labourlist--2020-05-10--TUC: PM’s coronavirus statement will cause “confusion and anxiety” among workers

The Prime Minister ’ s statement tonight on the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions in England will “ cause working people a lot of confusion and anxiety ” , the TUC has warned .
Commenting on the update , TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ The government still hasn ’ t published guidance on how workers will be kept safe .
“ So how can the Prime Minister – with 12 hours ’ notice – tell people they should be going back to sites and factories ?
It ’ s a recipe for chaos .
“ Unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work so we can start rebuilding Britain .
Government must provide clear direction to workers and business by introducing tough new rules on workplace safety.
” Responding to the PM ’ s statement , Keir Starmer said : “ This statement raises more questions than it answers , and we see the prospect of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions .
“ The Prime Minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety or clear guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using public transport .
“ What the country wanted tonight was clarity and consensus , but we haven ’ t got either of those.
” An earlier draft of the government plans for workplace safety was met with criticism from trade unions .
They were given just hours to respond to guidance that GMB said was “ thrown together in a hurry ” .
“ They can not just flick a switch , say it ’ s safe to work within two metres of other people without PPE and expect them to head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GMB acting general secretary said last week .
But the Prime Minister this evening announced that “ anyone who can ’ t work from home , for instance those in construction or manufacturing , should be actively encouraged to go to work ” .
He said : “ You should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing , and capacity will therefore be limited .
So work from home if you can , but you should go to work if you can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans on safety are expected to be published in the coming days , but those who can not work from home are already being told to return to their workplaces .
Reacting to the news , Labour ’ s business spokesperson Ed Miliband said : “ Workers in manufacturing and construction who are being told they should go back to work tomorrow need to know that they will be safe .
“ Yet tonight the government has still not published the official guidance to assure those workers of their safety .
This isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the vast majority of good employers who want to do the right thing.
” UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has said that the return to work “ must be safe ” , adding : “ There must be no cutting corners , no playing fast and loose with employees ’ safety .
The economy is important , but lives are too.
” Transport union TSSA has described the “ mixed messaging ” from the government as “ disappointing and frankly dangerous ” .
General secretary Manuel Cortes has said that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rail services .
Cortes commented : “ The PM telling people who can ’ t work from home to go to work but not use public transport is a ridiculous notion… It will cause chaos and our transport network is not ready for any increase in passengers.
” Mick Whelan , general secretary of train drivers ’ union ASLEF , said : “ The message around unlimited exercise , and the self-policing of it , will make it now impossible to differentiate between those travelling as key workers and in those areas where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and those who are not .
“ Rightly , social distancing limits capacity on public transport and , if we believe that staff or public are being put at risk , we will not hesitate to ensure that all are protected .
”

The Prime Minister’s statement tonight on the easing of coronavirus-related restrictions in England will “cause working people a lot of confusion and anxiety”, the TUC has warned.
Commenting on the update, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The government still hasn’t published guidance on how workers will be kept safe.
“So how can the Prime Minister – with 12 hours’ notice – tell people they should be going back to sites and factories? It’s a recipe for chaos.
“Unions want to support a safe return to work so we can start rebuilding Britain. Government must provide clear direction to workers and business by introducing tough new rules on workplace safety.”
Responding to the PM’s statement, Keir Starmer said: “This statement raises more questions than it answers, and we see the prospect of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions.
“The Prime Minister appears to be effectively telling millions of people to go back to work without a clear plan for safety or clear guidance as to how to get there without using public transport.
“What the country wanted tonight was clarity and consensus, but we haven’t got either of those.”
“Those that can’t work at home are being told to go to work… that’s quite a thing to spring on people for tomorrow morning” Labour leader Keir Starmer says Boris Johnson’s statement on easing the lockdown “raises as many questions as it answers”https://t.co/XQK3OxhTTG pic.twitter.com/SbPnX6UWFJ — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 10, 2020
An earlier draft of the government plans for workplace safety was met with criticism from trade unions. They were given just hours to respond to guidance that GMB said was “thrown together in a hurry”.
“They cannot just flick a switch, say it’s safe to work within two metres of other people without PPE and expect them to head merrily off to work,” the GMB acting general secretary said last week.
But the Prime Minister this evening announced that “anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work”.
He said: “You should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited. So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.”
More detailed back-to-work plans on safety are expected to be published in the coming days, but those who cannot work from home are already being told to return to their workplaces.
Reacting to the news, Labour’s business spokesperson Ed Miliband said: “Workers in manufacturing and construction who are being told they should go back to work tomorrow need to know that they will be safe.
“Yet tonight the government has still not published the official guidance to assure those workers of their safety. This isn’t good enough for both workers and for the vast majority of good employers who want to do the right thing.”
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has said that the return to work “must be safe”, adding: “There must be no cutting corners, no playing fast and loose with employees’ safety. The economy is important, but lives are too.”
Transport union TSSA has described the “mixed messaging” from the government as “disappointing and frankly dangerous”. General secretary Manuel Cortes has said that “only key workers” should be using rail services.
Cortes commented: “The PM telling people who can’t work from home to go to work but not use public transport is a ridiculous notion… It will cause chaos and our transport network is not ready for any increase in passengers.”
Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers’ union ASLEF, said: “The message around unlimited exercise, and the self-policing of it, will make it now impossible to differentiate between those travelling as key workers and in those areas where return to work has been encouraged, and those who are not.
“Rightly, social distancing limits capacity on public transport and, if we believe that staff or public are being put at risk, we will not hesitate to ensure that all are protected.”


