labourlist--2020-11-30--Labour set to abstain on Covid tiers vote, reveals Starmer

Keir Starmer has revealed that Labour will abstain on the House of Commons vote tomorrow on the new Covid regulations tier system amid reports that dozens of Conservative MPs are planning to rebel .
Commenting ahead of the crucial vote in parliament on Tuesday , the Labour leader accepted the need for continued Covid restrictions but voiced his concerns about Boris Johnson ’ s management of the pandemic .
Starmer said : “ Coronavirus remains a serious threat to the public ’ s health and that ’ s why Labour accept the need for continued restrictions .
We will always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will not vote against these restrictions in parliament tomorrow .
“ However , I remain deeply concerned that Boris Johnson ’ s government has failed to use this latest lockdown to put a credible health and economic plan in place .
“ We still don ’ t have a functioning testing system , public health messaging is confused , and businesses across the country are crying out for more effective economic support to get them through the winter months .
“ It is short-term government incompetence that is causing long-term damage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the government gets control of the virus so that our NHS can be protected and our economy recovers faster.
” The comments from the Labour leader come amid growing disquiet in Downing Street over a rebellion from the Tory backbenches .
As many as 70 Conservative MPs are thought to be considering voting against the government .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock unveiled the return of the tiered , regional approach to coronavirus restrictions across the UK last week and revealed which areas would see the strictest measures when the lockdown lifts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown in England .
Liverpool has been moved into Tier 2 , but Greater Manchester remains in Tier 3 despite being under tough rules since July .
Birmingham will enter Tier 3 .
Across all three tiers in England , shops , gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to open , while collective worship , weddings and outdoor sports will resume and the rule of six for gatherings of people will apply .
Government ministers have said that the tiered system will be reviewed regularly and the tier level of any area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first review of the allocations set to take place on December 16th .
Starmer last week accused the Prime Minister of reintroducing a “ risky ” system after Johnson announced that England would return to the three-tier system .
He said : “ There are huge gaps in this plan , huge uncertainties and huge risk.
” Despite many Tory MPs and several Labour MPs expected to vote against the new rules , they are expected to pass as the Prime Minister has a majority of 80 in the Commons and Labour will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government has tonight accused Starmer of “ playing politics ” during Covid by abstaining , however .
“ While Keir Starmer claims he offers new leadership , it ’ s clear to all that he actually offers no leadership at all , ” a No 10 spokesman said .
The return to the three-tier Covid-19 rules system will be voted on by MPs just hours before they are due to come into place , with the lockdown set to end at 12am on Wednesday if the fresh restrictions are approved .
Emma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has spoken out against the whip to abstain and declared that Starmer should instead offer a free vote .
“ We can no longer sit on our hands and keep approving measures if we don ’ t agree , ” she said .
Richard Burgon MP , considered to be on the Labour left , declared today that he would not be voting for the new Covid measures , saying the “ current plans fall well short of what is needed and I can ’ t support them ” .

Keir Starmer has revealed that Labour will abstain on the House of Commons vote tomorrow on the new Covid regulations tier system amid reports that dozens of Conservative MPs are planning to rebel.
Commenting ahead of the crucial vote in parliament on Tuesday, the Labour leader accepted the need for continued Covid restrictions but voiced his concerns about Boris Johnson’s management of the pandemic.
Starmer said: “Coronavirus remains a serious threat to the public’s health and that’s why Labour accept the need for continued restrictions. We will always act in the national interest, so we will not vote against these restrictions in parliament tomorrow.
“However, I remain deeply concerned that Boris Johnson’s government has failed to use this latest lockdown to put a credible health and economic plan in place.
“We still don’t have a functioning testing system, public health messaging is confused, and businesses across the country are crying out for more effective economic support to get them through the winter months.
“It is short-term government incompetence that is causing long-term damage to the British economy. It is imperative that the government gets control of the virus so that our NHS can be protected and our economy recovers faster.”
The comments from the Labour leader come amid growing disquiet in Downing Street over a rebellion from the Tory backbenches. As many as 70 Conservative MPs are thought to be considering voting against the government.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock unveiled the return of the tiered, regional approach to coronavirus restrictions across the UK last week and revealed which areas would see the strictest measures when the lockdown lifts.
London will return to Tier 2 after the lockdown in England. Liverpool has been moved into Tier 2, but Greater Manchester remains in Tier 3 despite being under tough rules since July. Birmingham will enter Tier 3.
Across all three tiers in England, shops, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to open, while collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports will resume and the rule of six for gatherings of people will apply.
Government ministers have said that the tiered system will be reviewed regularly and the tier level of any area may change before Christmas, with the first review of the allocations set to take place on December 16th.
Starmer last week accused the Prime Minister of reintroducing a “risky” system after Johnson announced that England would return to the three-tier system. He said: “There are huge gaps in this plan, huge uncertainties and huge risk.”
Despite many Tory MPs and several Labour MPs expected to vote against the new rules, they are expected to pass as the Prime Minister has a majority of 80 in the Commons and Labour will whip to abstain rather than oppose.
The government has tonight accused Starmer of “playing politics” during Covid by abstaining, however. “While Keir Starmer claims he offers new leadership, it’s clear to all that he actually offers no leadership at all,” a No 10 spokesman said.
The return to the three-tier Covid-19 rules system will be voted on by MPs just hours before they are due to come into place, with the lockdown set to end at 12am on Wednesday if the fresh restrictions are approved.
Emma Lewell-Buck, Labour MP for South Shields, has spoken out against the whip to abstain and declared that Starmer should instead offer a free vote. “We can no longer sit on our hands and keep approving measures if we don’t agree,” she said.
Richard Burgon MP, considered to be on the Labour left, declared today that he would not be voting for the new Covid measures, saying the “current plans fall well short of what is needed and I can’t support them”.


labourlist--2020-11-30--The biggest student uprising in a decade is forming. Where is Labour?

Across the country , the biggest student uprising in a decade is forming – but so far the Labour Party has been almost completely absent from the fight .
At the University of Manchester , we ’ re proud to have just won our first major victory , with a 30 % rent cut in the first semester for all students in halls , making it the biggest rent strike victory at a university in history .
Organising began within weeks of us moving into halls .
Fallowfield , the largest student halls at the university had become the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , and persistent flooding , break-ins , leaks and rat infestations plagued us .
By the time the first instalment of rent was due , hundreds simply refused to pay .
Any pretence that the university cared about students beyond their £16,000 of tuition and rent was exposed as a facade .
After weeks of ignoring our calls for discourse and compromise , we decided to occupy the tallest building on campus , the Owen ’ s Park Tower .
With donations and support from students , staff and the wider Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two weeks until the university conceded .
It has now promised to pay out millions to students in rent rebates .
Throughout it all , the university ’ s attitude only worsened , fuelled by arrogance and incompetence , later epitomised by vice-chancellor Nancy Rothwell ’ s car-crash appearance on BBC Newsnight where she lied about having spoken to a student who was the victim of racial profiling by university security .
The reputation of the university has undoubtedly been tarnished by the disgraceful actions of Rothwell and her management .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s union or by experienced student activists , but almost entirely comprised of first-year undergraduates .
For most , this is their first experience of direct and collective action .
They have been radicalised by the A-Level fiasco of the summer and the cattle-like herding of thousands of students into unsafe and inadequate accommodation in the midst of a global pandemic .
At Manchester , it was the erection of steel fencing around our homes that saw frustration boil over into a campus-wide movement against the university and the government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For years , universities have used their monopoly on first-year accommodation to charge extortionate rents for crumbling and cramped halls .
Now , they ’ re finally faced with a student body unwilling to accept these circumstances .
The win at Manchester will hopefully be the turning point that ensures every student in the country can fight back and secure similar victories .
This environment seems to have all the perfect conditions for Labour to stand in solidarity with the student movement in their fight : unfiltered rage towards a Tory government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade union movement , thousands of young voters calling for a better standard of living .
Yet the party feels invisible at the moment .
In Manchester , we are lucky enough to have the incredible support of our local MP , Afzal Khan , meeting regularly with students and acting as a productive conduit between protestors and the university .
Every time an issue has arisen , he has been ready to fight the student ’ s corner , from excessive police presence on campus to the authoritarian response of the university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embodied the very best of what the Labour Party means – solidarity in the fight against the violence of greed .
Trade unions such as the UCU , UNISON and PCS have given unwavering and vital support to the protests , creating a powerful alliance of students and staff enough to scare any fat-cat vice-chancellor .
If the Labour Party wants to stay true to its values and original purpose , now more than ever it must start to take a leading role in this fight nationally , helping to organise students through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs are vocal and unrelenting in their support for students over profit-driven university managements .
If the party chooses not to do so , it risks losing an entire generation of politicised and radical students .
Where Labour is not proactive , there will always be another left-wing organisation ready to seize the opportunity – and such complacency is a gift to groups such as the SWP .
The party has now gone over a year without an organised student wing .
Whatever comes of Labour Students , if done effectively its replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , funding and coordination to Labour clubs everywhere .
It would put our party where it should rightly be : at the forefront of profoundly socialist student struggles .
We can not turn our back on student movements , especially not one that can , with support , change the face of our higher education system for the better even before the next Labour government .
Being in opposition only makes these wins more imperative .
With millions of young voters in 2024 who are too young to remember what a Labour government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to prove that they ’ re by their side if we ’ re to win the next election .

