labourlist--2020-08-21--The labour movement must be prepared for the age of the algorithm

The fiasco around the calculation of A-Level results earlier this month clearly has huge implications for the young people involved , but it also marks an important moment where the public has had its first real taste of what ‘ rage against the algorithm ’ might look like .
For those young people now contemplating what their future holds , the bad news is that whatever happens these algorithms are set to play a role in their working lives for years to come .
It matters for all of us .
The future of work is one in which data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what types of jobs there will be and how we are rewarded , either through pay , benefits or promotion .
The question is whether we can start to tame these beasts and avoid the kinds of shambles we have seen over exam results .
Algorithms are hardly a new phenomenon .
But as they become more mainstream and are hardwired into the fabric of our economy and society , it is essential that we all become more literate in their use .
The world of world was already changing before the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has accelerated during Covid , with growing interest in work-based surveillance technology and monitoring software to help manage remote working .
For those of us with an interest in economic justice , data is becoming a fault line in inequality – separating those who have power over technology from the rest of us .
It means that the same trust and accountability that has been talked about in relation to the exams fiasco and government use of algorithms must also to apply when employers deploy new technology or automated tools .
For trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bias will be our meat and drink over the decades to come – almost equivalent to the role that health and safety played in the previous century .
They are already being used in recruitment , in performance reviews and elsewhere in the workplace , too often with disastrous consequences .
There is already evidence that workers are either unaware or being excluded from information and decision-making about workplace surveillance .
Our own research at Prospect shows that most workers are unsure what data is currently collected about them by employers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fast .
The essential issue with any algorithm is that it reflects the biases of the assumptions and data that it is based on .
For example , the A-Level algorithm penalised students in larger class sizes , and it didn ’ t take a genius to work out that the result would be the disproportionate impact of downgrading on state school students .
In a workplace context , the obvious example is recruitment algorithms that reflect the racial biases of those who design them and therefore only offer interviews to white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the data that is fed into them : if you put garbage in , you get garbage out .
We need to start thinking of data as part of our civil and economic rights .
At its worst , as the exams fiasco showed , it is about unaccountable power leading to discrimination and injustice .
But too often , especially at work , data is assessed in terms of business risks , not people .
One challenge is that the foundation block for GDPR and our current data rights is individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is insufficient in itself to tackle systematic bias or problems such as those highlighted by the A-Level results .
We need to develop a collective approach to our data rights alongside individual privacy .
This is even more important with the contractual relationship at the heat of employment .
Inequality and discrimination are about structures as well as individuals .
What do unions need to do to prepare ourselves for the age of the algorithm ?
• We need to make better use of existing legal tools to test and scrutinise surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses of our data should be subject to scrutiny by workers/unions .
But how often does that consultation happen ?
We need to use GDPR and tools such as Data Protection Impact Assessments ( DPIAs ) to let the sun shine in on how employers are using our data .
• We need to build our knowledge on what new data , technology and automated processes are coming down the track , and to equip union reps to engage on the issue .
• We need to make data part our bargaining agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and data collection everyday matters for collective bargaining .
• We need to go further and faster on exploring ways that workers can collect and use their own data , individually and collectively , so they can argue back against unjust algorithms .
• We need to campaign for improved workplace rights around transparency over the collection and use of employee data , and to establish new rules , such as on the Right to Disconnect and challenging the always-on work culture .
Prospect is working on these issues and helping to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For example , we are working with Uni Global Union to test and develop new approaches to giving workers more access and control over their own data .
And we are learning from partner unions across the world about best practice when it comes to building data rights into collective agreements .
The rage against the algorithm we have seen over the summer only highlights the necessity of this work .
This generation of students are the workforce of tomorrow – together we can make sure that their first experience of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ norm as they enter the world of work .

The fiasco around the calculation of A-Level results earlier this month clearly has huge implications for the young people involved, but it also marks an important moment where the public has had its first real taste of what ‘rage against the algorithm’ might look like. For those young people now contemplating what their future holds, the bad news is that whatever happens these algorithms are set to play a role in their working lives for years to come. It matters for all of us. The future of work is one in which data will determine how we are managed, what types of jobs there will be and how we are rewarded, either through pay, benefits or promotion. The question is whether we can start to tame these beasts and avoid the kinds of shambles we have seen over exam results.
Algorithms are hardly a new phenomenon. But as they become more mainstream and are hardwired into the fabric of our economy and society, it is essential that we all become more literate in their use. The world of world was already changing before the pandemic. But the pace of that change has accelerated during Covid, with growing interest in work-based surveillance technology and monitoring software to help manage remote working.
For those of us with an interest in economic justice, data is becoming a fault line in inequality – separating those who have power over technology from the rest of us. It means that the same trust and accountability that has been talked about in relation to the exams fiasco and government use of algorithms must also to apply when employers deploy new technology or automated tools.
For trade unionists in particular, questions of algorithms and bias will be our meat and drink over the decades to come – almost equivalent to the role that health and safety played in the previous century. They are already being used in recruitment, in performance reviews and elsewhere in the workplace, too often with disastrous consequences. There is already evidence that workers are either unaware or being excluded from information and decision-making about workplace surveillance. Our own research at Prospect shows that most workers are unsure what data is currently collected about them by employers. We have to start educating ourselves, and fast.
The essential issue with any algorithm is that it reflects the biases of the assumptions and data that it is based on. For example, the A-Level algorithm penalised students in larger class sizes, and it didn’t take a genius to work out that the result would be the disproportionate impact of downgrading on state school students. In a workplace context, the obvious example is recruitment algorithms that reflect the racial biases of those who design them and therefore only offer interviews to white applicants. Algorithms are only as good as the data that is fed into them: if you put garbage in, you get garbage out.
We need to start thinking of data as part of our civil and economic rights. At its worst, as the exams fiasco showed, it is about unaccountable power leading to discrimination and injustice. But too often, especially at work, data is assessed in terms of business risks, not people. One challenge is that the foundation block for GDPR and our current data rights is individual privacy. Whilst this is important, it is insufficient in itself to tackle systematic bias or problems such as those highlighted by the A-Level results. We need to develop a collective approach to our data rights alongside individual privacy. This is even more important with the contractual relationship at the heat of employment. Inequality and discrimination are about structures as well as individuals.
What do unions need to do to prepare ourselves for the age of the algorithm?
We need to make better use of existing legal tools to test and scrutinise surveillance technologies. GDPR says that all new uses of our data should be subject to scrutiny by workers/unions. But how often does that consultation happen? We need to use GDPR and tools such as Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to let the sun shine in on how employers are using our data.
We need to build our knowledge on what new data, technology and automated processes are coming down the track, and to equip union reps to engage on the issue.
We need to make data part our bargaining agenda, ensuring transparency and making algorithmic decisions and data collection everyday matters for collective bargaining.
We need to go further and faster on exploring ways that workers can collect and use their own data, individually and collectively, so they can argue back against unjust algorithms.
We need to campaign for improved workplace rights around transparency over the collection and use of employee data, and to establish new rules, such as on the Right to Disconnect and challenging the always-on work culture.
Prospect is working on these issues and helping to bring unions and activists together on this debate. For example, we are working with Uni Global Union to test and develop new approaches to giving workers more access and control over their own data. And we are learning from partner unions across the world about best practice when it comes to building data rights into collective agreements.
The rage against the algorithm we have seen over the summer only highlights the necessity of this work. This generation of students are the workforce of tomorrow – together we can make sure that their first experience of the injustice of algorithms does not become the norm as they enter the world of work.


labourlist--2020-08-23--There is a “huge risk to children not being at school”, warns Labour