labourlist--2020-05-11--The Covid crisis is political

The Covid crisis is political

The Prime Minister made a statement last night to set out the first phase of coronavirus restrictions being lifted in England .
Unfortunately , it was a confusing mess .
We ’ ve talked a lot about how coronavirus has had a discriminatory impact on BAME communities , on ( often low-paid ) key workers , on people living in overcrowded accommodation .
But the inequities experienced by working class people have never been made more clear than in the government update on Sunday evening .
And it has never been more important for workers to join a trade union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boris Johnson urged those not able to work from home to return to their workplaces “ this week ” , with the understanding being that this meant Monday .
And the government still hasn ’ t finalised its back-to-work guidance , having only consulted trade unions on an earlier draft that was unfinished and heavily criticised .
So much for building consensus , as promised on the PM ’ s first day back .
As Ed Miliband tweeted : “ If it was about MPs , chief executives or middle class professionals the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work at 12 hours notice without guidance or clarity about safety ” .
Even more confusingly , Dominic Raab has said this morning that people are actually being urged to return on Wednesday , not today as stated in the press release .
The word ‘ omnishambles ’ comes to mind .
The PM ’ s statement did not address the main day-to-day concerns of many .
He made clear that sunbathing in the park and playing sports with members of our household would be permitted , but whether we can visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has now been clarified that you ’ re allowed to meet parents in an outdoor space ( not a garden ) with two metres between you , though Raab and No 10 disagree over whether it is one or two parents that can be met at the same time .
The statement was effectively a declaration of class war .
Those who can work from home are more likely to be better paid , and they can protect themselves , whereas those in construction and manufacturing must put their lives on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their profits .
I wrote in this email two weeks ago : Labour must help to ensure that workers are protected and prioritised , and that the Tories can not put private wealth ahead of public health while bringing the UK out of lockdown .
But that is exactly what the government is doing .
The 50-page guidance outlining the new rules will apparently be provided at some point today , and another statement from the Prime Minister will be made in the House of Commons at around 3.30pm .
How Labour approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for debate within the party , as ever .
62 % of the 6,071 readers who took part in our most recent survey ( full results here ) described Labour as “ not critical enough ” of the government ’ s Covid-19 response , while 36.5 % said the opposition party had been “ the right amount of critical ” .
Starmer will undoubtedly want to exercise caution and sound reasonable – not angry , but very disappointed .
Rather than pick holes in the plans presented , this time he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evident to everyone .
This is all the more reason for the party not to depoliticise the situation .
Labour must urge workers to join a trade union , and raise awareness of the 1996 Employment Rights Act ’ s Section 44 .
It gives employees the right to walk away from unsafe work without loss of pay .
This crisis is deeply political , and it is not disrespectful or point-scoring to make interventions accordingly .
The same principle goes for proactive proposals .
This is why the new housing policy announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members .
The level of anger among party activists online – likely to be young renters , who are charged enormous amounts every month by landlords often unwilling to undertake repairs – was underestimated by the Labour leadership .
The prospect of having to pay back rent arrears in two years during a global recession is obviously a very scary one .
In formulating its policy , which has prompted an open letter of protest , Labour did not give enough consideration to this entirely predictable response .
And , as noted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t even necessary to include the arrears point in the plan , which could have focused only on upping benefits and banning evictions .
Labour is a main opposition party , not a legal team advising the government .
In this crisis , at a time of such frightening instability , clear communication is everything and politics matters .

The Prime Minister made a statement last night to set out the first phase of coronavirus restrictions being lifted in England. Unfortunately, it was a confusing mess. We’ve talked a lot about how coronavirus has had a discriminatory impact on BAME communities, on (often low-paid) key workers, on people living in overcrowded accommodation. But the inequities experienced by working class people have never been made more clear than in the government update on Sunday evening. And it has never been more important for workers to join a trade union and become aware of their rights.
Boris Johnson urged those not able to work from home to return to their workplaces “this week”, with the understanding being that this meant Monday. And the government still hasn’t finalised its back-to-work guidance, having only consulted trade unions on an earlier draft that was unfinished and heavily criticised. So much for building consensus, as promised on the PM’s first day back. As Ed Miliband tweeted: “If it was about MPs, chief executives or middle class professionals the PM would never have ordered a return to work at 12 hours notice without guidance or clarity about safety”. Even more confusingly, Dominic Raab has said this morning that people are actually being urged to return on Wednesday, not today as stated in the press release. The word ‘omnishambles’ comes to mind.
The PM’s statement did not address the main day-to-day concerns of many. He made clear that sunbathing in the park and playing sports with members of our household would be permitted, but whether we can visit family members while distancing was not mentioned. It has now been clarified that you’re allowed to meet parents in an outdoor space (not a garden) with two metres between you, though Raab and No 10 disagree over whether it is one or two parents that can be met at the same time.
The statement was effectively a declaration of class war. Those who can work from home are more likely to be better paid, and they can protect themselves, whereas those in construction and manufacturing must put their lives on the line so that bosses can protect their profits. I wrote in this email two weeks ago: Labour must help to ensure that workers are protected and prioritised, and that the Tories cannot put private wealth ahead of public health while bringing the UK out of lockdown. But that is exactly what the government is doing.
The 50-page guidance outlining the new rules will apparently be provided at some point today, and another statement from the Prime Minister will be made in the House of Commons at around 3.30pm. How Labour approaches the task of scrutinising the government is up for debate within the party, as ever. 62% of the 6,071 readers who took part in our most recent survey (full results here) described Labour as “not critical enough” of the government’s Covid-19 response, while 36.5% said the opposition party had been “the right amount of critical”.
Starmer will undoubtedly want to exercise caution and sound reasonable – not angry, but very disappointed. Rather than pick holes in the plans presented, this time he will simply be pointing out gaping holes already evident to everyone. This is all the more reason for the party not to depoliticise the situation. Labour must urge workers to join a trade union, and raise awareness of the 1996 Employment Rights Act’s Section 44. It gives employees the right to walk away from unsafe work without loss of pay. This crisis is deeply political, and it is not disrespectful or point-scoring to make interventions accordingly.
The same principle goes for proactive proposals. This is why the new housing policy announced over the weekend was poorly received by members. The level of anger among party activists online – likely to be young renters, who are charged enormous amounts every month by landlords often unwilling to undertake repairs – was underestimated by the Labour leadership. The prospect of having to pay back rent arrears in two years during a global recession is obviously a very scary one.
In formulating its policy, which has prompted an open letter of protest, Labour did not give enough consideration to this entirely predictable response. And, as noted by the New Statesman, it wasn’t even necessary to include the arrears point in the plan, which could have focused only on upping benefits and banning evictions. Labour is a main opposition party, not a legal team advising the government. In this crisis, at a time of such frightening instability, clear communication is everything and politics matters.


