labourlist--2020-08-06--Online event ‘Connected’ set to replace Labour’s cancelled 2020 conference

Online autumn event ‘ Connected ’ is set to replace Labour ’ s 2020 conference after the annual event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic , the party will reveal to members this evening .
Running from Saturday 19th to Tuesday 22nd September , the online programme of events will be open to all party members and free to attend .
It will include interactive sessions , from policy discussions to training .
Just as conference usually features keynote speeches from the party ’ s top leadership figures , new Labour leader Keir Starmer , Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rayner will address its online replacement .
It is understood that while the members ’ sessions are intended to be for party members only , the frontbencher speeches will be outward-facing .
Kicking off on Saturday with ‘ Women Connected ’ , a full day-long programme for women in the party , LabourList understands that the online conference will then allow members to : • Take part in policy discussions with the shadow cabinet , trade unions , affiliates and think tanks • Engage with unions , charities , think tanks and businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson said : “ We might not be able to get together in person this year but we ’ re organising an exciting programme of events to connect people and bring our movement together online .
“ We ’ ll be looking ahead to life after Covid-19 and how we prepare for the biggest set of elections outside of a general election in 2021.
” Further details of ‘ Connected ’ – from timings and specific events planned to how party members will be using the technology required to host the online programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Labour Party .
Below is the text of the email being sent to party members tonight from Labour ’ s new general secretary David Evans .
As the new general secretary , it is a huge disappointment for me that we can not meet as normal at annual conference .
But I know of countless inspiring stories of Labour members putting our values into practice , helping in communities and workplaces .
Labour values are our communities ’ values and a pandemic will not stop Labour members connecting , organising and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beyond .
Now , I want to invite you to Connected – our virtual event .
It takes place from Saturday 19 September to Tuesday 22 September .
It ’ s open to all members , free to attend , and it ’ s taking place entirely online .
From your home you can see inspiring speeches and take part in invaluable training , hear from key figures in our movement at panels and rallies , join in the debate at policy discussions and connect with a range of businesses , charities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our virtual expo .
Sign up now for Connected .
This event , just like our conference , is a great chance to engage with members of the party , councillors , politicians , trade unions , affiliates and the wider Labour movement .
The event begins with Women Connected , kick starting the timetable on 19 September .
Then Connected , will bring our movement together from Sunday 20 September – Tuesday 22 September .
Both events are free when you sign up .
Once you are registered , you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience choosing which sessions to attend as the timetable is announced .
I can ’ t wait to log in and join you all at this virtual event .

Online autumn event ‘Connected’ is set to replace Labour’s 2020 conference after the annual event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the party will reveal to members this evening.
Running from Saturday 19th to Tuesday 22nd September, the online programme of events will be open to all party members and free to attend. It will include interactive sessions, from policy discussions to training.
Just as conference usually features keynote speeches from the party’s top leadership figures, new Labour leader Keir Starmer, Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds and deputy leader and party chair Angela Rayner will address its online replacement.
It is understood that while the members’ sessions are intended to be for party members only, the frontbencher speeches will be outward-facing.
Kicking off on Saturday with ‘Women Connected’, a full day-long programme for women in the party, LabourList understands that the online conference will then allow members to:
Take part in policy discussions with the shadow cabinet, trade unions, affiliates and think tanks
Take part in live training sessions
Engage with unions, charities, think tanks and businesses in an interactive exhibition area
A Labour spokesperson said: “We might not be able to get together in person this year but we’re organising an exciting programme of events to connect people and bring our movement together online.
“We’ll be looking ahead to life after Covid-19 and how we prepare for the biggest set of elections outside of a general election in 2021.”
Further details of ‘Connected’ – from timings and specific events planned to how party members will be using the technology required to host the online programme – will be revealed in due course by the Labour Party.
Below is the text of the email being sent to party members tonight from Labour’s new general secretary David Evans.
As the new general secretary, it is a huge disappointment for me that we cannot meet as normal at annual conference. But I know of countless inspiring stories of Labour members putting our values into practice, helping in communities and workplaces. Labour values are our communities’ values and a pandemic will not stop Labour members connecting, organising and paving the way for elections in 2021 and beyond.
Now, I want to invite you to Connected – our virtual event. It takes place from Saturday 19 September to Tuesday 22 September. It’s open to all members, free to attend, and it’s taking place entirely online.
From your home you can see inspiring speeches and take part in invaluable training, hear from key figures in our movement at panels and rallies, join in the debate at policy discussions and connect with a range of businesses, charities, think tanks and trade unions in our virtual expo.
This event, just like our conference, is a great chance to engage with members of the party, councillors, politicians, trade unions, affiliates and the wider Labour movement.
The event begins with Women Connected, kick starting the timetable on 19 September. Then Connected, will bring our movement together from Sunday 20 September – Tuesday 22 September.
Both events are free when you sign up. Once you are registered, you’ll have the freedom to shape your own experience choosing which sessions to attend as the timetable is announced.
I can’t wait to log in and join you all at this virtual event.
Women Connected will be on Saturday 19 September. A full programme of speeches and events dedicated to women members will run throughout the day to kick start the Connected timetable. From Sunday 20 September Connected will launch with an address from our party chair, Angela Rayner. The events will continue through to Tuesday 22 September with a packed timetable of training, keynote speeches, policy events, fringe meetings and virtual expo booths.
David Evans
General secretary, Labour Party


labourlist--2020-08-06--This proposed planning overhaul is another Tory assault on affordable housing

The government has just launched a white paper with planning proposals for what the Prime Minister has described as the “ most radical planning reforms since World War Two ” .
The plans would involve establishing zones for “ growth ” , “ renewal ” and “ protection ” , with growth zones designated for almost automatic permission for new homes , hospitals and schools .
The government has characterised this as a war against a defunct planning system , which is holding back the delivery of new homes in the housing crisis .
But this is simply not an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Robert Jenrick this morning told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme that a “ complex planning system has been a barrier to building the homes people need ” .
But Local Government Association chair James Jamieson has flatly rejected this assertion , describing it as a “ myth ” .
Analysis from the organisation in February this year revealed that over one million homes granted planning permission in the past decade have not been built .
The data revealed that while 2,564,600 units have been granted planning permission since 2009/10 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research carried out by housing charity Shelter showed that , applying a lag of two years to account for time taken to get from approval to completion , only 75 % of the number of homes granted planning permission between 2011/12 and 2015/16 were delivered in 2013/14 and 2017/18 .
There are lots of things wrong with the planning system that could be improved , but a failure to approve enough applications is not one of them .
The government has manufactured a solution without a problem .
These proposals are not without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrapping 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy ( CIL ) .
106 agreements are legal obligations placed on developers by local authorities to make an application acceptable to the council .
As Shelter puts it : “ They are tragically one of the only ways we get social homes built these days , due to a lack of direct government investment , so it makes no sense to remove this route to genuinely affordable homes.
” Meanwhile , CIL is a charge to raise money to fund the infrastructure , facilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvements – needed to support the incoming homes or businesses .
The Royal Institute of British Architects have described the new government plans as “ shameful ” , and said the proposals would do “ almost nothing to guarantee the delivery of affordable , well-designed and sustainable homes ” .
President of the body Alan Jones said : “ While they might help to ‘ get Britain building ’ – paired with the extension of permitted development rights last week – there ’ s every chance they could also lead to the development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Labour leader Keir Starmer slammed the plans as being essentially a “ developer ’ s charter ” .
He criticised them for saying nothing on affordable housing , adding : “ In fact it removes the initiatives that were there for affordable housing.
” Before Covid-19 , there were over 1.15 million households on council housing waiting lists , and the number of families in insecure private rented accommodation increased by 7 % last year alone .
We desperately needed affordable homes then , and we ’ re going to need them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to an end later this month .
The LGA has proposed that the government bring forward plans for 100,000 social homes a year to boost the economy and provide the homes we need .
Sadly , that looks unlikely .
Last month , the government extended permitted development rights , which allow developers to build without applying for permission and completely avoid any obligation to provide affordable housing .
This white paper is just the latest in a sustained assault by the government on the minimal powers that councils and communities do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current system .