Across the country, the biggest student uprising in a decade is forming – but so far the Labour Party has been almost completely absent from the fight. At the University of Manchester, we’re proud to have just won our first major victory, with a 30% rent cut in the first semester for all students in halls, making it the biggest rent strike victory at a university in history.
Organising began within weeks of us moving into halls. Fallowfield, the largest student halls at the university had become the top Covid hotspot in the entirety of the UK, and persistent flooding, break-ins, leaks and rat infestations plagued us. By the time the first instalment of rent was due, hundreds simply refused to pay.
Any pretence that the university cared about students beyond their £16,000 of tuition and rent was exposed as a facade. After weeks of ignoring our calls for discourse and compromise, we decided to occupy the tallest building on campus, the Owen’s Park Tower. With donations and support from students, staff and the wider Manchester community, we managed to hold out for two weeks until the university conceded. It has now promised to pay out millions to students in rent rebates.
Throughout it all, the university’s attitude only worsened, fuelled by arrogance and incompetence, later epitomised by vice-chancellor Nancy Rothwell’s car-crash appearance on BBC Newsnight where she lied about having spoken to a student who was the victim of racial profiling by university security. The reputation of the university has undoubtedly been tarnished by the disgraceful actions of Rothwell and her management.
This movement is not led by the student’s union or by experienced student activists, but almost entirely comprised of first-year undergraduates. For most, this is their first experience of direct and collective action. They have been radicalised by the A-Level fiasco of the summer and the cattle-like herding of thousands of students into unsafe and inadequate accommodation in the midst of a global pandemic. At Manchester, it was the erection of steel fencing around our homes that saw frustration boil over into a campus-wide movement against the university and the government’s exploitative and deplorable treatment of students.
For years, universities have used their monopoly on first-year accommodation to charge extortionate rents for crumbling and cramped halls. Now, they’re finally faced with a student body unwilling to accept these circumstances. The win at Manchester will hopefully be the turning point that ensures every student in the country can fight back and secure similar victories.
This environment seems to have all the perfect conditions for Labour to stand in solidarity with the student movement in their fight: unfiltered rage towards a Tory government, successful strike action, support from the trade union movement, thousands of young voters calling for a better standard of living. Yet the party feels invisible at the moment.
In Manchester, we are lucky enough to have the incredible support of our local MP, Afzal Khan, meeting regularly with students and acting as a productive conduit between protestors and the university. Every time an issue has arisen, he has been ready to fight the student’s corner, from excessive police presence on campus to the authoritarian response of the university towards a peaceful occupation. Afzal has embodied the very best of what the Labour Party means – solidarity in the fight against the violence of greed.
Trade unions such as the UCU, UNISON and PCS have given unwavering and vital support to the protests, creating a powerful alliance of students and staff enough to scare any fat-cat vice-chancellor.
If the Labour Party wants to stay true to its values and original purpose, now more than ever it must start to take a leading role in this fight nationally, helping to organise students through its youth wings and ensuring all its MPs are vocal and unrelenting in their support for students over profit-driven university managements.
If the party chooses not to do so, it risks losing an entire generation of politicised and radical students. Where Labour is not proactive, there will always be another left-wing organisation ready to seize the opportunity – and such complacency is a gift to groups such as the SWP.
The party has now gone over a year without an organised student wing. Whatever comes of Labour Students, if done effectively its replacement has the potential to give much-needed energy, funding and coordination to Labour clubs everywhere. It would put our party where it should rightly be: at the forefront of profoundly socialist student struggles.
We cannot turn our back on student movements, especially not one that can, with support, change the face of our higher education system for the better even before the next Labour government. Being in opposition only makes these wins more imperative. With millions of young voters in 2024 who are too young to remember what a Labour government can do, Labour owes it to them to prove that they’re by their side if we’re to win the next election.


labourlist--2020-11-30--As Islamophobia awareness month ends, let us find safety in solidarity

As we mark the end of Islamophobia Awareness Month , let ’ s recognise that this is a chance to reflect on the fight against this rising bigotry .
And the picture is bleak .
Across the Channel , the French government has recently announced that it would close down the country ’ s largest non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating Islamophobia , the Collective against Islamophobia in France ( CCIF ) .
The purported justification is last month ’ s horrific attacks , even though CCIF has no connection to them .
Amnesty International has described the decision as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t stopped there .
Other measures his government has announced include issuing children with identification numbers and requiring imams to be officially accredited .
As Amnesty has said , Macron ’ s government has “ doubled down on their perpetual smear campaign against French Muslims ” .
These decisions should alarm every committed anti-racist .
From French Muslim friends , I know there is extreme distress and anxiety about the direction of the country .
The bigotry that Marine Le Pen and the National Front have stoked for decades is being mainstreamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-right .
But when I spoke out about it on social media , I was met with hostility and condescension from Britain ’ s own right-wing .
Conservative MP Neil O ’ Brien described my concerns as “ grim ” , telling me that Macron was “ reasserting basic liberal values ” – as if closing down anti-racist organisations and issuing children with ID numbers were “ liberal ” .
Spectator editor Fraser Nelson shot back saying Macron was “ defending , not attacking , Islam ” – a bold thing for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since his magazine has published articles saying “ there is not nearly enough Islamophobia in the Tory party ” .
The downplaying and dismissing of Islamophobia is something British Muslims are used to .
After all , in his bid to become Prime Minister , Boris Johnson hardly seems to have been hindered by his own Islamophobic remarks – even as his description of Muslim women as “ letterboxes ” and “ bankrobbers ” was found to have led to a shocking 375 % surge in Islamophobic incidents .
For years , Conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Islamophobia in her party , which , she has said , “ exists right from the grassroots , all the way up to the top ” .
This has been repeatedly ignored by the party leadership , which has reneged on its promise to hold an inquiry specifically into this issue .
The evidence certainly supports Warsi ’ s comments .
Polling has found that almost half of Conservative Party members believe Islam is “ a threat to the British way of life ” , while six in ten have negative attitudes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way to government policy .
To take just one example , this summer the government brought forward a bill that removes the statutory deadline to review its Prevent strategy , despite the overwhelming evidence that it discriminates against Muslims .
But Islamophobia is neither confined to the Conservative Party , nor is it new .
A report from the Muslim Labour Network , published earlier this month , shows that the Labour Party still has a long way to go .
29 % of respondents reported directly experiencing Islamophobia in the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party takes Islamophobia seriously ; and 48 % disagreed with the statement “ the Labour Party represents the Muslim community effectively ” compared to 29 % who agreed with it .
The report made for difficult reading , but I wasn ’ t surprised – my friends , my family , and I have all experienced Islamophobia in the party .
My own experience of Islamophobia started at a young age .
Growing up during the “ War on Terror ” , I remember the racial abuse family members and I would receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installed in a Muslim-majority area near to where I lived , and the silencing effects of Prevent at university .
But since I was elected as an MP last December , I have had to learn what it is like to be a left-wing Muslim in the public eye .
A letter filled with hate for my support for refugees told me to “ go back to your country of origin , foreigner !
” .
Another wished me a “ slow and painful death ” .
It isn ’ t nice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this , but it seems to be price of being a young , outspoken , left-wing Muslim woman .
I got active in politics to change things – to fight bigotry and oppression in all its forms and to build a more equal world .
So things like this don ’ t deter me .
Recent months have shown that the Labour Party must do more to truly champion equality , for Muslims , for trans people and for Jewish people .
These are not competing struggles .
They are motivated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the liberation and equality of all .
That is why we must abhor and challenge Islamophobia , antisemitism , transphobia and all forms of oppression , wherever we see them .
It is why we must treat an attack on one of us as an attack on all of us .
In coming together to fight oppression – whether it be Islamophobia , antisemitism , or any other form – we are all made stronger .
In uniting our struggles , we all stand taller .
And in building these links of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