Labour MP Toby Perkins has said that returning children to schools across England in September is not without risk but argued that “ there is also a huge risk to children not being at school ” .
In a Times Radio interview this morning , the shadow minister for apprenticeships and lifelong learning discussed a statement from the chief medical officer on Saturday about the safety of children returning to educational settings next month .
The government had already announced that all pupils in England will be expected to return to class full-time in September .
In his statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ children ] were likely to be harmed by not going than harmed by going ” .
The Labour shadow minister reaffirmed that the party is supportive of the move , but said that having a working test and trace programme and making schools as safe as possible must be “ hand-in-hand alongside returning children to schools ” .
He insisted that Labour does not have a contradictory position : “ Saying that it ’ s absolutely right that children need to return to schools… but also recognising that the government has absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions.
” Asked about the teaching unions and the party not backing their calls for face coverings to be worn by all children , Perkins said : “ We are organisations that work closely together but we ’ re not the same .
“ They have their view and their responsibility towards teacher safety is absolutely primary , ” he argued .
“ We have a broader responsibility across education , across the economy.
” He said that the party is working “ closely and constructively ” with the teachers ’ unions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in position with them ” on many of their criticisms of how the government has handled education in the pandemic .
But the Labour MP said the party does not recognise the need for all children to wear face masks , and argued that the evidence from the chief medical officer suggested that the most danger to teachers comes from interactions with adults .
He added : “ On a localised basis there may be additional need for additional safeguards , but in general terms I agree that we should be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for face masks to be worn right across the school.
” Responding to the chief medical officer ’ s statement , the head of education at UNISON Jon Richards said : “ This acknowledgement of the transmission risk between staff in schools underlines why it ’ s vital they should be able to wear face coverings .
“ It ’ s still unclear why government guidance won ’ t allow them , when they ’ re recommended for other workplaces .
Regular deep cleaning is also key .
Schools need more money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than relying on other staff who ’ re busy enough already .
“ More thought must also be put into ensuring there ’ s proper social distancing in place for staff who may be working in cramped conditions , such as school meal workers in small kitchens .
“ No one wants to see schools shut down again after a few days because we haven ’ t done enough to put necessary measures in place.
” The Prime Minister and Education Secretary had previously announced that schools would begin reopening in June this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures , just 52 % of schools opened with only 25 % of children eligible returning .
The deadline of June 1st had followed weeks in which parents , teachers , unions and the opposition had raised concerns and just 690,000 – or 6.9 % of the normal school population – were found to be in school later that week .
Ministers were subsequently forced to back down on their plans for a phased return and U-turn on their commitment to get all primary school children back to school a month before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the Education Secretary ’ s position as untenable after his handling of the exams “ fiasco ” and asked “ how many more chances ” the minister would get to demonstrate his whether he is competent .
Commenting on Gavin Williamson ’ s incompetence , Perkins argued : “ What the country desperately needs to see is a government cabinet that is picked on the basis of ability rather than their slavish loyalty to the Brexit project ” .
He suggested that if the government were “ able to pick the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than those most supine , they might start having better levels of confidence in their ability ” .
Perkins ’ comments come after an intervention from the Labour leader in The Observer today , in which he warned that the plan to return children to school in September is at “ serious risk ” because of the handling of the exam results .
Keir Starmer said : “ Ministers should have spent the summer implementing a national plan to get all children back to school .
Instead , the last two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government ’ s own making over exam results.
” He added : “ Restoring public confidence and getting a grip on the Department for Education must be Downing Street ’ s number-one priority this week .
Failure to do so will leave the government ’ s promise of ‘ levelling up ’ in tatters.
” Starmer ’ s remarks follow his article in The Mail on Sunday last weekend .
He wrote then that he expected “ all children back at school next month ” and that the Prime Minister has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it happens ” .
Since then , the government performed what he called a “ screeching U-turn ” on its handling of the exam results , scrapping the controversial grade standardisation which led to nearly 40 % of A-Level students having their marks moderated down .

Labour frontbencher Toby Perkins has said that returning children to schools across England in September is not without risk but argued that “there is also a huge risk to children not being at school”.
In a Times Radio interview this morning, the shadow minister for apprenticeships and lifelong learning discussed a statement from the chief medical officer on Saturday about the safety of children returning to educational settings next month.
The government had already announced that all pupils in England will be expected to return to class full-time in September. In his statement, Chris Whitty said: “Many more [children] were likely to be harmed by not going than harmed by going”.
The Labour shadow minister reaffirmed that the party is supportive of the move, but said that having a working test and trace programme and making schools as safe as possible must be “hand-in-hand alongside returning children to schools”.
He insisted that Labour does not have a contradictory position: “Saying that it’s absolutely right that children need to return to schools… but also recognising that the government has absolutely failed on education aren’t contradictory positions.”
Asked about the teaching unions and the party not backing their calls for face coverings to be worn by all children, Perkins said: “We are organisations that work closely together but we’re not the same.
“They have their view and their responsibility towards teacher safety is absolutely primary,” he argued. “We have a broader responsibility across education, across the economy.”
He said that the party is working “closely and constructively” with the teachers’ unions and said that Labour has been “entirely in position with them” on many of their criticisms of how the government has handled education in the pandemic.
But the Labour MP said the party does not recognise the need for all children to wear face masks, and argued that the evidence from the chief medical officer suggested that the most danger to teachers comes from interactions with adults.
He added: “On a localised basis there may be additional need for additional safeguards, but in general terms I agree that we should be able to see schools return safely without the need for face masks to be worn right across the school.”
Responding to the chief medical officer’s statement, UNISON’s head of education Jon Richards said: “This acknowledgement of the transmission risk between staff in schools underlines why it’s vital they should be able to wear face coverings.
“It’s still unclear why government guidance won’t allow them, when they’re recommended for other workplaces. Regular deep cleaning is also key. Schools need more money to pay for specially trained cleaners, rather than relying on other staff who’re busy enough already.”
The Prime Minister and Education Secretary had previously announced that schools would begin reopening in June this year. But government figures show that just 52% of schools opened with only 25% of children eligible returning.
The deadline of June 1st had followed weeks during which parents, teachers, unions and the opposition had raised concerns and just 690,000 – or 6.9% of the normal school population – were found to be in school later that week.
Ministers were subsequently forced to back down on their plans for a phased return and U-turn on their commitment to get all primary school children back to school a month before the summer holidays.
The shadow education minister today described the Education Secretary’s position as untenable after his handling of the exams “fiasco” and asked “how many more chances” Williamson would get to demonstrate his whether he is competent.
Perkins suggested that if the government were “able to pick the people best able to do the job, rather than those most supine, they might start having better levels of confidence in their ability”.
The comments come after an intervention from the Labour leader in The Observer today, in which he warned that the plan to return children to school in September is at “serious risk” due to the handling of exam results.
Keir Starmer said: “Ministers should have spent the summer implementing a national plan to get all children back to school. Instead, the last two weeks have been wasted clearing up a mess of the government’s own making over exam results.”
He added: “Restoring public confidence and getting a grip on the Department for Education must be Downing Street’s number-one priority this week. Failure to do so will leave the government’s promise of ‘levelling up’ in tatters.”
Starmer’s remarks follow his article in The Mail on Sunday last weekend. He wrote then that he expected “all children back at school next month” and that the Prime Minister has a “moral responsibility to make sure that it happens”.
Since then, the government performed what he called a “screeching U-turn” on its handling of the exam results, scrapping the controversial grade standardisation which led to nearly 40% of A-Level students having their marks moderated down.


labourlist--2020-08-23--Labour demands clarity on PHE abolition and outsourcing during Covid crisis

Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock seeking urgent clarity on who will be responsible for key public health services once Public Health England is scrapped .
The demand comes after the UK government decided to abolish PHE in favour of setting up a new organisation , the National Institute for Health Protection ( NIHP ) , which will be led by Dido Harding .
A Conservative life peer , Harding has been in charge of the NHS Test and Trace programme beset with difficulties since May .
She was a chief executive of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body NIHP will see the health protection role of PHE combined with Test and Trace and the Joint Biosecurity Centre ( JBC ) , and will focus on tackling coronavirus .
It should be functional from spring 2021 .
In today ’ s letter to Hancock , Labour ’ s Shadow Health Secretary has drawn attention to the issue of obesity – especially for children – and asked that the focus on it “ isn ’ t lost during this structural reorganisation ” .
Ashworth has demanded clarity on who will be responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as screening , immunisation , mental health , sexual health , smoking cessation and addiction services .
Commenting on the latest Labour health intervention , and particularly his focus on obesity , Ashworth said : “ We are in the midst of the greatest public health crisis for a century .
“ Not only is a major structural reorganisation mid pandemic risky and irresponsible , it ’ s left open big questions as who will lead on important lifesaving health improvement agendas including obesity , anti-smoking , addiction and sexual health services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling us his obesity strategy was vital to building resilience ahead of a second wave .
Now he can ’ t even explain who is responsible for delivering it .
“ Years of public health cuts and wider austerity has left us with pernicious health inequalities contributing to us having a tragically high excess death rate .
If ministers were serious about health protection , they wouldn ’ t be downgrading important public health priorities as this reorganisation suggests.
” The letter also demands answers on the role of management consulting firm McKinsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restructure , and on reports that it will be allowed to keep personal test and trace data for seven years .
Ashworth added : “ We ’ re calling on the government to invest in public health services and locally led public testing and tracing , rather than squandering vital time on a top down reorganisation with more cash going to private contractors and outsourcing companies.
” Below is the full text of Jonathan Ashworth ’ s letter to Matt Hancock .
We are in the midst of the greatest public health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sole aim must be protecting people ’ s health .
That means doing everything possible to drive down infections and save people ’ s lives .
Public health services are crucial to that strategy .
Creating the conditions where people live healthier , happier longer lives is integral to protecting the nation ’ s health and goes hand in hand in delivering health security .
Building good public health builds resilience to Covid-19 .
We have tragically seen that Covid-19 thrives on health inequalities .
The poorest are twice as likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swingeing public health cuts and wider austerity measures have left us with widening health inequalities , stalling life expectancy and has contributed to the highest excess death rate in Europe .
Given the widespread worries about a resurgence in the virus , surely embarking on a restructure now is risky , indeed some would say irresponsible .
I of course am aware of the pressures you are under from your backbenchers .
A number of Conservative MPs have sought to blame PHE for the government ’ s mistakes and poor record over test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction given to PHE last year made no mention whatsoever of preparing for a pandemic .
I am therefore writing to you with a series of questions over your plans to abolish Public Health England and merge its health protections functions with NHS Test and Trace alongside the Joint BioSecurity Centre .
Firstly on obesity .
You will no doubt remember at the beginning of the summer the Prime Minister said that tackling obesity was key to protecting the nation from a second wave of Coronavirus .
“ Losing weight is , frankly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can reduce your own risks from Covid….. if we ’ re fitter and healthier , and if we lose weight , we ’ ll be better able not just to individually withstand coronavirus , but we ’ ll do a great deal to protect the NHS .
And that ’ s why we ’ ll be bringing forward an obesity strategy.
” It is sadly no surprise that during this pandemic we have seen a rise in hospital admissions for children because of obesity .
This highlights the desperate need for action after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in power .
It is all well and good announcing obesity strategy after obesity strategy , but planning alone will do nothing for the next generation of children whose outcomes will suffer .
The abolition of Public Health England will only serve to make this more difficult .
Given the known risks around weight and Coronavirus , it is vital that the focus on tackling obesity isn ’ t lost during this structural reorganisation .
With this in mind , who will now be responsible for driving through the government ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now a huge question mark hanging over the other non-health protection elements of PHE ’ s responsibilities such as screening , immunisation , mental health , sexual health , smoking cessation and addiction services .
We need certainty on how these vital services will continue and under whose remit .
I was pleased that you followed our advice in committing to a flu vaccination programme for over 50s .
I reiterate our commitment to work with ministers in standing firm against poisonous anti vaccination propaganda .
PHE has played a role in supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vaccinations .
Given how crucial access to a Covid-19 vaccine will become in the coming months can you outline who will take responsibility for the roll out and uptake of a vaccine when one comes available ?
As you know I have a strong personal interest in addiction and am alarmed that on the same day you announced the abolition of Public Health England there were reports that the remaining detox beds in the NHS could close .
Before Public Health England existed there was the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or will these responsibilities be transferred elsewhere ?
Could you also outline exactly what you mean when you invited the private sector to “ join [ us ] in the mission ” ?
The lesson of this pandemic is that surely money would be better spent on local public health , not more outsourcing firms ?
With that in mind could you explain why McKinsey was given £560,000 to advise on this restructure ( ironically it was McKinsey who advised on the 2012 restructure that created Public Health England and you supported as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publish the McKinsey recommendations ?
Can you confirm reports McKinsey will receive personal test and trace health data and will be authorised to process such data for seven years ?
Why have you agreed for personal data to be kept by a private management consultancy firm and for what reason do they need it ?
Finally public health officials , NHS staff and care staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and deserve clarity about their future .
Reorganisations often sap morale , are distracting and cause huge uncertainty especially when news of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Sunday newspaper .
An article in the BMJ recently pointed out that “ every time public health goes through a major reorganisation it loses at least 20-30 % of its skilled and experienced staff.
” What guarantees can you offer current staff who will be impacted by this reorganisation and what discussions have you initiated with staff trade union bodies ?
I look forward to your response .

Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock seeking urgent clarity on who will be responsible for key public health services once Public Health England is scrapped.
The demand comes after the UK government decided to abolish PHE in favour of setting up a new organisation, the National Institute for Health Protection (NIHP), which will be led by Dido Harding.
A Conservative life peer, Harding has been in charge of the NHS Test and Trace programme beset with difficulties since May. She was a chief executive of the TalkTalk Group for seven years.
New body NIHP will see the health protection role of PHE combined with Test and Trace and the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), and will focus on tackling coronavirus. It should be functional from spring 2021.
In today’s letter to Hancock, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary has drawn attention to the issue of obesity – especially for children – and asked that the focus on it “isn’t lost during this structural reorganisation”.
Ashworth has demanded clarity on who will be responsible for delivering the obesity strategy, as well as screening, immunisation, mental health, sexual health, smoking cessation and addiction services.
Commenting on the latest Labour health intervention, and particularly his focus on obesity, Ashworth said: “We are in the midst of the greatest public health crisis for a century.
“Not only is a major structural reorganisation mid pandemic risky and irresponsible, it’s left open big questions as who will lead on important lifesaving health improvement agendas including obesity, anti-smoking, addiction and sexual health services.
“Weeks ago Boris Johnson was telling us his obesity strategy was vital to building resilience ahead of a second wave. Now he can’t even explain who is responsible for delivering it.
“Years of public health cuts and wider austerity has left us with pernicious health inequalities contributing to us having a tragically high excess death rate. If ministers were serious about health protection, they wouldn’t be downgrading important public health priorities as this reorganisation suggests.”
The letter also demands answers on the role of management consulting firm McKinsey, given £560,000 to advise on the restructure, and on reports that it will be allowed to keep personal test and trace data for seven years.
Ashworth added: “We’re calling on the government to invest in public health services and locally led public testing and tracing, rather than squandering vital time on a top down reorganisation with more cash going to private contractors and outsourcing companies.”
Below is the full text of Jonathan Ashworth’s letter to Matt Hancock.
Dear Matt,
We are in the midst of the greatest public health crisis for a century.
The government’s sole aim must be protecting people’s health. That means doing everything possible to drive down infections and save people’s lives. Public health services are crucial to that strategy.
Creating the conditions where people live healthier, happier longer lives is integral to protecting the nation’s health and goes hand in hand in delivering health security. Building good public health builds resilience to Covid-19.
We have tragically seen that Covid-19 thrives on health inequalities. The poorest are twice as likely to die from the virus. Years of swingeing public health cuts and wider austerity measures have left us with widening health inequalities, stalling life expectancy and has contributed to the highest excess death rate in Europe.
Given the widespread worries about a resurgence in the virus, surely embarking on a restructure now is risky, indeed some would say irresponsible. I of course am aware of the pressures you are under from your backbenchers. A number of Conservative MPs have sought to blame PHE for the government’s mistakes and poor record over test and trace, even though the ministerial direction given to PHE last year made no mention whatsoever of preparing for a pandemic.
I am therefore writing to you with a series of questions over your plans to abolish Public Health England and merge its health protections functions with NHS Test and Trace alongside the Joint BioSecurity Centre.
Firstly on obesity. You will no doubt remember at the beginning of the summer the Prime Minister said that tackling obesity was key to protecting the nation from a second wave of Coronavirus. “Losing weight is, frankly, one of the ways that you can reduce your own risks from Covid….. if we’re fitter and healthier, and if we lose weight, we’ll be better able not just to individually withstand coronavirus, but we’ll do a great deal to protect the NHS. And that’s why we’ll be bringing forward an obesity strategy.”
It is sadly no surprise that during this pandemic we have seen a rise in hospital admissions for children because of obesity. This highlights the desperate need for action after years of inaction from the Conservative governments in power. It is all well and good announcing obesity strategy after obesity strategy, but planning alone will do nothing for the next generation of children whose outcomes will suffer. The abolition of Public Health England will only serve to make this more difficult. Given the known risks around weight and Coronavirus, it is vital that the focus on tackling obesity isn’t lost during this structural reorganisation. With this in mind, who will now be responsible for driving through the government’s new priorities on obesity?
Similarly there is now a huge question mark hanging over the other non-health protection elements of PHE’s responsibilities such as screening, immunisation, mental health, sexual health, smoking cessation and addiction services. We need certainty on how these vital services will continue and under whose remit.
I was pleased that you followed our advice in committing to a flu vaccination programme for over 50s. I reiterate our commitment to work with ministers in standing firm against poisonous anti vaccination propaganda. PHE has played a role in supporting NHS England in the uptake of immunisations and vaccinations. Given how crucial access to a Covid-19 vaccine will become in the coming months can you outline who will take responsibility for the roll out and uptake of a vaccine when one comes available?
As you know I have a strong personal interest in addiction and am alarmed that on the same day you announced the abolition of Public Health England there were reports that the remaining detox beds in the NHS could close. Before Public Health England existed there was the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, do you envisage re-creating something similar or will these responsibilities be transferred elsewhere?
Could you also outline exactly what you mean when you invited the private sector to “join [us] in the mission”? The lesson of this pandemic is that surely money would be better spent on local public health, not more outsourcing firms?
With that in mind could you explain why McKinsey was given £560,000 to advise on this restructure (ironically it was McKinsey who advised on the 2012 restructure that created Public Health England and you supported as a backbench MP)? Will you publish the McKinsey recommendations? Can you confirm reports McKinsey will receive personal test and trace health data and will be authorised to process such data for seven years? Why have you agreed for personal data to be kept by a private management consultancy firm and for what reason do they need it?
Finally public health officials, NHS staff and care staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and deserve clarity about their future. Reorganisations often sap morale, are distracting and cause huge uncertainty especially when news of such a reorganisation is briefed in advance to a Sunday newspaper. An article in the BMJ recently pointed out that “every time public health goes through a major reorganisation it loses at least 20-30% of its skilled and experienced staff.” What guarantees can you offer current staff who will be impacted by this reorganisation and what discussions have you initiated with staff trade union bodies?
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Ashworth MP


labourlist--2020-08-24--Labour must turn up the volume. We can’t let these Tories off the hook