The government has just launched a white paper with planning proposals for what the Prime Minister has described as the “most radical planning reforms since World War Two”. The plans would involve establishing zones for “growth”, “renewal” and “protection”, with growth zones designated for almost automatic permission for new homes, hospitals and schools. The government has characterised this as a war against a defunct planning system, which is holding back the delivery of new homes in the housing crisis. But this is simply not an accurate representation of the situation.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick this morning told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that a “complex planning system has been a barrier to building the homes people need”. But Local Government Association chair James Jamieson has flatly rejected this assertion, describing it as a “myth”. Analysis from the organisation in February this year revealed that over one million homes granted planning permission in the past decade have not been built. The data revealed that while 2,564,600 units have been granted planning permission since 2009/10, only 1,530,680 have actually been completed.
Research carried out by housing charity Shelter showed that, applying a lag of two years to account for time taken to get from approval to completion, only 75% of the number of homes granted planning permission between 2011/12 and 2015/16 were delivered in 2013/14 and 2017/18. There are lots of things wrong with the planning system that could be improved, but a failure to approve enough applications is not one of them. The government has manufactured a solution without a problem.
These proposals are not without harm. Key among the plans is scrapping 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy (CIL). 106 agreements are legal obligations placed on developers by local authorities to make an application acceptable to the council. As Shelter puts it: “They are tragically one of the only ways we get social homes built these days, due to a lack of direct government investment, so it makes no sense to remove this route to genuinely affordable homes.” Meanwhile, CIL is a charge to raise money to fund the infrastructure, facilities and services – such as schools or transport improvements – needed to support the incoming homes or businesses.
The Royal Institute of British Architects have described the new government plans as “shameful”, and said the proposals would do “almost nothing to guarantee the delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes”. President of the body Alan Jones said: “While they might help to ‘get Britain building’ – paired with the extension of permitted development rights last week – there’s every chance they could also lead to the development of the next generation of slum housing.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer slammed the plans as being essentially a “developer’s charter”. He criticised them for saying nothing on affordable housing, adding: “In fact it removes the initiatives that were there for affordable housing.” Before Covid-19, there were over 1.15 million households on council housing waiting lists, and the number of families in insecure private rented accommodation increased by 7% last year alone. We desperately needed affordable homes then, and we’re going to need them even more when the ban on evictions comes to an end later this month.
The LGA has proposed that the government bring forward plans for 100,000 social homes a year to boost the economy and provide the homes we need. Sadly, that looks unlikely. Last month, the government extended permitted development rights, which allow developers to build without applying for permission and completely avoid any obligation to provide affordable housing. This white paper is just the latest in a sustained assault by the government on the minimal powers that councils and communities do have to demand affordable homes within our current system.


labourlist--2020-08-06--Social care is in crisis. Labour cannot wait until 2024 to act

Over the last few years , people have often expressed to me their shock , distress or anger because they ’ ve come up against the social care system .
The only reassurance I have to hand is that their experience is the norm – that the whole system really is in crisis .
As a social worker of 35 years ’ experience , I pride myself on navigating complex systems to access help and support for people in need , but the truth is that the system is now so dysfunctional , so fragmented , so utterly incomprehensible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of it .
The miracle to me is that the show stays on the road at all , and that ’ s tribute to the many dedicated people who work in social care across all kinds of provision .
They do their very best , against the odds , to support and care for those vulnerable people for whom they find themselves responsible .
Until recently , this human crisis has felt invisible – but coronavirus has changed that .
For the first time ever , social care has taken centre stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on older people in care homes and the death toll there , while those supported in their own homes remain under the radar .
However , the whole notion of shielding people who are vulnerable , of noticing those in most need or at most risk , is a powerful new phenomenon .
The upsurge in community action , volunteers helping those who need support , food distribution , creative measures put in place to support the homeless or those escaping from domestic abuse – all unthinkable as recently as February .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes needed in the provision of social and community care .
More funding is only part of the answer .
The system itself needs to change radically and fundamentally .
Labour ’ s 2019 manifesto policy proposals received only a cautious welcome from key stakeholders in the social care industry .
Radical social care campaigners have long argued for more community-based services , localised support , cooperative business models , and ongoing involvement of service users and frontline staff in the development of these services .
Their approach is based on valuing independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control where possible , a rights-based approach that offers independent advocacy and real choice .
Labour wasn ’ t able to capture the vision needed to inspire change .
Improving the pay and working conditions of care workers , moving away from the profit motive for personal care service providers , and introducing free personal care for older people are important but limited objectives .
The policies represent a perspective that sees personal care as an extension of health care , and fails to see the wider picture of social and community care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour didn ’ t address the costs of personal care for disabled working age adults , nor the costs of residential care .
The policies also depended entirely on the election of a Labour government , which is unlikely now for at least four years .
What should Labour councils do in the meantime to mitigate the very real crisis in adult social care ?
How can policies be developed in partnership with people using and delivering services ?
How can Labour campaign effectively in this sensitive and complex area of public policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the real world than is commonly recognised .
It encompasses family and community caring activities where interdependence is the significant factor .
It is integral to the way in which other public and community services are delivered , including public space , housing , transport , anti-discriminatory action and measures to reduce poverty .
There needs to be a wider vision of what we ’ re working towards – how do we as a society want to provide care and support for vulnerable people ?
How far do we go with dementia-friendly communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or supporting independence and choice wherever possible ?
How much are we going to listen , or are we going to default to the tramlines of traditional care models that too often reinforce dependency , social isolation and institutionalisation ?
The coronavirus pandemic has focused our minds on those who are vulnerable for reasons of ill health , disability , age , mental capacity , poverty , abuse and homelessness .
Although the private sector remains involved in the form of care homes and domiciliary care agencies , most social care services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charities , often using volunteers , with underpaid and under-trained staff , dependent on the contract culture and largely non-unionised .
In its 2018 report on funding for social care support , the King ’ s Fund found that public understanding of the means testing system and the low threshold of savings that are taken into account was very limited .
When they found out how the system worked , people were opposed and even angry , and felt it should be changed .
Research tells us that most people believe that social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until they experience it directly .
This creates a significant political problem .
Trust is so low in politicians , the King ’ s Fund concluded , that a movement for social care is needed independently of political parties , with the aims of informing the wider public about social care funding .
The current coronavirus crisis has brutally exposed the problems for some parts of the adult social care system , and there will be more hidden scandals emerging over the next few months .
While social care is squarely in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a movement is here and now , and Labour should be playing a leading role .
The alternative vision is to imagine a strategic role for local authorities , working with other agencies , to shape and develop the social care market built on different principles .
The very real shortage of resources – even more so as the economic impact of the pandemic starts to bite – means Labour must engage with local communities to find viable ways to protect , support and enable those most in need .
The really radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuild local economies despite continuing austerity .
The Centre for Local Economic Strategies has worked in recent years with local authorities such as Preston , Salford and Wigan to develop community wealth-building strategies that include a key focus on the economy of social and community care .
In May this year , the New Economics Foundation and Community Catalysts published a report on community micro-enterprise as a driver for local economic development , and a more creative responsive approach to the social care needs of older and disabled people .
We need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of services in the social care market are struggling , what hopes , strengths and skills they bring .
The groundwork must be laid for building an alliance or movement for change that values the contributions of those delivering services and demands due recognition in terms of working conditions .
The community response to the pandemic has opened up new opportunities .
Mutual aid groups have been very successful in many areas , as activist volunteers have quickly adapted technological aids for fast communication and collective organisational structures .
Action from Labour can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must draw on the very real energy , creativity , enterprise and spirit of diverse communities .
As the full impact of coronavirus on the most vulnerable in our communities becomes starkly exposed in the months to come , national leadership will be needed to support Labour councils in building a genuinely radical and transformative approach to what threatens to become a real humanitarian crisis .