labourlist--2020-05-11--How local government has responded to Covid-19: adult social care

The local government response to Covid has been wide-ranging and involved all elements of council services .
In a series of five pieces this week , the Labour leader of Trafford Council , Cllr Andrew Western , will set out what the response has looked like in a range of key areas .
This piece , on adult social care , is the first .
When Labour took control of Trafford from the Conservatives two years ago this month , it was rightly a huge cause for celebration for the party both locally and nationally .
Trafford had long been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a northern , metropolitan authority fully on message and totally behind the programme of austerity – despite its impact on local services .
I knew then that becoming leader of the council was a huge responsibility and would be an incredibly difficult job in times of austerity , during which local government has been ruthlessly and politically targeted to bear the brunt of cuts .
I had no idea , however , that two years later I ’ d be leading the council ’ s response to Covid-19 , a crisis that touches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts everyone in our community .
I wanted to write about just some of what we in the local government family are having to contend with at present , starting with one of the key areas of our response : social care .
Social care has been creaking for a decade .
The private sector dominates the market and whilst the cost of care has increased significantly , government funding has not matched this , nor has it met the increased demand that our ageing population has required .
There is a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet we are still in limbo ahead of the publication of the long-awaited green paper on social care .
It stands to reason that coronavirus has added to this considerable pressure within the system , given the disproportionate risk the disease poses to older people – the majority of care home residents .
I have been blown away by the commitment and dedication of our social services team in coordinating the care response to this crisis , as well as by the compassion and love shown by frontline care workers .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in care homes , arranging testing , working with colleagues across Greater Manchester to bolster our response and share good practice , and most importantly ensuring the high-quality and personalised care people deserve .
These are tasks that have been made more difficult by the ongoing scandal that has been the shortage of appropriate personal protective equipment , the slow shift to the level of testing required , and the funding challenges brought about by coronavirus that has left a £37m in year hole in our budget .
Despite all of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many Labour authorities – we have been leading the way .
One of the huge lessons all local authorities and partners in health and more widely can take from this period is the breaking down of silos and the genuinely integrated working that has helped to get things done quickly and safely .
It is this innovative and creative work that has led to Trafford having so few care homes with Covid-19 in relative terms , whilst still getting people out of hospital quickly to increase NHS capacity .
Whilst some areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % of their care homes , in Trafford we have seen a much lower percentage , at around 25 % .
Whilst this is still too many , how has this comparatively low figure been achieved ?
From the outset , social care providers were rightly concerned about accepting patients discharged from hospital without a test .
Health colleagues therefore began community testing for people leaving hospital before it was required by government guidance .
This meant people could leave hospital more quickly , but that homes had reassurance they were safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to block-book two entire care homes in the borough to ensure that if there were issues with either capacity in or admission to care homes we had scope to make sure we could still get people out of hospital .
Increasing capacity whilst testing early has been a huge success : getting those most at risk of the virus out of hospital quickly whilst giving business to care homes who are struggling through this crisis .
The ironic bonus providing the icing on the cake is that we have also hit our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time in years .
A brilliant approach using strong partnerships and the influence our buying power gives us to keep Covid-19 out of care homes where possible and capacity available for those who need it .
Protecting staff has also been key in this , as has ensuring staff availability in council-run facilities .
This has been particularly difficult given the PPE situation nationally , but the work seen at a Greater Manchester level has been fantastic in helping to secure additional supplies and protect frontline workers , their families and of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been incredibly grateful for the donations we ’ ve needed for key partners at Trafford Housing Trust and Trafford College – amongst others – whose support has been greatly appreciated .
On the staff availability side , I have been stunned to see the amazing actions of council staff in all areas .
A special mention though must go to those staff who have been voluntarily redeployed – from posts as varied as HR to UNISON Convenor – into roles on the frontline of social care .
These are true public servants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of Trafford , far above and beyond the call of duty .
Equally as heartwarming have been the stories of care home staff who have moved into their homes when Covid-19 has hit so that they can continue to provide care to their residents whilst protecting their own families .
This is amazing commitment and astonishing bravery , and I salute them all .
I ’ m rightly proud that in Trafford we ’ ve led such a coordinated response , especially now that we are seeing the benefits of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates of Covid-19 in care settings , along with swift transfers of care .
But the sector desperately needs more support .
When Robert Jenrick ’ s narrative as Communities Secretary shifted from “ everything you need ” to “ I don ’ t believe you need all that ” , he showed a remarkable lack of understanding about the cost of this crisis , and one of the areas that will suffer most is social care .
Many authorities are unsure how we will meet our statutory duties in the months ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all in dire straits – and that ’ s a pressure being felt by providers , too .
Without proper financial support – sustainable and long term , as well as crisis response – some providers are facing a cliff edge , and it is coming soon .
We ’ ve tried to help in Trafford : block-booking where appropriate and paying weeks in advance to give the market certainty .
But the structural issues within the sector are getting in the way .
We can only hope the long awaited green paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainty we need whilst learning the lessons of this crisis .
Those who need our support – both now and in the future – deserve no less .

