labour would be “ earmarked for specialist services , such as men who are at risk of domestic abuse and specialist LGBTQ services ” , the party has specified .
Announcing the proposals , Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said : “ It is clear that domestic abuse is increasing rapidly during the lockdown and we need the government to act urgently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our society must not turn its back on some of the most at risk people in this crisis , too much time has already been lost and action is needed now .
Labour ’ s plan would deliver £75m to the frontline rapidly , to help keep women and children safe from abuse.
” “ Labour will act as a responsible opposition , but the government have to move faster to get funding and support to the frontline , before vital services are forced to turn people away .
“ That is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is forthcoming , we will try to change the law , to guarantee fast-tracked funding to frontline , to support domestic abuse charities.
” Research by Counting Dead Women has estimated that at least 14 women and two children were killed by men in the first three weeks of coronavirus lockdown in the UK .
According to Karen Ingala Smith , using the average over the last decade , one would usually expect to see seven women killed by men within a 21-day period – half of the recent rate .
Following these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic abuse incidents than usual , the government launched a public awareness campaign and pledged an extra £2m for helplines .
But Labour has called for further action , with Thomas-Symonds and shadow minister Jess Phillips highlighting the need to protect those at risk by making accommodation available .
The original domestic abuse bill fell when Boris Johnson prorogued parliament , before then calling a snap general election last year .
An ‘ enhanced version ’ was introduced earlier this month .
MPs will consider the bill in its second reading in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in the debate virtually via Zoom , and others will be in the chamber .

Labour has proposed legislation that would force the government to deliver urgent support to domestic abuse services amid a surge in cases during the coronavirus lockdown.
The party hopes to amend the domestic abuse bill going through parliament so that 10% of the funding for charities recently announced by the Chancellor is ring-fenced for domestic abuse charities.
This would dedicate £75m to these particular charities, at a time when organisations such as Refuge say calls to their helplines are significantly increasing as people are told to stay at home.
As well as ring-fencing funding, Labour wants to put in place a system to “fast track investment to the frontline” in a bid to rescue charities that are overwhelmed or struggling to pay staff.
Some of the support backed by Labour would be “earmarked for specialist services, such as men who are at risk of domestic abuse and specialist LGBTQ services”, the party has specified.
Announcing the proposals, Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “It is clear that domestic abuse is increasing rapidly during the lockdown and we need the government to act urgently to support front line services.
“Our society must not turn its back on some of the most at risk people in this crisis, too much time has already been lost and action is needed now. Labour’s plan would deliver £75m to the frontline rapidly, to help keep women and children safe from abuse.”
“Labour will act as a responsible opposition, but the government have to move faster to get funding and support to the frontline, before vital services are forced to turn people away.
“That is why we are proposing that if no action is forthcoming, we will try to change the law, to guarantee fast-tracked funding to frontline, to support domestic abuse charities.”
Research by Counting Dead Women has estimated that at least 14 women and two children were killed by men in the first three weeks of coronavirus lockdown in the UK.
According to Karen Ingala Smith, using the average over the last decade, one would usually expect to see seven women killed by men within a 21-day period – half of the recent rate.
Following these findings and police forces responding to more domestic abuse incidents than usual, the government launched a public awareness campaign and pledged an extra £2m for helplines.
But Labour has called for further action, with Thomas-Symonds and shadow minister Jess Phillips highlighting the need to protect those at risk by making accommodation available.
The original domestic abuse bill fell when Boris Johnson prorogued parliament, before then calling a snap general election last year. An ‘enhanced version’ was introduced earlier this month.
MPs will consider the bill in its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday afternoon. Some will participate in the debate virtually via Zoom, and others will be in the chamber.


labourlist--2020-04-27--Local responses to Covid-19 offer a way forward for Labour