As we mark the end of Islamophobia Awareness Month, let’s recognise that this is a chance to reflect on the fight against this rising bigotry. And the picture is bleak.
Across the Channel, the French government has recently announced that it would close down the country’s largest non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating Islamophobia, the Collective against Islamophobia in France (CCIF). The purported justification is last month’s horrific attacks, even though CCIF has no connection to them.
Amnesty International has described the decision as “shocking”. But Emmanuel Macron hasn’t stopped there. Other measures his government has announced include issuing children with identification numbers and requiring imams to be officially accredited. As Amnesty has said, Macron’s government has “doubled down on their perpetual smear campaign against French Muslims”.
These decisions should alarm every committed anti-racist. From French Muslim friends, I know there is extreme distress and anxiety about the direction of the country. The bigotry that Marine Le Pen and the National Front have stoked for decades is being mainstreamed as Macron chases the vote of the far-right. But when I spoke out about it on social media, I was met with hostility and condescension from Britain’s own right-wing.
Conservative MP Neil O’Brien described my concerns as “grim”, telling me that Macron was “reasserting basic liberal values” – as if closing down anti-racist organisations and issuing children with ID numbers were “liberal”. Spectator editor Fraser Nelson shot back saying Macron was “defending, not attacking, Islam” – a bold thing for him to tell a Muslim woman, especially since his magazine has published articles saying “there is not nearly enough Islamophobia in the Tory party”.
The downplaying and dismissing of Islamophobia is something British Muslims are used to. After all, in his bid to become Prime Minister, Boris Johnson hardly seems to have been hindered by his own Islamophobic remarks – even as his description of Muslim women as “letterboxes” and “bankrobbers” was found to have led to a shocking 375% surge in Islamophobic incidents.
For years, Conservative peer Baroness Warsi has highlighted “widespread” Islamophobia in her party, which, she has said, “exists right from the grassroots, all the way up to the top”. This has been repeatedly ignored by the party leadership, which has reneged on its promise to hold an inquiry specifically into this issue.
The evidence certainly supports Warsi’s comments. Polling has found that almost half of Conservative Party members believe Islam is “a threat to the British way of life”, while six in ten have negative attitudes towards Muslims. And these attitudes find their way to government policy. To take just one example, this summer the government brought forward a bill that removes the statutory deadline to review its Prevent strategy, despite the overwhelming evidence that it discriminates against Muslims.
But Islamophobia is neither confined to the Conservative Party, nor is it new. A report from the Muslim Labour Network, published earlier this month, shows that the Labour Party still has a long way to go. 29% of respondents reported directly experiencing Islamophobia in the party; 44% did not believe the party takes Islamophobia seriously; and 48% disagreed with the statement “the Labour Party represents the Muslim community effectively” compared to 29% who agreed with it. The report made for difficult reading, but I wasn’t surprised – my friends, my family, and I have all experienced Islamophobia in the party.
My own experience of Islamophobia started at a young age. Growing up during the “War on Terror”, I remember the racial abuse family members and I would receive on the street, the surveillance cameras installed in a Muslim-majority area near to where I lived, and the silencing effects of Prevent at university.
But since I was elected as an MP last December, I have had to learn what it is like to be a left-wing Muslim in the public eye. A letter filled with hate for my support for refugees told me to “go back to your country of origin, foreigner!”. Another wished me a “slow and painful death”.
It isn’t nice to need a police investigation into hate mail like this, but it seems to be price of being a young, outspoken, left-wing Muslim woman. I got active in politics to change things – to fight bigotry and oppression in all its forms and to build a more equal world. So things like this don’t deter me.
Recent months have shown that the Labour Party must do more to truly champion equality, for Muslims, for trans people and for Jewish people. These are not competing struggles. They are motivated by the same fundamental belief: a commitment to the liberation and equality of all. That is why we must abhor and challenge Islamophobia, antisemitism, transphobia and all forms of oppression, wherever we see them.
It is why we must treat an attack on one of us as an attack on all of us. In coming together to fight oppression – whether it be Islamophobia, antisemitism, or any other form – we are all made stronger. In uniting our struggles, we all stand taller. And in building these links of solidarity, we are all made safer.


labourlist--2020-11-30--Usdaw: “Longer opening hours will not fix the crisis on our high streets”

Shopworkers ’ union Usdaw has warned that “ longer opening hours will not fix the crisis on our high streets ” in response to a government decision to allow retail businesses to open 24 hours a day over the Christmas period .
Responding to a written ministerial statement from government minister Robert Jenrick today , general secretary Paddy Lillis described the measure as “ insignificant compared to the substantial issues the retail industry faces ” .
The comments from the retail union leader follow the government announcement that local authorities should not “ undertake planning enforcement action which would result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in December and January .
Commenting on the statement , Lillis said : “ The government ’ s announcement does not address the potential concerns of retail workers .
They are already going to be extremely busy in the run-up to Christmas after a four-week lockdown .
“ We are urging employers to safeguard staff welfare , ensure they are not overstretched and fulfil the extra hours with volunteers or through recruitment .
We also call on shoppers to follow the rules , be patient , but most of all ‘ keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The shopworkers ’ union called earlier this year for a new law to protect workers from abuse and keep employees safe after a survey revealed that such incidents had doubled during the pandemic .
Jenrick argued today that the government has worked with the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy and Public Health England to plan for a “ safe and successful reopening of non-essential retail on 2nd December ” .
But Lillis has this afternoon called for the government to work with unions and business .
He said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unions , employers and government working together to develop a recovery plan .
“ We have long called for an industrial strategy for retail to help a sector that was already struggling before the coronavirus emergency .
“ Government needs to level the playing field on taxation between online and the high street , reform business rates that are strangling so many businesses , as well as enabling councils to breathe new life into town centres and make them community hubs .
“ We have a choice here .
Do we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wall , or do we want to save it ?
Retail is an important feature of our towns and cities , it employs three million people across the UK and we need a recovery plan to get the industry back on its feet.
” Restrictions on shop opening hours on weekday and Saturdays were removed by section 23 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 .
But many retailers remain subject to local controls through planning conditions .
Jenrick told councils that they should take a “ positive approach to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not a barrier to the temporary extension of retail opening times ” over the next two months .
He also urged that local authorities “ highlight this temporary relaxation ” to businesses in their areas so that traders can take advantage of the longer opening hours after the national lockdown across England lifts on December 2nd .
Since the release of the statement , Primark has been among the first high street businesses to announce that it will take advantage of the relaxed trading hours with plans to open 11 of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive of UK Hospitality Kate Nicholls described the provisions for retail as “ arbitrary and unfair ” and claimed that the government had picked hospitality as the “ primary tool for controlling transmission with very limited evidence ” .

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw has warned that “longer opening hours will not fix the crisis on our high streets” in response to a government decision to allow retail businesses to open 24 hours a day over the Christmas period.
Responding to a written ministerial statement from government minister Robert Jenrick today, general secretary Paddy Lillis described the measure as “insignificant compared to the substantial issues the retail industry faces”.
The comments from the retail union leader follow the government announcement that local authorities should not “undertake planning enforcement action which would result in the unnecessary restriction of retail hours” in December and January.
Commenting on the statement, Lillis said: “The government’s announcement does not address the potential concerns of retail workers. They are already going to be extremely busy in the run-up to Christmas after a four-week lockdown.
“We are urging employers to safeguard staff welfare, ensure they are not overstretched and fulfil the extra hours with volunteers or through recruitment. We also call on shoppers to follow the rules, be patient, but most of all ‘keep your cool’ and respect shopworkers.”
The shopworkers’ union called earlier this year for a new law to protect workers from abuse and keep employees safe after a survey revealed that such incidents had doubled during the pandemic.
Jenrick argued today that the government has worked with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Public Health England to plan for a “safe and successful reopening of non-essential retail on 2nd December”.
But Lillis has this afternoon called for the government to work with unions and business. He said: “What retail needs is a tripartite approach of unions, employers and government working together to develop a recovery plan.
“We have long called for an industrial strategy for retail to help a sector that was already struggling before the coronavirus emergency.
“Government needs to level the playing field on taxation between online and the high street, reform business rates that are strangling so many businesses, as well as enabling councils to breathe new life into town centres and make them community hubs.
“We have a choice here. Do we want to see the high street go to the wall, or do we want to save it? Retail is an important feature of our towns and cities, it employs three million people across the UK and we need a recovery plan to get the industry back on its feet.”
Restrictions on shop opening hours on weekday and Saturdays were removed by section 23 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. But many retailers remain subject to local controls through planning conditions.
Jenrick told councils that they should take a “positive approach to their engagement with retailers to ensure planning controls are not a barrier to the temporary extension of retail opening times” over the next two months.
He also urged that local authorities “highlight this temporary relaxation” to businesses in their areas so that traders can take advantage of the longer opening hours after the national lockdown across England lifts on December 2nd.
Since the release of the statement, Primark has been among the first high street businesses to announce that it will take advantage of the relaxed trading hours with plans to open 11 of its stores 24 hours a day.
Chief executive of UK Hospitality Kate Nicholls described the provisions for retail as “arbitrary and unfair” and claimed that the government had picked hospitality as the “primary tool for controlling transmission with very limited evidence”.


labourlist--2020-11-30--Covid crisis changed my view of local and regionals mayors, says Starmer