The local government response to Covid has been wide-ranging and involved all elements of council services. In a series of five pieces this week, the Labour leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Andrew Western, will set out what the response has looked like in a range of key areas. This piece, on adult social care, is the first.
When Labour took control of Trafford from the Conservatives two years ago this month, it was rightly a huge cause for celebration for the party both locally and nationally. Trafford had long been that jewel in the Tory crown: a northern, metropolitan authority fully on message and totally behind the programme of austerity – despite its impact on local services.
I knew then that becoming leader of the council was a huge responsibility and would be an incredibly difficult job in times of austerity, during which local government has been ruthlessly and politically targeted to bear the brunt of cuts. I had no idea, however, that two years later I’d be leading the council’s response to Covid-19, a crisis that touches every aspect of what we do and impacts everyone in our community. I wanted to write about just some of what we in the local government family are having to contend with at present, starting with one of the key areas of our response: social care.
Social care has been creaking for a decade. The private sector dominates the market and whilst the cost of care has increased significantly, government funding has not matched this, nor has it met the increased demand that our ageing population has required. There is a general acceptance that the system is broken, yet we are still in limbo ahead of the publication of the long-awaited green paper on social care. It stands to reason that coronavirus has added to this considerable pressure within the system, given the disproportionate risk the disease poses to older people – the majority of care home residents.
I have been blown away by the commitment and dedication of our social services team in coordinating the care response to this crisis, as well as by the compassion and love shown by frontline care workers. It’s been a huge challenge: managing coronavirus in care homes, arranging testing, working with colleagues across Greater Manchester to bolster our response and share good practice, and most importantly ensuring the high-quality and personalised care people deserve. These are tasks that have been made more difficult by the ongoing scandal that has been the shortage of appropriate personal protective equipment, the slow shift to the level of testing required, and the funding challenges brought about by coronavirus that has left a £37m in year hole in our budget.
Despite all of these challenges, in Trafford – as with so many Labour authorities – we have been leading the way. One of the huge lessons all local authorities and partners in health and more widely can take from this period is the breaking down of silos and the genuinely integrated working that has helped to get things done quickly and safely. It is this innovative and creative work that has led to Trafford having so few care homes with Covid-19 in relative terms, whilst still getting people out of hospital quickly to increase NHS capacity. Whilst some areas have seen coronavirus in as many as 60% of their care homes, in Trafford we have seen a much lower percentage, at around 25%. Whilst this is still too many, how has this comparatively low figure been achieved?
From the outset, social care providers were rightly concerned about accepting patients discharged from hospital without a test. Health colleagues therefore began community testing for people leaving hospital before it was required by government guidance. This meant people could leave hospital more quickly, but that homes had reassurance they were safe to accept the patient. We also moved to block-book two entire care homes in the borough to ensure that if there were issues with either capacity in or admission to care homes we had scope to make sure we could still get people out of hospital.
Increasing capacity whilst testing early has been a huge success: getting those most at risk of the virus out of hospital quickly whilst giving business to care homes who are struggling through this crisis. The ironic bonus providing the icing on the cake is that we have also hit our Delayed Transfers of Care target for the first time in years. A brilliant approach using strong partnerships and the influence our buying power gives us to keep Covid-19 out of care homes where possible and capacity available for those who need it.
Protecting staff has also been key in this, as has ensuring staff availability in council-run facilities. This has been particularly difficult given the PPE situation nationally, but the work seen at a Greater Manchester level has been fantastic in helping to secure additional supplies and protect frontline workers, their families and of course their patients. We’ve also been incredibly grateful for the donations we’ve needed for key partners at Trafford Housing Trust and Trafford College – amongst others – whose support has been greatly appreciated.
On the staff availability side, I have been stunned to see the amazing actions of council staff in all areas. A special mention though must go to those staff who have been voluntarily redeployed – from posts as varied as HR to UNISON Convenor – into roles on the frontline of social care. These are true public servants putting themselves at risk to look after the people of Trafford, far above and beyond the call of duty. Equally as heartwarming have been the stories of care home staff who have moved into their homes when Covid-19 has hit so that they can continue to provide care to their residents whilst protecting their own families. This is amazing commitment and astonishing bravery, and I salute them all.
I’m rightly proud that in Trafford we’ve led such a coordinated response, especially now that we are seeing the benefits of our actions with good capacity and relatively low rates of Covid-19 in care settings, along with swift transfers of care. But the sector desperately needs more support. When Robert Jenrick’s narrative as Communities Secretary shifted from “everything you need” to “I don’t believe you need all that”, he showed a remarkable lack of understanding about the cost of this crisis, and one of the areas that will suffer most is social care.
Many authorities are unsure how we will meet our statutory duties in the months ahead, with some councils facing bankruptcy and all in dire straits – and that’s a pressure being felt by providers, too. Without proper financial support – sustainable and long term, as well as crisis response – some providers are facing a cliff edge, and it is coming soon. We’ve tried to help in Trafford: block-booking where appropriate and paying weeks in advance to give the market certainty. But the structural issues within the sector are getting in the way. We can only hope the long awaited green paper is imminent and provides the funding and certainty we need whilst learning the lessons of this crisis. Those who need our support – both now and in the future – deserve no less.


labourlist--2020-05-11--Starmer: “If we are to complete the journey safely, the roadmap needs clear directions”

