labourlist--2020-03-20--The government cannot be allowed to bury the Windrush review recommendations

The Windrush Lessons Learned Review has been published this week – in the middle of a period unprecedented national crisis .
It is a damning exposé of the Home Office policy and practice on race and immigration , which led inevitably to the Windrush scandal .
It is hard to escape the conclusion that the Home Office , having delayed publication , is not unhappy that the review is being published at a time when it could be buried .
Certainly , as Shadow Home Secretary , I was not offered sight of the review in advance .
The absence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government wanted the minimum of informed scrutiny of a review that – from the Home Office point of view – is cataclysmic .
The review is long and detailed .
But it sums up its findings quite simply : “ The recommendations can be boiled down to three elements : the Home Office must acknowledge the wrong which has been done ; it must open itself up to greater external scrutiny ; and it must change its culture to recognise that migration and wider Home Office policy is about people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooted in humanity.
” I quoted this in the debate on the statement by Home Secretary Priti Patel about the review .
A former Home Secretary , Theresa May , was in the chamber for this statement .
When I quoted the review talking about “ humanity ” Theresa May looked particularly blank .
One of the most telling sections of this long review was when it said : “ Some ministers and senior officials spoken to in the course of this review do not appear to accept the full extent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many gave the impression that the situation was unforeseen , unforeseeable and therefore unavoidable… Whereas the evidence clearly shows that the sequence of events which culminated in the scandal , while unforeseen , was both foreseeable and avoidable.
” And tellingly , the review goes on : “ Others have expressed the view that the responsibility really lay with the Windrush generation themselves to sort out their status.
” It is these unpleasant , dismissive and ultimately racist attitudes that underly the Windrush scandal .
And if Theresa May herself didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem shocked when I read them out ) , then ministers and officials very close to her did speak in these exact terms to the review .
The review talks in detail about what has to happen and what Home Office ministers must do now .
Amongst 30 recommendations , the review calls for : a comprehensive improvement plan ; a programme of reconciliation events with members of the Windrush generation ; telling the stories of empire , Windrush and its legacy ; a commission to undertake a full review and evaluation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should ensure that all policies and proposals for legislation on immigration and nationality are subjected to rigorous impact assessments .
The review also calls for the appointment of an Immigration Commissioner .
The government is obviously hoping to bury these transformative recommendations , just as they have attempted to bury the publication of the review itself .
They can not be allowed to do this .
The truth is that the Windrush generation came to Britain after the war to help rebuild this country .
They never doubted that they were British .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hugely supportive of all the institutions of the British state .
It was very common for them to have a picture of the Queen in pride of place in their homes .
The worst thing about the Windrush scandal for them was not the unfairness and the injustice , up to and including deportation .
The very worst thing about the scandal for the Windrush generation was the humiliation of having their Britishness challenged .
The structural problems and the culture of the Home Office have not changed one iota , and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treatment of EU nationals currently living in our midst .
The government can not be allowed to claim that they have “ drawn a line ” under Windrush .
The fight for a better and fairer immigration system continues .
And the struggle for justice for the Windrush generation goes on .

The Windrush Lessons Learned Review has been published this week – in the middle of a period unprecedented national crisis. It is a damning exposé of the Home Office policy and practice on race and immigration, which led inevitably to the Windrush scandal. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the Home Office, having delayed publication, is not unhappy that the review is being published at a time when it could be buried. Certainly, as Shadow Home Secretary, I was not offered sight of the review in advance. The absence of this normal practice confirms the sense that the government wanted the minimum of informed scrutiny of a review that – from the Home Office point of view – is cataclysmic.
The review is long and detailed. But it sums up its findings quite simply: “The recommendations can be boiled down to three elements: the Home Office must acknowledge the wrong which has been done; it must open itself up to greater external scrutiny; and it must change its culture to recognise that migration and wider Home Office policy is about people and, whatever its objective, should be rooted in humanity.” I quoted this in the debate on the statement by Home Secretary Priti Patel about the review. A former Home Secretary, Theresa May, was in the chamber for this statement. When I quoted the review talking about “humanity” Theresa May looked particularly blank.
One of the most telling sections of this long review was when it said: “Some ministers and senior officials spoken to in the course of this review do not appear to accept the full extent of the injustice done to the Windrush generation. Many gave the impression that the situation was unforeseen, unforeseeable and therefore unavoidable… Whereas the evidence clearly shows that the sequence of events which culminated in the scandal, while unforeseen, was both foreseeable and avoidable.” And tellingly, the review goes on: “Others have expressed the view that the responsibility really lay with the Windrush generation themselves to sort out their status.” It is these unpleasant, dismissive and ultimately racist attitudes that underly the Windrush scandal. And if Theresa May herself didn’t say these words (she did not seem shocked when I read them out), then ministers and officials very close to her did speak in these exact terms to the review.
The review talks in detail about what has to happen and what Home Office ministers must do now. Amongst 30 recommendations, the review calls for: a comprehensive improvement plan; a programme of reconciliation events with members of the Windrush generation; telling the stories of empire, Windrush and its legacy; a commission to undertake a full review and evaluation of the hostile environment policy and that ministers should ensure that all policies and proposals for legislation on immigration and nationality are subjected to rigorous impact assessments. The review also calls for the appointment of an Immigration Commissioner.
The government is obviously hoping to bury these transformative recommendations, just as they have attempted to bury the publication of the review itself. They cannot be allowed to do this. The truth is that the Windrush generation came to Britain after the war to help rebuild this country. They never doubted that they were British. Born in British colonies, they were hugely supportive of all the institutions of the British state. It was very common for them to have a picture of the Queen in pride of place in their homes. The worst thing about the Windrush scandal for them was not the unfairness and the injustice, up to and including deportation. The very worst thing about the scandal for the Windrush generation was the humiliation of having their Britishness challenged.
The structural problems and the culture of the Home Office have not changed one iota, and there is another scandal in the making with the treatment of EU nationals currently living in our midst. The government cannot be allowed to claim that they have “drawn a line” under Windrush. The fight for a better and fairer immigration system continues. And the struggle for justice for the Windrush generation goes on.


labourlist--2020-03-20--Large-scale ad campaign needed to prevent food shortages, says Labour

Labour has declared that the government should initiate a large-scale public advertising campaign in order to stop panic-buying and prevent food shortages across the UK .
The party is ramping up its criticism of the government amid the coronavirus crisis , and has blamed supermarket shortages on a “ lack of leadership ” and a “ lack of clear communication ” .
It is urging the launch of a campaign , covering social media , that would aim to “ amplify public health advice , provide clearer guidance on social distancing , tackle misinformation and provide assurances ” .
Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unclear ” , pointing out that rumours of a London lockdown were “ allowed to swirl for nearly 24 hours before being denied ” .
The main opposition party wants the government to set guidance for major UK supermarkets on changes including opening hours , rationing of key products , and slots specifically for older people to shop in .
Luke Pollard , the Shadow DEFRA Secretary , said : “ Everyone needs to be confident during a crisis like this that they can get enough food for themselves and their family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make responsible decisions about food and other essential supplies when you don ’ t know what products your local shop might be running low on , or even rationing .
“ Too often , the government seems on the back foot when it comes to responding to this crisis .
Its communication is unclear and it is leaving it to others , such as supermarkets , football clubs and postal workers , to take the steps needed to protect public health themselves .
” Boris Johnson needs to show leadership on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suppliers and the public , how action can be coordinated to ensure everybody has access to the food they need .
“ We need plans that will be suitable for next week , not last week .
We need the government to be one step ahead , not one step behind , in this crisis.
” UNISON also highlighted the need for “ co-ordinated measures to prioritise health staff and other public service workers who are unable to buy even the basics at the end of their shifts ” earlier today .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly the time has come for ministers to take more decisive action to avoid key workers and vulnerable people being left without food after selfish and irresponsible stockpiling .
“ Government calls for people not to hoard food and to consider others when shopping have fallen on deaf ears , leaving many to suffer .
“ Supermarket shelves are stripped bare by the early morning .
Shop staff are abused and the people putting themselves at risk to look after us are left with little or nothing .
“ While some supermarkets must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for key workers and the elderly to shop , the initiative is patchy and doesn ’ t take account of shift patterns .
If people can ’ t make the early morning window , they miss out on food .
“ More must be done now .
Ministers and the supermarkets must get a grip of this problem and shoppers need to change their behaviour to protect the people protecting us.
” £2m of the ‘ Get Ready for Brexit ’ campaign – which saw a total of £46m spent , yet only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed – has already been committed to buying media space that could still be used , according to the National Audit Office .