Keir Starmer has revealed in a ‘ Call Keir ’ session with Morecambe and Lancaster residents this afternoon that the coronavirus crisis has changed his view of directly-elected local and regional mayors .
Asked about a devolution deal not being secured so far for Lancashire , Starmer said : “ One thing that comes through loud and clear in local communities is that sense of wanting to be heard and wanting to influence decisions .
“ I think we should start with the principle that decisions about people should be made as close to people as they can .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wary about local mayors , regional mayors , when the idea was first unfolding .
“ I have to now accept that after the way that local mayors – Andy Burnham , Steve Rotherham , Joe Anderson in Liverpool – have been the powerful voice of their communities over the last few months , particularly in this pandemic , I think they ’ ve proved the worth of a voice on the ground .
“ Local authority leaders have done the same .
I actually think that those – Andy , Steve , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and being seen to stand up for their communities has been really empowering .
“ I think lots of people would say actually that ’ s a good thing because those voices of the North West absolutely need to be heard .
What they bring is that sense of completely understanding the communities they represent .
“ For me , I think one of the challenges going forward , and one of the things an incoming Labour government would want to do in 2024 , is take power and resources away from Westminster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local communities as a matter of principle.
” Starmer agreed with one participant that Labour had recently been missing “ aspiration ” , said the party should make its support for businesses clear , and stressed the need to address regional inequality .
The Labour leader said : “ The vision that we need at the moment is of a Britain that will get through this pandemic – and we will… Then I think the vision has to be not to go back to where we were before the pandemic but actually to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because I actually think that this pandemic has exposed a lot of the inequalities that were there , a lot of the fragile way in which we ran our economy .
In one sense , I know people want to go back to normal .
“ I think we owe it to them to have a better future than that , a more secure economy that is actually working across different regions of the country in a much , much better way.
” He added : “ We need to put decision-making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground in local communities .
We need to be brave about that , an incoming Labour government needs to be brave about that .
“ So the vision is of a much better Britain , and what I ’ m going to set out to describe in the next few months is what would Britain look like if Labour won in 2024 .
“ What would the difference be ?
Rather than slogans or broad statements , actually in practical terms how does it look different.
” Asked about how his party planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House of Commons on Tuesday , the Labour leader said he had been talking to Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance “ in confidence throughout the process ” .
Starmer said he would talk to the government medical advisers this afternoon ahead of the vote .
He is worried that “ we ’ re going to go round and round in circles ” with lockdowns if the new system “ isn ’ t better than the last one ” , the leader said .
“ I do think there are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added , however .
“ We are not in the same place as some of those Conservative MPs who say ‘ we don ’ t need restrictions ’ .
We do need restrictions .
“ I ’ m very conscious of the fact that however much I criticise the government ’ s approach… the Labour Party has to act in the national interest here.
” It is understood that Labour will either vote for the new rules or abstain .

Keir Starmer has revealed in a ‘Call Keir’ session with Morecambe and Lancaster residents this afternoon that the coronavirus crisis has changed his view of directly-elected local and regional mayors.
Asked about a devolution deal not being secured so far for Lancashire, Starmer said: “One thing that comes through loud and clear in local communities is that sense of wanting to be heard and wanting to influence decisions.
“I think we should start with the principle that decisions about people should be made as close to people as they can. I have to admit I was a bit wary about local mayors, regional mayors, when the idea was first unfolding.
“I have to now accept that after the way that local mayors – Andy Burnham, Steve Rotherham, Joe Anderson in Liverpool – have been the powerful voice of their communities over the last few months, particularly in this pandemic, I think they’ve proved the worth of a voice on the ground.
“Local authority leaders have done the same. I actually think that those – Andy, Steve, Joe – standing up for the communities and being seen to stand up for their communities has been really empowering.
“I think lots of people would say actually that’s a good thing because those voices of the North West absolutely need to be heard. What they bring is that sense of completely understanding the communities they represent.
“For me, I think one of the challenges going forward, and one of the things an incoming Labour government would want to do in 2024, is take power and resources away from Westminster and Whitehall and put it closer to local communities as a matter of principle.”
Starmer agreed with one participant that Labour had recently been missing “aspiration”, said the party should make its support for businesses clear, and stressed the need to address regional inequality.
The Labour leader said: “The vision that we need at the moment is of a Britain that will get through this pandemic – and we will… Then I think the vision has to be not to go back to where we were before the pandemic but actually to go forward to a better Britain.
“Because I actually think that this pandemic has exposed a lot of the inequalities that were there, a lot of the fragile way in which we ran our economy. In one sense, I know people want to go back to normal.
“I think we owe it to them to have a better future than that, a more secure economy that is actually working across different regions of the country in a much, much better way.”
He added: “We need to put decision-making and resources closer to people on the ground in local communities. We need to be brave about that, an incoming Labour government needs to be brave about that.
“So the vision is of a much better Britain, and what I’m going to set out to describe in the next few months is what would Britain look like if Labour won in 2024.
“What would the difference be? Rather than slogans or broad statements, actually in practical terms how does it look different.”
Asked about how his party planned to vote on the new Covid restrictions in the House of Commons on Tuesday, the Labour leader said he had been talking to Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance “in confidence throughout the process”.
Starmer said he would talk to the government medical advisers this afternoon ahead of the vote. He is worried that “we’re going to go round and round in circles” with lockdowns if the new system “isn’t better than the last one”, the leader said.
“I do think there are going to have to be restrictions,” he added, however. “We are not in the same place as some of those Conservative MPs who say ‘we don’t need restrictions’. We do need restrictions.
“I’m very conscious of the fact that however much I criticise the government’s approach… the Labour Party has to act in the national interest here.” It is understood that Labour will either vote for the new rules or abstain.


labourlist--2020-12-01--The Taylor review was launched four years ago. We need it implemented now

Monday marked four years since the Taylor review into modern working practices was officially launched .
Despite accepting 51 out of its 53 recommendations , the government has only legislated for seven .
At a time when we are witnessing a rise in insecure work due to the economic fallout from Covid , it is crucially important to revisit the review .
Its overriding ambition – that “ all work in the UK economy should be fair and decent with realistic scope for development and fulfilment ” – should be at the heart of plans for an inclusive recovery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning to happen , with the crisis having a disproportionate economic impact on women , ethnic minorities , young people and the lowest paid .
The number of people on zero-hours contracts has also increased by almost 20 % to a record high of 1.05 million compared to last year .
Our recovery from this crisis must curb this and refocus efforts towards building towards the goal of good work for all .
The Taylor review recommendations were a step in the right direction .
Four years on , the government has failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices we need .
Its failure to act also played its part in reducing the resilience of jobs going into the pandemic .
Too many entered the crisis in an already precarious position .
Covid has exposed the chronic failure to protect workers ’ rights , from health and safety law to national minimum wage enforcement .
Workplace inspections have been rare too and prosecutions even rarer .
The Chancellor said last week that the economic emergency has just begun .
He should try telling that to those who have been out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have seen their terms and conditions hit by unacceptable fire and rehire practices .
That is why we have been waiting for the employment bill to come before parliament , to be able to debate and legislate on these issues .
This is even more critical as employment will be one of the biggest challenges our country faces next year , with unemployment forecast to rise to 7.5 % .
But our parliamentary questions reveal that the employment bill , which the government claimed would “ make Britain the best place in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been kicked into the long grass at a time when changes to employment law are more urgent than ever .
The bill will not address the full scourge of the gig economy , but it would give us the chance to push for all workers to be entitled to a basic level of support and protection , as well as greater rights for workers to address the imbalance of power in the workplace .
As it plans for the recovery , the government needs to retrain workers and rebuild business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work alongside a social security system fit for purpose .
All workers should have a comprehensive set of rights and protections to enhance their experience of work and address inequality , while trade unions must have a central place in speaking for workers and giving them a voice .
Economic justice can only be achieved when good workplace relations are established , underpinned with strong laws and mechanisms that enrich the lives of workers and reward them fairly .
Current employment law has left millions of workers without financial support and security , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is why we need an explicit commitment of good work for all in our recovery , stemming from the creation of new high-quality green jobs , enhanced employment rights , and effective and inclusive employment support measures .

Monday marked four years since the Taylor review into modern working practices was officially launched. Despite accepting 51 out of its 53 recommendations, the government has only legislated for seven. At a time when we are witnessing a rise in insecure work due to the economic fallout from Covid, it is crucially important to revisit the review. Its overriding ambition – that “all work in the UK economy should be fair and decent with realistic scope for development and fulfilment” – should be at the heart of plans for an inclusive recovery.
Instead, we are seeing the opposite beginning to happen, with the crisis having a disproportionate economic impact on women, ethnic minorities, young people and the lowest paid. The number of people on zero-hours contracts has also increased by almost 20% to a record high of 1.05 million compared to last year. Our recovery from this crisis must curb this and refocus efforts towards building towards the goal of good work for all. The Taylor review recommendations were a step in the right direction.
Four years on, the government has failed to make the meaningful changes to employment practices we need. Its failure to act also played its part in reducing the resilience of jobs going into the pandemic. Too many entered the crisis in an already precarious position. Covid has exposed the chronic failure to protect workers’ rights, from health and safety law to national minimum wage enforcement. Workplace inspections have been rare too and prosecutions even rarer. The Chancellor said last week that the economic emergency has just begun. He should try telling that to those who have been out of work since March, and others who have seen their terms and conditions hit by unacceptable fire and rehire practices.
That is why we have been waiting for the employment bill to come before parliament, to be able to debate and legislate on these issues. This is even more critical as employment will be one of the biggest challenges our country faces next year, with unemployment forecast to rise to 7.5%. But our parliamentary questions reveal that the employment bill, which the government claimed would “make Britain the best place in the world to work”, now appears to have been kicked into the long grass at a time when changes to employment law are more urgent than ever. The bill will not address the full scourge of the gig economy, but it would give us the chance to push for all workers to be entitled to a basic level of support and protection, as well as greater rights for workers to address the imbalance of power in the workplace.
As it plans for the recovery, the government needs to retrain workers and rebuild business. The future of work must mean fair work alongside a social security system fit for purpose. All workers should have a comprehensive set of rights and protections to enhance their experience of work and address inequality, while trade unions must have a central place in speaking for workers and giving them a voice. Economic justice can only be achieved when good workplace relations are established, underpinned with strong laws and mechanisms that enrich the lives of workers and reward them fairly.
Current employment law has left millions of workers without financial support and security, with many more working in unsafe conditions. This is why we need an explicit commitment of good work for all in our recovery, stemming from the creation of new high-quality green jobs, enhanced employment rights, and effective and inclusive employment support measures.