Keir Starmer has called for “ clear directions ” from the government in response to the Prime Minister ’ s coronavirus statement delivered on Sunday .
In his own broadcast to the nation today , the Labour leader will say : “ What we needed from the Prime Minister last night was clarity and reassurance .
“ We needed to hear that nobody would be asked to go to work or send their children to school without it being safe to do so .
“ We needed to know that the huge problems we have seen with protective equipment are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes has finally been gripped .
“ That everybody who needs a test can finally get one .
Above all , we needed to know when we could see our loved ones again.
” He will add : “ The Prime Minister said he was setting out a road map – but if we are to complete the journey safely , the roadmap needs clear directions.
” The leader will also reiterate his pledge to provide a “ new type of opposition ” to both challenge and support the government during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask questions on workplace safety , public transport , childcare and caring responsibilities , police enforcement , and divergence between the UK ’ s four nations .
The message will be broadcast at 5.50pm on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds , and with its accompanying video of Starmer at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC News channels .
On Sunday , Boris Johnson told people unable to work from home to return to their workplaces “ this week ” .
Journalists were briefed that this referred to Monday , but this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern that advice for workers was changed with just 12 hours ’ notice , and without publication of back-to-work guidelines , due to be released tomorrow .
Earlier this afternoon , Starmer questioned the Prime Minister on the back-to-work plans and said the “ clarity and reassurance ” needed by the country were “ in pretty short supply ” .
The 50-page document published today recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed spaces , and says people can meet with one person outside their household while distancing .
Below is the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living through the biggest threat this country has faced for a generation .
Coronavirus has taken so much from us .
It ’ s brought normal life to a halt .
We can no longer see our friends , no longer spend time with extended family , and over 30,000 people have lost their lives .
Behind these statistics are families torn apart by grief .
Millions are worried about their loved ones , their jobs , their communities , their families and their future .
That ’ s why when I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just over a month ago , I promised a new type of opposition .
Labour will always put the national interest first .
We will have the courage to support the government when that ’ s the right thing to do , and the courage to challenge the government where it ’ s getting it wrong .
Today I repeat that message .
Labour has supported lockdown and we continue to do so .
Public health and saving lives must always come first , whether we voted for this government or not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all rely on the government to get this right .
That ’ s why we ’ ve called for a national consensus and offered to work with the government to defeat this dreadful virus .
What we needed from the Prime Minister last night was clarity and reassurance .
We needed to hear that nobody would be asked to go to work or send their children to school without it being safe to do so .
We needed to know that the huge problems we ’ ve seen with protective equipment are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes has finally been gripped .
That everybody who needs a test can finally get one .
Above all , we needed to know when we could see our loved ones again .
The Prime Minister said he was setting out a road map – but if we ’ re to complete the journey safely , a roadmap needs clear directions .
So many of us have questions that need answering .
• How can we be sure our workplaces are now safe to return to ?
• How can we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport to do so ?
• How can millions of people go back to work while balancing childcare and caring responsibilities ?
• How do our police enforce these rules ?
• And why are some parts of the United Kingdom now on a different path to others ?
For as long as this crisis persists , I ’ ll keep demanding answers to these questions because that ’ s how we get better decisions and better outcomes .
I remain committed to working constructively with the government in the national interest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day it will be , I ’ m determined we will build a better society .
Because after all this , all the sacrifice and the loss , we can ’ t go back to business as usual .
We can ’ t go back to a society where we clap our carers once a week but where half of our care workers are paid less than the real living wage .
We can ’ t go back to a society where we pay tribute to the heroes of the Second World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an afterthought .
And we can ’ t go back to a country where we don ’ t invest in our public services , but expect our frontline workers to protect us .
When we get through this , it will be because of the hard work and the bravery of every key worker as they took on this virus and kept our country going .
In their courage and their sacrifice and their bravery , we can see a better future .
This crisis has brought out the resilience and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We must go forward with a vision of a better society built on that resilience and built on that human spirit .

Keir Starmer has called for “clear directions” from the government in response to the Prime Minister’s coronavirus statement delivered on Sunday.
In his own broadcast to the nation today, the Labour leader will say: “What we needed from the Prime Minister last night was clarity and reassurance.
“We needed to hear that nobody would be asked to go to work or send their children to school without it being safe to do so.
“We needed to know that the huge problems we have seen with protective equipment are over. That the crisis in our care homes has finally been gripped.
“That everybody who needs a test can finally get one. Above all, we needed to know when we could see our loved ones again.”
He will add: “The Prime Minister said he was setting out a road map – but if we are to complete the journey safely, the roadmap needs clear directions.”
The leader will also reiterate his pledge to provide a “new type of opposition” to both challenge and support the government during the coronavirus crisis.
He is set to ask questions on workplace safety, public transport, childcare and caring responsibilities, police enforcement, and divergence between the UK’s four nations.
The message will be broadcast at 5.50pm on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, and with its accompanying video of Starmer at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC News channels.
On Sunday, Boris Johnson told people unable to work from home to return to their workplaces “this week”. Journalists were briefed that this referred to Monday, but this was later changed to Wednesday.
Labour expressed concern that advice for workers was changed with just 12 hours’ notice, and without publication of back-to-work guidelines, due to be released tomorrow.
Earlier this afternoon, Starmer questioned the Prime Minister on the back-to-work plans and said the “clarity and reassurance” needed by the country were “in pretty short supply”.
The 50-page document published today recommends that people wear face coverings in enclosed spaces, and says people can meet with one person outside their household while distancing.
The Prime Minister said he was setting out a roadmap but if we’re to complete the journey safely a roadmap needs clear directions. pic.twitter.com/6D7XblY0V6 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 11, 2020
Below is the full transcript of the broadcast.
We are living through the biggest threat this country has faced for a generation. Coronavirus has taken so much from us. It’s brought normal life to a halt.
We can no longer see our friends, no longer spend time with extended family, and over 30,000 people have lost their lives. Behind these statistics are families torn apart by grief.
Millions are worried about their loved ones, their jobs, their communities, their families and their future. That’s why when I was elected leader of the Labour Party, just over a month ago, I promised a new type of opposition.
Labour will always put the national interest first. We will have the courage to support the government when that’s the right thing to do, and the courage to challenge the government where it’s getting it wrong.
Today I repeat that message. Labour has supported lockdown and we continue to do so. Public health and saving lives must always come first, whether we voted for this government or not.
At this moment of national crisis, we all rely on the government to get this right. That’s why we’ve called for a national consensus and offered to work with the government to defeat this dreadful virus.
What we needed from the Prime Minister last night was clarity and reassurance. We needed to hear that nobody would be asked to go to work or send their children to school without it being safe to do so.
We needed to know that the huge problems we’ve seen with protective equipment are over. That the crisis in our care homes has finally been gripped. That everybody who needs a test can finally get one. Above all, we needed to know when we could see our loved ones again.
The Prime Minister said he was setting out a road map – but if we’re to complete the journey safely, a roadmap needs clear directions. So many of us have questions that need answering.
How can we be sure our workplaces are now safe to return to?
How can we get to work safely if we need public transport to do so?
How can millions of people go back to work while balancing childcare and caring responsibilities?
How do our police enforce these rules?
And why are some parts of the United Kingdom now on a different path to others?
For as long as this crisis persists, I’ll keep demanding answers to these questions because that’s how we get better decisions and better outcomes. I remain committed to working constructively with the government in the national interest.
And when this is over, and one day it will be, I’m determined we will build a better society. Because after all this, all the sacrifice and the loss, we can’t go back to business as usual.
We can’t go back to a society where we clap our carers once a week but where half of our care workers are paid less than the real living wage. We can’t go back to a society where we pay tribute to the heroes of the Second World War, but see our care homes as an afterthought. And we can’t go back to a country where we don’t invest in our public services, but expect our frontline workers to protect us.
When we get through this, it will be because of the hard work and the bravery of every key worker as they took on this virus and kept our country going. In their courage and their sacrifice and their bravery, we can see a better future.
This crisis has brought out the resilience and the human spirit in all of us. We must go forward with a vision of a better society built on that resilience and built on that human spirit.