Labour has declared that the government should initiate a large-scale public advertising campaign in order to stop panic-buying and prevent food shortages across the UK.
The party is ramping up its criticism of the government amid the coronavirus crisis, and has blamed supermarket shortages on a “lack of leadership” and a “lack of clear communication”.
It is urging the launch of a campaign, covering social media, that would aim to “amplify public health advice, provide clearer guidance on social distancing, tackle misinformation and provide assurances”.
Labour has described government communication as “confused and unclear”, pointing out that rumours of a London lockdown were “allowed to swirl for nearly 24 hours before being denied”.
The main opposition party wants the government to set guidance for major UK supermarkets on changes including opening hours, rationing of key products, and slots specifically for older people to shop in.
Luke Pollard, the Shadow DEFRA Secretary, said: “Everyone needs to be confident during a crisis like this that they can get enough food for themselves and their family.
“It’s much harder to make responsible decisions about food and other essential supplies when you don’t know what products your local shop might be running low on, or even rationing.
“Too often, the government seems on the back foot when it comes to responding to this crisis. Its communication is unclear and it is leaving it to others, such as supermarkets, football clubs and postal workers, to take the steps needed to protect public health themselves.
”Boris Johnson needs to show leadership on this issue and set out clearly, both to suppliers and the public, how action can be coordinated to ensure everybody has access to the food they need.
“We need plans that will be suitable for next week, not last week. We need the government to be one step ahead, not one step behind, in this crisis.”
UNISON also highlighted the need for “co-ordinated measures to prioritise health staff and other public service workers who are unable to buy even the basics at the end of their shifts” earlier today.
General secretary Dave Prentis said: “Sadly the time has come for ministers to take more decisive action to avoid key workers and vulnerable people being left without food after selfish and irresponsible stockpiling.
“Government calls for people not to hoard food and to consider others when shopping have fallen on deaf ears, leaving many to suffer.
“Supermarket shelves are stripped bare by the early morning. Shop staff are abused and the people putting themselves at risk to look after us are left with little or nothing.
“While some supermarkets must be praised for setting aside dedicated time for key workers and the elderly to shop, the initiative is patchy and doesn’t take account of shift patterns. If people can’t make the early morning window, they miss out on food.
“More must be done now. Ministers and the supermarkets must get a grip of this problem and shoppers need to change their behaviour to protect the people protecting us.”
£2m of the ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ campaign – which saw a total of £46m spent, yet only lasted eight weeks as an extension was agreed – has already been committed to buying media space that could still be used, according to the National Audit Office.


labourlist--2020-03-20--New direction from Chancellor “not far enough or fast enough”, says McDonnell

John McDonnell has described the “ shifted direction ” from the Chancellor – who announced new economic measures to address the coronavirus crisis today – as “ not far enough or fast enough ” .
Rishi Sunak joined the daily Covid-19 press conference this afternoon , where he unveiled plans including a coronavirus job retention scheme and a suspension of VAT payments for businesses .
The move to protect jobs will mean all employers are eligible for a grant to cover 80 % of their staffers ’ salaries , up to £2,500 a month , with employers topping up pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The scheme will cover wages backdated to March 1st and there is no limit on the total funding available for the initiative , which the Chancellor vowed to put into action by the end of April .
Sunak also revealed that the Universal Credit standard allowance would be raised by £1,000 a year for the next 12 months , and the Working Tax Credit would be increased by the same amount .
But the key benefit for the self-employed is new access to Universal Credit at the same rate as statutory sick pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there are no plans for that to change .
Responding to the further economic announcements , McDonnell said : “ The Chancellor has shifted direction but unfortunately not far enough or fast enough .
“ The government must give people the economic security to stay at home by lifting the level of statutory sick pay , but it appears that the government hasn ’ t done that today .
“ Sick pay is being left at a level that the Health Secretary said he could not live on , yet this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get by on .
“ The Chancellor ’ s wage protection plan sets out no obligation for employers to keep staff on , and no commitment to full wages being paid , with the cap on incomes meaning that many people will take a significant pay cut .
“ This will also take some weeks to roll out at a time when wages need to be guaranteed more urgently .
Other benefits , including for carers , are not being lifted adequately .
“ The Chancellor said he would do whatever it takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further – and we will keep working constructively with government to ensure the best possible response to the coronavirus crisis.
” IPSE , the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed , has warned that the fresh coronavirus measures leave the self-employed “ trailing far behind employees ” .
Andy Chamberlain , director of policy at IPSE , said : “ The government has done nowhere near enough to support the self-employed .
“ In fact , instead of supporting freelancers to help them keep their businesses going , it is pushing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Worse , in the benefits system , the amount of money available will simply not be enough to cover many freelancers ’ costs.
” Labour ’ s economic plan for the coronavirus , released on Thursday , recommended that sick pay should be increased and urged all benefit sanctions to be suspended .
Neither move was announced today .
However , a number of trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party , including Unite and GMB , have welcomed the package unveiled by the Tory Chancellor this afternoon .

John McDonnell has described the “shifted direction” from the Chancellor – who announced new economic measures to address the coronavirus crisis today – as “not far enough or fast enough”.
Rishi Sunak joined the daily Covid-19 press conference this afternoon, where he unveiled plans including a coronavirus job retention scheme and a suspension of VAT payments for businesses.
The move to protect jobs will mean all employers are eligible for a grant to cover 80% of their staffers’ salaries, up to £2,500 a month, with employers topping up pay if they choose to do so.
The scheme will cover wages backdated to March 1st and there is no limit on the total funding available for the initiative, which the Chancellor vowed to put into action by the end of April.
Sunak also revealed that the Universal Credit standard allowance would be raised by £1,000 a year for the next 12 months, and the Working Tax Credit would be increased by the same amount.
But the key benefit for the self-employed is new access to Universal Credit at the same rate as statutory sick pay, which is currently £94.25 a week and there are no plans for that to change.
Responding to the further economic announcements, McDonnell said: “The Chancellor has shifted direction but unfortunately not far enough or fast enough.
“The government must give people the economic security to stay at home by lifting the level of statutory sick pay, but it appears that the government hasn’t done that today.
“Sick pay is being left at a level that the Health Secretary said he could not live on, yet this is what the self-employed are being asked to get by on.
“The Chancellor’s wage protection plan sets out no obligation for employers to keep staff on, and no commitment to full wages being paid, with the cap on incomes meaning that many people will take a significant pay cut.
“This will also take some weeks to roll out at a time when wages need to be guaranteed more urgently. Other benefits, including for carers, are not being lifted adequately.
“The Chancellor said he would do whatever it takes, but he can and should go further – and we will keep working constructively with government to ensure the best possible response to the coronavirus crisis.”
IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, has warned that the fresh coronavirus measures leave the self-employed “trailing far behind employees”.
Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at IPSE, said: “The government has done nowhere near enough to support the self-employed.
“In fact, instead of supporting freelancers to help them keep their businesses going, it is pushing the self-employed into the benefits system.
“Worse, in the benefits system, the amount of money available will simply not be enough to cover many freelancers’ costs.”
Labour’s economic plan for the coronavirus, released on Thursday, recommended that sick pay should be increased and urged all benefit sanctions to be suspended. Neither move was announced today.
However, a number of trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party, including Unite and GMB, have welcomed the package unveiled by the Tory Chancellor this afternoon.


labourlist--2020-03-20--Local government must be central to national coronavirus planning

It ’ s always been the case that our councils are the first line of defence .
As the nation faces the most serious public health crisis in a generation , that role has renewed meaning .
I know our public services workers across the country will show themselves to be true heroes , and they will be asked to do things and go to lengths we can only imagine .
Nationally , we are faced with mixed messages , confused briefings and a lack of coordination .
But much of the response will be coordinated locally , and councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am concerned that already overstretched staff will be taking a burden so great it may further expose the impact of ten years of cuts .
I also worry that central government do not fully understand the practical steps needed to ensure local services meet public demand at this most difficult time .
So it is important to support our local leaders and hear first-hand how it feels on the ground .
I am hugely grateful for the leaders and cabinet members from across the country who took the time to take part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invaluable .
The contribution being made in our communities by the 6,000+ Labour councillors all over the UK is more important now than ever before .
There was a clear theme that ran through the discussion : the importance of strong local leadership , supporting and defending those most in need , and thinking about the practical solutions that can be delivered .
Our public sector workers are ensuring that the most vulnerable are given the support they need , and that must be reflected in a new longer term settlement .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same respect , decent pay and comparable career progression as their counterparts in the NHS .
When we talk about frontline workers and key staff , we should include all the local government workforce .
It has gone unnoticed that spending on emergency planning has been slashed from £59.9m to £37.3m since 2010 , and I ’ d imagine those staff were considered to be ‘ back office ’ for much of that period .
The truth is that we have a collective public service family , each supporting one another to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the same with education .
While the past decade has been spent undermining the role of councils in education , it is the very same councils who will now step up to support schools following the closures that are due to take effect next week .
There is still very little clarity over how the government ’ s schools announcement will work in practice – how children will continue to learn , how assessment will be handled in the absence of exams and how the key workers list will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these issues to enable them to plan effectively .
We also need much more focus on how working people will be supported to stay afloat .
That ’ s why yesterday I set out proposals for a national income guarantee scheme to protect the incomes of all workers and those who are made unemployed .
In the same way that businesses and workers will struggle with cashflow , many of our councils will also be planning for the impact of what may follow .
Councils are not certain whether local people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bills , and it is central government that needs to step up and ensure that councils do not lose vital revenue .
Of course , it ’ s not just that councils need to focus on keeping public services going .
They will be standing with local people , and coordinating community volunteering with their local groups .
They will be the first port of call when local people and businesses need help and advice , and they will show the leadership required to give confidence that we will get through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the role of the opposition to work in the national interest .
We will be asking the appropriate questions , and demanding that government speaks with one clear voice and properly follows through on its announcements .
Local government must be central to national government planning .
With only weeks to go before the end of the Labour leadership election , I am also determined to make sure that my actions support my message .
I don ’ t want you to stand behind me , but alongside me .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , and I will continue in that spirit if I am fortunate enough to be successful in this contest .