Over the last few years, people have often expressed to me their shock, distress or anger because they’ve come up against the social care system. The only reassurance I have to hand is that their experience is the norm – that the whole system really is in crisis. As a social worker of 35 years’ experience, I pride myself on navigating complex systems to access help and support for people in need, but the truth is that the system is now so dysfunctional, so fragmented, so utterly incomprehensible, that no one knows how to make sense of it.
The miracle to me is that the show stays on the road at all, and that’s tribute to the many dedicated people who work in social care across all kinds of provision. They do their very best, against the odds, to support and care for those vulnerable people for whom they find themselves responsible.
Until recently, this human crisis has felt invisible – but coronavirus has changed that. For the first time ever, social care has taken centre stage in public awareness. Concerns are focused on older people in care homes and the death toll there, while those supported in their own homes remain under the radar. However, the whole notion of shielding people who are vulnerable, of noticing those in most need or at most risk, is a powerful new phenomenon.
The upsurge in community action, volunteers helping those who need support, food distribution, creative measures put in place to support the homeless or those escaping from domestic abuse – all unthinkable as recently as February. This presents a massive opportunity to make the changes needed in the provision of social and community care. More funding is only part of the answer. The system itself needs to change radically and fundamentally.
Labour’s 2019 manifesto policy proposals received only a cautious welcome from key stakeholders in the social care industry. Radical social care campaigners have long argued for more community-based services, localised support, cooperative business models, and ongoing involvement of service users and frontline staff in the development of these services. Their approach is based on valuing independence, enabling people to retain self-respect and control where possible, a rights-based approach that offers independent advocacy and real choice.
Labour wasn’t able to capture the vision needed to inspire change. Improving the pay and working conditions of care workers, moving away from the profit motive for personal care service providers, and introducing free personal care for older people are important but limited objectives. The policies represent a perspective that sees personal care as an extension of health care, and fails to see the wider picture of social and community care. Even from this limited perspective, Labour didn’t address the costs of personal care for disabled working age adults, nor the costs of residential care.
The policies also depended entirely on the election of a Labour government, which is unlikely now for at least four years. What should Labour councils do in the meantime to mitigate the very real crisis in adult social care? How can policies be developed in partnership with people using and delivering services? How can Labour campaign effectively in this sensitive and complex area of public policy?
A broader vision for adult social care
Social care is much broader in the real world than is commonly recognised. It encompasses family and community caring activities where interdependence is the significant factor. It is integral to the way in which other public and community services are delivered, including public space, housing, transport, anti-discriminatory action and measures to reduce poverty.
There needs to be a wider vision of what we’re working towards – how do we as a society want to provide care and support for vulnerable people? How far do we go with dementia-friendly communities, or the social model of disability, or supporting independence and choice wherever possible? How much are we going to listen, or are we going to default to the tramlines of traditional care models that too often reinforce dependency, social isolation and institutionalisation?
The coronavirus pandemic has focused our minds on those who are vulnerable for reasons of ill health, disability, age, mental capacity, poverty, abuse and homelessness. Although the private sector remains involved in the form of care homes and domiciliary care agencies, most social care services are now provided by local or national charities, often using volunteers, with underpaid and under-trained staff, dependent on the contract culture and largely non-unionised.
What about funding?
In its 2018 report on funding for social care support, the King’s Fund found that public understanding of the means testing system and the low threshold of savings that are taken into account was very limited. When they found out how the system worked, people were opposed and even angry, and felt it should be changed. Research tells us that most people believe that social care is funded like the NHS, until they experience it directly. This creates a significant political problem.
Trust is so low in politicians, the King’s Fund concluded, that a movement for social care is needed independently of political parties, with the aims of informing the wider public about social care funding. The current coronavirus crisis has brutally exposed the problems for some parts of the adult social care system, and there will be more hidden scandals emerging over the next few months. While social care is squarely in the public eye, the opportunity for such a movement is here and now, and Labour should be playing a leading role.
Imagining the future
The alternative vision is to imagine a strategic role for local authorities, working with other agencies, to shape and develop the social care market built on different principles. The very real shortage of resources – even more so as the economic impact of the pandemic starts to bite – means Labour must engage with local communities to find viable ways to protect, support and enable those most in need.
The really radical connections are being made with strategies to rebuild local economies despite continuing austerity. The Centre for Local Economic Strategies has worked in recent years with local authorities such as Preston, Salford and Wigan to develop community wealth-building strategies that include a key focus on the economy of social and community care.
In May this year, the New Economics Foundation and Community Catalysts published a report on community micro-enterprise as a driver for local economic development, and a more creative responsive approach to the social care needs of older and disabled people.
We need a more holistic view of how different kinds of services in the social care market are struggling, what hopes, strengths and skills they bring. The groundwork must be laid for building an alliance or movement for change that values the contributions of those delivering services and demands due recognition in terms of working conditions.
The community response to the pandemic has opened up new opportunities. Mutual aid groups have been very successful in many areas, as activist volunteers have quickly adapted technological aids for fast communication and collective organisational structures.
Action from Labour cannot wait until 2024. Labour councils must draw on the very real energy, creativity, enterprise and spirit of diverse communities. As the full impact of coronavirus on the most vulnerable in our communities becomes starkly exposed in the months to come, national leadership will be needed to support Labour councils in building a genuinely radical and transformative approach to what threatens to become a real humanitarian crisis.


labourlist--2020-08-07--Sunak says we can’t afford to extend furlough. But other countries are doing it

The government ’ s furlough scheme , introduced by Rishi Sunak , was welcomed by Labour and the trade unions as a bold and necessary move .
It supported 32 % of UK workers at one point during the crisis , with that proportion falling to 18 % by mid-July .
Of business still trading , the Office for National Statistics tells us that the arts , entertainment and recreation industry had a whopping 47 % of its workforce furloughed , and accommodation and food services had 43 % .
Under this programme , businesses have been able to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s regular monthly salary , up to a maximum of £2,500 .
The money must be passed on to the employee , can be topped up by the employer , and until this month the scheme covered National Insurance and pension contributions .
While many were unjustly excluded from that help , it has protected the jobs of 9.5 million people in the UK .
That is changing now .
From August 1st , the level of support is being reduced each month with the scheme ultimately being wound down by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is paying 80 % of salaries but businesses now pay NICs and pension contributions ; in September , the government will pay 70 % of wages up to a cap of £2,187 ; and in October , it will pay 60 % of wages up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours that the employee is on furlough .
While the government has been trying to extricate itself as quickly as possible from the furlough scheme , Labour has repeatedly called for a rethink .
The opposition party has urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describes as a “ one-size-fits-all ” approach and to extend the support for the most hard-hit sectors – such as hospitality and tourism .
Ignoring these demands , and those of think tanks who warn of “ economic scarring ” , Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are pressing ahead with plans to scrap the scheme in a little under three months .
Ministers say furlough needs to come to an end now .
But is that true ?
Lots of countries across Europe have schemes , and many of those are set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Podemos politician Yolanda Díaz told the Financial Times that it “ would not make sense to undertake this gigantic , unprecedented effort in the Spanish economy [ to preserve jobs ] and then just let things fall away ” .
The government there is expected to bring forward plans to extend its job retention programme until at least the end of the year and possibly into 2021 .
Italy is reported to be considering doing the same .
In France , employees will get 60 % of their normal gross wages from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down from 70 % at the moment – with the state covering 60 % of the cost for employers , reduced from the current 85 % .
This will be available for six months .
The government has also announced a new programme from October 1st , which will be available for two years .
It will allow a company to reduce an employee ’ s work by up to 40 % , and workers will receive up to 70 % of gross wages for the period out of work .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the cost if registered before October 1st , and 80 % thereafter .
The ‘ Kurzarbeit ’ short-time working scheme helped Germany during the financial crash , with the country being the only one in the G7 not to experience a fall in unemployment in 2009 .
It has been put to the test in this crisis – back then , just under 1.5 million workers in the country were furloughed , compared to 7.3 million in May 2020 .
Normally , Kurzarbeit is limited to 12 months but it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis began .
It provides an income “ replacement rate ” of 60 % immediately , stepping up to 80 % for workers furloughed for more than seven months .
How much would it cost us , here in the UK , to extend our furlough scheme ?
Calculated as the total money spent paying the wages of furloughed workers , the UK ’ s scheme cost about £14bn a month in June .
But this doesn ’ t account for the amount offset by NICs that employers are now paying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those on furlough .
According to the National Institute for Economic and Social Research , the net cost of extending the scheme until mid-2021 would be around £10bn , and this would ensure that unemployment stays at around two rather than three million people .
The question isn ’ t whether we can afford to extend the furlough scheme – it ’ s whether we can afford not to .
Between five and six million people are estimated to be still on furlough , and recent modelling shows that 1.5 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme ends in October .
The Bank of England has predicted that unemployment will climb from its current 3.9 % to 7.5 % .
Those working in sectors characterised by low pay and insecure employment will be hit hardest and quickest .
But the cost to the public purse has been deemed too much , and the people least able to bare the brunt of the crisis will do just that .