I used to think that failing Chris Grayling was one of a kind – an aberration .
But watching the shower that now passes for our government , it appears that incompetence is now a requirement to be a minister .
It seems to have become part of the Tory DNA .
U-turn after U-turn , lurching from one fiasco to the next whilst giving their chums jobs and contracts without transparency or proper scrutiny is what they do best .
Not to mention the terrible mess the Tories have made of handling all aspects of our health emergency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the harsh economic reality of a coronavirus-created economic crisis starts to bite , their plans to end the job retention scheme in October , as Germany extends theirs , is yet another pending Tory disaster .
Put simply , these clowns are simply not fit to be in a circus , never mind govern .
Should we be surprised by their breathtaking incompetence ?
Frankly , no .
Few if any of those in government have been chosen for office because of their abilities .
Instead , it ’ s their loyalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that really counts .
Just imagine a Labour government performing even half as badly as this band of dimwits .
The media would be all over them like a rash ; calls for ministers to fall on their sword would be deafening .
But , on the whole , the worst government in living memory is getting an easy ride from their media chums .
We are going to have to make much more noise and continue organising against them so that everyone knows just how bad and incompetent this Tory lot really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart from the fact that , when confronted , they cave in .
They are weak .
Just look at their U-turn over exam results after our youngsters took them on .
Of course , many other changes of direction have been forced on the Tories by Team Labour .
But it ’ s time for our party to turn up the volume .
Asking incompetent ministers to go is not an old fashion trait – it ’ s a necessary part of being a credible opposition .
Our frontbench must take off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This lot are there for the taking and we simply can ’ t let them off the hook .
I ’ m sure the majority of the British public don ’ t want to see their government fail at a time of a health emergency and a looming economic crisis .
Perhaps they are more prepared than usual to give ministers the benefit of the doubt .
But when government descends into an incompetent shambles , as it now has , the job of the opposition is to sink it without trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our mission between now and the next general election , whenever that comes .
We must gain the trust of the British people by showing them , not just that we are competent , but that we have a better vision for our country ’ s future and that we are prepared to fight for it at every turn .
Let ’ s all put our shoulders to the wheel to end this sad Tory circus .

I used to think that failing Chris Grayling was one of a kind – an aberration. But watching the shower that now passes for our government, it appears that incompetence is now a requirement to be a minister. It seems to have become part of the Tory DNA. U-turn after U-turn, lurching from one fiasco to the next whilst giving their chums jobs and contracts without transparency or proper scrutiny is what they do best.
Not to mention the terrible mess the Tories have made of handling all aspects of our health emergency, which has sadly cost many lives. As the harsh economic reality of a coronavirus-created economic crisis starts to bite, their plans to end the job retention scheme in October, as Germany extends theirs, is yet another pending Tory disaster. Put simply, these clowns are simply not fit to be in a circus, never mind govern.
Should we be surprised by their breathtaking incompetence? Frankly, no. Few if any of those in government have been chosen for office because of their abilities. Instead, it’s their loyalty to the jester-in-chief, Boris Johnson, that really counts. Just imagine a Labour government performing even half as badly as this band of dimwits. The media would be all over them like a rash; calls for ministers to fall on their sword would be deafening. But, on the whole, the worst government in living memory is getting an easy ride from their media chums.
We are going to have to make much more noise and continue organising against them so that everyone knows just how bad and incompetent this Tory lot really are. And we should take real heart from the fact that, when confronted, they cave in. They are weak. Just look at their U-turn over exam results after our youngsters took them on. Of course, many other changes of direction have been forced on the Tories by Team Labour.
But it’s time for our party to turn up the volume. Asking incompetent ministers to go is not an old fashion trait – it’s a necessary part of being a credible opposition. Our frontbench must take off their gloves and land some killer blows. This lot are there for the taking and we simply can’t let them off the hook.
I’m sure the majority of the British public don’t want to see their government fail at a time of a health emergency and a looming economic crisis. Perhaps they are more prepared than usual to give ministers the benefit of the doubt. But when government descends into an incompetent shambles, as it now has, the job of the opposition is to sink it without trace or mercy.
This needs to be our mission between now and the next general election, whenever that comes. We must gain the trust of the British people by showing them, not just that we are competent, but that we have a better vision for our country’s future and that we are prepared to fight for it at every turn. Let’s all put our shoulders to the wheel to end this sad Tory circus.


labourlist--2020-08-24--WATCH: “Utterly disgraceful” to leave BTEC students waiting, says Labour

Labour ’ s Kate Green has described it as “ utterly disgraceful ” that the government has left BTEC students waiting in a position of uncertainty with their results delayed until the end of the week .
In an interview with Sky News this morning , the Shadow Education Secretary slammed the government for leaving thousands of young people without the information they need to “ get on with their lives ” .
BTEC students are expected to now get their results as late as Friday this week after Pearson , which owns the Business and Technology Education Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results to allow them time to re-grade .
Commenting on the delay , Green said : “ This is really outrageous for these young people .
If they were waiting for their level three BTECS , these are the BTECs that route them onto perhaps a university course or into further study.
” Pearson announced last Wednesday that it would use internal assessments and marks to set the final awards for each course , making it consistent with the government ’ s U-turn on A-Level and GCSE results earlier in the week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U-turn did not mention BTEC results .
Labour figures subsequently urged the government to provide urgent clarification on why they were excluded from the policy change .
Green added : “ It ’ s just been utterly unforgivable to put young people under so much stress and pressure and leave them still in a position of great uncertainty .
It ’ s also very difficult for the colleges and universities… “ The whole fiasco – GCSEs , A-Levels , BTECs – has been utterly unforgivable .
The responsibility for it sits entirely at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now know that they were warned weeks and weeks ago about problems with their algorithm.
” The confusion over BTEC results follows the public outcry when A-Level results were published earlier this month , with nearly 40 % of students in England seeing their grades downgraded from teacher predictions .
After repeatedly rejecting criticism of the government ’ s standardisation process , Williamson performed what Labour leader Keir Starmer called a “ screeching U-turn ” to say that teacher estimates would be accepted for final awards .
The Times later reported that Williamson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to unfair and incorrect grades being awarded , but insisted on applying the standardisation to the results anyway .
Commenting on his inaction , Green said last week : “ Williamson was warned again and again about the problems with the grading algorithm , and each time , he did nothing .
“ This endless pattern of incompetence is no way to run a country .
His failure to listen to warnings and to act on them risked thousands of young people being robbed of their futures .
”

Labour’s Kate Green has described it as “utterly disgraceful” that the government has left BTEC students waiting in a position of uncertainty with their results delayed until the end of the week.
In an interview with Sky News this morning, the Shadow Education Secretary slammed the government for leaving thousands of young people without the information they need to “get on with their lives”.
BTEC students are expected to now get their results as late as Friday this week after Pearson, which owns the Business and Technology Education Council, told schools and colleges not to publish results to allow them time to re-grade.
Commenting on the delay, Green said: “This is really outrageous for these young people. If they were waiting for their level three BTECS, these are the BTECs that route them onto perhaps a university course or into further study.”
Pearson announced last Wednesday that it would use internal assessments and marks to set the final awards for each course, making it consistent with the government’s U-turn on A-Level and GCSE results earlier in the week.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s initial U-turn did not mention BTEC results. Labour figures subsequently urged the government to provide urgent clarification on why they were excluded from the policy change.
Green added: “It’s just been utterly unforgivable to put young people under so much stress and pressure and leave them still in a position of great uncertainty. It’s also very difficult for the colleges and universities…
“The whole fiasco – GCSEs, A-Levels, BTECs – has been utterly unforgivable. The responsibility for it sits entirely at the government’s door. We now know that they were warned weeks and weeks ago about problems with their algorithm.”
"I am absolutely distressed and outraged for these young people still waiting for their BTEC results." Shadow Education Sec Kate Green says it's "utterly unforgivable" to put BTEC students under "so much stress" by delaying their results.#KayBurley: https://t.co/E0UHjIHqUE pic.twitter.com/4yCFgHrM8w — SkyNews (@SkyNews) August 24, 2020
The confusion over BTEC results follows the public outcry when A-Level results were published earlier this month, with nearly 40% of students in England seeing their grades downgraded from teacher predictions.
After repeatedly rejecting criticism of the government’s standardisation process, Williamson performed what Labour leader Keir Starmer called a “screeching U-turn” to say that teacher estimates would be accepted for final awards.
The Times later reported that Williamson had been warned that the algorithm would lead to unfair and incorrect grades being awarded, but insisted on applying the standardisation to the results anyway.
Commenting on his inaction, Green said last week: “Williamson was warned again and again about the problems with the grading algorithm, and each time, he did nothing.
“This endless pattern of incompetence is no way to run a country. His failure to listen to warnings and to act on them risked thousands of young people being robbed of their futures.”


labourlist--2020-08-24--Jeremy Corbyn backs Roger McKenzie in UNISON general secretary race