Across the country , Labour members have been central to incredible community responses to the coronavirus crisis .
Not only has this made a tangible difference to the lives of those hardest hit by Covid-19 , it also offers a potential way forward for Labour to build stronger links with both our own members and the communities we represent .
With ‘ formal ’ meetings suspended , Hornsey and Wood Green Labour Party has recognised the importance of staying connected with our own members .
Our first Zoom meeting took place with our MP Catherine West , which allowed members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be raised in parliament and recent internal party developments .
Our branches have organised regular calls to check in with their older and shielding members , while Haringey Young Labour has started a socialist reading group .
Haringey Labour members have been integral to the establishment of mutual aid groups .
As the crisis has developed , WhatsApp groups have been set up on a street-by-street level and , in spite of social distancing measures , relationships have been built between neighbours who may never previously have spoken .
One branch chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an Irish working-class neighbourhood – a sense that everyone was looking out for each other .
A key aim of Labour ’ s community organising strategy is to build stronger relationships between the party and the communities that we seek to represent .
While mutual aid groups are by no means a Labour initiative , in Haringey , the centrality of Labour activists and the resources our party has to offer – from printers to delivery networks built during the general election – have led to members becoming better connected to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a Labour member , but she had not been particularly active in campaigning before the 2019 general election .
As a parent and governor at a school that serves one of Haringey ’ s most deprived estates , she has worked with parents on the estate to establish a mutual aid group to strengthen community networks and support vulnerable families hit by unemployment and unable to afford basic necessities .
Through close engagement with local Labour members and other community activists , this initiative evolved into a ward-level group , a coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and builds on existing structures and initiatives .
As well as services including shopping and prescription collections , and social support through gardening exchanges and singalongs , volunteers have also supported each other to apply for Universal Credit and understand their rights around benefits and rent .
Clearly the pandemic has not affected everyone equally , with those in insecure or low-paid work hit the hardest .
In Haringey , we launched a petition for Tottenham Hotspurs – the eighth richest football club in the world – to ensure that their non-playing staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is something that the club has now agreed to do .
Labour must turn its campaigning efforts to defending those being exploited during this crisis by unscrupulous landlords and employers .
One such example is a worker for an Amazon supplier who reached out to their mutual aid group in Hackney with concerns about the lack of social distancing in their workplace .
Labour members contacted trade union GMB , who ensured that staff were furloughed and no longer had to put themselves and vulnerable family members at risk .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , we are able to mobilise the strength of the labour movement to empower local people in their everyday lives .
And Labour members should take forward what has been built : at the most basic level , we can ensure that more meetings can be accessed by those unable to attend in person .
More pressingly , our newfound online groups , relationships and community spirit should not be dropped when door knocking and leafleting returns .
Instead , we must remember that the party is at its best when immersed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – reaching within and beyond our membership to offer the support of the Labour movement to the vulnerable or oppressed , as well as to build successful campaigns that really matter to local people .
This could , and should , be part of the strategy to rebuild the Labour Party as an electoral force .

Across the country, Labour members have been central to incredible community responses to the coronavirus crisis. Not only has this made a tangible difference to the lives of those hardest hit by Covid-19, it also offers a potential way forward for Labour to build stronger links with both our own members and the communities we represent.
With ‘formal’ meetings suspended, Hornsey and Wood Green Labour Party has recognised the importance of staying connected with our own members. Our first Zoom meeting took place with our MP Catherine West, which allowed members to discuss with her the local priorities to be raised in parliament and recent internal party developments. Our branches have organised regular calls to check in with their older and shielding members, while Haringey Young Labour has started a socialist reading group.
Haringey Labour members have been integral to the establishment of mutual aid groups. As the crisis has developed, WhatsApp groups have been set up on a street-by-street level and, in spite of social distancing measures, relationships have been built between neighbours who may never previously have spoken. One branch chair described it as reminiscent of her upbringing in an Irish working-class neighbourhood – a sense that everyone was looking out for each other.
A key aim of Labour’s community organising strategy is to build stronger relationships between the party and the communities that we seek to represent. While mutual aid groups are by no means a Labour initiative, in Haringey, the centrality of Labour activists and the resources our party has to offer – from printers to delivery networks built during the general election – have led to members becoming better connected to their communities.
Jude, for example, was a Labour member, but she had not been particularly active in campaigning before the 2019 general election. As a parent and governor at a school that serves one of Haringey’s most deprived estates, she has worked with parents on the estate to establish a mutual aid group to strengthen community networks and support vulnerable families hit by unemployment and unable to afford basic necessities.
Through close engagement with local Labour members and other community activists, this initiative evolved into a ward-level group, a coordinated response that is rooted in the community and builds on existing structures and initiatives. As well as services including shopping and prescription collections, and social support through gardening exchanges and singalongs, volunteers have also supported each other to apply for Universal Credit and understand their rights around benefits and rent.
Clearly the pandemic has not affected everyone equally, with those in insecure or low-paid work hit the hardest. In Haringey, we launched a petition for Tottenham Hotspurs – the eighth richest football club in the world – to ensure that their non-playing staff received a full wage during the pandemic. This is something that the club has now agreed to do.
Labour must turn its campaigning efforts to defending those being exploited during this crisis by unscrupulous landlords and employers. One such example is a worker for an Amazon supplier who reached out to their mutual aid group in Hackney with concerns about the lack of social distancing in their workplace. Labour members contacted trade union GMB, who ensured that staff were furloughed and no longer had to put themselves and vulnerable family members at risk.
By maintaining these relationships and networks in our communities, we are able to mobilise the strength of the labour movement to empower local people in their everyday lives. And Labour members should take forward what has been built: at the most basic level, we can ensure that more meetings can be accessed by those unable to attend in person. More pressingly, our newfound online groups, relationships and community spirit should not be dropped when door knocking and leafleting returns.
Instead, we must remember that the party is at its best when immersed in the concrete realities of our communities – reaching within and beyond our membership to offer the support of the Labour movement to the vulnerable or oppressed, as well as to build successful campaigns that really matter to local people. This could, and should, be part of the strategy to rebuild the Labour Party as an electoral force.