The government’s furlough scheme, introduced by Rishi Sunak, was welcomed by Labour and the trade unions as a bold and necessary move. It supported 32% of UK workers at one point during the crisis, with that proportion falling to 18% by mid-July. The Office for National Statistics tells us that the arts, entertainment and recreation industry had a whopping 47% of its workforce furloughed, and accommodation and food services had 43%.
Under this programme, businesses have been able to claim 80% of a staff member’s regular monthly salary, up to a maximum of £2,500. The money must be passed on to the employee, can be topped up by the employer, and until this month the scheme covered National Insurance and pension contributions. While many were unjustly excluded from that help, it has protected the jobs of 9.5 million people in the UK.
That is changing now. From August 1st, the level of support is being reduced each month with the scheme ultimately being wound down by the end of October. In August, the government is paying 80% of salaries but businesses now pay NICs and pension contributions; in September, the government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187; and in October, it will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours that the employee is on furlough.
While the government has been trying to extricate itself as quickly as possible from the furlough scheme, Labour has repeatedly called for a rethink. The opposition party has urged the Tories to change course from what it describes as a “one-size-fits-all” approach and to extend the support for the most hard-hit sectors – such as hospitality and tourism. Ignoring these demands, and those of think tanks who warn of “economic scarring”, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are pressing ahead with plans to scrap the scheme in a little under three months.
Ministers say furlough needs to come to an end now. But is that true? Lots of countries across Europe have schemes, and many of those are set to continue. In Spain, for example, Podemos politician Yolanda Díaz told the Financial Times that it “would not make sense to undertake this gigantic, unprecedented effort in the Spanish economy [to preserve jobs] and then just let things fall away”. The government there is expected to bring forward plans to extend its job retention programme until at least the end of the year and possibly into 2021. Italy is reported to be considering doing the same.
In France, employees will get 60% of their normal gross wages from October 1st under its furlough scheme – down from 70% at the moment – with the state covering 60% of the cost for employers, reduced from the current 85%. This will be available for six months. The government has also announced a new programme from October 1st, which will be available for two years. It will allow a company to reduce an employee’s work by up to 40%, and workers will receive up to 70% of gross wages for the period out of work. The state will reimburse companies for up to 85% of the cost if registered before October 1st, and 80% thereafter.
The ‘Kurzarbeit’ short-time working scheme helped Germany during the financial crash, with the country being the only one in the G7 not to experience a fall in unemployment in 2009. It has been put to the test in this crisis – back then, just under 1.5 million workers in the country were furloughed, compared to 7.3 million in May 2020. Normally, Kurzarbeit is limited to 12 months but it has been extended to 21 months since the coronavirus crisis began. It provides an income “replacement rate” of 60% immediately, stepping up to 80% for workers furloughed for more than seven months.
How much would it cost us, here in the UK, to extend our furlough scheme? Calculated as the total money spent paying the wages of furloughed workers, the UK’s scheme cost about £14bn a month in June. But this doesn’t account for the amount offset by NICs that employers are now paying, or the income tax on the wages of those on furlough. According to the National Institute for Economic and Social Research, the net cost of extending the scheme until mid-2021 would be around £10bn, and this would ensure that unemployment stays at around two rather than three million people.
The question isn’t whether we can afford to extend the furlough scheme – it’s whether we can afford not to. Between five and six million people are estimated to be still on furlough, and recent modelling shows that 1.5 million people are likely to be made unemployed when the scheme ends in October. The Bank of England has predicted that unemployment will climb from its current 3.9% to 7.5%. Those working in sectors characterised by low pay and insecure employment will be hit hardest and quickest. But the cost to the public purse has been deemed too much, and the people least able to bear the brunt of the crisis will be forced to do just that.


labourlist--2020-08-07--The Prime Minister has failed to keep his promise to terror victims, says Labour

Labour is warning that the Prime Minister has “ failed to keep the promise he made to victims of terror ” as expected government funding for a Warrington-based educational peace charity has not materialised .
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation , set up by Colin and Wendy Parry after losing their 12-year-old son Tim and three-year-old Johnathan Ball in the 1993 Warrington bombings by the IRA , works for peace .
The charity has provided a free national support service for victims of terrorism in the UK , including trauma-informed health and wellbeing services , for two decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left in doubt .
Labour ’ s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Louise Haigh will join new Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols on a visit to the centre today , where they will meet with employees and discuss their work .
Commenting on the lack of funding , Haigh said : “ The Prime Minister has failed to keep the promise he made to victims of terror and to the peace foundation , and this failure risks removing vital support for victims .
“ It is frankly insulting to victims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they rely on is placed into doubt , a life peerage carrying with it a £313 per day allowance is awarded to Claire Fox who steadfastly refuses to apologise for defending the Warrington bombings.
” Reiterating the demand already made by deputy leader Angela Rayner , the Northern Ireland spokesperson added : “ The Prime Minister can , and must , block her peerage and he can and must secure the future of the foundation.
” The Centre ’ s chief executive Nick Taylor said : “ Terrorism is a crime that requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not general victim support and is a key component part of the UK ’ s counter terrorism strategy .
“ We have provided that service for two decades .
The decision to cease funding in March needs to be reviewed as the care we provide must be secured for the long-term.
” During a Prime Minister ’ s Questions session on March 11th this year , Conservative Warrington South MP Andy Carter asked Boris Johnson to commend the foundation ’ s work and agree to continue its funding .
Offering reassurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I certainly commend the work of all those working on the Warrington Peace Centre , and we will do everything we can to ensure that funding continues.
” But at the end of July , the foundation tweeted that its funding had “ stopped… at the end of March ” , adding that “ we are only continuing our service due to the support of a private philanthropic individual .
In normal times it would be a national scandal ” .
It was revealed last week that former Brexit Party MEP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peerage and will sit in the House of Lords as a non-affiliated member .
Labour has described this as an “ insult to the people of the North West ” .
Rayner said : “ The awarding of a life peerage to someone who has repeatedly refused to apologise for her support of the heinous IRA bombing attack in Warrington in 1993 has rightly caused revulsion and real hurt both in Warrington and across our region.
” As a Revolutionary Communist Party activist , Fox refused to apologise for suggesting that evidence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RCP also defended “ the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures necessary in their struggle for freedom ” .
In a statement released by Fox following the peerage nomination , she said : “ Contrary to what has been reported elsewhere , I do not support or defend the IRA ’ s killing of two young boys in Warrington in 1993 .
“ I have not mentioned the horrific times of over 23 years ago since then and do not believe there is any justification for violence in Ireland today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tim Parry was a terrible tragedy .
The 1994 IRA ceasefire and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement drew a line under the conflict .
It ’ s surely time to move on.
” The Warrington bombings were two attacks that took place in February and March 1993 .
The first targeted a gas storage facility , causing no injuries ; the second saw two bombs explode in litter bins resulting in injuries and loss of life .

Labour is warning that the Prime Minister has “failed to keep the promise he made to victims of terror” as expected government funding for a Warrington-based educational peace charity has not materialised.
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, set up by Colin and Wendy Parry after losing their 12-year-old son Tim and three-year-old Johnathan Ball in the 1993 Warrington bombings by the IRA, works for peace.
The charity has provided a free national support service for victims of terrorism in the UK, including trauma-informed health and wellbeing services, for two decades. But its future has now been left in doubt.
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Louise Haigh will join new Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols on a visit to the centre today, where they will meet with employees and discuss their work.
Commenting on the lack of funding, Haigh said: “The Prime Minister has failed to keep the promise he made to victims of terror and to the peace foundation, and this failure risks removing vital support for victims.
“It is frankly insulting to victims, that at the same time the service they rely on is placed into doubt, a life peerage carrying with it a £313 per day allowance is awarded to Claire Fox who steadfastly refuses to apologise for defending the Warrington bombings.”
Reiterating the demand already made by deputy leader Angela Rayner, the Northern Ireland spokesperson added: “The Prime Minister can, and must, block her peerage and he can and must secure the future of the foundation.”
The Centre’s chief executive Nick Taylor said: “Terrorism is a crime that requires specialist niche support for the long-term. This is not general victim support and is a key component part of the UK’s counter terrorism strategy.
“We have provided that service for two decades. The decision to cease funding in March needs to be reviewed as the care we provide must be secured for the long-term.”
During a Prime Minister’s Questions session on March 11th this year, Conservative Warrington South MP Andy Carter asked Boris Johnson to commend the foundation’s work and agree to continue its funding.
Offering reassurance to the local MP, Johnson replied: “I certainly commend the work of all those working on the Warrington Peace Centre, and we will do everything we can to ensure that funding continues.”
But at the end of July, the foundation tweeted that its funding had “stopped… at the end of March”, adding that “we are only continuing our service due to the support of a private philanthropic individual. In normal times it would be a national scandal”.
It was revealed last week that former Brexit Party MEP Claire Fox had been nominated for a peerage and will sit in the House of Lords as a non-affiliated member. Labour has described this as an “insult to the people of the North West”.
Rayner said: “The awarding of a life peerage to someone who has repeatedly refused to apologise for her support of the heinous IRA bombing attack in Warrington in 1993 has rightly caused revulsion and real hurt both in Warrington and across our region.”
As a Revolutionary Communist Party activist, Fox refused to apologise for suggesting that evidence of the Bosnian genocide was faked. The RCP also defended “the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures necessary in their struggle for freedom”.
In a statement released by Fox following the peerage nomination, she said: “Contrary to what has been reported elsewhere, I do not support or defend the IRA’s killing of two young boys in Warrington in 1993.
“I have not mentioned the horrific times of over 23 years ago since then and do not believe there is any justification for violence in Ireland today.
“The killing of Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry was a terrible tragedy. The 1994 IRA ceasefire and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement drew a line under the conflict. It’s surely time to move on.”
The Warrington bombings were two attacks that took place in February and March 1993. The first targeted a gas storage facility, causing no injuries; the second saw two bombs explode in litter bins resulting in injuries and loss of life.


labourlist--2020-08-07--Why I’m proud to be the Labour Muslim Network’s new parliamentary chair