It’s always been the case that our councils are the first line of defence. As the nation faces the most serious public health crisis in a generation, that role has renewed meaning. I know our public services workers across the country will show themselves to be true heroes, and they will be asked to do things and go to lengths we can only imagine.
Nationally, we are faced with mixed messages, confused briefings and a lack of coordination. But much of the response will be coordinated locally, and councils will be central to that. I am concerned that already overstretched staff will be taking a burden so great it may further expose the impact of ten years of cuts. I also worry that central government do not fully understand the practical steps needed to ensure local services meet public demand at this most difficult time.
So it is important to support our local leaders and hear first-hand how it feels on the ground. I am hugely grateful for the leaders and cabinet members from across the country who took the time to take part in a telephone conference yesterday. It was invaluable. The contribution being made in our communities by the 6,000+ Labour councillors all over the UK is more important now than ever before. There was a clear theme that ran through the discussion: the importance of strong local leadership, supporting and defending those most in need, and thinking about the practical solutions that can be delivered.
Our public sector workers are ensuring that the most vulnerable are given the support they need, and that must be reflected in a new longer term settlement. Our social care workers should be placed with the same respect, decent pay and comparable career progression as their counterparts in the NHS.
When we talk about frontline workers and key staff, we should include all the local government workforce. It has gone unnoticed that spending on emergency planning has been slashed from £59.9m to £37.3m since 2010, and I’d imagine those staff were considered to be ‘back office’ for much of that period. The truth is that we have a collective public service family, each supporting one another to give our communities the support they need.
It’s the same with education. While the past decade has been spent undermining the role of councils in education, it is the very same councils who will now step up to support schools following the closures that are due to take effect next week.
There is still very little clarity over how the government’s schools announcement will work in practice – how children will continue to learn, how assessment will be handled in the absence of exams and how the key workers list will operate. Councils need much greater certainty on these issues to enable them to plan effectively.
We also need much more focus on how working people will be supported to stay afloat. That’s why yesterday I set out proposals for a national income guarantee scheme to protect the incomes of all workers and those who are made unemployed.
In the same way that businesses and workers will struggle with cashflow, many of our councils will also be planning for the impact of what may follow. Councils are not certain whether local people will be in a position to actually pay their bills, and it is central government that needs to step up and ensure that councils do not lose vital revenue.
Of course, it’s not just that councils need to focus on keeping public services going. They will be standing with local people, and coordinating community volunteering with their local groups. They will be the first port of call when local people and businesses need help and advice, and they will show the leadership required to give confidence that we will get through this and face the rebuilding together.
It’s the role of the opposition to work in the national interest. We will be asking the appropriate questions, and demanding that government speaks with one clear voice and properly follows through on its announcements. Local government must be central to national government planning.
With only weeks to go before the end of the Labour leadership election, I am also determined to make sure that my actions support my message. I don’t want you to stand behind me, but alongside me. We are a team. I mean that now, and I will continue in that spirit if I am fortunate enough to be successful in this contest.


labourlist--2020-03-20--Butler calls on PM to classify domestic violence professionals as key workers

Dawn Butler has called on Boris Johnson to “ urgently reconsider ” the decision to omit domestic violence professionals from the list of ‘ key workers ’ .
Labour ’ s women and equalities spokesperson wrote to the Prime Minister today after the publication of ‘ key worker ’ definitions , released ahead of school closures .
Schools across the country are set to close from today to everyone except for the children of key workers – such as NHS staff – and those who have special needs .
In a letter to the Prime Minister today , Butler wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases during holiday periods , so self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic will only add additional stress to that scenario and there will be an increase in need for survivors to access refuges.
” She added : “ The government must now urgently reconsider their decision to omit domestic violence professionals from the list of key workers and also consider additional measures , such as increased and emergency funding , to alleviate and ensure those in danger can escape domestic abuse during the crisis.
” The list of key workers published this morning includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care sectors , but also identifies others such as charity or religious workers who might be supporting the community .
The provision of childcare for certain people is intended to enable schools to close while not hindering those with essential jobs that need to continue working .
There are currently 3,269 recorded cases of Covid-19 in the UK and so far a total of 145 people in the country have died after testing positive for the virus .

Dawn Butler has called on Boris Johnson to “urgently reconsider” the decision to omit domestic violence professionals from the list of ‘key workers’.
Labour’s women and equalities spokesperson wrote to the Prime Minister today after the publication of ‘key worker’ definitions, released ahead of school closures.
Schools across the country are set to close from today to everyone except for the children of key workers – such as NHS staff – and those who have special needs.
In a letter to the Prime Minister today, Butler wrote: “We know that domestic violence increases during holiday periods, so self-isolation during the coronavirus pandemic will only add additional stress to that scenario and there will be an increase in need for survivors to access refuges.”
She added: “The government must now urgently reconsider their decision to omit domestic violence professionals from the list of key workers and also consider additional measures, such as increased and emergency funding, to alleviate and ensure those in danger can escape domestic abuse during the crisis.”
My letter to PM demanding the Govt urgently reconsider their decision to omit domestic violence professionals as "key workers". This is vital as two women are killed every week by a partner or former partner. If the Govt fails to prepare and plan more people will die from DV. pic.twitter.com/EtWyWNUbV0 — (((Dawn Butler))) (@DawnButlerBrent) March 20, 2020
The list of key workers published this morning includes those working in the health and social care sectors, but also identifies others such as charity or religious workers who might be supporting the community.
The provision of childcare for certain people is intended to enable schools to close while not hindering those with essential jobs that need to continue working.
There are currently 3,269 recorded cases of Covid-19 in the UK and so far a total of 145 people in the country have died after testing positive for the virus.


labourlist--2020-03-20--“Three proud women representing Sheffield” – Olivia Blake’s maiden speech

Below is the full text of the maiden speech delivered by the new Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam , Olivia Blake , in parliament on January 15th .
It is traditional for newly elected MPs to thank their predecessors upon entering the Commons .
Jared O ’ Mara , the previous MP for Sheffield Hallam , highlighted important issues relating to the accessibility of this House .
For that , he should be commended .
While he had his faults , many of which he himself admits , I note that members have recalled that his intervention in Westminster Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving and brought the issue up the agenda .
I would like to begin by thanking the people of our beautiful , vibrant and diverse community of Sheffield Hallam for putting their faith in me .
It is an honour to represent this seat in parliament .
Hallam has a reputation for being prosperous .
It is not considered a typical Labour seat , but the area has a very long history of social justice .
To the north of the constituency is the village of Loxley , whose most famous son , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Robin Hood .
So I am not the first person in Sheffield Hallam to stand on a platform of redistributing wealth to the many , from the few .
My constituency stretches right from the heart of Sheffield city centre , deep into the Peak district .
It showcases some of the most magnificent countryside in the UK , including the many reservoirs surrounding Bradfield and Redmires , and the ancient Ecclesall Woods .
The area also has a proud industrial heritage .
Walking through Forge Dam or Rivelin Valley , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that once drove our economy .
Fulwood ward was home to Thomas Boulsover , the inventor of the famous Sheffield plate steel .
It is a privilege to represent somewhere that played such an historic role as one of the engines of British industry .
Today , the seat also hosts thousands of students and researchers from all over the world ; students who travelled to Sheffield to study at both our world-class universities .
I am delighted to represent this young , diverse and multicultural community .
Sheffield is such a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of our students stay on in the city after they have finished their studies , meaning that we have one of the highest graduate retention rates in the country .
However , we also have our problems .
I know that by convention maiden speeches are less political than the other things that are usually said in this House , but I hope members will forgive me for bringing up austerity , the climate emergency and Donald Trump .
Despite the history of Robin Hood , many areas still suffer from massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in the city sit alongside some of the least .
In fact , on polling day this was stark .
We not only spoke to people on the so-called millionaires ’ row , but to families who had been hit by the bedroom tax .
Our students are saddled with tens of thousands of pounds of debt , and mental health issues are on the rise for our young people .
Our schools have suffered almost a 10 % decline in funding per pupil and inadequate budgets for the needs of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they did not give us enough funding for our children with special educational needs and disabilities .
As a councillor , I saw first hand our local government budgets cut , cut and cut again .
Government grants have been reduced by 50 % over the past decade , making it impossible to deliver services—never mind tackle the climate crisis .
Local campaigners battle to preserve our community heritage , with their struggle to reopen The Plough Inn , home to the second oldest football club in the world , Hallam FC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were first written down .
The countryside in my constituency is beautiful , but it is under threat .
The moorlands are on fire , burnt for grouse shooting .
Those acts of vandalism have made flooding more likely and are also putting important species in the area , such as the bilberry bumblebee , at risk .
Across the country , peat fires have thrown millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere .
Protecting biodiversity is a key part of tackling the climate crisis , which is why the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is so important to constituents and visitors alike .
As we see biodiversity decrease locally , we also see the global consequences of the climate crisis .
As the world heats to perilous levels , wildfires have swept across California , dangerous heatwaves and floods have ravaged India , and now fires consume Australia .
Across the globe , vast movements of people have left their homes because the coastlines that they once occupied have disappeared or the land that they cultivated has dried up .
They join refugees fleeing war and persecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ’ s actions in the middle east and his climate denial .
I am proud that Sheffield calls itself a ‘ city of sanctuary ’ — a city that welcomes and defends migrants .
The climate chaos that we all face is unprecedented .
Now is not the time for propriety ; it is the old way of doing things that brought us to this crisis .
Some of the industrial relics of that old way still stand in my constituency , but now we need radical change , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by taking radical action now .
It is not just urgent ; it is well overdue .
The science is clear .
The UN intergovernmental panel on climate change says that the absolute hard limit for transforming to a zero carbon economy is 2050 , but the world is burning now .
That is why I support my party ’ s pledge to work towards a path to net zero carbon emissions by 2030 .
To meet that challenge , we need to channel the spirit of industry and innovation that lingers along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to restructure our economy fundamentally .
Rather than cuts , it is time to invest , not in the CO2 emitting factories of the first industrial revolution , but in the sustainable green energy infrastructure and high-skilled jobs of the green new deal .
Arnold Freeman , Labour ’ s 1923 candidate in Hallam , founded the Sheffield education settlement .
It aimed to institute : “ Streets along which it is a pleasure to walk ; homes worthy of those who live in them ; workplaces in which people enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social and educational life ”  and “ an environment in which people may have life and have it abundantly ” .
Freeman was right then and he is right now : the only way we “ have life and have it abundantly ” is if we look after our environment .
There is no social justice on a dying planet .
There is also no way to tackle climate catastrophe without changing the inequalities at the heart of our economy , and without redistributing power from those at the top to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belief in people that energised our campaign in Sheffield Hallam .
It is not a seat that people expected Labour to win at this election .
The past two years have undoubtedly been difficult for my constituents , but we ran a positive campaign , rooted in our transformative manifesto , with our pledges to enact a green new deal and rebuild our public services taking pride of place .
My constituents told me that they wanted me to transform our economy and save our environment .
It is this agenda that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agenda that stands up for our planet and redistributes power and wealth into the hands of our people ; and that stands in the best traditions of Sheffield Hallam , from the folk heroes of Loxley to those who fight to save our community spaces and who are fighting to protect our precious moorlands .
I look forward to taking these arguments forward in the coming months and years , and I am pleased that I am sitting between my hon .
friends the members for Sheffield , Brightside and Hillsborough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now Hallam : three proud women representing Sheffield .