labourlist--2020-12-01--Food bank figures show Universal Credit “clearly failing”, says Labour

Labour has warned that Universal Credit is “ clearly failing ” as new figures show half of all households visiting food banks have struggled to afford essential goods as a result of repaying debt accrued through the benefit .
The party responded to data published by the Trussell Trust this morning that revealed deductions from claimants ’ payments , in most cases to repay the Universal Credit advanced loan , could reduce household incomes by up to a third .
Jonathan Reynolds said : “ It can not be right that people are turning to food banks because the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least afford it .
The Universal Credit system is clearly failing these families when they can not afford essentials.
” The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary added : “ Labour called on the government to end the five-week wait and pay advances as grants not loans to stop this spiral of debt and support Britain ’ s struggling families through this crisis.
” Claimants can apply for a Universal Credit loan to see them through the five-week waiting period for the benefit payments to begin .
But this is repayable through deductions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of people on the benefit has more than doubled over the course of the pandemic , with 5.7 million people in receipt of Universal Credit in October .
Around 1.3 million claimants were issued with loans between March and June .
Labour urged the government to make five changes to the benefit earlier this year , including scrapping the five-week wait .
The Trussell Trust has called on ministers to freeze deductions to payments to help families struggling in the pandemic .
Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s security , not suffering .
But right now the government is taking money from the benefit payments of many people using food banks .
“ Taking money off payments to repay these debts makes it much harder for people to afford the essentials and can impact on people ’ s mental health – this isn ’ t OK. “ With the pandemic continuing to hit people ’ s incomes , the government must pause taking money from benefit payments over the winter months until a more responsible and just system that offers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This would help people on the lowest incomes to keep every penny of their benefits to help afford the absolute essentials , instead of needing to turn to a food bank for help.
” Labour has also called on the government to renew the £20 uplift in the benefit , which it instituted in March as an emergency measure , and last month called on it to “ see sense ” on the planned reinstatement of the minimum income floor .

Labour has warned that Universal Credit is “clearly failing” as new figures show half of all households visiting food banks have struggled to afford essential goods as a result of repaying debt accrued through the benefit.
The party responded to data published by the Trussell Trust this morning that revealed deductions from claimants’ payments, in most cases to repay the Universal Credit advanced loan, could reduce household incomes by up to a third.
Jonathan Reynolds said: “It cannot be right that people are turning to food banks because the government is taking money from those who can least afford it. The Universal Credit system is clearly failing these families when they cannot afford essentials.”
The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary added: “Labour called on the government to end the five-week wait and pay advances as grants not loans to stop this spiral of debt and support Britain’s struggling families through this crisis.”
Claimants can apply for a Universal Credit loan to see them through the five-week waiting period for the benefit payments to begin. But this is repayable through deductions to the subsequent payments an applicant receives.
The number of people on the benefit has more than doubled over the course of the pandemic, with 5.7 million people in receipt of Universal Credit in October. Around 1.3 million claimants were issued with loans between March and June.
Labour urged the government to make five changes to the benefit earlier this year, including scrapping the five-week wait. The Trussell Trust has called on ministers to freeze deductions to payments to help families struggling in the pandemic.
Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said: “Our welfare system should increase people’s security, not suffering. But right now the government is taking money from the benefit payments of many people using food banks.
“Taking money off payments to repay these debts makes it much harder for people to afford the essentials and can impact on people’s mental health – this isn’t OK.
“With the pandemic continuing to hit people’s incomes, the government must pause taking money from benefit payments over the winter months until a more responsible and just system that offers security and support is in place.
“This would help people on the lowest incomes to keep every penny of their benefits to help afford the absolute essentials, instead of needing to turn to a food bank for help.”
Labour has also called on the government to renew the £20 uplift in the benefit, which it instituted in March as an emergency measure, and last month called on it to “see sense” on the planned reinstatement of the minimum income floor.


labourlist--2020-12-01--The buck stops tier: MPs prepare to vote on new Covid restrictions

MPs will vote today on whether to adopt the updated tier system for Covid restrictions .
Debate will start from 12.45pm with the final showdown expected after 7pm .
Keir Starmer declared last night that Labour will be abstaining .
The party has no problem with the tier system itself , but does have a problem with the lack of business support for those under the strictest tiers and the still failing ‘ NHS ’ track and trace programme .
Shadow minister Lucy Powell said this morning that Boris Johnson “ still has time ” to announce a “ cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 3 .
Why won ’ t Labour simply oppose the measures ?
If Labour MPs were whipped to vote against , the new rules might not pass , which would force the government to pass them via emergency procedures .
Some argue this risks the accusation that Labour is not providing ‘ responsible opposition ’ .
Labour is not completely united in its response , however .
Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck , for example , has urged the leadership to offer a free vote on the issue .
She argued : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government to look at a new approach if you keep abstaining and sitting on your hands.
” Meanwhile , Jon Trickett MP has written for LabourList on the publication of a new report by No Holding Back this morning and called for “ uniform restrictions that treat the country as one ” .
But with dozens of Tory MPs reportedly planning on rebelling against the Conservative whip this evening , the focus should remain on the splits in Prime Minister ’ s party over the measures .
Today is World AIDS Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the hopes that we can end new HIV transmissions here in the UK .
The shadow minister has highlighted a new HIV Commission report , which he says provides a “ roadmap to get us there ” .
Elsewhere on LabourList , Labour backbencher Zarah Sultana has marked the end of Islamophobia awareness month with a call for solidarity across discriminated groups and wrote : “ In uniting our struggles , we all stand taller.
” And University of Manchester Rent Strike activist Ben McGowan penned a piece in which he explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade is forming ” .
The Labour member highlighted the absence of Labour from the movement , arguing that “ the party feels invisible at the moment ” and urging it not to turn its back on students .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

MPs will vote today on whether to adopt the updated tier system for Covid restrictions. Debate will start from 12.45pm with the final showdown expected after 7pm. Keir Starmer declared last night that Labour will be abstaining. The party has no problem with the tier system itself, but does have a problem with the lack of business support for those under the strictest tiers and the still failing ‘NHS’ track and trace programme. Shadow minister Lucy Powell said this morning that Boris Johnson “still has time” to announce a “cash injection” for businesses in Tiers 2 and 3. Why won’t Labour simply oppose the measures? If Labour MPs were whipped to vote against, the new rules might not pass, which would force the government to pass them via emergency procedures. Some argue this risks the accusation that Labour is not providing ‘responsible opposition’.
Labour is not completely united in its response, however. Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck, for example, has urged the leadership to offer a free vote on the issue. She argued: “You’re not going to get the government to look at a new approach if you keep abstaining and sitting on your hands.” Meanwhile, Jon Trickett MP has written for LabourList on the publication of a new report by No Holding Back this morning and called for “uniform restrictions that treat the country as one”. But with dozens of Tory MPs reportedly planning on rebelling against the Conservative whip this evening, the focus should remain on the splits in Prime Minister’s party over the measures.
Today is World AIDS Day and Alex Norris has written for us on the hopes that we can end new HIV transmissions here in the UK. The shadow minister has highlighted a new HIV Commission report, which he says provides a “roadmap to get us there”. Elsewhere on LabourList, Labour backbencher Zarah Sultana has marked the end of Islamophobia awareness month with a call for solidarity across discriminated groups and wrote: “In uniting our struggles, we all stand taller.” And University of Manchester Rent Strike activist Ben McGowan penned a piece in which he explained that “the biggest student uprising in a decade is forming”. The Labour member highlighted the absence of Labour from the movement, arguing that “the party feels invisible at the moment” and urging it not to turn its back on students. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-12-01--WATCH: “We’ve got big issues with the business support package,” says Labour on tiers