There is no doubt that this is a challenging time for us all .
The unprecedented scale of the coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to retreat into our homes , our health service was pushed to breaking point and close to 50,000 people have lost their lives in the UK alone .
But it is also true that this crisis has hit some communities much harder than others .
The first four doctors to succumb to Covid-19 while working on the frontline of the NHS – Adil El Tayar , Alfa Sa ’ adu , Habib Zaidi and Amged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatal pattern has continued , and Muslims are at the highest risk of mortality from coronavirus compared to any other religious group according to the government ’ s own statistics .
Not only are Muslims feeling a disproportionate impact of coronavirus , but we are now also being blamed for spreading the virus .
Last week , Craig Whittaker , the Conservative MP for Calder Valley , explicitly stated he believed the Muslim community was “ not taking the pandemic seriously ” .
He did so as Muslims in parts of the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constituency – were celebrating Eid al-Adha in the context of unexpected and badly communicated local restrictions .
This is not just insensitive and deeply upsetting to the many Muslim families who have lost loved ones , but overtly racist and demonstrably untrue .
At the time same as Muslims are blamed for the spread of Covid-19 , far-right bigotry and Islamophobia continues to rise both online and offline .
That is why I am particularly proud to become the parliamentary chair of the Labour Muslim Network ( LMN ) at this time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ network has done an incredible job of connecting thousands of members from across the country and engaging with grassroots members and communities on the ground .
From parliamentary events to campaigning on issues close to the hearts of British Muslims , LMN has worked tirelessly to enhance the voice of Muslim members and supporters of the Labour Party .
I was delighted to see the launch of the ‘ Muslim Labour members and supporters ’ survey .
As the largest consultation ever of Muslims in our movement , this project aims to delve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of engagement with our party .
Through listening to these voices and experiences – of ordinary members , councillors , and Parliamentarians – we can help to create a more accessible and open party .
Now , however , I believe that LMN is entering a critical time .
Coronavirus has exposed the deep inequality in our country and there are widespread calls for meaningful change .
With Boris Johnson in Number 10 and a Conservative Party dogged by Islamophobia scandals , the Labour Party must continue to stand with the Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just and equal society .
This is exactly what LMN aims to achieve .
Our priorities are vast and varied , but our focus is clear .
We will tackle Islamophobia wherever it rears its head .
We will work to facilitate engagement between grassroots members , public officials and the Labour Party .
And , we will be a voice for Muslim members and supporters in driving the policy and priorities of our party .
When I joined the House of Commons in 2017 as the MP for Manchester Gorton – where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified as a Muslim – I vowed to always champion equality and stand against racism and discrimination of any kind .
It was hard to imagine then that three years later we would in the midst of global pandemic that has now killed close to a million people worldwide , but the commitment I made then has never wavered .
In fact , it has been reinforced during this crisis .
Coronavirus has thrived off inequality reinforced by structural and institutional racism .
The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanised anti-racism campaigners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just in the Black community , but across the UK of the need to tackle racism .
We must now continue to do everything in our power , both individually and collectively , to support each other irrespective of colour , race , or faith .
I passionately believe that equality is everyone ’ s fight .
It is sometimes hard to look beyond this crisis , but we must do so .
This crisis has seen our country come together and support frontline workers and galvanised BAME communities and our allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigour .
That is why I am hopeful for the future .
I accepted LMN ’ s invitation to become parliamentary chair because I believe that we can make a serious impact on the experiences and engagement of thousands of Labour Party members and supports across the country .
If you join us on this journey , together I believe we can all change our society , our country and our future for the better .

There is no doubt that this is a challenging time for us all. The unprecedented scale of the coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to retreat into our homes, our health service was pushed to breaking point and close to 50,000 people have lost their lives in the UK alone. But it is also true that this crisis has hit some communities much harder than others.
The first four doctors to succumb to Covid-19 while working on the frontline of the NHS – Adil El Tayar, Alfa Sa’adu, Habib Zaidi and Amged el-Hawrani – were all Muslims. This fatal pattern has continued, and Muslims are at the highest risk of mortality from coronavirus compared to any other religious group according to the government’s own statistics.
Not only are Muslims feeling a disproportionate impact of coronavirus, but we are now also being blamed for spreading the virus. Last week, Craig Whittaker, the Conservative MP for Calder Valley, explicitly stated he believed the Muslim community was “not taking the pandemic seriously”. He did so as Muslims in parts of the North West and Yorkshire – including his own constituency – were celebrating Eid al-Adha in the context of unexpected and badly communicated local restrictions. This is not just insensitive and deeply upsetting to the many Muslim families who have lost loved ones, but overtly racist and demonstrably untrue.
While Muslims are blamed for the spread of Covid-19, far-right bigotry and Islamophobia continues to rise both online and offline. That is why I am particularly proud to become the parliamentary chair of the Labour Muslim Network (LMN) at this time.
Since its launch in 2017, the network has done an incredible job of connecting thousands of members from across the country and engaging with grassroots members and communities on the ground. From parliamentary events to campaigning on issues close to the hearts of British Muslims, LMN has worked tirelessly to enhance the voice of Muslim members and supporters of the Labour Party.
I was delighted to see the launch of the ‘Muslim Labour members and supporters’ survey. As the largest consultation ever of Muslims in our movement, this project aims to delve into the experiences of members at all levels of engagement with our party. Through listening to these voices and experiences – of ordinary members, councillors, and Parliamentarians – we can help to create a more accessible and open party.
Now, however, I believe that LMN is entering a critical time. Coronavirus has exposed the deep inequality in our country and there are widespread calls for meaningful change. With Boris Johnson in Number 10 and a Conservative Party dogged by Islamophobia scandals, the Labour Party must continue to stand with the Muslim community in the fight for a more just and equal society.
This is exactly what LMN aims to achieve. Our priorities are vast and varied, but our focus is clear. We will tackle Islamophobia wherever it rears its head. We will work to facilitate engagement between grassroots members, public officials and the Labour Party. And, we will be a voice for Muslim members and supporters in driving the policy and priorities of our party.
When I joined the House of Commons in 2017 as the MP for Manchester Gorton – where in 2011 nearly 30% of people identified as a Muslim – I vowed to always champion equality and stand against racism and discrimination of any kind. It was hard to imagine then that three years later we would in the midst of global pandemic that has now killed close to a million people worldwide, but the commitment I made then has never wavered. In fact, it has been reinforced during this crisis.
Coronavirus has thrived off inequality reinforced by structural and institutional racism. The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanised anti-racism campaigners and has shown the strength of feeling, not just in the Black community, but across the UK of the need to tackle racism. We must now continue to do everything in our power, both individually and collectively, to support each other irrespective of colour, race, or faith. I passionately believe that equality is everyone’s fight.
It is sometimes hard to look beyond this crisis, but we must do so. This crisis has seen our country come together and support frontline workers. It has galvanised BAME communities and our allies to tackle racism and discrimination with renewed vigour. That is why I am hopeful for the future.
I accepted LMN’s invitation to become parliamentary chair because I believe that we can make a serious impact on the experiences and engagement of thousands of Labour Party members and supporters across the country. If you join us on this journey, together I believe we can all change our society, our country and our future for the better.


labourlist--2020-08-07--Submissions of evidence close for Forde Inquiry into leaked Labour report

Submissions closed at 5pm today for those wanting to respond to the call for evidence put out by the Forde Inquiry looking into the leaked report on the Labour Party ’ s handling of antisemitism complaints .
The inquiry had extended by two weeks the period during which it was welcoming submissions of evidence and views from those affected by the report , as well as other individuals and organisations .
“ We want to hear from individuals or Labour Party members and affiliated organisations , party staff ( both former and present ) , and any other interested parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forde QC said .
According to The Guardian , former party staffers named in the leaked report have alleged in a submission to the inquiry that their private messages were ‘ misused ’ to portray them as racist and sexist .
It is understood that the officials , who were alleged in the report to have insulted Corbynite colleagues and mishandled complaints for factional or competence reasons , are seeking damages from the party .
Their complaints against Labour include misuse of data and libel .
Former general secretary Jennie Formby has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were “ authorised ” and “ legitimately carried out ” .
She tweeted : “ There was no search of any individual ’ s WhatsApp account ” .
It has been reported that the WhatsApp messages included in the document had been backed up by a staffer using their work email .
The unredacted version of the report that leaked online also contained the personal data of party members , including some who had raised complaints to Labour about antisemitism .
The formal submission sent to the inquiry by ex-staffers , seen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used selectively and edited to give a false impression , and the complainants call on the inquiry to be abandoned .
Alleged comments in the report include discussion of “ hanging and burning ” Jeremy Corbyn , hoping that a young member “ dies in a fire ” and a staffer suggesting they had tipped off a journalist about Diane Abbott crying in toilets .
In response to the Guardian story , Abbott tweeted : “ Officials at the very top of @ UKLabour said stuff like “ Abbott is truly repulsive ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conspired with media against me .
Now claiming remarks taken out of context .
So let ’ s have full publication of all communications ” .
New MP Sam Tarry quote-tweeted the former Shadow Home Secretary to back her call , saying : “ Sunlight is the best disinfectant .
Diane deserves to know the full and unvarnished truth of what went on.
” Labour MP Nadia Whittome commented : “ The internal Labour inquiry must swiftly get to the bottom of this toxic working culture to ensure this is never allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian has revealed tonight that Corbyn , John McDonnell and other former shadow ministers have sent in a submission supporting the report ’ s accusation that staffers sabotaged the 2017 election campaign .
The Corbynite submission to the inquiry sees the former leadership figures claim that the alleged diversion of party funds to safe seats during the 2017 contest could constitute fraud .
Labour ’ s national executive committee appointed the four-person panel in May to investigate the leaked report .
Forde is supported by three Labour peers : Baroness Debbie Wilcox , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has sent the Labour Party its draft report into allegations of institutional antisemitism .
The party will not be commenting on its contents until the drafting process is completed .
LabourList sources have said that the process of Maxwellisation – allowing those criticised in the report to respond before publication – is taking longer than had been expected by some .
The Forde Inquiry was originally expected to conclude in mid-July , but the chair described this timescale as “ impractical ” .
The website now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final report “ by the end of 2020 ” .