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has officially backed left-wing candidate Roger McKenzie in the UNISON general secretary race that will see Dave Prentis replaced when he retires at the end of the year .
Announcing his endorsement , Corbyn said : “ Roger and I have stood together on picket lines , on demonstrations together , and he did a huge amount of work supporting my leadership campaigns in 2015 and 2016 .
“ I am proud now to stand with Roger in his campaign for general secretary .
Roger is a pleasure to work with and brings energy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about social justice in society and the strength of our trade unions to stand up for the rights and needs of the most vulnerable workers.
” McKenzie added : “ I was proud to stand side by side alongside Jeremy Corbyn over many years fighting for a better society for the many .
My campaign for general secretary of UNISON is bringing that fight and energy into our trade union .
“ I will ensure our members are closer to our leadership with greater engagement with our branches and strengthening our union democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party the trade union voice was strengthened .
“ Policies that benefited our members , and society as a whole , were championed and at the heart of the Labour Party .
I will ensure this remains the case and stand up for our workers inside the party .
“ As general secretary I will ensure that UNISON members are always put first – our political work is about representing our members to the party , not representing the party to our members .
Thank you Jeremy – proud to have you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the many.
” Supporters of McKenzie describe him as key in making sure that UNISON nominated Corbyn , a UNISON member , for the Labour leadership in 2015 and 2016 when those leading the trade union were initially hesitant .
The assistant general secretary , considered to be on the left of the Labour-affiliated organisation , launched his bid to replace the retiring union leader Prentis last month promising a “ positive and optimistic ” campaign .
He faces competition from fellow assistant general secretary Christina McAnea .
She is responsible for UNISON @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equalities strategy and has recently focused on health and social care workers .
Branch secretary and left-winger Paul Holmes , backed by UNISON Action Broad Left and John McDonnell , has also put himself forward .
He stood in the 2010 contest , coming third behind Prentis and Roger Bannister .
Hugo Pierre , a representative of Black members and of the Socialist Party on UNISON ’ s national executive council , is also standing and “ looking to be the candidate of the left ” .
UNISON national race equality officer Margaret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but LabourList understands that she has been deemed ineligible by UNISON and is no longer a candidate in the contest .
Current general secretary Prentis announced his retirement in July .
He first took up the general secretary post in 2001 and was re-elected in 2005 with 77 % of the vote and in 2015 with 49 % of the vote .
Following the announcement , Labour leader Keir Starmer thanked Prentis for his “ many years of outstanding leadership ” and praised him for “ admirably representing our heroic frontline workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new leadership team was elected in April , Prentis wrote for LabourList that UNISON backed Starmer and Rayner “ because they were the right people for the job ” and “ have all the ingredients for a winning team ” .
Two other large trade unions are also set to decide on new leaders in the near future , with a contest to replace Unite the Union ’ s Len McCluskey next year and GMB needing to replace Tim Roache , who resigned in April .
UNISON is one of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its members working in the public sector , for private contractors providing public services and for utility companies .
It has over 1.3 million members .

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has officially backed left-wing candidate Roger McKenzie in the UNISON general secretary race that will see Dave Prentis replaced when he retires at the end of the year.
Announcing his endorsement, Corbyn said: “Roger and I have stood together on picket lines, on demonstrations together, and he did a huge amount of work supporting my leadership campaigns in 2015 and 2016.
“I am proud now to stand with Roger in his campaign for general secretary. Roger is a pleasure to work with and brings energy and verve to everything he says and does about social justice in society and the strength of our trade unions to stand up for the rights and needs of the most vulnerable workers.”
McKenzie added: “I was proud to stand side by side alongside Jeremy Corbyn over many years fighting for a better society for the many. My campaign for general secretary of UNISON is bringing that fight and energy into our trade union.
“I will ensure our members are closer to our leadership with greater engagement with our branches and strengthening our union democracy. Under Jeremy’s leadership of the party the trade union voice was strengthened.
“Policies that benefited our members, and society as a whole, were championed and at the heart of the Labour Party. I will ensure this remains the case and stand up for our workers inside the party.
“As general secretary I will ensure that UNISON members are always put first – our political work is about representing our members to the party, not representing the party to our members. Thank you Jeremy – proud to have you at my side continuing to fight for the many.”
Supporters of McKenzie describe him as key in making sure that UNISON nominated Corbyn, a UNISON member, for the Labour leadership in 2015 and 2016 when those leading the trade union were initially hesitant.
Corbyn ally Diane Abbott has also backed McKenzie for the top job at the union. The Hackney MP said he would make a “great campaigning general secretary” and argued that “Roger is the voice that UNISON needs at this time”.
The assistant general secretary, considered to be on the left of the Labour-affiliated organisation, launched his bid to replace the retiring union leader Prentis last month promising a “positive and optimistic” campaign.
He faces competition from fellow assistant general secretary Christina McAnea. She is responsible for UNISON’s collective bargaining, negotiations and equalities strategy and has recently focused on health and social care workers.
Branch secretary and left-winger Paul Holmes, backed by UNISON Action Broad Left and John McDonnell, has also put himself forward. He stood in the 2010 contest, coming third behind Prentis and Roger Bannister.
Hugo Pierre, a representative of Black members and of the Socialist Party on UNISON’s national executive council, is also standing and “looking to be the candidate of the left”.
UNISON national race equality officer Margaret Greer threw her hat into the ring, but LabourList understands that she has been deemed ineligible by UNISON and is no longer a candidate in the contest.
Current general secretary Prentis announced his retirement in July. He first took up the general secretary post in 2001 and was re-elected in 2005 with 77% of the vote and in 2015 with 49% of the vote.
Following the announcement, Labour leader Keir Starmer thanked Prentis for his “many years of outstanding leadership” and praised him for “admirably representing our heroic frontline workers during the coronavirus crisis”.
When the new leadership team was elected in April, Prentis wrote for LabourList that UNISON backed Starmer and Rayner “because they were the right people for the job” and “have all the ingredients for a winning team”.
Two other large trade unions are also set to decide on new leaders in the near future, with a contest to replace Unite the Union’s Len McCluskey next year and GMB needing to replace Tim Roache, who resigned in April.
UNISON is one of the biggest trade unions in the UK, with its members working in the public sector, for private contractors providing public services and for utility companies. It has over 1.3 million members.


labourlist--2020-08-24--5 Labour stories you might’ve missed over the weekend

LabourList has an advance copy of Left Out : The Inside Story of Labour under Corbyn and our editor is currently trying to read it as quickly as possible before its publication .
In the meantime , Sunday Times readers were given a sneak preview .
One story in particular caught people ’ s attention on Twitter .
According to the book , much tension was generated over the preparation of oatcakes during a campaign visit to Stoke .
Jeremy Corbyn ’ s wife Laura Alvarez allegedly demanded an oatcake with honey , and in the process interrupted filming by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election candidate present .
It didn ’ t take long after the publication of the article for footage of the event to surface on social media .
The clip contains a cut , which is apparently not unusual , and this has been the source of much debate on Twitter .
Left Out says Alvarez refused to move when aides attempted to intervene and said of Corbyn : “ I ’ m trying to make him happy and you ’ re stopping it.
” It also reported that ITV cut out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of aides , but ITV has denied doing so and had the article amended .
Another one from Left Out .
The book by Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire says then deputy leader Tom Watson considered defecting to the Lib Dems ahead of last year ’ s general election – though only “ for five minutes ” .
After Labour conference , during which the national executive committee discussed abolishing his post , Jo Swinson invited Watson to stand for her party in Lewes .
Instead , he agreed with the leader ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered a peerage .
Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock seeking urgent clarity on who will be responsible for key public health services once Public Health England is scrapped .
The UK government decided to abolish PHE last week and create a new organisation to be led by Dido Harding .
Harding has been in charge of the NHS Test and Trace programme , beset with difficulties .
She also happens to be a Tory peer .
Hancock urged private firms to “ join us ” as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed that partnering with corporate giants is “ the best way through ” .
Rachel Reeves also drew attention to cronyism in outsourcing .
Government Covid contracts worth nearly £500m have been awarded to companies linked to the Conservative Party , with 13 firms getting contracts that have not gone out to tender .
Labour has called for a formal independent investigation .
The constitutional question of whether to remain in the union dominates Scottish politics .
Unionists are worried as a strong win for the SNP in the upcoming Holyrood elections next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another independence referendum .
Seb Payne argued in the Financial Times that the only thing that can stop Nicola Sturgeon winning another large majority would be the Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard quitting .
He reports one Labour shadow cabinet member as saying of Leonard : “ He was riding on Jeremy ’ s coattails and has achieved , well , nothing… There is a feeling he isn ’ t working very hard and isn ’ t aware of the gravity of what is facing him.
” Elected less than three years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Representing Border programme last week that he has a strong mandate to lead the party into next year ’ s election .
The deadline for those wanting to join the party in time to vote in the upcoming national executive committee elections passed at midnight on Sunday .
Over 170 candidates have put themselves forward for the 18 seats going on the party ’ s ruling body , and the contest is due to conclude in November .
The process for electing the positions vary between the different posts – check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