Below is the full text of the maiden speech delivered by the new Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam, Olivia Blake, in parliament on January 15th.
It is traditional for newly elected MPs to thank their predecessors upon entering the Commons. Jared O’Mara, the previous MP for Sheffield Hallam, highlighted important issues relating to the accessibility of this House. For that, he should be commended. While he had his faults, many of which he himself admits, I note that members have recalled that his intervention in Westminster Hall on his own experience of autism was moving and brought the issue up the agenda.
I would like to begin by thanking the people of our beautiful, vibrant and diverse community of Sheffield Hallam for putting their faith in me. It is an honour to represent this seat in parliament. Hallam has a reputation for being prosperous. It is not considered a typical Labour seat, but the area has a very long history of social justice. To the north of the constituency is the village of Loxley, whose most famous son, Robin of Loxley, is also known as Robin Hood. So I am not the first person in Sheffield Hallam to stand on a platform of redistributing wealth to the many, from the few.
My constituency stretches right from the heart of Sheffield city centre, deep into the Peak district. It showcases some of the most magnificent countryside in the UK, including the many reservoirs surrounding Bradfield and Redmires, and the ancient Ecclesall Woods. The area also has a proud industrial heritage. Walking through Forge Dam or Rivelin Valley, you can see the overgrown cranks and grindstones that once drove our economy. Fulwood ward was home to Thomas Boulsover, the inventor of the famous Sheffield plate steel. It is a privilege to represent somewhere that played such an historic role as one of the engines of British industry.
Today, the seat also hosts thousands of students and researchers from all over the world; students who travelled to Sheffield to study at both our world-class universities. I am delighted to represent this young, diverse and multicultural community. Sheffield is such a great place to live and work that so many of our students stay on in the city after they have finished their studies, meaning that we have one of the highest graduate retention rates in the country. However, we also have our problems. I know that by convention maiden speeches are less political than the other things that are usually said in this House, but I hope members will forgive me for bringing up austerity, the climate emergency and Donald Trump.
Despite the history of Robin Hood, many areas still suffer from massive inequality. Some of the most deprived areas in the city sit alongside some of the least. In fact, on polling day this was stark. We not only spoke to people on the so-called millionaires’ row, but to families who had been hit by the bedroom tax. Our students are saddled with tens of thousands of pounds of debt, and mental health issues are on the rise for our young people. Our schools have suffered almost a 10% decline in funding per pupil and inadequate budgets for the needs of our children, with the previous government acknowledging that they did not give us enough funding for our children with special educational needs and disabilities.
As a councillor, I saw first hand our local government budgets cut, cut and cut again. Government grants have been reduced by 50% over the past decade, making it impossible to deliver services—never mind tackle the climate crisis. Local campaigners battle to preserve our community heritage, with their struggle to reopen The Plough Inn, home to the second oldest football club in the world, Hallam FC, and where the rules of football were first written down.
The countryside in my constituency is beautiful, but it is under threat. The moorlands are on fire, burnt for grouse shooting. Those acts of vandalism have made flooding more likely and are also putting important species in the area, such as the bilberry bumblebee, at risk. Across the country, peat fires have thrown millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Protecting biodiversity is a key part of tackling the climate crisis, which is why the national park, in its 70th year, is so important to constituents and visitors alike.
As we see biodiversity decrease locally, we also see the global consequences of the climate crisis. As the world heats to perilous levels, wildfires have swept across California, dangerous heatwaves and floods have ravaged India, and now fires consume Australia. Across the globe, vast movements of people have left their homes because the coastlines that they once occupied have disappeared or the land that they cultivated has dried up. They join refugees fleeing war and persecution. Those numbers will only increase with President Trump’s actions in the middle east and his climate denial. I am proud that Sheffield calls itself a ‘city of sanctuary’ — a city that welcomes and defends migrants.
The climate chaos that we all face is unprecedented. Now is not the time for propriety; it is the old way of doing things that brought us to this crisis. Some of the industrial relics of that old way still stand in my constituency, but now we need radical change, and the only way we will get that is by taking radical action now. It is not just urgent; it is well overdue. The science is clear. The UN intergovernmental panel on climate change says that the absolute hard limit for transforming to a zero carbon economy is 2050, but the world is burning now. That is why I support my party’s pledge to work towards a path to net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
To meet that challenge, we need to channel the spirit of industry and innovation that lingers along the rivers and valleys of my constituency in order to restructure our economy fundamentally. Rather than cuts, it is time to invest, not in the CO2 emitting factories of the first industrial revolution, but in the sustainable green energy infrastructure and high-skilled jobs of the green new deal.
Arnold Freeman, Labour’s 1923 candidate in Hallam, founded the Sheffield education settlement. It aimed to institute: “Streets along which it is a pleasure to walk; homes worthy of those who live in them; workplaces in which people enjoy working; public-houses that are centres of social and educational life” and “an environment in which people may have life and have it abundantly”.
Freeman was right then and he is right now: the only way we “have life and have it abundantly” is if we look after our environment. There is no social justice on a dying planet. There is also no way to tackle climate catastrophe without changing the inequalities at the heart of our economy, and without redistributing power from those at the top to the rest of us. It is that belief in people that energised our campaign in Sheffield Hallam.
It is not a seat that people expected Labour to win at this election. The past two years have undoubtedly been difficult for my constituents, but we ran a positive campaign, rooted in our transformative manifesto, with our pledges to enact a green new deal and rebuild our public services taking pride of place. My constituents told me that they wanted me to transform our economy and save our environment. It is this agenda that I will fight for in the House — an agenda that stands up for our planet and redistributes power and wealth into the hands of our people; and that stands in the best traditions of Sheffield Hallam, from the folk heroes of Loxley to those who fight to save our community spaces and who are fighting to protect our precious moorlands.
I look forward to taking these arguments forward in the coming months and years, and I am pleased that I am sitting between my hon. friends the members for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough and for Sheffield Heeley. Hillsborough, Heeley and now Hallam: three proud women representing Sheffield.


labourlist--2020-03-20--How the political crisis in Israel has been affected by coronavirus