labourlist--2020-04-27--Anneliese Dodds’ first Commons speech as Shadow Chancellor

Below is the full text of the first Commons speech delivered by Anneliese Dodds as Shadow Chancellor .
I ’ m grateful to the Chancellor for advance sight of this statement , and that he has accepted my request to meet again with him .
I want to pay tribute to those Treasury civil servants , HMRC and DWP staff who have been working incredibly hard .
And I fully appreciate that the Chancellor ’ s job has not been an easy one .
Nonetheless it is our job , as a constructive opposition , to point to problems that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate solutions .
And it appears those problems are more acute in our country than in many others .
The Purchasing Managers ’ Index figures that came out last week indicated a sharp fall in business confidence – and that , sadly , was not a surprise .
It has been clear for some time that the economic slowdown we are currently experiencing is sharp and deep .
Deeply unsettling , however , was the fact that those figures suggested that business confidence had taken a stronger hit in the UK than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from small business owners who have put their life and soul into their firms , but have less than two weeks of cashflow left – they are devastated .
We all need to work together to get the different support schemes working for our country .
We must fix this .
Now I ’ m well aware that many of the prerequisites for shifting out of lockdown are not within the Chancellor ’ s grasp .
However , there are matters where his government needs to be open about blocks on progress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That applies to the test , track and trace regime , which must be in place before key sectors can open again .
It also applies to the creation of a proper national , tripartite system to ensure workers and employers have confidence that they can return to work , when the right time comes .
The Chancellor is responsible for the economic package , and he knows we supported him in creating the furlough scheme , for example – indeed , we called for it .
But the evidence is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are failing .
So , in a constructive spirit , I want to ask the Chancellor whether he will be willing to countenance solutions , in three areas .
First , CBILS .
This scheme , to underwrite loans for SMEs , is an international outlier .
As of last Thursday , 16,600 loans had been approved , and 9,000 provided – £2.8bn of lending to SMEs .
That is an eighth of the size of the comparable French scheme , which has lent to ten times as many companies .
Switzerland has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet it approved four times as many loans within its first week than the UK has done in a month .
Other countries are guaranteeing 100 % of their SME loans and have stripped off normal commercial loan requirements .
And while it ’ s a relief to hear from the Chancellor that there will now be a full guarantee for loans of up to £25,000 , we need to know that normal commercial loan requirements will not continue to clog up the system .
Will he also be changing the rules for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to those SMEs that really need it ?
Second , recent figures suggesting one in ten of our workforce look set to be unemployed as a result of this crisis are deeply worrying – with all that entails for peoples ’ future prospects , incomes , and their and their families ’ health .
Again I say to the Chancellor , we will work with him , to do more to protect peoples ’ incomes and support people back into work when the recovery comes .
We have indicated many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and will continue to push for them to be filled .
However , we must be clear .
The reason why those gaps are such an income-crushing , insecurity-producing crisis for so many , is because the only alternative to coverage by the schemes is in most cases Universal Credit .
Universal Credit , which pushes people right down to an average of ten percent of the income of the rest of society .
The DWP has made some welcome changes .
But failure to change the initial loan into a grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt crisis among households .
Apparently the government is sympathetic to changing the loan into a grant but we are told the computer system just won ’ t allow it .
So my second question is – when will he knock heads together and get the computer to say ‘ yes ’ to switching UC loans into grants ?
As he knows , before this crisis we had an economy which , for so many , simply did not work .
Around a quarter of all families lacked £100 in savings even before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most regionally unequal country in Europe .
And we have just had the longest squeeze on living standards , not just in a generation , but in eight generations .
To ensure as many people as possible have a job to go back to , we need a flexible furlough scheme .
The Chancellor told me previously it can ’ t currently be made more flexible – but other countries have done this .
Will he work to amend the furlough scheme to allow workers to come back on a part-time basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at how those who are already unemployed or are becoming so can be supported to retrain and access new opportunities .
From Germany to New Zealand , the discussion is on how those hit hard by the crisis can be supported , not just now but in the future as well – with employment-boosting , redeploying and retraining schemes .
History , not least the aftermath of the pit closures , tells us that an approach where the government shrugs its shoulders , will scar our economy for generations to come .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he work together , together with me , with trade unions , with businesses , and with local authorities across the country , to develop a plan to offer the hope of work to those who ’ ve become unemployed , and get our economy moving again ?