1. Laura and the oatcake
LabourList has an advance copy of Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour under Corbyn and our editor is currently trying to read it as quickly as possible before its publication. In the meantime, Sunday Times readers were given a sneak preview. One story in particular caught people’s attention on Twitter. According to the book, much tension was generated over the preparation of oatcakes during a campaign visit to Stoke. Jeremy Corbyn’s wife Laura Alvarez allegedly demanded an oatcake with honey, and in the process interrupted filming by ITV of the former leader and local general election candidate present.
It didn’t take long after the publication of the article for footage of the event to surface on social media. The clip contains a cut, which is apparently not unusual, and this has been the source of much debate on Twitter. Left Out says Alvarez refused to move when aides attempted to intervene and said of Corbyn: “I’m trying to make him happy and you’re stopping it.” It also reported that ITV cut out the incident from the clip at the request of aides, but ITV has denied doing so and had the article amended.
2. Tom and Jo
Another one from Left Out. The book by Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire says then deputy leader Tom Watson considered defecting to the Lib Dems ahead of last year’s general election – though only “for five minutes”. After Labour conference, during which the national executive committee discussed abolishing his post, Jo Swinson invited Watson to stand for her party in Lewes. Instead, he agreed with the leader’s office to step down and be offered a peerage.
3. Outsourcing problems
Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock seeking urgent clarity on who will be responsible for key public health services once Public Health England is scrapped. The UK government decided to abolish PHE last week and create a new organisation to be led by Dido Harding. Harding has been in charge of the NHS Test and Trace programme, beset with difficulties. She also happens to be a Tory peer. Hancock urged private firms to “join us” as he launched the new health body, and claimed that partnering with corporate giants is “the best way through”.
Rachel Reeves also drew attention to cronyism in outsourcing. Government Covid contracts worth nearly £500m have been awarded to companies linked to the Conservative Party, with 13 firms getting contracts that have not gone out to tender. Labour has called for a formal independent investigation.
4. Scottish Labour tensions mount
The constitutional question of whether to remain in the union dominates Scottish politics. Unionists are worried as a strong win for the SNP in the upcoming Holyrood elections next year will surely begin a countdown to another independence referendum. Seb Payne argued in the Financial Times that the only thing that can stop Nicola Sturgeon winning another large majority would be the Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard quitting.
He reports one Labour shadow cabinet member as saying of Leonard: “He was riding on Jeremy’s coattails and has achieved, well, nothing… There is a feeling he isn’t working very hard and isn’t aware of the gravity of what is facing him.” Elected less than three years ago by the members, Leonard told ITV’s Representing Border programme last week that he has a strong mandate to lead the party into next year’s election.
5. Deadline for NEC voting approaches
The deadline for those wanting to join the party in time to vote in the upcoming national executive committee elections is midnight tonight. Over 170 candidates have put themselves forward for the 18 seats going on the party’s ruling body, and the contest is due to conclude in November. The process for electing the positions vary between the different posts – check out our full guide to the elections.


labourlist--2020-08-24--Exclusive: Labour promotes discussion of anti-Black racism with new video

Labour has encouraged conversation around anti-Black racism and representation in politics with the release of a new video featuring women and equalities spokesperson Marsha de Cordova this morning .
Filmed at a gym in de Cordova ’ s Battersea constituency in London , the clip shows the Labour frontbencher and people involved with local youth charity Carney ’ s Community share their experiences of racism .
In the four-and-a-half-minute documentary , the Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary tells the group : “ I recognise and know the challenges that we have to overcome because I ’ ve had to overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only Black person in a construction workplace as “ very awkward ” .
He says : “ It came to a point where a colleague of mine told me that my supervisor was calling me n****r. ” Another discusses growing up as a mixed-race girl : “ I never saw anyone beautiful who looked like me , I never saw any princesses who looked like me , any models on the TV who looked like me , or anyone who even just had my hair.
” She adds : “ I just wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it ’ s not fair for children to want to be a whole different race because they ’ re made to feel that it ’ s ugly .
And it needs to change now.
” One participant talks about people who abstain from voting “ because their perception of the state is so negative ” , and how this can be attributed to videos such as the police killing of George Floyd that sparked global protests .
Labour called for the suspension of riot gear exports to the US amid the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged the Prime Minister to tell President Trump to “ respect human rights ” in response to violent police responses .
But the new leader was criticised by some activists and Labour MPs after Starmer described BLM as a “ moment ” rather than a movement , in comments that he later told UK Black journalists he regretted .
There has also been concern over anti-Black racism within the Labour Party after the leaked report on internal complaints alleged racist attitudes by staffers towards Black MPs , particularly Diane Abbott .
Labour ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Black communities and issues around representation in the short documentary film today will likely be seen as partly an attempt to reach out to people with such concerns .
The participating charity , Carney ’ s Community , works with disadvantaged and excluded young people in Wandsworth , Lambeth and Southwark to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour while improving social mobility .
It pursues these aims through mentoring and activities , from encouraging participation in boxing programmes to offering bike workshops .
The centre has recently been visited by rapper Stormzy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some time , de Cordova went to meet some of those at the centre to hear their stories .
She said : “ Carney ’ s Community is a great example of how to bring people together for positive change .
“ I am a huge supporter of theirs : it is always a pleasure and educational to visit and work with them .
To be able to speak up and be a voice for people , we have to first listen to what they have to say .
“ What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as usual in our political system is not working .
To end racism , inequality and injustice we have to change , and look and act like the communities we represent.
” Commenting on the video , a Labour source told LabourList : “ This is a great example of the kind of thing we want to do more of .
The Tories are leaving too many of our communities behind – we want to show people we ’ re listening and that we ’ ll speak up for them .
”

Labour has encouraged conversation around anti-Black racism and representation in politics with the release of a new video featuring women and equalities spokesperson Marsha de Cordova this morning.
Filmed at a gym in de Cordova’s Battersea constituency in London, the clip shows the Labour frontbencher and people involved with local youth charity Carney’s Community share their experiences of racism.
In the four-and-a-half-minute documentary, the Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary tells the group: “I recognise and know the challenges that we have to overcome because I’ve had to overcome them.”
One contributor describes being the only Black person in a construction workplace as “very awkward”. He says: “It came to a point where a colleague of mine told me that my supervisor was calling me n****r.”
Another discusses growing up as a mixed-race girl: “I never saw anyone beautiful who looked like me, I never saw any princesses who looked like me, any models on the TV who looked like me, or anyone who even just had my hair.”
She adds: “I just wanted to be white my whole life. And it’s not fair for children to want to be a whole different race because they’re made to feel that it’s ugly. And it needs to change now.”
One participant talks about people who abstain from voting “because their perception of the state is so negative”, and how this can be attributed to videos such as the police killing of George Floyd that sparked global protests.
Labour called for the suspension of riot gear exports to the US amid the Black Lives Matter protests, and Keir Starmer urged the Prime Minister to tell President Trump to “respect human rights” in response to violent police responses.
But the new leader was criticised by some activists and Labour MPs after Starmer described BLM as a “moment” rather than a movement, in comments that he later told UK Black journalists he regretted.
There has also been concern over anti-Black racism within the Labour Party after the leaked report on internal complaints alleged racist attitudes by staffers towards Black MPs, particularly Diane Abbott.
Labour’s focus on anti-Black racism, engagement with Black communities and issues around representation in the short documentary film today will likely be seen as partly an attempt to reach out to people with such concerns.
The participating charity, Carney’s Community, works with disadvantaged and excluded young people in Wandsworth, Lambeth and Southwark to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour while improving social mobility.
It pursues these aims through mentoring and activities, from encouraging participation in boxing programmes to offering bike workshops. The centre has recently been visited by rapper Stormzy.
Having been a fan of their work for some time, de Cordova went to meet some of those at the centre to hear their stories. She said: “Carney’s Community is a great example of how to bring people together for positive change.
“I am a huge supporter of theirs: it is always a pleasure and educational to visit and work with them. To be able to speak up and be a voice for people, we have to first listen to what they have to say.
“What I heard loud and clear is that business as usual in our political system is not working. To end racism, inequality and injustice we have to change, and look and act like the communities we represent.”
Commenting on the video, a Labour source told LabourList: “This is a great example of the kind of thing we want to do more of. The Tories are leaving too many of our communities behind – we want to show people we’re listening and that we’ll speak up for them.”


labourlist--2020-08-24--Labour’s backlog of antisemitism cases is being cleared, says NEC member