Israel is not just dealing with the coronavirus crisis but with the latest phase of its political crisis , and the two have now become entangled .
Israelis went to the polls on March 2nd for an unprecedented third general election in just 11 months .
On election night , incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s right-wing block of parties looked like it had emerged triumphant and finally broken the deadlock whereby nobody had been able to form a 61-seat majority government in Israel ’ s 120-member parliament in the two previous elections .
Since then , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results two days later instead showed a narrow 62 to 58 majority for anti-Netanyahu parties .
It seemed to suggest that the main centrist opposition party , Blue and White , could form a government with the left – now merged as Labor-Gesher-Meretz and squeezed to a rump of just seven seats – and the maverick former right-wing foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman , with tacit support from the coalition of the ‘ Joint List ’ representing Israel ’ s Arab minority , which had a good election and won 15 seats .
Days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Blue and White Knesset group appeared to torpedo this by saying they could not be part of a government sustained by the support of Arab parliamentarians .
There was also uproar and cries of betrayal from Labour and Meretz after the leader of the small Gesher Party , Orly Levy , elected by left-wing votes , made a similar statement and said she was pulling her party out of the left ’ s Knesset group .
Last week , coronavirus became a far bigger story , and it seemed to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as head of an emergency national unity government – particularly as the virus led to the delay of his trial on corruption charges from March 17th to May 24th .
This week , however , the momentum swung behind Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz .
The whole Arab Joint List – including , unexpectedly , the controversial Balad party – informed President Rivlin that they were recommending that Gantz should be Prime Minister .
As did Avigdor Lieberman ’ s secular nationalists .
With Gantz being recommended by parties holding 61 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered him the first go at forming a government .
And while it ’ s unlikely that he can actually form a government that doesn ’ t include Likud , Blue and White intends to use Gantz ’ s mandate to take control of the parliamentary process .
It wants to replace Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein with their own candidate and pass a law barring an indicted Prime Minister from serving in office in future – starting in the next Knesset .
It also wants to increase parliamentary oversight of the Netanyahu caretaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus measures , such as tracking of infected individuals ’ movements via their mobile phones , which some opposition members view as infringing on civil rights .
Likud counter-attacked on Wednesday .
With Netanyahu attacking the Arab Joint List as “ terrorist supporters ” , speaker Edelstein abruptly adjourned the Knesset after just a few minutes – curtailing the opposition ’ s measures , including his own removal .
Gantz reacted angrily , saying : “ Likud lacks a majority in the Knesset – so it has gone ahead and closed it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Knesset is a critical institution at all times , including times of crisis.
” President Rivlin , who is also a Likud member but a critic of Netanyahu and a champion of democratic norms , told Edelstein : “ A Knesset that is out of action harms the ability of the state of Israel to function well and responsibly in an emergency .
We must not let this crisis , as serious as it is , harm our democratic system.
” Meanwhile , the interim government has been taking strict measures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all non-citizens and residents from entering the country and deploying the security services ’ cyber tracking tools , normally reserved to find terrorists , to trace infected individuals and their contacts .
There have been no deaths so far , but the number of cases has reached 529 .
Israel is also cooperating with the Palestinian Authority , where there are 47 cases , and supplying the PA with testing kits and protective equipment .
Gaza has zero cases , reflecting its isolation from the outside world , with Hamas closing the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the scenes , negotiators from the two big parties have been meeting to thrash out the possibility of an emergency national unity government .
Netanyahu is viewed by many Israelis as competent at times of crisis , and he seems to be playing for time until Gantz ’ s 28-day limit to form a government runs out .
Coronavirus may overshadow his criminal trial , and his failure to form a viable governing coalition to the extent that he somehow manages to stay on as Prime Minister – but in an uneasy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Zionist left – including Labour , which was the founding party of the state and dominated its early history – has been supplying six of the Knesset votes that got Gantz the right to try and form a government .
It is now utterly marginalised .
Perhaps the only way back would be if it stays out of government and attracts voters back from Blue and White who don ’ t like the idea of a ‘ grand coalition ’ with Likud , should that happen .
Luke Akehurst is writing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Israel .

Israel is not just dealing with the coronavirus crisis but with the latest phase of its political crisis, and the two have now become entangled. Israelis went to the polls on March 2nd for an unprecedented third general election in just 11 months. On election night, incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing block of parties looked like it had emerged triumphant and finally broken the deadlock whereby nobody had been able to form a 61-seat majority government in Israel’s 120-member parliament in the two previous elections.
Since then, it has been a rollercoaster ride. The final results two days later instead showed a narrow 62 to 58 majority for anti-Netanyahu parties. It seemed to suggest that the main centrist opposition party, Blue and White, could form a government with the left – now merged as Labor-Gesher-Meretz and squeezed to a rump of just seven seats – and the maverick former right-wing foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, with tacit support from the coalition of the ‘Joint List’ representing Israel’s Arab minority, which had a good election and won 15 seats.
Days later, the two most right-wing members of the Blue and White Knesset group appeared to torpedo this by saying they could not be part of a government sustained by the support of Arab parliamentarians. There was also uproar and cries of betrayal from Labour and Meretz after the leader of the small Gesher Party, Orly Levy, elected by left-wing votes, made a similar statement and said she was pulling her party out of the left’s Knesset group.
Last week, coronavirus became a far bigger story, and it seemed to increase Netanyahu’s chances of staying on as head of an emergency national unity government – particularly as the virus led to the delay of his trial on corruption charges from March 17th to May 24th. This week, however, the momentum swung behind Blue and White party chairman Benny Gantz.
The whole Arab Joint List – including, unexpectedly, the controversial Balad party – informed President Rivlin that they were recommending that Gantz should be Prime Minister. As did Avigdor Lieberman’s secular nationalists. With Gantz being recommended by parties holding 61 seats out of 120, Rivlin has offered him the first go at forming a government. And while it’s unlikely that he can actually form a government that doesn’t include Likud, Blue and White intends to use Gantz’s mandate to take control of the parliamentary process.
It wants to replace Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein with their own candidate and pass a law barring an indicted Prime Minister from serving in office in future – starting in the next Knesset. It also wants to increase parliamentary oversight of the Netanyahu caretaker government – particularly in relation to far-reaching coronavirus measures, such as tracking of infected individuals’ movements via their mobile phones, which some opposition members view as infringing on civil rights.
Likud counter-attacked on Wednesday. With Netanyahu attacking the Arab Joint List as “terrorist supporters”, speaker Edelstein abruptly adjourned the Knesset after just a few minutes – curtailing the opposition’s measures, including his own removal. Gantz reacted angrily, saying: “Likud lacks a majority in the Knesset – so it has gone ahead and closed it. We won’t allow that. The Knesset is a critical institution at all times, including times of crisis.”
President Rivlin, who is also a Likud member but a critic of Netanyahu and a champion of democratic norms, told Edelstein: “A Knesset that is out of action harms the ability of the state of Israel to function well and responsibly in an emergency. We must not let this crisis, as serious as it is, harm our democratic system.”
Meanwhile, the interim government has been taking strict measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, banning all non-citizens and residents from entering the country and deploying the security services’ cyber tracking tools, normally reserved to find terrorists, to trace infected individuals and their contacts.
There have been no deaths so far, but the number of cases has reached 529. Israel is also cooperating with the Palestinian Authority, where there are 47 cases, and supplying the PA with testing kits and protective equipment. Gaza has zero cases, reflecting its isolation from the outside world, with Hamas closing the main crossings to Israel and Egypt.
Behind, the scenes, negotiators from the two big parties have been meeting to thrash out the possibility of an emergency national unity government. Netanyahu is viewed by many Israelis as competent at times of crisis, and he seems to be playing for time until Gantz’s 28-day limit to form a government runs out. Coronavirus may overshadow his criminal trial, and his failure to form a viable governing coalition to the extent that he somehow manages to stay on as Prime Minister – but in an uneasy partnership with Gantz and his centrists.
The Zionist left – including Labour, which was the founding party of the state and dominated its early history – has been supplying six of the Knesset votes that got Gantz the right to try and form a government. It is now utterly marginalised. Perhaps the only way back would be if it stays out of government and attracts voters back from Blue and White who don’t like the idea of a ‘grand coalition’ with Likud, should that happen.
Luke Akehurst is writing in his capacity as director of We Believe in Israel.


labourlist--2020-03-21--Coronavirus is highlighting the value of community-based politics

It seems crass to wonder what the long-term effect of coronavirus may be on British society when the pandemic is still raging .
Nevertheless , politics is a crass business , and it is worth thinking about for those of us self-isolating whilst our NHS and others work miracles daily to keep us all safe .
Because a global pandemic is something that the divisive them-and-us populist politics of the last few years – whether of the Trumpian , the Corbynite or the Brexiteer variety – simply can not cope with .
Coronavirus is not susceptible to pithy slogans or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blitz spirit .
Britain will not be the same after the pandemic as it was before .
And my bet is that it will move us in a direction away from the atomised individualism of the last 30 years .
A pandemic on this scale can only be managed by the power of the state stepping in to protect individuals , reminding people of the vital importance of government and state intervention .
Self-isolation and quarantining – particularly of the elderly and the vulnerable – has led to a rise in community support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communal singing and concerts have gone viral .
There is a palpable sense of coming together in the face of adversity .
We are also seeing interventions into the economy from governments in France , Spain , the UK and elsewhere greater even than those that followed the 2008 crash , making a mockery of notions of laissez-faireism .
This may be pushing at an already opening door .
Since the publication in the year 2000 of Robert Putnam ’ s seminal study on society ’ s move away from communal activities – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerging of young millennials recombining into the kind of community social activities their grandparents pursued and their parents avoided .
Book groups , crafting circles , board game societies and other such organisations are on the increase .
Many millennials are forced to live in flatshares , making the experience of communal living more typical .
The 2008 crash showed how an economy built on radical ‘ greed is good ’ individualism would eventually collapse and require a bail-out from taxpayers acting as one through the state .
All of this has meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a more cooperative and community-focused society .
It was one of the more promising themes of the essays contained within The Labour Tradition and the Politics of Paradox , before that was twisted by Blue Labour and its march off into xenophobic irrelevance .
Those essays are worth revisiting , and the theme of communitarianism – the politics of Robert Owen , Clement Attlee , Nelson Mandela , Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy – most certainly is .
Communitarian concerns over not just individual liberties but how those liberties fit together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has been one of the factors behind Lisa Nandy ’ s unexpected rise to the final stage of the Labour leadership race .
The liberalism of post-1979 has been predicated on the individual and free choice in a free market .
But neither individuals nor free markets can cope with a pandemic .
From panic-buying to the imminent collapse of the economy , the evidence for that is abundantly clear .
What is needed is the heavy-lifting power of the state coupled with the combined will of our whole society – not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all – to check up on neighbours , self-isolate and keep each other sane .
Our response to coronavirus means that society is being forced to relearn a grisly lesson – that we are all invested in one another .
Only social solidarity can stand against the virus .
The effects of the solidarity that came about after the Second World War lasted for thirty years , Les Trente Glorieuses as it was known in France , and produced amongst other things the NHS , much of our welfare state and the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have as large an effect , but we must entertain and explore the possibility that it probably will do on a smaller scale .
It may give us a moment of clarity when the pendulum of history swings back towards common endeavour .
Labour and its new leadership team need to think about what to do with that moment .