Labour ’ s Lucy Powell has said the party has “ big issues with the business support package ” and called on the Prime Minister to bring forward an additional “ cash injection ” for those in the most severe tier restrictions .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the shadow minister for business and consumers discussed the government ’ s tiered approach to Covid ahead of a Commons vote this afternoon in which MPs will approve or reject the measures .
On the need for the restrictions , Powell said : “ I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to be telling people what to do… But restrictions and these rules have been the most effective way , unfortunately , to kind of deal with the virus.
” Parliament will debate the system from 12.45pm today with votes expected to take place this evening .
Keir Starmer said on Monday evening that Labour will be abstaining amid reports that dozens of Tories are planning to rebel .
Asked why Labour does not vote for the tier system , Powell argued : “ The specifics of this particular tiering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – there are issues we ’ ve got with that , the particular proposals the government has brought forward .
“ And we ’ ve got big issues with the business support package .
So , we ’ re not going to vote for these .
We didn ’ t vote for the tiering system when it was brought in a few weeks ago .
“ We abstained then in order to allow it through but expressing that we did have misgivings and reservations and that ’ s what we ’ re doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be relying on Labour votes.
” She added : “ He ’ s [ Boris Johnson ] still got time to say that businesses , particularly those in Tier 3 and Tier 2 that are getting the same support as those in Tier 1 , need more cash injection , more cash support to get them through to the other side of Christmas.
” Health Secretary Matt Hancock unveiled the return of the tiered , regional approach to coronavirus restrictions across the UK last week and revealed which areas would see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London will return to Tier 2 after the lockdown in England .
Liverpool has been moved into Tier 2 , but Greater Manchester remains in Tier 3 despite being under tough rules since July .
Birmingham will enter Tier 3 .
Across all three tiers in England , shops , gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to open , while collective worship , weddings and outdoor sports will resume and the rule of six for gatherings of people will apply .
Government ministers have said that the tiered system will be reviewed regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may change before Christmas , with the first review of the allocations set to take place on December 16th .
Despite many Tory MPs and several Labour MPs expected to vote against the new rules , they are expected to pass as the Prime Minister has a majority of 80 in the Commons and Labour will whip to abstain rather than oppose .
The return to the three-tier Covid-19 rules system will be voted on by MPs just hours before they are due to come into place , with the lockdown set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh restrictions are approved .
Emma Lewell-Buck , Labour MP for South Shields , has spoken out against the whip to abstain and declared that Starmer should instead offer a free vote .
“ We can no longer sit on our hands and keep approving measures if we don ’ t agree , ” she said .
Richard Burgon MP , considered to be on the Labour left , declared on Monday that he would not be voting for the new Covid measures , saying the “ current plans fall well short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t support them ” .

Labour’s Lucy Powell has said the party has “big issues with the business support package” and called on the Prime Minister to bring forward an additional “cash injection” for those in the most severe tier restrictions.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the shadow minister for business and consumers discussed the government’s tiered approach to Covid ahead of a Commons vote this afternoon in which MPs will approve or reject the measures.
On the need for the restrictions, Powell said: “I don’t want to live like this. I don’t want to be telling people what to do… But restrictions and these rules have been the most effective way, unfortunately, to kind of deal with the virus.”
Parliament will debate the system from 12.45pm today with votes expected to take place this evening. Keir Starmer said on Monday evening that Labour will be abstaining amid reports that dozens of Tories are planning to rebel.
Asked why Labour does not vote for the tier system, Powell argued: “The specifics of this particular tiering system and how it’s worked – there are issues we’ve got with that, the particular proposals the government has brought forward.
“And we’ve got big issues with the business support package. So, we’re not going to vote for these. We didn’t vote for the tiering system when it was brought in a few weeks ago.
“We abstained then in order to allow it through but expressing that we did have misgivings and reservations and that’s what we’re doing this evening. The government shouldn’t be relying on Labour votes.”
She added: “He’s [Boris Johnson] still got time to say that businesses, particularly those in Tier 3 and Tier 2 that are getting the same support as those in Tier 1, need more cash injection, more cash support to get them through to the other side of Christmas.”
Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers Lucy Powell says there are "issues" with the new restrictions in England after Labour MPs revealed they will abstain on the vote to approve the tier system later today.#KayBurley https://t.co/UV70Cs1n0C pic.twitter.com/hbDh2lgZy1 — Sky News (@SkyNews) December 1, 2020
Health Secretary Matt Hancock unveiled the return of the tiered, regional approach to coronavirus restrictions across the UK last week and revealed which areas would see the strictest measures when the lockdown lifts.
London will return to Tier 2 after the lockdown in England. Liverpool has been moved into Tier 2, but Greater Manchester remains in Tier 3 despite being under tough rules since July. Birmingham will enter Tier 3.
Across all three tiers in England, shops, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to open, while collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports will resume and the rule of six for gatherings of people will apply.
Government ministers have said that the tiered system will be reviewed regularly and the tier level of any area may change before Christmas, with the first review of the allocations set to take place on December 16th.
Despite many Tory MPs and several Labour MPs expected to vote against the new rules, they are expected to pass as the Prime Minister has a majority of 80 in the Commons and Labour will whip to abstain rather than oppose.
The return to the three-tier Covid-19 rules system will be voted on by MPs just hours before they are due to come into place, with the lockdown set to end at 12am on Wednesday if the fresh restrictions are approved.
Emma Lewell-Buck, Labour MP for South Shields, has spoken out against the whip to abstain and declared that Starmer should instead offer a free vote. “We can no longer sit on our hands and keep approving measures if we don’t agree,” she said.
Richard Burgon MP, considered to be on the Labour left, declared on Monday that he would not be voting for the new Covid measures, saying the “current plans fall well short of what is needed and I can’t support them”.


labourlist--2020-12-01--A Labour government will deliver on our mission to end the HIV epidemic

Today , across the globe , millions will mark World AIDS Day to remember those lives painfully cut short and recognise the impact HIV/AIDS still has on the 38 million people living with HIV .
On the 32nd World AIDS Day , we have reasons to be hopeful : we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end new HIV transmissions here in the UK with the publication of a new report giving a roadmap to get us there .
In the UK , we ’ ve made big progress in the fight against HIV .
Falling cases have been most notable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new diagnoses being nearly halved since 2014 .
It is Labour ’ s aim that every community affected by HIV has the same results .
The treatment available now means someone diagnosed early with HIV can expect a normal and healthy life , and can ’ t pass on the virus – yes , can ’ t .
Alongside the introduction of the highly effective anti-HIV drug PrEP – which Labour fought tooth and nail for the government to finally allow our NHS staff to provide – this has resulted in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second consecutive year .
94 % of those living with HIV are diagnosed , with 98 % of those on HIV treatment and 97 % of people on treatment unable to pass it on .
A national commission looking at how to end the epidemic has today published its recommendations to the government .
My colleague Wes Streeting MP served on the HIV Commission since its inception .
It was led by former Lloyds of London Chair , Dame Inga Beale .
Alongside them were leading experts from science , community activists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gareth Thomas , and former Tory minister for public health Steve Brine MP .
Together they have set an important path – if their message is headed , this country could be the first in the world to have no new cases of HIV .
An opportunity we can not miss .
The government has committed to ending the HIV epidemic in the UK by 2030 , something that Labour supports .
But while it was a Tory Health Secretary that made this pledge , I want it to be a Labour government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge to stop new HIV transmissions is huge , yet it can be done .
There are still around 6,600 people living with HIV who are undiagnosed in the UK and 42 % of people diagnosed with HIV in 2019 for their diagnosis at a clinically late stage .
The HIV Commission makes clear that to reach the 2030 target , we need to test , test , test .
Wherever someone has a blood test , testing for HIV also should become standard practice .
Even in places where it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not .
This is a problem of the Tories ’ own making – a legacy of the Andrew Lansley 2012 Health and Social Act ; the budget for HIV testing is with local government , but invariably the places testing needs to happen are funded by clinical commissioning groups .
It is time the government corrected its own failures .
Our frontline NHS and local government services are crucial in this mission .
Yet public health budgets have been slashed by Tory Chancellors since 2014 and despite the recent uplift , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 % lower per head in real terms .
According to the Kings Fund , the government needs to inject £1bn to simply restore public health spending to previous levels .
Nothing was done to restore this funding in last week ’ s mini budget .
Despite having their hands tied by these financial pressures , I ’ m proud that it ’ s Labour mayors and Labour administrations that are showing leadership in the fight against HIV .
On Sadiq Khan ’ s watch , new cases of HIV in the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Vaughan Gething was not only the first UK health minister to pledge to end transmission by 2030 , his decision not to cap access to PrEP – unlike until recently in England – has resulted in zero new cases of HIV among those taking PrEP .
Marvin Rees , mayor of Bristol , ensured his local area was the first to be ready to roll out PrEP and his deputy Asher Craig is playing an important part in taking the message of PrEP to those less likely to know about the benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women and men .
We mustn ’ t forget that while in government Labour laid the foundations to turn the tide against HIV – something we can be proud of .
From slashing VAT on condoms to introducing the Equality Act that gives legal protections to people living with HIV to prevent discrimination when accessing services .
But our job is unfinished .
Two years ago , my brave colleague , Lloyd Russell-Moyle made history by publicly announcing he is living with HIV during an emotional debate in parliament .
In his speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have the ability to end new HIV transmissions , as well as to end stigma and discrimination – not only here , but globally .
I hope we can all make that our mission.
” Labour ’ s commitment to delivering social justice is at the very soul of our party , and Keir Starmer ’ s leadership .
We will hold this government to their commitments , pressure them to do everything necessary to ensure we are the first country to end transmissions and publish their long-awaited HIV Action Plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – at any stage – to take on this important task .
I am determined that it will be a Labour government that makes history and delivers on this mission to end the HIV epidemic .