Submissions closed at 5pm today for those wanting to respond to the call for evidence put out by the Forde Inquiry looking into the leaked report on the Labour Party’s handling of antisemitism complaints.
The inquiry had extended by two weeks the period during which it was welcoming submissions of evidence and views from those affected by the report, as well as other individuals and organisations.
“We want to hear from individuals or Labour Party members and affiliated organisations, party staff (both former and present), and any other interested parties,” the investigation led by Martin Forde QC said.
According to The Guardian, former party staffers named in the leaked report have alleged in a submission to the inquiry that their private messages were ‘misused’ to portray them as racist and sexist.
It is understood that the officials, who were alleged in the report to have insulted Corbynite colleagues and mishandled complaints for factional or competence reasons, are seeking damages from the party.
Their complaints against Labour include misuse of data and libel. Former general secretary Jennie Formby has said that the searches performed for the report were “authorised” and “legitimately carried out”.
She tweeted: “There was no search of any individual’s WhatsApp account”. It has been reported that the WhatsApp messages included in the document had been backed up by a staffer using their work email.
The unredacted version of the report that leaked online also contained the personal data of party members, including some who had raised complaints to Labour about antisemitism.
The formal submission sent to the inquiry by ex-staffers, seen by The Guardian, says the messages were used selectively and edited to give a false impression, and the complainants call on the inquiry to be abandoned.
Alleged comments in the report include discussion of “hanging and burning” Jeremy Corbyn, hoping that a young member “dies in a fire” and a staffer suggesting they had tipped off a journalist about Diane Abbott crying in toilets.
In response to the Guardian story, Abbott tweeted: “Officials at the very top of @UKLabour said stuff like “Abbott is truly repulsive” “Abbott literally makes me sick” and conspired with media against me. Now claiming remarks taken out of context. So let’s have full publication of all communications”.
New MP Sam Tarry quote-tweeted the former Shadow Home Secretary to back her call, saying: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Diane deserves to know the full and unvarnished truth of what went on.”
Labour MP Nadia Whittome commented: “The internal Labour inquiry must swiftly get to the bottom of this toxic working culture to ensure this is never allowed to become the norm again.”
The Guardian has revealed tonight that Corbyn, John McDonnell and other former shadow ministers have sent in a submission supporting the report’s accusation that staffers sabotaged the 2017 election campaign.
The Corbynite submission to the inquiry sees the former leadership figures claim that the alleged diversion of party funds to safe seats during the 2017 contest could constitute fraud.
Labour’s national executive committee appointed the four-person panel in May to investigate the leaked report. Forde is supported by three Labour peers: Baroness Debbie Wilcox, Lord Larry Whitty and Baroness Ruth Lister.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has sent the Labour Party its draft report into allegations of institutional antisemitism. The party will not be commenting on its contents until the drafting process is completed.
LabourList sources have said that the process of Maxwellisation – allowing those criticised in the report to respond before publication – is taking longer than had been expected by some.
The Forde Inquiry was originally expected to conclude in mid-July, but the chair described this timescale as “impractical”. The website now states that it aims to deliver the final report “by the end of 2020”.


labourlist--2020-08-07--Scottish Labour launches bid to remove John Swinney over SQA results scandal

Scottish Labour has confirmed that it will be seeking support from other parties and tabling a motion of no confidence in SNP Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney in a bid to remove him .
The announcement comes as the party got hold of evidence that the Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA ) is planning to reveal the results of current grade appeal applications only at the end of May 2021 .
There has been outrage this week , including protests in Edinburgh and Glasgow today , after the SQA results released on Tuesday saw the pass rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately reduced .
Scottish Labour education spokesperson Iain Gray said “ too many young people have been hit hard by the SQA ’ s so called “ moderation ” ” , warning : “ The SQA will now be deluged with appeals .
I hope they are ready to deal with them properly.
” Gray called on Swinney to apologise and “ fix this shambles or his position will become untenable ” , as the results had “ baked inequality into Scotland ’ s education system and has turned the attainment gap into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move today , he said : “ Since the shambles of the SQA results emerged on Tuesday , the SQA and SNP ministers have deflected criticism through arguing that students could appeal unfair grades .
“ This astonishing leak blows the lid off their defence .
The SQA created this mess and the SNP government has entrusted them to sort it out – but all we have seen is shambles upon shambles upon shambles.
” A timeline on the SQA Intranet , which now appears to have been taken down , shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 2021 other than in “ priority ” cases – although appeal applications close in just two weeks .
With the pass rate of pupils in deprived data zones reduced by 15.2 % , compared to 6.9 % for the most affluent , this lengthy delay for ‘ non-priority ’ appeals is likely to disadvantage many university applicants and young people seeking employment .
Gray added : “ To throw young people ’ s life chances into doubt is a disgrace , but to then make them wait over nine months for justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is simply astonishing that the SQA and the Deputy First Minister thought they could get away with this .
The removal of the timeline simply points to the chaos at the heart of the SQA .
“ It is only two days since John Swinney told pupils who had been downgraded that the answer was the appeals process .
Now we can see that ’ s going to be another kick in the teeth for these young people .
“ We can not have confidence in John Swinney and the SQA to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way out of this mess now is for Scottish government to return to trusting teachers ’ judgments .
“ It is now clear that John Swinney has completely lost control of the SQA and the exam process , and he needs to go .
We will seek to lay a motion to that effect and approach colleagues across parliament for their support.
” Writing for LabourList this week , Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray argued that the flawed method adopted – based on postcodes or previous school performance – meant “ thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their futures stolen from them by the SNP ” .
Murray added : “ Nicola Sturgeon has failed a generation of young Scots , and that should be a harsh lesson for anyone who still thinks the SNP is a progressive government .
At the very least , it should certainly be the final nail for any claim that education is the number one priority for the First Minister .
”

Scottish Labour has confirmed that it will be seeking support from other parties and tabling a motion of no confidence in SNP Deputy First Minister and Education Secretary John Swinney in a bid to remove him.
The announcement comes as the party got hold of evidence that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is planning to reveal the results of current grade appeal applications only at the end of May 2021.
There has been outrage this week, including protests in Edinburgh and Glasgow today, after the SQA results released on Tuesday saw the pass rates of pupils in the most deprived areas disproportionately reduced.
Scottish Labour education spokesperson Iain Gray said “too many young people have been hit hard by the SQA’s so called “moderation””, warning: “The SQA will now be deluged with appeals. I hope they are ready to deal with them properly.”
Gray called on Swinney to apologise and “fix this shambles or his position will become untenable”, as the results had “baked inequality into Scotland’s education system and has turned the attainment gap into a yawning chasm”.
Commenting on the move today, he said: “Since the shambles of the SQA results emerged on Tuesday, the SQA and SNP ministers have deflected criticism through arguing that students could appeal unfair grades.
“This astonishing leak blows the lid off their defence. The SQA created this mess and the SNP government has entrusted them to sort it out – but all we have seen is shambles upon shambles upon shambles.”
A timeline on the SQA Intranet, which now appears to have been taken down, shows that review outcomes will be released in May 2021 other than in “priority” cases – although appeal applications close in just two weeks.
With the pass rate of pupils in deprived data zones reduced by 15.2%, compared to 6.9% for the most affluent, this lengthy delay for ‘non-priority’ appeals is likely to disadvantage many university applicants and young people seeking employment.
Gray added: “To throw young people’s life chances into doubt is a disgrace, but to then make them wait over nine months for justice is a total insult.
“It is simply astonishing that the SQA and the Deputy First Minister thought they could get away with this. The removal of the timeline simply points to the chaos at the heart of the SQA.
“It is only two days since John Swinney told pupils who had been downgraded that the answer was the appeals process. Now we can see that’s going to be another kick in the teeth for these young people.
“We cannot have confidence in John Swinney and the SQA to run a credible appeals system. The only way out of this mess now is for Scottish government to return to trusting teachers’ judgments.
“It is now clear that John Swinney has completely lost control of the SQA and the exam process, and he needs to go. We will seek to lay a motion to that effect and approach colleagues across parliament for their support.”
Writing for LabourList this week, Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray argued that the flawed method adopted – based on postcodes or previous school performance – meant “thousands of pupils from poor communities have now had their futures stolen from them by the SNP”.
Murray added: “Nicola Sturgeon has failed a generation of young Scots, and that should be a harsh lesson for anyone who still thinks the SNP is a progressive government. At the very least, it should certainly be the final nail for any claim that education is the number one priority for the First Minister.”