Below is the full text of the first Commons speech delivered by Anneliese Dodds as Shadow Chancellor.
I’m grateful to the Chancellor for advance sight of this statement, and that he has accepted my request to meet again with him. I want to pay tribute to those Treasury civil servants, HMRC and DWP staff who have been working incredibly hard. And I fully appreciate that the Chancellor’s job has not been an easy one.
Nonetheless it is our job, as a constructive opposition, to point to problems that we are hearing from the frontline and indicate solutions. And it appears those problems are more acute in our country than in many others.
The Purchasing Managers’ Index figures that came out last week indicated a sharp fall in business confidence – and that, sadly, was not a surprise. It has been clear for some time that the economic slowdown we are currently experiencing is sharp and deep.
Deeply unsettling, however, was the fact that those figures suggested that business confidence had taken a stronger hit in the UK than in the Eurozone. I’ve heard from small business owners who have put their life and soul into their firms, but have less than two weeks of cashflow left – they are devastated. We all need to work together to get the different support schemes working for our country. We must fix this.
Now I’m well aware that many of the prerequisites for shifting out of lockdown are not within the Chancellor’s grasp. However, there are matters where his government needs to be open about blocks on progress, and how it will remove those blocks. That applies to the test, track and trace regime, which must be in place before key sectors can open again. It also applies to the creation of a proper national, tripartite system to ensure workers and employers have confidence that they can return to work, when the right time comes.
The Chancellor is responsible for the economic package, and he knows we supported him in creating the furlough scheme, for example – indeed, we called for it. But the evidence is that other key elements of the economic package are failing. So, in a constructive spirit, I want to ask the Chancellor whether he will be willing to countenance solutions, in three areas.
First, CBILS. This scheme, to underwrite loans for SMEs, is an international outlier. As of last Thursday, 16,600 loans had been approved, and 9,000 provided – £2.8bn of lending to SMEs. That is an eighth of the size of the comparable French scheme, which has lent to ten times as many companies. Switzerland has a population of under nine million, yet it approved four times as many loans within its first week than the UK has done in a month.
Other countries are guaranteeing 100% of their SME loans and have stripped off normal commercial loan requirements. And while it’s a relief to hear from the Chancellor that there will now be a full guarantee for loans of up to £25,000, we need to know that normal commercial loan requirements will not continue to clog up the system. Will he also be changing the rules for the scheme, so we can get money to those SMEs that really need it?
Second, recent figures suggesting one in ten of our workforce look set to be unemployed as a result of this crisis are deeply worrying – with all that entails for peoples’ future prospects, incomes, and their and their families’ health. Again I say to the Chancellor, we will work with him, to do more to protect peoples’ incomes and support people back into work when the recovery comes.
We have indicated many of the gaps within existing schemes to protect incomes – and will continue to push for them to be filled. However, we must be clear. The reason why those gaps are such an income-crushing, insecurity-producing crisis for so many, is because the only alternative to coverage by the schemes is in most cases Universal Credit. Universal Credit, which pushes people right down to an average of ten percent of the income of the rest of society.
The DWP has made some welcome changes. But failure to change the initial loan into a grant threatens to create even more of a debt crisis among households. Apparently the government is sympathetic to changing the loan into a grant but we are told the computer system just won’t allow it. So my second question is – when will he knock heads together and get the computer to say ‘yes’ to switching UC loans into grants?
As he knows, before this crisis we had an economy which, for so many, simply did not work. Around a quarter of all families lacked £100 in savings even before the crisis began. The UK is the most regionally unequal country in Europe. And we have just had the longest squeeze on living standards, not just in a generation, but in eight generations.
To ensure as many people as possible have a job to go back to, we need a flexible furlough scheme. The Chancellor told me previously it can’t currently be made more flexible – but other countries have done this. Will he work to amend the furlough scheme to allow workers to come back on a part-time basis?
Finally, many countries are already looking at how those who are already unemployed or are becoming so can be supported to retrain and access new opportunities. From Germany to New Zealand, the discussion is on how those hit hard by the crisis can be supported, not just now but in the future as well – with employment-boosting, redeploying and retraining schemes.
History, not least the aftermath of the pit closures, tells us that an approach where the government shrugs its shoulders, will scar our economy for generations to come.
So my last question is, will he work together, together with me, with trade unions, with businesses, and with local authorities across the country, to develop a plan to offer the hope of work to those who’ve become unemployed, and get our economy moving again?