labourlist--2020-05-11--Angela Rayner urges Labour members to join a trade union

Below is the full text of the email sent from Angela Rayner to Labour members this afternoon .
Last night I sat shocked on my sofa as Boris Johnson spoke to our country .
Workers who can ’ t work from home were encouraged to go back to work – but given no guidance on how to stay safe .
Millions of jobs are impossible to do while two metres apart .
Millions of us have been given no protective equipment .
But , we don ’ t have to sit on our sofas and take this .
When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour contract and poverty pay , I joined a trade union .
With my union , alongside my work mates , I won better working conditions .
Labour MPs will always fight for workers ’ interests , and you can do the same by joining a union .
Are you a trade union member ?
This crisis has proved the strength of workers when we unite – whether you ’ re a construction worker or a care giver .
It ’ s proved the power of having a trade union membership card in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and won the furlough scheme .
It is trade unions who are making sure thousands of workers don ’ t get laid off during this crisis .
In retail , healthcare , catering , building and beyond , union representatives are sorting safety measures like protective equipment , hand washing facilities and enough space to social distance .
But we can ’ t rest until every worker does their job in safe and fair conditions .
The Labour Party was founded when working people came together to win .
As one movement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for women and a minimum wage .
Together , we will win again .
Angela Rayner Deputy leader and chair of the Labour Party

Below is the full text of the email sent from Angela Rayner to Labour members this afternoon.
Last night I sat shocked on my sofa as Boris Johnson spoke to our country. Workers who can’t work from home were encouraged to go back to work – but given no guidance on how to stay safe.
Millions of jobs are impossible to do while two metres apart. Millions of us have been given no protective equipment. But, we don’t have to sit on our sofas and take this.
When I was a care worker on a zero hour contract and poverty pay, I joined a trade union. With my union, alongside my work mates, I won better working conditions. Labour MPs will always fight for workers’ interests, and you can do the same by joining a union. Are you a trade union member?
This crisis has proved the strength of workers when we unite – whether you’re a construction worker or a care giver. It’s proved the power of having a trade union membership card in your pocket.
Trade unions fought for and won the furlough scheme. It is trade unions who are making sure thousands of workers don’t get laid off during this crisis. In retail, healthcare, catering, building and beyond, union representatives are sorting safety measures like protective equipment, hand washing facilities and enough space to social distance. But we can’t rest until every worker does their job in safe and fair conditions.
The Labour Party was founded when working people came together to win. As one movement, we won a five-day week, equal pay for women and a minimum wage. Together, we will win again.
Angela Rayner
Deputy leader and chair of the Labour Party


labourlist--2020-05-11--It is not for the people of Britain to decide the future of Ireland

In recent weeks , there have been assertions from people within the Labour Party that have sought to take positions on Ireland ’ s constitutional question .
These have come from both perspectives – that Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK , and that it should form part of a united Ireland .
Whilst this is a very small minority of people , it has shone a light on the ignorance of too many in Britain around this issue .
It is an ignorance far more prevalent outside our party and movement than within , but that should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds for complacency .
Because in this context , ignorance is neither blissful nor harmless .
Put simply – it is not for people in Britain to advise or decide what the people of Ireland do .
To believe otherwise is to undermine the spirit and letter of the Good Friday Agreement .
The agreement is a peace treaty registered at the United Nations .
It enshrined that , on the key constitutional issues , power should rest with the people of Ireland to decide their fate – not those in Britain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It brought peace and stability , and provided the basis for power-sharing and institutional reform to make government more representative .
Underpinning this , the agreement defined three clear sets of relationships : within Northern Ireland ; between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland ; and between Britain and Ireland .
It was voted for by 71 % of people in Northern Ireland and 96 % of people in the Republic of Ireland , on huge turnouts .
That is an overwhelming mandate , as strong today as it was 23 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ireland , it should not be lost on anyone that these are not only the terms by which peace is agreed but those on which it is also maintained .
The people of Ireland have agency and should be allowed , unlike at many times in history , to make decisions about their constitutional future without people in Britain interfering or conferring some grandiose validation and approval .
Labour , trade unions and the wider labour movement in Britain does not take formal stances on the constitutional question .
We have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broker on these issues .
The Democratic Unionist Party – and many leading Tories – opposed the Good Friday Agreement initially and have since undermined it , whereas Labour and the trade unions played a crucial part in negotiating it and continue to support it .
I believe in Labour as a party of the workers , as a party of equality and as a party of peace .
It ’ s why one of my favourite Irish political leaders in history is John Hume – a civil rights leader , Social Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John became the first – and remains the only – person in history to win the three major global peace awards .
The Nobel Peace Prize , the Ghandi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Peace Prize .
John knew that critical to a sustainable peace was power sharing within Northern Ireland , cooperation across the island of Ireland , and respect between Britain and Ireland and their people .
These are the values of Labour too , alongside a commitment that we will only spill sweat in the pursuit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground we walk together .