Today, across the globe, millions will mark World AIDS Day to remember those lives painfully cut short and recognise the impact HIV/AIDS still has on the 38 million people living with HIV. On the 32nd World AIDS Day, we have reasons to be hopeful: we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end new HIV transmissions here in the UK with the publication of a new report giving a roadmap to get us there.
In the UK, we’ve made big progress in the fight against HIV. Falling cases have been most notable among gay and bisexual men, with new diagnoses being nearly halved since 2014. It is Labour’s aim that every community affected by HIV has the same results.
The treatment available now means someone diagnosed early with HIV can expect a normal and healthy life, and can’t pass on the virus – yes, can’t. Alongside the introduction of the highly effective anti-HIV drug PrEP – which Labour fought tooth and nail for the government to finally allow our NHS staff to provide – this has resulted in the UK achieving the global UNAIDS target for a second consecutive year. 94% of those living with HIV are diagnosed, with 98% of those on HIV treatment and 97% of people on treatment unable to pass it on.
A national commission looking at how to end the epidemic has today published its recommendations to the government. My colleague Wes Streeting MP served on the HIV Commission since its inception. It was led by former Lloyds of London Chair, Dame Inga Beale. Alongside them were leading experts from science, community activists, people living with HIV including ex-Wales international Gareth Thomas, and former Tory minister for public health Steve Brine MP. Together they have set an important path – if their message is headed, this country could be the first in the world to have no new cases of HIV. An opportunity we cannot miss.
The government has committed to ending the HIV epidemic in the UK by 2030, something that Labour supports. But while it was a Tory Health Secretary that made this pledge, I want it to be a Labour government that delivers it. The scale of the challenge to stop new HIV transmissions is huge, yet it can be done.
There are still around 6,600 people living with HIV who are undiagnosed in the UK and 42% of people diagnosed with HIV in 2019 for their diagnosis at a clinically late stage. The HIV Commission makes clear that to reach the 2030 target, we need to test, test, test.
Wherever someone has a blood test, testing for HIV also should become standard practice. Even in places where it should be happening right now, it’s not. This is a problem of the Tories’ own making – a legacy of the Andrew Lansley 2012 Health and Social Act; the budget for HIV testing is with local government, but invariably the places testing needs to happen are funded by clinical commissioning groups. It is time the government corrected its own failures.
Our frontline NHS and local government services are crucial in this mission. Yet public health budgets have been slashed by Tory Chancellors since 2014 and despite the recent uplift, the grant for local councils in 2020/21 was 22% lower per head in real terms. According to the Kings Fund, the government needs to inject £1bn to simply restore public health spending to previous levels. Nothing was done to restore this funding in last week’s mini budget.
Despite having their hands tied by these financial pressures, I’m proud that it’s Labour mayors and Labour administrations that are showing leadership in the fight against HIV.
On Sadiq Khan’s watch, new cases of HIV in the capital have fallen. In Wales, health minister Vaughan Gething was not only the first UK health minister to pledge to end transmission by 2030, his decision not to cap access to PrEP – unlike until recently in England – has resulted in zero new cases of HIV among those taking PrEP. Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, ensured his local area was the first to be ready to roll out PrEP and his deputy Asher Craig is playing an important part in taking the message of PrEP to those less likely to know about the benefits of PrEP, including among Black African women and men.
We mustn’t forget that while in government Labour laid the foundations to turn the tide against HIV – something we can be proud of. From slashing VAT on condoms to introducing the Equality Act that gives legal protections to people living with HIV to prevent discrimination when accessing services. But our job is unfinished.
Two years ago, my brave colleague, Lloyd Russell-Moyle made history by publicly announcing he is living with HIV during an emotional debate in parliament. In his speech, Lloyd had this powerful plea: “We have the ability to end new HIV transmissions, as well as to end stigma and discrimination – not only here, but globally. I hope we can all make that our mission.”
Labour’s commitment to delivering social justice is at the very soul of our party, and Keir Starmer’s leadership. We will hold this government to their commitments, pressure them to do everything necessary to ensure we are the first country to end transmissions and publish their long-awaited HIV Action Plan by Summer 2021, and be ready – at any stage – to take on this important task. I am determined that it will be a Labour government that makes history and delivers on this mission to end the HIV epidemic.


labourlist--2020-12-01--Covid is not a map reader. The only way to crush the curve is uniform restrictions

No Holding Back exists as an organisation to give voice to all those communities in Britain that are being held back .
They are to be found everywhere : in the seaside towns , the post-industrial communities in the North and elsewhere , the fishing communities , or in the most deprived areas of the inner cities .
They make up millions of people in our country .
For too long , these groups have been ignored as their relative economic and social decline continued .
They have been betrayed by a privileged elite group whose decisions dominate our political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this golden closed circle has been to promote their own cause rather than that of a more socially just settlement for everyone .
This situation is unacceptable .
It is time to turn up the volume .
Today , we publish our detailed and forensic analysis of the Covid situation .
Obviously , the virus attacks the same physiological attributes that every human being possesses .
In this sense , it is a ‘ great leveller ’ .
Every human being is susceptible .
But we have not all been subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that the virus has a greater impact on older people , ethnic minorities and those with underlying conditions .
It is more likely to affect deprived communities , whose public services have been underfunded or cut , and those in low-paid insecure work , especially in frontline key worker roles .
Look at the figures .
They are quite staggering .
As the Office for National Statistics revealed , in England the age-standardised mortality rate of deaths involving Covid in the most deprived areas was 128.3 deaths per 100,000 people – more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least deprived areas ( 58.8 deaths per 100,000 ) .
Let ’ s be blunt about it : you are more than twice as likely to die if you have Covid if you come from a more deprived area .
Why is this ?
To put it simply , this Tory government has attacked the physiological resilience of individuals living in poverty .
They have reduced the resilience of communities with a decade of their ideological austerity .
They have dismantled public services , kicked away community support networks and overseen an economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all happened before anyone had even heard of the pandemic .
But the actions of the government have made the situation worse .
They have done so for three reasons .
First , because they are blind to the deep divisions in our society .
Second , because they want at all costs the economic dominance of the city of London .
Third , because they are ideologically committed to individualistic solutions rather than us all working together in unison to defeat a common enemy such as the pandemic .
Our report today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lockdown is deeply damaging economically , unjustified and likely to make the situation worse .
They have locked down almost the whole of the North of England for months without any attempt to put in place the massive regional aid necessary to counteract the effects of the restrictions .
But they have placed much of the South East and London into Tier 2 , notwithstanding the fact that our analysis shows there is no epidemiological justification for this decision .
In this part of the country , the trajectory of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is now a downward curve .
Self-evidently , Covid is not a map reader .
It does not know that it ought to stop at M25 .
The only way to crush the curve is uniform restrictions that treat the country as one .
Treating the North more strictly has ultimately led to higher infections for the South due to delayed tiering , with London and the South East now the fastest-growing areas for the virus .
Boris Johnson was quite prepared to impose a 67 % salary for furloughed workers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 80 % furlough when the South was involved .
Coupled with the resolve to put the London economy first at any cost to human life , this confirms that the government prioritises the economy of the financial centre of London ahead of held-back communities .
Our report clearly shows in detail that while the government talked of levelling up the North and elsewhere in the country , really it is levelling down through its negligent and cavalier attitude to held-back communities .
Johnson is not fit to hold the highest political office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic to rip through our most vulnerable communities .
But his party is just as bad .
The Commons is being presented with two alternative routes by the Conservatives : either more bumbling by the Prime Minister , or a right-wing , ‘ you ’ re-on-your-own ’ option from the rebels .
Given the scale of the crisis , it is time to put aside our differences .
We need a unified Labour Party with a unifying offer to the country as a whole .
To the held-back areas , we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight the virus and then rebuild on a new basis .
To the more prosperous areas , we need to explain that the deeply ingrained presence of the virus in deprived places presents a real and present danger to everyone , not least because our health service may not be there for you if you catch the illness or if you need treatment from some other malady .