It seems crass to wonder what the long-term effect of coronavirus may be on British society when the pandemic is still raging. Nevertheless, politics is a crass business, and it is worth thinking about for those of us self-isolating whilst our NHS and others work miracles daily to keep us all safe. Because a global pandemic is something that the divisive them-and-us populist politics of the last few years – whether of the Trumpian, the Corbynite or the Brexiteer variety – simply cannot cope with. Coronavirus is not susceptible to pithy slogans or social media pile-ons or references to the Blitz spirit. Britain will not be the same after the pandemic as it was before. And my bet is that it will move us in a direction away from the atomised individualism of the last 30 years.
A pandemic on this scale can only be managed by the power of the state stepping in to protect individuals, reminding people of the vital importance of government and state intervention. Self-isolation and quarantining – particularly of the elderly and the vulnerable – has led to a rise in community support groups. Videos from Italy of spontaneous communal singing and concerts have gone viral. There is a palpable sense of coming together in the face of adversity. We are also seeing interventions into the economy from governments in France, Spain, the UK and elsewhere greater even than those that followed the 2008 crash, making a mockery of notions of laissez-faireism.
This may be pushing at an already opening door. Since the publication in the year 2000 of Robert Putnam’s seminal study on society’s move away from communal activities – Bowling Alone – there has been evidence emerging of young millennials recombining into the kind of community social activities their grandparents pursued and their parents avoided. Book groups, crafting circles, board game societies and other such organisations are on the increase. Many millennials are forced to live in flatshares, making the experience of communal living more typical.
The 2008 crash showed how an economy built on radical ‘greed is good’ individualism would eventually collapse and require a bail-out from taxpayers acting as one through the state. All of this has meant we have been heading in the direction of a more cooperative and community-focused society. It was one of the more promising themes of the essays contained within The Labour Tradition and the Politics of Paradox, before that was twisted by Blue Labour and its march off into xenophobic irrelevance.
Those essays are worth revisiting, and the theme of communitarianism – the politics of Robert Owen, Clement Attlee, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy – most certainly is. Communitarian concerns over not just individual liberties but how those liberties fit together for the common good are re-emerging. It has been one of the factors behind Lisa Nandy’s unexpected rise to the final stage of the Labour leadership race.
The liberalism of post-1979 has been predicated on the individual and free choice in a free market. But neither individuals nor free markets can cope with a pandemic. From panic-buying to the imminent collapse of the economy, the evidence for that is abundantly clear. What is needed is the heavy-lifting power of the state coupled with the combined will of our whole society – not just the many nor the few but all – to check up on neighbours, self-isolate and keep each other sane. Our response to coronavirus means that society is being forced to relearn a grisly lesson – that we are all invested in one another. Only social solidarity can stand against the virus.
The effects of the solidarity that came about after the Second World War lasted for thirty years, Les Trente Glorieuses as it was known in France, and produced amongst other things the NHS, much of our welfare state and the European Community. The current situation is unlikely to have as large an effect, but we must entertain and explore the possibility that it probably will do on a smaller scale. It may give us a moment of clarity when the pendulum of history swings back towards common endeavour. Labour and its new leadership team need to think about what to do with that moment.


labourlist--2020-03-21--Why have the self-employed been hung out to dry by the Chancellor?

After a reasonably productive Day One of social distancing at home – we went outside , the boy ate at least one vegetable – I settled down to watch the Chancellor ’ s statement on emergency help for workers .
I felt strangely nervous , as I had spent the past week doing my utmost to lobby for more support for parents , for recording studios , and for the self-employed .
As a self-employed sound engineer , I ’ ve watched my bookings diary go up in smoke over the past few weeks , but I have had more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my trade body the Music Producers Guild , and as an activist for Parental Pay Equality and Pregnant Then Screwed .
In times of crisis , it is always the vulnerable who feel the brunt of the economic pain and those without a voice who get ignored .
Overall , I ’ m supportive of a lot of what the Chancellor announced on Friday , and can ’ t deny the enormity of the task he faces just a few weeks into the job .
I think I speak for many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for clarity on job protection incredibly stressful .
At least for millions of employees ( the ones who hadn ’ t been laid off in the preceding days ! )
, the wait paid off thanks to a new coronavirus job retention scheme , which should see the government fund 80 % wage replacement up to £2,500 a month .
It feels odd having temporary nationalisation of the private sector imposed by the Tories , but these are strange times , and I ’ ll take it .
Unfortunately , for the self-employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A slight tweak to Universal Credit meant that after weeks of coronavirus-related cancellations , thousands of my colleagues in all parts of the music industry and beyond will get to apply for a measly £400 a month at best and wait five weeks for it to land in their account .
I guess that is one way of stopping people from hoarding – just don ’ t give them any money !
Work across the country has dried up in many sectors due to the coronavirus , and doesn ’ t discriminate between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is precarious , and cash-flow hand to mouth , then the impact is the same – a sudden , devastating loss of income , and no sign of it returning anytime soon .
Deliveroo drivers have now been rightly elevated to key worker status , so shouldn ’ t need to worry about keeping their hours up , at least in the short term .
However , Uber drivers and zero-hour cleaners have seen their earnings collapse as people begin to stay at home .
Music producers and engineers have seen a sharp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without work , while still paying rent on studios and equipment .
Worst hit is probably the live sector , who have been pressing the delete key on their diaries since the plug was pulled on the SXSW Festival in early March .
Live sound engineer Bryony October said : “ It ’ s bleak .
I lost 70 days work in one day on Tuesday.
” Now I know roadies have a reputation of being able to survive on liquid lunches alone , but I ’ m pretty sure they can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you account for living costs under UC , that is pretty much all that ’ s left .
The labour movement ’ s relationship with self-employment has not always been straight-forward .
Some , like my own union , the MU , have always been staunch defenders of the original gig economy , whereas others have concentrated on challenging the exploitative nature of the more tech-led , modern gig economy .
In this time of national crisis , I had hoped the entire trade union movement would stand with all workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return , and I ’ m deeply disappointed that our voices were apparently not heard – or were deemed expendable – in the negotiations between the TUC and the government .
Whether it ’ s a form of universal basic income for all self-employed people , as has been floated by many Labour MPs , or the Creative Industries Federation model of a capped 80 % income replacement based on the past three years of earnings , the self-employed must be given the same chance to survive as their employed colleagues .
Otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health advice , millions of families will face hardship , and entire industries will be wiped out .
The creators whose work we ’ ll all be enjoying on Netflix and Spotify in the coming months will be forced to shut up shop , sell their instruments and move in with their parents .
If it really is “ on all of us ” , as Rishi Sunak says , why have the self-employed been hung out to dry ?