Labour has processed more antisemitism disciplinary cases over the last three months than in any of the past three years , according to Gurinder Singh Josan , a member of the party ’ s national executive committee .
The local party representative , who was elected in NEC by-elections earlier this year that saw members choose three Corbynsceptics for the body , used social media to update members on Labour ’ s complaints system .
The message , posted on Sunday evening , read : “ Since April , NEC disputes sub-panels have met in most weeks to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Josan specified that these panels cover all kinds of racism , homophobia , sexism , harassment and bullying , but that “ over 90 % ” of the complaints he has seen since his election have related to antisemitism .
The letter continued : “ The panels have met more times and dealt with more cases in three months than in any of the previous three years .
The panels have in three months determined more antisemitism cases than in any of the previous three years .
“ The backlog of antisemitism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New complaints are being investigated by party staff promptly and cases are not being brought before panels within a few weeks to be determined.
” Josan , who says he has “ volunteered and sat on most of the panels ” over the last three months , and heard over 200 cases , concluded : “ There has been a real change in tackling antisemitism in the Labour Party.
” His post encouraged Jewish members who left the party under Jeremy Corbyn to rejoin , saying : “ I promise you the Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is safe to come home.
” In Labour ’ s disciplinary process , NEC members are asked to volunteer to sit on disputes sub-panels , which usually take place on weekdays and comprise up to five NEC members .
They are presented with reports by party staff following investigations .
Panels are now being conducted online due to the pandemic , which makes it easier for NEC members to attend .
But they are still required to commit to sessions of three hours each , sometimes two in a day .
Asked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more antisemitism cases were being processed , Josan said : “ I think leadership matters .
Not just Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner , but staff leadership as well… The thing that ’ s changed is leadership.
” Since April , the party has seen a new leadership elected , three new NEC members , a change in the governance and legal unit with the departure of Thomas Gardiner , and a new general secretary appointed .
Alex Barros-Curtis , who worked on Starmer ’ s leadership campaign , is now executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has replaced Jennie Formby as Labour ’ s most senior official .
Josan told LabourList : “ The values of the party are clear .
We are a party against racism , bigotry and hatred of any kind .
NEC members will deal very strongly with any cases that come before us and have given strong sanctions for anti-Black racism , Islamophobia , homophobia , sexism , as well as antisemitism.
” The Labour Party did not respond when contacted for comment .

Labour has processed more antisemitism disciplinary cases over the last three months than in any of the past three years, according to Gurinder Singh Josan, a member of the party’s national executive committee.
The local party representative, who was elected in NEC by-elections earlier this year that saw members choose three Corbynsceptics for the body, used social media to update members on Labour’s complaints system.
The message, posted on Sunday evening, read: “Since April, NEC disputes sub-panels have met in most weeks to deal with cases of complaints involving a protected characteristic.”
Josan specified that these panels cover all kinds of racism, homophobia, sexism, harassment and bullying, but that “over 90%” of the complaints he has seen since his election have related to antisemitism.
The letter continued: “The panels have met more times and dealt with more cases in three months than in any of the previous three years. The panels have in three months determined more antisemitism cases than in any of the previous three years.
“The backlog of antisemitism cases is now being systematically reduced. New complaints are being investigated by party staff promptly and cases are not being brought before panels within a few weeks to be determined.”
Josan, who says he has “volunteered and sat on most of the panels” over the last three months, and heard over 200 cases, concluded: “There has been a real change in tackling antisemitism in the Labour Party.”
His post encouraged Jewish members who left the party under Jeremy Corbyn to rejoin, saying: “I promise you the Labour Party is under new management. It is safe to come home.”
In Labour’s disciplinary process, NEC members are asked to volunteer to sit on disputes sub-panels, which usually take place on weekdays and comprise up to five NEC members. They are presented with reports by party staff following investigations.
Panels are now being conducted online due to the pandemic, which makes it easier for NEC members to attend. But they are still required to commit to sessions of three hours each, sometimes two in a day.
Asked by LabourList for his thoughts on why many more antisemitism cases were being processed, Josan said: “I think leadership matters. Not just Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, but staff leadership as well… The thing that’s changed is leadership.”
Since April, the party has seen a new leadership elected, three new NEC members, a change in the governance and legal unit with the departure of Thomas Gardiner, and a new general secretary appointed.
Alex Barros-Curtis, who worked on Starmer’s leadership campaign, is now executive director of legal affairs, while David Evans has replaced Jennie Formby as Labour’s most senior official.
Josan told LabourList: “The values of the party are clear. We are a party against racism, bigotry and hatred of any kind. NEC members will deal very strongly with any cases that come before us and have given strong sanctions for anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, sexism, as well as antisemitism.”
Update, August 25th: In response to Josan’s comments, fellow NEC member Jon Lansman tweeted that they were “misleading” as Labour under Jennie Formby said panels heard almost 300 antisemitism cases in 2019.
Lansman said: “Recent progress is excellent. But weekly panels were proposed not by the NEC, Keir or his staff but by staff in Governance & Legal Unit, who pre-date Keir’s leadership & have been driving through major improvements over the last year with extra staff added under Jennie Formby.
“Gurinder shouldn’t take credit for the work of Labour Party staff. He should be praising staff and letting members know how hard they’ve been working, rather than trying to hijack these improvements for his own personal benefit to win votes in the NEC election”.
Josan replied that there have been more expulsions over the course of the last four months than in 2019 and that there were 300 cases considered in 2019 but “I’ve been on panels in over 200 cases [in four months]”.
Also commenting on Josan’s post, soft left NEC member Alice Perry tweeted: “The Labour NEC Disciplinary panels are meeting for full days twice a week to clear the backlog of complaints.
“The panels I’ve attended work really well. From my experience the new process for referring or resolving cases is quick, fair and non-factional.”
The Labour Party did not respond when contacted for comment.


labourlist--2020-08-24--Labour’s green recovery plan must reflect the radical vision of party members

After the first wave , the next .
Following the Tories ’ deadly public health failures , leading to over 60,000 excess deaths , we face the next cruelties of their callous regime : from ruling class algorithms to an evictions crisis and the oncoming job loss tsunami .
But there ’ s another crisis continuing unabated : climate catastrophe .
The bad news has trickled in steadily : hottest day on record , hottest decade on record , Greenland ice melting beyond return .
And confirmation of what we always knew : the impact of coronavirus on emissions reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then , to see Ed Miliband launch a consultation in May on Labour ’ s plans for an ambitious green recovery , rightly comparing this to our 1945 moment .
According to new figures revealed to Labour for a Green New Deal , just under 2,000 people submitted responses – and an incredible 1,400 of those endorsed our proposals for a socialist Green New Deal in a new post-Covid social settlement .
Polling shows that the public are ready for it too : just 6 % want the ‘ back to normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be more urgent .
Not a week goes by without thousands more redundancies .
Labour is rightly standing with trade unions in demanding an extension to furlough – but we need proposals as well as critique .
That ’ s why our first demand for Labour ’ s green recovery plan has been for a million green jobs , as proposed by Labour ’ s 2019 manifesto and by the IPPR and the TUC .
From powering up renewables to home insulation to care work , these plans can tackle unemployment while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meets the needs of all .
Building on Labour ’ s regional manifestos , they provide the key to reviving post-industrial parts of the country devastated by neoliberalism .
These jobs should be in the public sector .
From aviation to energy , bosses have made workers pay the price for this pandemic .
If we want secure , well-paid , unionised jobs and rapid decarbonisation , we need state intervention and job creation , not more bungs for business .
Take home insulation .
Under the Tory proposals , it would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s housing stock , and homeowners would benefit at the expense of renters .
Labour ’ s 2019 ‘ Warm Homes for All ’ plan would do it by 2030 , cutting household bills by £416 , near-eradicating fuel poverty and cutting emissions by 10 % in the process .
Putting public health first means public ownership .
Alongside its welcome advocacy of nationalised rail , Labour should be demanding that vital services are brought back into public hands – like energy , where workers face terrible treatment , and water , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a vision of a society in which the inequality and precarity exposed by this pandemic are addressed through universal services .
The coronavirus crisis has shown the vital importance of broadband for connecting people , and the inequalities of our privatised system – so let ’ s demand Labour ’ s policy of universal broadband .
And now is the time for a transport revolution to prevent a car-driven recovery , and a National Care Service to fix our broken care system .
As Ed Miliband has made clear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Standing up for workers must mean confronting the big polluters , from flying to fossil fuels .
The coronavirus crisis has sent the aviation industry into freefall – and bosses have cut tens of thousands of jobs , while continuing to pay millions in dividends .
It ’ s vital to stand with the trade union movement in resisting these attacks .
But we can ’ t rebuild a growing aviation sector .
Instead , we need a people ’ s bailout , putting workers and the planet first .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines , to wind down domestic flights , guarantee retraining and green jobs for all those cut loose by the aviation billionaires .
Although a Labour spokesperson has said there is a “ strong case ” for taking public equity stakes in airlines , after we pushed the party on the issue , the Shadow Transport Secretary has not publicly backed the policy and has even welcomed aviation growth .
Shadow ministers have laudably advocated support for a just transition abroad – whether cancelling Global South debt or ending international fossil fuel subsidies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
Our campaign has provided a vision for Labour to seize this moment and force the government into yet more U-turns .
But it ’ s more than a vision – it ’ s a mandate .
Last month , Labour ’ s leadership replaced party conference with a ‘ Connected ’ event emptied of any provision for democratic policy-making .
But while conference might be cancelled , party democracy isn ’ t .
The overwhelming majority of submissions to Labour ’ s green recovery plan from members – more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme .
The most recent LabourList readers ’ survey found overwhelming support among members for rapid decarbonisation and a million green jobs .
Our voice is loud and clear .
Failure to follow through on this plan , or any backtracking on the 2019 conference motion and manifesto , would be a democratic outrage .
Running for leader , Keir Starmer promised to “ give members the power to shape policy ” , and “ fight for a Green New Deal now , not in 2024 ” .
The party has passed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour ’ s recovery plan is published , it must be built on the radical vision demanded by members .