No Holding Back exists as an organisation to give voice to all those communities in Britain that are being held back. They are to be found everywhere: in the seaside towns, the post-industrial communities in the North and elsewhere, the fishing communities, or in the most deprived areas of the inner cities. They make up millions of people in our country.
For too long, these groups have been ignored as their relative economic and social decline continued. They have been betrayed by a privileged elite group whose decisions dominate our political and economic structures. The primary objective of this golden closed circle has been to promote their own cause rather than that of a more socially just settlement for everyone. This situation is unacceptable. It is time to turn up the volume.
Today, we publish our detailed and forensic analysis of the Covid situation. Obviously, the virus attacks the same physiological attributes that every human being possesses. In this sense, it is a ‘great leveller’. Every human being is susceptible. But we have not all been subject to the same intensity of illness. We know that the virus has a greater impact on older people, ethnic minorities and those with underlying conditions. It is more likely to affect deprived communities, whose public services have been underfunded or cut, and those in low-paid insecure work, especially in frontline key worker roles.
Look at the figures. They are quite staggering. As the Office for National Statistics revealed, in England the age-standardised mortality rate of deaths involving Covid in the most deprived areas was 128.3 deaths per 100,000 people – more than double the mortality rate in the least deprived areas (58.8 deaths per 100,000).
Let’s be blunt about it: you are more than twice as likely to die if you have Covid if you come from a more deprived area. Why is this? To put it simply, this Tory government has attacked the physiological resilience of individuals living in poverty. They have reduced the resilience of communities with a decade of their ideological austerity. They have dismantled public services, kicked away community support networks and overseen an economy of low-paid, insecure jobs.
This all happened before anyone had even heard of the pandemic. But the actions of the government have made the situation worse. They have done so for three reasons. First, because they are blind to the deep divisions in our society. Second, because they want at all costs the economic dominance of the city of London. Third, because they are ideologically committed to individualistic solutions rather than us all working together in unison to defeat a common enemy such as the pandemic.
Our report today shows that the Conservatives’ differential use of lockdown is deeply damaging economically, unjustified and likely to make the situation worse. They have locked down almost the whole of the North of England for months without any attempt to put in place the massive regional aid necessary to counteract the effects of the restrictions. But they have placed much of the South East and London into Tier 2, notwithstanding the fact that our analysis shows there is no epidemiological justification for this decision.
In this part of the country, the trajectory of the virus is upwards, whilst in the North there is now a downward curve. Self-evidently, Covid is not a map reader. It does not know that it ought to stop at M25. The only way to crush the curve is uniform restrictions that treat the country as one. Treating the North more strictly has ultimately led to higher infections for the South due to delayed tiering, with London and the South East now the fastest-growing areas for the virus.
Boris Johnson was quite prepared to impose a 67% salary for furloughed workers in the North, but then increased it to 80% furlough when the South was involved. Coupled with the resolve to put the London economy first at any cost to human life, this confirms that the government prioritises the economy of the financial centre of London ahead of held-back communities. Our report clearly shows in detail that while the government talked of levelling up the North and elsewhere in the country, really it is levelling down through its negligent and cavalier attitude to held-back communities.
Johnson is not fit to hold the highest political office in the land. He has allowed the pandemic to rip through our most vulnerable communities. But his party is just as bad. The Commons is being presented with two alternative routes by the Conservatives: either more bumbling by the Prime Minister, or a right-wing, ‘you’re-on-your-own’ option from the rebels.
Given the scale of the crisis, it is time to put aside our differences. We need a unified Labour Party with a unifying offer to the country as a whole. To the held-back areas, we need a bold offer that suggests we can fight the virus and then rebuild on a new basis. To the more prosperous areas, we need to explain that the deeply ingrained presence of the virus in deprived places presents a real and present danger to everyone, not least because our health service may not be there for you if you catch the illness or if you need treatment from some other malady.


labourlist--2020-12-01--Dodds: Labour seeking “genuine partnership” with financial services

Anneliese Dodds is set to offer to work in a “ genuine partnership ” with financial services to ensure a clean and jobs-rich recovery from the pandemic while pushing the sector to go “ further , faster ” on delivering a green economy .
In a speech to Bloomberg on Wednesday morning , Labour ’ s Shadow Chancellor will emphasise the role of a “ well-functioning , responsible banking sector ” in the country ’ s recovery from the coronavirus economic crisis .
The opposition frontbencher is also expected to praise the sector for “ blazing a trail ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trebling in the amount of green bonds on the London Stock Exchange over the past three years .
Dodds will say : “ A well-functioning , responsible banking sector can help people save and build their financial resilience .
Pension funds can take the money workers set aside for tomorrow , and put it to work , backing the businesses of today .
“ As the stewards of our largest businesses , asset managers can raise the standard of corporate behaviour .
And insurance companies can direct the money we all put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make sure it builds a better , greener future.
” But on the further steps that the financial services sector could take to help deliver a clean Covid recovery and a greener economy in the UK , the Shadow Chancellor is expected to add : “ We need to go further , faster .
“ That ’ s why Labour has called for it to be mandatory for all listed companies to report in line with the recommendations of the task force on climate-related disclosures next year , when the UK hosts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why we sought to amend the pension schemes bill – working hand in hand with pensions providers – so that pension schemes become aligned with the Paris agreement.
” The government voted down a Labour amendment to the pension schemes bill that would have required schemes in the UK to develop strategies to comply with the Paris agreement on climate change by 2050 “ or sooner ” .
Dodds will use the Bloomberg speech to highlight the uncertainty created by government decisions amid the health crisis .
Echoing her speech to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that companies deserve “ responsible government ” .
She will say : “ Politicians and financial firms should be working hand-in-hand to lay the groundwork for our recovery .
I want us to have a genuine partnership so that together we can deliver security and opportunity for every part of the country.
” The Shadow Chancellor told attendees at an online event hosted by Reuters last week , shortly before the spending review , that the economic statement from Rishi Sunak was the “ moment to make responsible choices ” .
Dodds will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last-minute changes to support schemes , inadequate business support for those in Tier 3 and silence on growing debt for companies , plans for Project Birch and Brexit arrangements .
Through Project Birch , the government said at the beginning of the pandemic that it would step in and make taxpayer support available to companies struggling in the crisis and unable to borrow the necessary money to survive .
The Labour spokesperson on the economy has repeatedly criticised her Tory counterpart Rishi Sunak for “ running to keep up ” , emphasising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid pandemic .
After the U-turn on extending furlough , Dodds stressed that while the Chancellor can “ change his mind at the last minute ” , businesses can not .
She criticised Sunak for causing avoidable redundancies by failing to let businesses plan .
Labour warned on Monday that the latest business grants schemes to be introduced by the government in the pandemic will “ level down ” the poorest areas and “ betrays some of the most deprived communities under the toughest restrictions ” .
The party highlighted that through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which makes a one-off £20-per-head payment to councils , some of the poorest areas will receive the same or less funding than the richest despite being set to go into higher tiers .

Anneliese Dodds is set to offer to work in a “genuine partnership” with financial services to ensure a clean and jobs-rich recovery from the pandemic while pushing the sector to go “further, faster” on delivering a green economy.
In a speech to Bloomberg on Wednesday morning, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor will emphasise the role of a “well-functioning, responsible banking sector” in the country’s recovery from the coronavirus economic crisis.
The opposition frontbencher is also expected to praise the sector for “blazing a trail” for a green economic recovery in response to the trebling in the amount of green bonds on the London Stock Exchange over the past three years.
Dodds will say: “A well-functioning, responsible banking sector can help people save and build their financial resilience. Pension funds can take the money workers set aside for tomorrow, and put it to work, backing the businesses of today.
“As the stewards of our largest businesses, asset managers can raise the standard of corporate behaviour. And insurance companies can direct the money we all put by in case the worst happens, and make sure it builds a better, greener future.”
But on the further steps that the financial services sector could take to help deliver a clean Covid recovery and a greener economy in the UK, the Shadow Chancellor is expected to add: “We need to go further, faster.
“That’s why Labour has called for it to be mandatory for all listed companies to report in line with the recommendations of the task force on climate-related disclosures next year, when the UK hosts the COP26 conference.
“And it’s why we sought to amend the pension schemes bill – working hand in hand with pensions providers – so that pension schemes become aligned with the Paris agreement.”
The government voted down a Labour amendment to the pension schemes bill that would have required schemes in the UK to develop strategies to comply with the Paris agreement on climate change by 2050 “or sooner”.
Dodds will use the Bloomberg speech to highlight the uncertainty created by government decisions amid the health crisis. Echoing her speech to Reuters last week, Dodds will argue that companies deserve “responsible government”.
She will say: “Politicians and financial firms should be working hand-in-hand to lay the groundwork for our recovery. I want us to have a genuine partnership so that together we can deliver security and opportunity for every part of the country.”
The Shadow Chancellor told attendees at an online event hosted by Reuters last week, shortly before the spending review, that the economic statement from Rishi Sunak was the “moment to make responsible choices”.
Dodds will on Wednesday discuss the uncertainty created by last-minute changes to support schemes, inadequate business support for those in Tier 3 and silence on growing debt for companies, plans for Project Birch and Brexit arrangements.
Through Project Birch, the government said at the beginning of the pandemic that it would step in and make taxpayer support available to companies struggling in the crisis and unable to borrow the necessary money to survive.
The Labour spokesperson on the economy has repeatedly criticised her Tory counterpart Rishi Sunak for “running to keep up”, emphasising the chaotic nature of government support provided throughout the Covid pandemic.
After the U-turn on extending furlough, Dodds stressed that while the Chancellor can “change his mind at the last minute”, businesses cannot. She criticised Sunak for causing avoidable redundancies by failing to let businesses plan.
Labour warned on Monday that the latest business grants schemes to be introduced by the government in the pandemic will “level down” the poorest areas and “betrays some of the most deprived communities under the toughest restrictions”.
The party highlighted that through the ‘additional restrictions grant’, which makes a one-off £20-per-head payment to councils, some of the poorest areas will receive the same or less funding than the richest despite being set to go into higher tiers.