After a reasonably productive Day One of social distancing at home – we went outside, the boy ate at least one vegetable – I settled down to watch the Chancellor’s statement on emergency help for workers. I felt strangely nervous, as I had spent the past week doing my utmost to lobby for more support for parents, for recording studios, and for the self-employed. As a self-employed sound engineer, I’ve watched my bookings diary go up in smoke over the past few weeks, but I have had more than enough to do as a director of my trade body the Music Producers Guild, and as an activist for Parental Pay Equality and Pregnant Then Screwed.
In times of crisis, it is always the vulnerable who feel the brunt of the economic pain and those without a voice who get ignored. Overall, I’m supportive of a lot of what the Chancellor announced on Friday, and can’t deny the enormity of the task he faces just a few weeks into the job. I think I speak for many of us who found the past week waiting for clarity on job protection incredibly stressful. At least for millions of employees (the ones who hadn’t been laid off in the preceding days!), the wait paid off thanks to a new coronavirus job retention scheme, which should see the government fund 80% wage replacement up to £2,500 a month. It feels odd having temporary nationalisation of the private sector imposed by the Tories, but these are strange times, and I’ll take it.
Unfortunately, for the self-employed, the picture is far bleaker. A slight tweak to Universal Credit meant that after weeks of coronavirus-related cancellations, thousands of my colleagues in all parts of the music industry and beyond will get to apply for a measly £400 a month at best and wait five weeks for it to land in their account. I guess that is one way of stopping people from hoarding – just don’t give them any money! Work across the country has dried up in many sectors due to the coronavirus, and doesn’t discriminate between self-employed and employees. If the work is precarious, and cash-flow hand to mouth, then the impact is the same – a sudden, devastating loss of income, and no sign of it returning anytime soon.
Deliveroo drivers have now been rightly elevated to key worker status, so shouldn’t need to worry about keeping their hours up, at least in the short term. However, Uber drivers and zero-hour cleaners have seen their earnings collapse as people begin to stay at home. Music producers and engineers have seen a sharp drop-off in bookings, and face months without work, while still paying rent on studios and equipment. Worst hit is probably the live sector, who have been pressing the delete key on their diaries since the plug was pulled on the SXSW Festival in early March. Live sound engineer Bryony October said: “It’s bleak. I lost 70 days work in one day on Tuesday.” Now I know roadies have a reputation of being able to survive on liquid lunches alone, but I’m pretty sure they can’t live on thin air. And when you account for living costs under UC, that is pretty much all that’s left.
The labour movement’s relationship with self-employment has not always been straight-forward. Some, like my own union, the MU, have always been staunch defenders of the original gig economy, whereas others have concentrated on challenging the exploitative nature of the more tech-led, modern gig economy. In this time of national crisis, I had hoped the entire trade union movement would stand with all workers, regardless of how they filed their tax return, and I’m deeply disappointed that our voices were apparently not heard – or were deemed expendable – in the negotiations between the TUC and the government.
Whether it’s a form of universal basic income for all self-employed people, as has been floated by many Labour MPs, or the Creative Industries Federation model of a capped 80% income replacement based on the past three years of earnings, the self-employed must be given the same chance to survive as their employed colleagues. Otherwise, desperation will force people to disregard public health advice, millions of families will face hardship, and entire industries will be wiped out. The creators whose work we’ll all be enjoying on Netflix and Spotify in the coming months will be forced to shut up shop, sell their instruments and move in with their parents. If it really is “on all of us”, as Rishi Sunak says, why have the self-employed been hung out to dry?


labourlist--2020-03-22--Sunday shows: “We are not prepared” for coronavirus says Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn discussed his legacy as Labour leader , the party ’ s leadership elections and the government ’ s response to coronavirus .
• Asked if he thinks that the NHS is prepared for a crisis like this : “ No I don ’ t… We are not prepared for it , we were not prepared for it , and surely this is a message that we have to properly fund our public services.
” • On testing NHS staff : “ The rate of testing we ’ re doing in this country is far too low… Even all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – let alone care staff.
” • On measures of support : “ I welcome a large part of the economic package the government produced on Friday… But for the self employed it is very difficult.
” • On the self-employed : “ If they ’ re told to stay home , and all they can access is benefits through universal credit… They are going to go out.
” • On what more needs to be done : “ The government has got to give a message or a signal about raising statutory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • On the scale of the investment : “ The amount of money that has now been found to invest in our economy is great , it ’ s huge and it ’ s what I was condemned for asking for to deal with austerity and poverty in Britain three months ago.
” • He added : “ Of course it ’ s a different time , but we just have to recognise as a society that ten years of austerity has left us a bit vulnerable.
” • On the longer-term impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of caring for everybody in our society is now absolutely centre stage… I think as a society we ’ re going to be stronger at the end of this not weaker.
” • On parliament : “ Parliament should remain in session – it ’ s very important that we have the chance to put questions to the government and of course there ’ s legislation that ’ s going to come up on Monday.
” • On his legacy as Labour leader : “ We ’ ve changed the agenda on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda on social justice , changed the agenda on green industrial revolution and environmental sustainability.
” • On the election : “ We had unprecedented attacks made against us… Obviously I am very disappointed by the election result .
In the end , the 2019 election was the Brexit election.
” • To Labour members voting for the next leader : “ Think through who ’ s going to carry through the anti-austerity agenda but also think through the need to strengthen democracy within our party.
” • On his work after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am not disappearing from anywhere.
” • Asked if he has a shadow cabinet role in mind , he said only : ” I have always spent my life trying to deal with issues of human rights and justice around the world and that is something , whether I have a position is not important.
” `` We 're not prepared for it . ''
Labour leader @ jeremycorbyn tells # Ridge that the NHS is not prepared to cope with the # coronavirus pandemic and says it 's a message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our public services '' .
# Ridge : https : //t.co/aIQJkNaOWE pic.twitter.com/wwN4DYD0U7 Sadiq Khan faced questions about the virus as well , discussing special police powers and the possibility of stopping the tube and locking down London completely .
• On the crisis : “ Life has changed .
We ’ ve got to do things differently for a while now… These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary measures.
” • When suggested that he should have been this tough earlier : “ The government only last Monday allowed me to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as bad as they are.
” • Asked about people still socialising : “ Unless people stop interacting with each other , more people will die… Please , please , please stop mixing .
Stay at home.
” • On whether the police should have special powers : “ If it is the case that people continue to act in a way that is leading to this disease spreading , then those sorts of things will be things that will have to be considered.
” • On stopping the tube : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that public transport is available for our critical workers… Nobody else should be using public transport.
” • On protections for TfL staff : “ We ’ re now using the antiviral , antibacterial disinfectant used in hospitals .
We ’ ve made sure there ’ s the enhanced cleaning regime… We ’ re also testing some longer lasting antiviral disinfectants.
” • Asked if masks would be supplied for bus drivers and tube workers : “ At the moment , the advice from public health England is not to give our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if that advice changes , of course we will.
” • On whether London should be in lock down , he said only : “ You ’ ll see from Monday fewer trains… also we are running a weekend service during the week.
” '' Please , please , please '' stop social mixing or `` more people will die '' The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan talks to # Marr about # Covid_19https : //t.co/KidqEmUYa1 pic.twitter.com/ATHea8aTd8

Ridge on Sunday
Jeremy Corbyn discussed his legacy as Labour leader, the party’s leadership elections and the government’s response to coronavirus.
Asked if he thinks that the NHS is prepared for a crisis like this: “No, I don’t… We are not prepared for it, we were not prepared for it, and surely this is a message that we have to properly fund our public services.”
On testing NHS staff: “The rate of testing we’re doing in this country is far too low… Even all NHS staff haven’t been tested – let alone care staff.”
On measures of support: “I welcome a large part of the economic package the government produced on Friday… But for the self employed it is very difficult.”
On the self-employed: “If they’re told to stay home, and all they can access is benefits through universal credit… They are going to go out.”
On what more needs to be done: “The government has got to give a message or a signal about raising statutory sick pay and about the self-employed.
On the scale of the investment: “The amount of money that has now been found to invest in our economy is great, it’s huge and it’s what I was condemned for asking for to deal with austerity and poverty in Britain three months ago.”
He added: “Of course it’s a different time, but we just have to recognise as a society that ten years of austerity has left us a bit vulnerable.”
On the longer-term impact of the crisis: “The principle of caring for everybody in our society is now absolutely centre stage… I think as a society we’re going to be stronger at the end of this not weaker.”
On parliament: “Parliament should remain in session – it’s very important that we have the chance to put questions to the government and of course there’s legislation that’s going to come up on Monday.”
On his legacy as Labour leader: “We’ve changed the agenda on the economy, we’ve changed the agenda on social justice, changed the agenda on green industrial revolution and environmental sustainability.”
On the election: “We had unprecedented attacks made against us… Obviously I am very disappointed by the election result. In the end, the 2019 election was the Brexit election.”
To Labour members voting for the next leader: “Think through who’s going to carry through the anti-austerity agenda but also think through the need to strengthen democracy within our party.”
On his work after he officially steps down on April 4th: “I am not disappearing from anywhere.”
Asked if he has a shadow cabinet role in mind, he said only:”I have always spent my life trying to deal with issues of human rights and justice around the world and that is something, whether I have a position is not important.”
"We're not prepared for it." Labour leader @jeremycorbyn tells #Ridge that the NHS is not prepared to cope with the #coronavirus pandemic and says it's a message that we need to "properly fund our public services". #Ridge: https://t.co/aIQJkNaOWE pic.twitter.com/wwN4DYD0U7 — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 22, 2020
The Andrew Marr Show
London mayor Sadiq Khan faced questions about the virus as well, discussing special police powers and the possibility of stopping the tube and locking down London completely.
On the crisis: “Life has changed. We’ve got to do things differently for a while now… These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary measures.”
When suggested that he should have been this tough earlier: “The government only last Monday allowed me to attend COBRA… I discovered last Monday that things are as bad as they are.”
Asked about people still socialising: “Unless people stop interacting with each other, more people will die… Please, please, please stop mixing. Stay at home.”
On whether the police should have special powers: “If it is the case that people continue to act in a way that is leading to this disease spreading, then those sorts of things will be things that will have to be considered.”
On stopping the tube: “I’m really keen to make sure that public transport is available for our critical workers… Nobody else should be using public transport.”
On protections for TfL staff: “We’re now using the antiviral, antibacterial disinfectant used in hospitals. We’ve made sure there’s the enhanced cleaning regime… We’re also testing some longer lasting antiviral disinfectants.”
Asked if masks would be supplied for bus drivers and tube workers: “At the moment, the advice from public health England is not to give our public transport workers and others masks but if that advice changes, of course we will.”
On whether London should be in lock down, he said only: “You’ll see from Monday fewer trains… also we are running a weekend service during the week.”