After the first wave, the next. Following the Tories’ deadly public health failures, leading to over 60,000 excess deaths, we face the next cruelties of their callous regime: from ruling class algorithms to an evictions crisis and the oncoming job loss tsunami. But there’s another crisis continuing unabated: climate catastrophe. The bad news has trickled in steadily: hottest day on record, hottest decade on record, Greenland ice melting beyond return. And confirmation of what we always knew: the impact of coronavirus on emissions reduction will be negligible.
It was encouraging, then, to see Ed Miliband launch a consultation in May on Labour’s plans for an ambitious green recovery, rightly comparing this to our 1945 moment. According to new figures revealed to Labour for a Green New Deal, just under 2,000 people submitted responses – and an incredible 1,400 of those endorsed our proposals for a socialist Green New Deal in a new post-Covid social settlement. Polling shows that the public are ready for it too: just 6% want the ‘back to normal’ Tory plan.
Change couldn’t be more urgent. Not a week goes by without thousands more redundancies. Labour is rightly standing with trade unions in demanding an extension to furlough – but we need proposals as well as critique.
That’s why our first demand for Labour’s green recovery plan has been for a million green jobs, as proposed by Labour’s 2019 manifesto and by the IPPR and the TUC. From powering up renewables to home insulation to care work, these plans can tackle unemployment while building a just and resilient economy that meets the needs of all. Building on Labour’s regional manifestos, they provide the key to reviving post-industrial parts of the country devastated by neoliberalism.
These jobs should be in the public sector. From aviation to energy, bosses have made workers pay the price for this pandemic. If we want secure, well-paid, unionised jobs and rapid decarbonisation, we need state intervention and job creation, not more bungs for business.
Take home insulation. Under the Tory proposals, it would take 80 years to retrofit the UK’s housing stock, and homeowners would benefit at the expense of renters. Labour’s 2019 ‘Warm Homes for All’ plan would do it by 2030, cutting household bills by £416, near-eradicating fuel poverty and cutting emissions by 10% in the process. Putting public health first means public ownership.
Alongside its welcome advocacy of nationalised rail, Labour should be demanding that vital services are brought back into public hands – like energy, where workers face terrible treatment, and water, which has enriched shareholders while polluting our rivers.
This is a vision of a society in which the inequality and precarity exposed by this pandemic are addressed through universal services. The coronavirus crisis has shown the vital importance of broadband for connecting people, and the inequalities of our privatised system – so let’s demand Labour’s policy of universal broadband. And now is the time for a transport revolution to prevent a car-driven recovery, and a National Care Service to fix our broken care system.
As Ed Miliband has made clear, we cannot afford to be timid. Standing up for workers must mean confronting the big polluters, from flying to fossil fuels. The coronavirus crisis has sent the aviation industry into freefall – and bosses have cut tens of thousands of jobs, while continuing to pay millions in dividends. It’s vital to stand with the trade union movement in resisting these attacks.
But we can’t rebuild a growing aviation sector. Instead, we need a people’s bailout, putting workers and the planet first. That means fighting for public equity stakes of struggling airlines, to wind down domestic flights, guarantee retraining and green jobs for all those cut loose by the aviation billionaires. Although a Labour spokesperson has said there is a “strong case” for taking public equity stakes in airlines, after we pushed the party on the issue, the Shadow Transport Secretary has not publicly backed the policy and has even welcomed aviation growth.
Shadow ministers have laudably advocated support for a just transition abroad – whether cancelling Global South debt or ending international fossil fuel subsidies. Now it must do the same at home. Our campaign has provided a vision for Labour to seize this moment and force the government into yet more U-turns. But it’s more than a vision – it’s a mandate.
Last month, Labour’s leadership replaced party conference with a ‘Connected’ event emptied of any provision for democratic policy-making. But while conference might be cancelled, party democracy isn’t. The overwhelming majority of submissions to Labour’s green recovery plan from members – more than two in every three – supported our programme. The most recent LabourList readers’ survey found overwhelming support among members for rapid decarbonisation and a million green jobs. Our voice is loud and clear.
Failure to follow through on this plan, or any backtracking on the 2019 conference motion and manifesto, would be a democratic outrage. Running for leader, Keir Starmer promised to “give members the power to shape policy”, and “fight for a Green New Deal now, not in 2024”. The party has passed up this opportunity in recent months. When Labour’s recovery plan is published, it must be built on the radical vision demanded by members.


labourlist--2020-08-24--The people of Beirut need our help, and quickly

It was an early Tuesday evening when a massive explosion rocked Beirut , killing at least 180 people and injuring more than 6,000 .
An estimated 300,000 have been left homeless by the explosion , which occurred after 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored unsafely at the city ’ s port .
Now , two organisations that I have been involved with for many years – Cobra Beer and the British Kebabs Awards – have joined forces with the Cobra Foundation , an independent charity , to provide support for everyone affected by a horrific disaster , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people around the world deeply moved .
A humanitarian crisis has taken hold in a city that was already wrestling with the impact of Covid before the deadly explosion .
With so many Lebanese people in hospitals , many of their country men and women have taken to the streets to protest hunger , hardship and government corruption .
I will not rehearse the varying political arguments here .
Instead , I want to focus on the desperate situation in which so many Beirut families find themselves .
It is a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , infrastructure destroyed and society decimated .
And , if the numbers set out here don ’ t stop you in your tracks , then a glance at the scenes of devastation across Beirut surely will .
A once spectacular port is now the scorched epicentre of the explosion surrounded by acres of shattered buildings , recognisable only by the charred remnants of their framework .
The crater where the explosion occurred now stretches 140m-wide and has been flooded with seawater .
Beyond the scars on the landscape lie the wounds of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now being treated in those of the city ’ s hospitals still able to operate .
Around half of Beirut ’ s 55 healthcare facilities have been judged by the World Health Organisation to be “ non-functional ” .
Doctors have been quick to point out that the impact on the Lebanese people , particularly those children injured or bereaved , will be immense and long lasting .
The city needs our help – and quickly .
Yes , we have problems of our own in Britain , but Lebanon is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time of trauma .
It was already going through a severe economic crisis , with many families struggling just to put food on the table before the blast .
And hospitals that were already dealing with a spike in the number of coronavirus cases are now overwhelmed .
Please , if you take away one point from my plea , it is that children always suffer the most in any emergency .
Please donate now to help us tackle the broken bones , broken families and broken hearts of this tragedy .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s most vulnerable people from hunger and coronavirus .
Please step up now because the epic trail of destruction is beyond what many of us have ever seen – and delay will only make it worse .
Visit the website for details .

It was an early Tuesday evening when a massive explosion rocked Beirut, killing at least 180 people and injuring more than 6,000. An estimated 300,000 have been left homeless by the explosion, which occurred after 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored unsafely at the city’s port.
Now, two organisations that I have been involved with for many years – Cobra Beer and the British Kebabs Awards – have joined forces with the Cobra Foundation, an independent charity, to provide support for everyone affected by a horrific disaster, which has made thousands of headlines and left millions of people around the world deeply moved.
A humanitarian crisis has taken hold in a city that was already wrestling with the impact of Covid before the deadly explosion. With so many Lebanese people in hospitals, many of their country men and women have taken to the streets to protest hunger, hardship and government corruption. I will not rehearse the varying political arguments here. Instead, I want to focus on the desperate situation in which so many Beirut families find themselves.
It is a new and horrific reality of casualties en masse, infrastructure destroyed and society decimated. And, if the numbers set out here don’t stop you in your tracks, then a glance at the scenes of devastation across Beirut surely will. A once spectacular port is now the scorched epicentre of the explosion surrounded by acres of shattered buildings, recognisable only by the charred remnants of their framework. The crater where the explosion occurred now stretches 140m-wide and has been flooded with seawater.
Beyond the scars on the landscape lie the wounds of the innocent citizens caught up in the blast and now being treated in those of the city’s hospitals still able to operate. Around half of Beirut’s 55 healthcare facilities have been judged by the World Health Organisation to be “non-functional”. Doctors have been quick to point out that the impact on the Lebanese people, particularly those children injured or bereaved, will be immense and long lasting.
The city needs our help – and quickly. Yes, we have problems of our own in Britain, but Lebanon is a nation that risks being neglected at a time of trauma. It was already going through a severe economic crisis, with many families struggling just to put food on the table before the blast. And hospitals that were already dealing with a spike in the number of coronavirus cases are now overwhelmed.
Please, if you take away one point from my plea, it is that children always suffer the most in any emergency. Please donate now to help us tackle the broken bones, broken families and broken hearts of this tragedy. Please donate now to help us protect some of the world’s most vulnerable people from hunger and coronavirus. Please step up now because the epic trail of destruction is beyond what many of us have ever seen – and delay will only make it worse. Visit the website for details.