labourlist--2020-08-07--How our local party developed an educational programme on antisemitism

Sheffield Heeley Labour Party recently held the third of three sessions of an educational programme around antisemitism developed and run by party members .
The final session , delayed by the election and the pandemic , was held over Zoom .
The sessions were organised as part of the local party ’ s wider anti-racism work , which has included meetings on Islamophobia and the Windrush scandal .
The impetus came from members who were concerned both by antisemitism in the labour movement and the increasingly unhelpful tone of any discussion about the issue .
Some of us felt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith were immediately derailed into other conversations relating to factional party matters or the behaviour of the Israeli government .
These issues were exacerbated when a meeting was held in Sheffield at which Chris Williamson , then a Labour MP , claimed that the party had been too apologetic over antisemitism .
Following this event , a full Constituency Labour Party ( CLP ) meeting voted overwhelmingly to mandate a working group to develop a series of awareness-raising sessions on antisemitism .
The working group included members of varying political backgrounds , united @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the space it deserves .
Recognising that we are none of us world experts on the issue , we purposefully did not label the sessions as ‘ training ’ .
We consider anti-racist politics as best developed by ongoing education in order to improve our understanding and ability to challenge racism wherever we encounter it .
We also felt that it was preferable to deliver our own in-house programme so that it could not be associated with any particular faction in the polarised national debate .
The sessions largely followed a facilitated discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparatory reading and a short introduction .
For the first session , we asked people to read Steve Cohen ’ s indispensable text That ’ s Funny , You Don ’ t Look Anti-Semitic and examined the history of antisemitic ideas being entertained and propagated in left-wing circles , which long predates 2015 or 1948 .
We asked participants to share their own experiences and reasons for taking part , facilitated as a ‘ round ’ so that everyone could have their say .
Attendees came from across the political spectrum in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenging the policies and actions of the Israeli government towards the Palestinians .
In the second session , we examined the history of Zionism and anti-Zionism as relates to the socialist movement and antisemitism .
We took Zionism on its own terms as a form of modern nationalism , which – like other nationalisms – has expressed the national aspirations of an oppressed group while often taking an exclusionary or oppressive stance towards others .
We looked briefly at the contribution of Jewish socialists to our movement , including those of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why ‘ Zionism ’ and Israel can become stand-ins in modern political discourse for the old ideas of the Jewish conspiracy , and whether Zionism is a meaningful political label in contemporary politics in Britain .
In the final session , we considered some contemporary examples of behaviour , language and tropes that have been criticised as antisemitic , including from high-profile figures in the labour movement .
We did this not as an exercise in casting judgement about whether person X or Y ‘ is antisemitic ’ but to sharpen our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behaviour when we see it .
The programme shows that it is possible – and , we believe , necessary – to create the space to discuss the history of antisemitism within and without our party and labour movement in a respectful manner .
While happy to share our reading lists and session outlines , we recognise that they may not be directly transferable to other CLPs .
The political context may be different and , crucially , the priorities of local Jewish members should be taken into account .
In recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ political education ’ but actually done very little .
Where political education occurs , it often still takes the form of listening to an important speaker or learning about the party ’ s policy on X .
Here , we have tried a more participatory and discursive approach .
It has , we believe , allowed us to cut through the often fraught arguments about antisemitism on the left and grapple with the complexities of the issue on their own terms .
While we would not claim to have all the answers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have achieved and urge other comrades to follow suit .

Sheffield Heeley Labour Party recently held the third of three sessions of an educational programme around antisemitism developed and run by party members. The final session, delayed by the election and the pandemic, was held over Zoom. The sessions were organised as part of the local party’s wider anti-racism work, which has included meetings on Islamophobia and the Windrush scandal.
The impetus came from members who were concerned both by antisemitism in the labour movement and the increasingly unhelpful tone of any discussion about the issue. Some of us felt that attempts to raise the issue in good faith were immediately derailed into other conversations relating to factional party matters or the behaviour of the Israeli government.
These issues were exacerbated when a meeting was held in Sheffield at which Chris Williamson, then a Labour MP, claimed that the party had been too apologetic over antisemitism. Following this event, a full Constituency Labour Party (CLP) meeting voted overwhelmingly to mandate a working group to develop a series of awareness-raising sessions on antisemitism.
The working group included members of varying political backgrounds, united in a determination to give the issue the space it deserves. Recognising that we are none of us world experts on the issue, we purposefully did not label the sessions as ‘training’. We consider anti-racist politics as best developed by ongoing education in order to improve our understanding and ability to challenge racism wherever we encounter it. We also felt that it was preferable to deliver our own in-house programme so that it could not be associated with any particular faction in the polarised national debate.
The sessions largely followed a facilitated discussion group format with a small amount of preparatory reading and a short introduction. For the first session, we asked people to read Steve Cohen’s indispensable text That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Anti-Semitic and examined the history of antisemitic ideas being entertained and propagated in left-wing circles, which long predates 2015 or 1948. We asked participants to share their own experiences and reasons for taking part, facilitated as a ‘round’ so that everyone could have their say. Attendees came from across the political spectrum in the party, but all were strongly committed to challenging the policies and actions of the Israeli government towards the Palestinians.
In the second session, we examined the history of Zionism and anti-Zionism as relates to the socialist movement and antisemitism. We took Zionism on its own terms as a form of modern nationalism, which – like other nationalisms – has expressed the national aspirations of an oppressed group while often taking an exclusionary or oppressive stance towards others. We looked briefly at the contribution of Jewish socialists to our movement, including those of the labour-Zionist tradition. We discussed how and why ‘Zionism’ and Israel can become stand-ins in modern political discourse for the old ideas of the Jewish conspiracy, and whether Zionism is a meaningful political label in contemporary politics in Britain.
In the final session, we considered some contemporary examples of behaviour, language and tropes that have been criticised as antisemitic, including from high-profile figures in the labour movement. We did this not as an exercise in casting judgement about whether person X or Y ‘is antisemitic’ but to sharpen our own ability to recognise and call out problematic behaviour when we see it.
The programme shows that it is possible – and, we believe, necessary – to create the space to discuss the history of antisemitism within and without our party and labour movement in a respectful manner. While happy to share our reading lists and session outlines, we recognise that they may not be directly transferable to other CLPs. The political context may be different and, crucially, the priorities of local Jewish members should be taken into account.
In recent years, the party has waxed lyrical about ‘political education’ but actually done very little. Where political education occurs, it often still takes the form of listening to an important speaker or learning about the party’s policy on X. Here, we have tried a more participatory and discursive approach. It has, we believe, allowed us to cut through the often fraught arguments about antisemitism on the left and grapple with the complexities of the issue on their own terms. While we would not claim to have all the answers, we are proud of what we have achieved and urge other comrades to follow suit.


labourlist--2020-08-07--Hundreds of party members are calling on Labour to back proportional representation