labourlist--2020-03-23--Mixed messaging from the PM will cost lives, says Rosena Allin-Khan

Labour MP for Tooting Rosena Allin-Khan has declared that the confusing “ mixed messaging ” issued by Boris Johnson during his daily coronavirus press briefings will “ cost lives ” .
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme this morning , the deputy leadership contender and A & E doctor shared her experience of a shift she spent working in a hospital in South London over the weekend .
Allin-Khan urged the public to stay at home in order to support NHS workers to save the greatest number of lives , and suggested that the country is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t comply with social distancing advice .
The Labour deputy leadership hopeful said : “ Very soon heart-wrenching , unenviable choices will need to be made about whose life can be saved in the event that we don ’ t have enough ventilators.
” She added : “ I will support whatever is going to save the most number of lives… If that means full lockdown , I will support it .
We must trust our experts on the best way to contain this .
“ But if we look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Italy , we are headed for a disaster if people do not heed the advice on social distancing .
“ And the Prime Minister just simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also trying to say that people should stay two metres apart outdoors .
This relaxed-style , mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they ’ re just not clear.
” The comments from the Tooting MP followed her shift at St George ’ s Hospital in South London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she described how “ some of the sickest patients ” have been in their 30s and early 40s .
She told listeners that A & E had been so busy with Covid-19 patients that others with serious health issues had to be moved to the paediatric emergency department to be treated .
She stated that “ we are scared that we are going to lose patients and added that the hospital must have the “ personal protective equipment that we need to keep us safe ” .
She urged the public to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said that “ the public have to make this easier ” for NHS staff .
She also tweeted that Downing St could be “ guilty of gross negligence ” , following allegations that Dominic Cummings had been pushing for the ‘ herd immunity ’ strategy – an approach that experts now say would have led to 250,000 deaths .
The latest coronavirus press conference delivered by Johnson took place yesterday afternoon , in which he said that “ tougher measures ” could be taken if people fail to practice social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ London currently stands at 2,189 , more than in any other region , while there are 5,683 recorded cases in the UK overall .

Labour MP for Tooting Rosena Allin-Khan has declared that the confusing “mixed messaging” issued by Boris Johnson during his daily coronavirus press briefings will “cost lives”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, the deputy leadership contender and A&E doctor shared her experience of working a shift in a South London NHS hospital over the weekend.
Allin-Khan urged the public to stay at home in order to support NHS workers to save the greatest number of lives, and suggested that the country was “headed for disaster” if people didn’t comply with social distancing advice.
The Labour deputy leadership hopeful said: “Very soon heart-wrenching, unenviable choices will need to be made about whose life can be saved in the event that we don’t have enough ventilators.”
She added: “I will support whatever is going to save the most number of lives… If that means full lockdown, I will support it. We must trust our experts on the best way to contain this.
“But if we look at the fact that we are approximately two weeks behind Italy, we are headed for a disaster if people do not heed the advice on social distancing.
“And the Prime Minister just simply said yesterday he wants people to enjoy themselves outside while also trying to say that people should stay two metres apart outdoors. This relaxed-style, mixed messaging will cost lives and I believe people are struggling to follow guidelines because they’re just not clear.”
The comments from the Tooting MP followed her shift at St George’s Hospital, during which she recorded a diary where she described how “some of the sickest patients” have been in their 30s and early 40s.
She told listeners that A&E had been so busy with Covid-19 patients that others with serious health issues had to be moved to the paediatric emergency department to be treated.
Allin-Khan stressed that “we are scared that we are going to lose patients and added that the hospital must have the “personal protective equipment that we need to keep us safe”.
She urged the public to “practice social distancing measures properly” and said that “the public have to make this easier” for NHS staff.
She also tweeted that Downing St could be “guilty of gross negligence”, following allegations that Dominic Cummings had been pushing for the ‘herd immunity’ strategy – an approach that experts now say would have led to 250,000 deaths.
The latest coronavirus press conference delivered by Johnson took place yesterday afternoon, in which he said that “tougher measures” could be taken if people fail to practice social distancing.
The total number of coronavirus cases in London currently stands at 2,189, more than in any other region, while there are 5,683 recorded cases in the UK overall.


labourlist--2020-03-23--Boris Johnson announces people will be fined unless they stay at home

Boris Johnson has announced that people must stay in their homes at all times , allowing only a few limited reasons to leave the house , or face a fine .
Speaking this evening after a COBRA meeting , the Prime Minister revealed that people will only be allowed out to buy food , for any medical need , to support or care for a vulnerable person , and to do one bit of exercise .
He also said that people would be allowed to travel to and from work , but only if strictly necessary , and that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson stated that the police would be afforded powers to enforce the lockdown , including the ability to disperse gatherings and issue fines .
Speaking in a special television broadcast , he said : “ That ’ s all – these are the only reasons you should leave your home .
You should not be meeting friends .
If your friends ask you to meet , you should say no .
“ You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home .
You should not be going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine – and you should do this as little as you can .
And use food delivery services where you can.
” The Prime Minister stated that the measures would come into force immediately .
There are currently 6,650 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK , with the highest number of cases found in London at 2,433 , and the death toll now stands at 355 .

Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed the tough new coronavirus restrictions announced by the Prime Minister as the “right response”, while encouraging the government to “close the loopholes”.
Addressing the nation after a COBRA meeting, Boris Johnson encouraged people on Monday evening to “stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives” by practising social distancing measures.
The Prime Minister said people should stay in their homes at all times – except to shop for “basic necessities, as infrequently as possible”, for one form of exercise a day, for a medical need or to travel to and from work if “absolutely necessary”.
Johnson declared: “You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say ‘No’. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.”
Gatherings of more than two people are banned, and the police will have the powers to enforce this rule and other restrictions – including through fines and the ability to disperse gatherings.
The Prime Minister announced that the government would “immediately close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship”.
During the special television broadcast, he said: “You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine – and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can.”
Responding to the statement by the Prime Minister, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn commented: “The Prime Minister is right to call for people to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.
“This is the right response to the coronavirus pandemic, and one we have been calling for.
“There now needs to be clear guidance to employers and workers about which workplaces should close – and the government must close the loopholes to give security to all workers, including the self-employed, as well as renters and mortgage holders.
“We welcome these moves and will be working to ensure everybody has the protection and security they need.”
There are currently 6,650 recorded cases of coronavirus in the UK, with the highest number of cases found in London at 2,433, and the death toll now stands at 355.


labourlist--2020-03-23--Government has run no official Covid-19 ads despite “millions” in free credits

The government has not run any adverts from its official Instagram or Facebook accounts mentioning coronavirus despite being given “ millions ” of free ad credits .
Data released by Facebook today showed an absence of any paid adverts placed after weeks of the government attempting to change people ’ s behaviour .
There have also been no adverts run from Boris Johnson ’ s personal social media , with no money spent on his Facebook account since December 13th .
The official NHS account has run six Facebook and Instagram campaigns since the onset of the pandemic that advise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two weeks .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced earlier in March that he would give the World Health Organisation as many adverts as it needs , and “ millions ” in free ad credits to other organisations .
A government spokesperson told Sky News : “ The government is using all available channels , including Facebook and Instagram adverts to provide the public with the information it needs to fulfil its crucial role in delaying the spread of coronavirus .
“ The response to our adverts has generated a huge amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach .
This is in addition to the NHS messaging , which has been our priority so far.
” The adverts run by the government since the end of January don ’ t mention the virus specifically , although some have warned against the dangers of disinformation online .
The government has spent £11,603 on these adverts in the past seven days .
Facebook records show that the official account of the Prime Minister spent close to £25,000 on three adverts towards earlier this year to promote public awareness of the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The government has not run any adverts from its official Instagram or Facebook accounts mentioning coronavirus despite being given “millions” of free ad credits.
Data released by Facebook today showed an absence of any paid adverts placed after weeks of the government attempting to change people’s behaviour.
There have also been no adverts run from Boris Johnson’s personal social media, with no money spent on his Facebook account since December 13th.
The official NHS account has run six Facebook and Instagram campaigns since the onset of the pandemic that advise people with symptoms to remain at home for two weeks.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced earlier in March that he would give the World Health Organisation as many adverts as it needs, and “millions” in free ad credits to other organisations.
A government spokesperson told Sky News: “The government is using all available channels, including Facebook and Instagram adverts to provide the public with the information it needs to fulfil its crucial role in delaying the spread of coronavirus.
“The response to our adverts has generated a huge amount of organic reach through our cross-government social media approach. This is in addition to the NHS messaging, which has been our priority so far.”
The adverts run by the government since the end of January don’t mention the virus specifically, although some have warned against the dangers of disinformation online. The government has spent £11,603 on these adverts in the past seven days.
Facebook records show that the official account of the Prime Minister spent close to £25,000 on three adverts towards earlier this year to promote public awareness of the fact that the UK is leaving the EU.