Hundreds of Labour members are calling on our party to commit to changing the way we elect the government .
They were responding to the party ’ s recent policy consultation with a plea for Labour to back proportional representation .
The 424 submissions calling for a proportional voting system accounted for over 60 % of those sent to the national policy forum ’ s justice and home affairs commission , and almost one in eight of the submissions overall .
Clive Lewis said in response to the result : “ It ’ s increasingly clear our membership , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the ‘ crisis of democracy ’ .
PR is not a silver bullet when it comes to dealing with this pressing matter .
But it is a stepping stone on the path to building a better , more inclusive , and more accountable political system – one fit for the myriad of 21st-century challenges before us.
” Polling by YouGov in December showed that 76 % of Labour Party members support a change to proportional representation for electing MPs .
What the response to the NPF consultation tells us is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most important issues in politics today .
Labour Party members are sick of an outdated voting system that has handed the Conservatives an 80-seat majority on less than 44 % of the vote .
Brexit was already looking like a national disaster .
Now the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that a party in government that only panders to its members ’ right-wing views isn ’ t just unfair – it ’ s dangerous .
Labour can be proud of devolved administration in Scotland and Wales .
But that legacy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , is at risk from any Conservative government that wishes to undermine it .
We need to form a government to reverse the Tories ’ reactionary policies , and we must also find ways to prevent every progressive gain we make from being reversed by a subsequent Conservative government .
No other socialist party anywhere in the world supports first-past-the-post – and why would they , when FPTP gives rise , more often than not , to right-wing governments ?
Dealing with the disproportionate allocation of power is a core purpose of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that disproportionality to our chief organ of power – the House of Commons .
It is instructive to compare the performance of the UK government in comparison with others , such as New Zealand or Germany , where the electoral system forces the government to pay due regard to a range of voices .
We need to reallocate power from Prime Ministerial patronage .
An authoritative constitutional convention may need Labour to be in government in order to set it up .
But it ’ s no good waiting until then before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must decide before the next general election that we will tackle this issue in the first term of a new government .
Without that , we may not get a second term .
We should formulate our preferred policies as soon as possible , prior to entering into a constitutional convention .
The convention will need to consider : • None The role and remit of parliament • None Relationships between government , Parliament , and the judiciary • None Privacy , freedom of information , control of the media , funding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be agreed by members , trade unions and affiliated societies , as soon as possible .
Only when the labour movement is united can we shape the national agenda to benefit the country as a whole .
That is why Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform is working with Make Votes Matter , Open Labour , Compass and others to stimulate a proper debate on the electoral system within our party – both in CLPs and in trade unions .
Our joint campaign – called Labour for a New Democracy – was planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn .
This has now had to be pushed back to next year .
That gives us the chance to build up awareness amongst members of the labour movement .
When we come to Labour ’ s 2021 conference , we will have already won the argument and our party can show a united commitment to a new , better constitution for our country , which includes a better way to elect a better government .

Hundreds of Labour members are calling on our party to commit to changing the way we elect the government. They were responding to the party’s recent policy consultation with a plea for Labour to back proportional representation. The 424 submissions calling for a proportional voting system accounted for over 60% of those sent to the national policy forum’s justice and home affairs commission, and almost one in eight of the submissions overall.
Clive Lewis said in response to the result: “It’s increasingly clear our membership, and the wider labour movement, has woken up to the ‘crisis of democracy’. PR is not a silver bullet when it comes to dealing with this pressing matter. But it is a stepping stone on the path to building a better, more inclusive, and more accountable political system – one fit for the myriad of 21st-century challenges before us.”
Polling by YouGov in December showed that 76% of Labour Party members support a change to proportional representation for electing MPs. What the response to the NPF consultation tells us is that for many party members voting reform is one of the most important issues in politics today.
Labour Party members are sick of an outdated voting system that has handed the Conservatives an 80-seat majority on less than 44% of the vote. Brexit was already looking like a national disaster. Now the Covid-19 pandemic has shown that a party in government that only panders to its members’ right-wing views isn’t just unfair – it’s dangerous.
Labour can be proud of devolved administration in Scotland and Wales. But that legacy, and every other achievement of a Labour government, is at risk from any Conservative government that wishes to undermine it. We need to form a government to reverse the Tories’ reactionary policies, and we must also find ways to prevent every progressive gain we make from being reversed by a subsequent Conservative government.
No other socialist party anywhere in the world supports first-past-the-post – and why would they, when FPTP gives rise, more often than not, to right-wing governments? Dealing with the disproportionate allocation of power is a core purpose of the Labour Party, and FPTP bakes in that disproportionality to our chief organ of power – the House of Commons. It is instructive to compare the performance of the UK government in comparison with others, such as New Zealand or Germany, where the electoral system forces the government to pay due regard to a range of voices.
We need to reallocate power from Prime Ministerial patronage. An authoritative constitutional convention may need Labour to be in government in order to set it up. But it’s no good waiting until then before we commit to anything: our party must decide before the next general election that we will tackle this issue in the first term of a new government. Without that, we may not get a second term. We should formulate our preferred policies as soon as possible, prior to entering into a constitutional convention. The convention will need to consider:
The role and remit of parliament
A democratic second chamber
A constitutional settlement for devolved administrations and local government
Relationships between government, Parliament, and the judiciary
Privacy, freedom of information, control of the media, funding of political parties, etc
Our position must be agreed by members, trade unions and affiliated societies, as soon as possible. Only when the labour movement is united can we shape the national agenda to benefit the country as a whole.
That is why Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform is working with Make Votes Matter, Open Labour, Compass and others to stimulate a proper debate on the electoral system within our party – both in CLPs and in trade unions. Our joint campaign – called Labour for a New Democracy – was planning to bring a motion to party conference this autumn. This has now had to be pushed back to next year. That gives us the chance to build up awareness amongst members of the labour movement. When we come to Labour’s 2021 conference, we will have already won the argument and our party can show a united commitment to a new, better constitution for our country, which includes a better way to elect a better government.


labourlist--2020-08-08--Rayner launches councillor training sessions to boost diversity among candidates

Labour ’ s deputy leader Angela Rayner has launched a series of councillor training sessions with the aim of boosting diversity among local government candidates in the May 2021 elections involving 184 councils .
The local elections originally set to be held on May 7th , 2020 , were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will instead take place alongside the contests previously scheduled to take place next year .
The council elections , plus the contests for 13 directly-elected mayors and 40 police and crime commissioners , will be the first significant test of the new leadership comprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email to Labour members this morning , the party chair and deputy leader pledges to prioritise increasing the diversity of candidates and urges women , LGBTQ+ , BAME and disabled members to stand for office .
A source close to Rayner told LabourList : “ Our party is over half a million strong made up of people from all backgrounds and walks of life , many of whom are already active in their communities .
“ Angela is absolutely determined that we use all of the talent and potential we have in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who haven ’ t previously considered standing for office before to do so.
” The series of webinar training sessions will feature Rayner herself speaking alongside serving Labour councillors , who will share their experiences of contesting their seat and serving in local government .
Rayner ’ s message to members reads : “ We must increase the diversity of our candidates who stand for elected office , and as your deputy leader it ’ s one of my key priorities .
Our movement must be rooted in and reflective of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If you ’ re one of our women , LGBTQ+ , BAME or disabled members , I ’ d love you to join me at a series of webinars where we can talk about standing for election as a Labour councillor , how we can support you if you decide to stand and what it ’ s like to be a councillor if you get elected .
“ The elections taking place next May are so important for our party and for our country , with thousands of councillors being elected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this Tory government .
Being a councillor is a tough task , but it ’ s also incredibly rewarding.
” After details of sessions on August 11th and 18th and September 3rd , Rayner adds : “ I will be joined by current Labour Party councillors , sharing their experiences and knowledge right through from their decision to stand in the first place to what their day to day role as a Labour councillor involves .
“ Labour councillors do fantastic work up and down the country and never has this been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Labour councillors standing up for our communities and protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
” Following the 2019 general election , women make up 51 % of the Parliamentary Labour Party ( PLP ) .
Its parliamentary candidate selections also increased the number of minority ethnic Labour MPs , with a record number of 41 elected .

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has launched a series of councillor training sessions with the aim of boosting diversity among local government candidates in the May 2021 elections involving 184 councils.
The local elections originally set to be held on May 7th, 2020, were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will instead take place alongside the contests previously scheduled to take place next year.
The council elections, plus the contests for 13 directly-elected mayors and 40 police and crime commissioners, will be the first significant test of the new leadership comprising Keir Starmer and Rayner.
In an email to Labour members this morning, the party chair and deputy leader pledges to prioritise increasing the diversity of candidates and urges women, LGBTQ+, BAME and disabled members to stand for office.
A source close to Rayner told LabourList: “Our party is over half a million strong made up of people from all backgrounds and walks of life, many of whom are already active in their communities.
“Angela is absolutely determined that we use all of the talent and potential we have in our party, and she wants to support people who haven’t previously considered standing for office before to do so.”
The series of webinar training sessions will feature Rayner herself speaking alongside serving Labour councillors, who will share their experiences of contesting their seat and serving in local government.
Rayner’s message to members reads: “We must increase the diversity of our candidates who stand for elected office, and as your deputy leader it’s one of my key priorities. Our movement must be rooted in and reflective of the communities that we seek to serve.
“If you’re one of our women, LGBTQ+, BAME or disabled members, I’d love you to join me at a series of webinars where we can talk about standing for election as a Labour councillor, how we can support you if you decide to stand and what it’s like to be a councillor if you get elected.
“The elections taking place next May are so important for our party and for our country, with thousands of councillors being elected to serve their local communities and stand up to this Tory government. Being a councillor is a tough task, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”
After details of sessions on August 11th and 18th and September 3rd, Rayner adds: “I will be joined by current Labour Party councillors, sharing their experiences and knowledge right through from their decision to stand in the first place to what their day to day role as a Labour councillor involves.
“Labour councillors do fantastic work up and down the country and never has this been more apparent than in this crisis, with Labour councillors standing up for our communities and protecting the most vulnerable in our society.”
Following the 2019 general election, women make up 51% of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP). Its parliamentary candidate selections also increased the number of minority ethnic Labour MPs, with a record number of 41 elected.