In recent weeks, there have been assertions from people within the Labour Party that have sought to take positions on Ireland’s constitutional question. These have come from both perspectives – that Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK, and that it should form part of a united Ireland. Whilst this is a very small minority of people, it has shone a light on the ignorance of too many in Britain around this issue.
It is an ignorance far more prevalent outside our party and movement than within, but that should not be a measure of success nor grounds for complacency. Because in this context, ignorance is neither blissful nor harmless. Put simply – it is not for people in Britain to advise or decide what the people of Ireland do. To believe otherwise is to undermine the spirit and letter of the Good Friday Agreement.
The agreement is a peace treaty registered at the United Nations. It enshrined that, on the key constitutional issues, power should rest with the people of Ireland to decide their fate – not those in Britain. It transformed the island of Ireland. It brought peace and stability, and provided the basis for power-sharing and institutional reform to make government more representative.
Underpinning this, the agreement defined three clear sets of relationships: within Northern Ireland; between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; and between Britain and Ireland. It was voted for by 71% of people in Northern Ireland and 96% of people in the Republic of Ireland, on huge turnouts. That is an overwhelming mandate, as strong today as it was 23 years ago. Instead of patronising the people of Ireland, it should not be lost on anyone that these are not only the terms by which peace is agreed but those on which it is also maintained.
The people of Ireland have agency and should be allowed, unlike at many times in history, to make decisions about their constitutional future without people in Britain interfering or conferring some grandiose validation and approval. Labour, trade unions and the wider labour movement in Britain does not take formal stances on the constitutional question. We have a proud record as a neutral, honest broker on these issues.
The Democratic Unionist Party – and many leading Tories – opposed the Good Friday Agreement initially and have since undermined it, whereas Labour and the trade unions played a crucial part in negotiating it and continue to support it. I believe in Labour as a party of the workers, as a party of equality and as a party of peace. It’s why one of my favourite Irish political leaders in history is John Hume – a civil rights leader, Social Democratic and Labour Party leader and trade unionist.
John became the first – and remains the only – person in history to win the three major global peace awards. The Nobel Peace Prize, the Ghandi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Peace Prize. John knew that critical to a sustainable peace was power sharing within Northern Ireland, cooperation across the island of Ireland, and respect between Britain and Ireland and their people. These are the values of Labour too, alongside a commitment that we will only spill sweat in the pursuit of peace. Let that be the common ground we walk together.


labourlist--2020-05-11--17 Labour MPs including Corbyn slam PM’s “declaration of class war”

17 Labour MPs – including former leader Jeremy Corbyn – have described the Prime Minister ’ s statement on lifting coronavirus restrictions as a “ thinly veiled declaration of class war ” .
The fresh statement , issued in response to the Covid-19 update by Boris Johnson that aired on Sunday evening , was tweeted by the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour left MPs .
Below is the full text of their statement .
Last night ’ s statement by the Prime Minister was a thinly veiled declaration of class war from a government that has chosen to put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business above the welfare of the country .
This pandemic has already shown itself to disproportionately affect BAME people and low paid workers .
The government calling on people to be “ actively encouraged ” to return to work will only make this situation worse .
Prior to Covid-19 the UK was already in the middle of a crisis in the world of work with poor wages , terms and conditions and an ever-growing precariat in the gig economy .
There has never been a more important time to either join or become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please do so .
Protecting the people is the first duty of any government and the government is failing to do so .
Wherever trade unions are forced to step in to take action against bosses who put their members ’ health at risk they will have our full and unwavering support .

17 Labour MPs – including former leader Jeremy Corbyn – have described the Prime Minister’s statement on lifting coronavirus restrictions as a “thinly veiled declaration of class war”.
The fresh statement, issued in response to the Covid-19 update by Boris Johnson that aired on Sunday evening, was tweeted by the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour left MPs.
Below is the full text of their statement.
Last night’s statement by the Prime Minister was a thinly veiled declaration of class war from a government that has chosen to put the economic demands of some sections of big business above the welfare of the country.
This pandemic has already shown itself to disproportionately affect BAME people and low paid workers. The government calling on people to be “actively encouraged” to return to work will only make this situation worse.
Prior to Covid-19 the UK was already in the middle of a crisis in the world of work with poor wages, terms and conditions and an ever-growing precariat in the gig economy. There has never been a more important time to either join or become more active in a trade union. Please do so.
Protecting the people is the first duty of any government and the government is failing to do so. Wherever trade unions are forced to step in to take action against bosses who put their members’ health at risk they will have our full and unwavering support.
Signed
Diane Abbott MP
Paula Barker MP
Apsana Begum MP
Richard Burgon MP
Ian Byrne MP
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Ian Lavery MP
John McDonnell MP
Ian Mearns MP
Grahame Morris MP
Kate Osamor MP
Kate Osborne MP
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP
Zarah Sultana MP
Jon Trickett MP
Claudia Webbe MP
Mick Whitley MP


labourlist--2020-05-11--My priorities as Labour’s new Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary

I know that , after the NHS , the Department for Work and Pensions is the part of government many Labour members have the most interest in .
I want those members to know I do not underestimate or take lightly the responsibility of becoming our new Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions .
My immediate priority is to make sure that people get the support they need during this crisis .
I welcome that the government itself recognised that the social security system it had created would not be sufficient to get us through it .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conditionality , increasing the basic element of Universal Credit , and abolished the minimum income floor – all have my support .
But there is much more work to do .
That ’ s why I called for five further measures to be taken immediately to address the most pressing needs : ending the two-child limit and the benefits cap ; disregarding the savings thresholds ; uprating legacy benefits JSA and ESA in line with the rise in Universal Credit ; and most of all ending the five-week wait .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to all , including those on low pay and the self-employed , and increased so that it is worth more than just one-fifth of average weekly earnings .
My colleagues in the Shadow Home Office team have also urged the government to scrap ‘ no recourse to public funds ’ during the crisis .
I believe that during the crisis we should focus on proposing pragmatic , constructive ways to get people the support they require – and this means working within the existing system .
After all , some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive the increases that the government has already announced .
However , Labour members should be in no doubt that I am committed to drawing up a full replacement for Universal Credit .
I reject both the practical impact of Universal Credit , in terms of how it has increased housing arrears , personal debt and child poverty , and the mean , dehumanising ethos that lies behind it .
Fundamentally , Universal Credit has failed because it is a system designed by those who never expect to have to use it themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life on low income and the government has never been willing to listen to the voices of people on it – something I know from my constituency being one of the original pathfinder areas .
In contrast , everything we do will be based around supporting families and ending child poverty .
There are four million children living in poverty in the UK , and without a change of direction that will rise to five million by 2023-24 .
Child poverty is an epidemic in the UK .
We must make the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrage , it is a systemic failure the UK can ill-afford .
Child poverty severely impacts upon educational attainment at school , upon health inequalities , and so many other different aspects of government expenditure .
Whilst the last Labour government made tremendous progress on child poverty – we now know it halved between 1997 and 2010 – I believe it did so too quietly , meaning that the coalition needed to resist the disproportionate burden of government cuts when we lost power wasn ’ t there .
Yet in the first few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already talked to unions , charities and faith communities of every sort , and there is no shortage of people ready to join such a coalition .
I also know just how badly disabled people have suffered from austerity .
It can not be right that research from the Social Metrics Commission shows nearly half of people in poverty in the UK are disabled themselves or live with someone who is disabled .
In recent times , the government has pushed forward a series of reforms with the explicit goal of reducing spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially claimed that Personal Independence Payments ( PIP ) would be rolled out by 2015-16 and that it would cost 20 % less than Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) would have done .
In fact , the OBR say that by 2017-18 it was already costing around 15-20 % more , with rollout only two-thirds complete .
On its own terms , government policy has failed and should be reconsidered .
This should include developing alternatives to the current system of Work Capability and PIP assessments , making sure that people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last but not least , a successful pension system is essential to ensuring dignity and fulfilment in retirement .
Auto-enrolment has been a big Labour success , but there are still nearly 10m low paid workers outside the system .
We must also be vigilant in case , after the crisis , unscrupulous employers seek to shed their pensions responsibilities .
This also applies to the Conservative government and the pensions of key workers in the public sector .
Most of all , I know that we can not achieve our aims for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of a much wider renewal of the UK ’ s social contract .
A system that exists simply to prop up low wages or a lack of affordable homes will never be enough .
The crisis has starkly illustrated the inequality in working conditions in the UK , with some people able to work from home on full pay and others facing redundancy or potentially dangerous working environments .
I know the whole shadow cabinet and Keir Starmer personally all share this agenda and ambition .
I am looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .

I know that, after the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions is the part of government many Labour members have the most interest in. I want those members to know I do not underestimate or take lightly the responsibility of becoming our new Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
My immediate priority is to make sure that people get the support they need during this crisis. I welcome that the government itself recognised that the social security system it had created would not be sufficient to get us through it. The key changes it made – suspending sanctions and conditionality, increasing the basic element of Universal Credit, and abolished the minimum income floor – all have my support. But there is much more work to do.
That’s why I called for five further measures to be taken immediately to address the most pressing needs: ending the two-child limit and the benefits cap; disregarding the savings thresholds; uprating legacy benefits JSA and ESA in line with the rise in Universal Credit; and most of all ending the five-week wait. We have said that statutory sick pay should be available to all, including those on low pay and the self-employed, and increased so that it is worth more than just one-fifth of average weekly earnings. My colleagues in the Shadow Home Office team have also urged the government to scrap ‘no recourse to public funds’ during the crisis.
I believe that during the crisis we should focus on proposing pragmatic, constructive ways to get people the support they require – and this means working within the existing system. After all, some of the proposals above would simply allow people to receive the increases that the government has already announced. However, Labour members should be in no doubt that I am committed to drawing up a full replacement for Universal Credit.
I reject both the practical impact of Universal Credit, in terms of how it has increased housing arrears, personal debt and child poverty, and the mean, dehumanising ethos that lies behind it. Fundamentally, Universal Credit has failed because it is a system designed by those who never expect to have to use it themselves. It relies on a caricature of life on low income and the government has never been willing to listen to the voices of people on it – something I know from my constituency being one of the original pathfinder areas.
In contrast, everything we do will be based around supporting families and ending child poverty. There are four million children living in poverty in the UK, and without a change of direction that will rise to five million by 2023-24. Child poverty is an epidemic in the UK. We must make the case that not only is this a moral outrage, it is a systemic failure the UK can ill-afford. Child poverty severely impacts upon educational attainment at school, upon health inequalities, and so many other different aspects of government expenditure.
Whilst the last Labour government made tremendous progress on child poverty – we now know it halved between 1997 and 2010 – I believe it did so too quietly, meaning that the coalition needed to resist the disproportionate burden of government cuts when we lost power wasn’t there. Yet in the first few weeks in this job, I have already talked to unions, charities and faith communities of every sort, and there is no shortage of people ready to join such a coalition.
I also know just how badly disabled people have suffered from austerity. It cannot be right that research from the Social Metrics Commission shows nearly half of people in poverty in the UK are disabled themselves or live with someone who is disabled. In recent times, the government has pushed forward a series of reforms with the explicit goal of reducing spending on support for disabled people.
Ministers initially claimed that Personal Independence Payments (PIP) would be rolled out by 2015-16 and that it would cost 20% less than Disability Living Allowance (DLA) would have done. In fact, the OBR say that by 2017-18 it was already costing around 15-20% more, with rollout only two-thirds complete. On its own terms, government policy has failed and should be reconsidered. This should include developing alternatives to the current system of Work Capability and PIP assessments, making sure that people are treated with the respect they deserve.
Last but not least, a successful pension system is essential to ensuring dignity and fulfilment in retirement. Auto-enrolment has been a big Labour success, but there are still nearly 10m low paid workers outside the system. We must also be vigilant in case, after the crisis, unscrupulous employers seek to shed their pensions responsibilities. This also applies to the Conservative government and the pensions of key workers in the public sector.
Most of all, I know that we cannot achieve our aims for a better social security system unless it is part of a much wider renewal of the UK’s social contract. A system that exists simply to prop up low wages or a lack of affordable homes will never be enough. The crisis has starkly illustrated the inequality in working conditions in the UK, with some people able to work from home on full pay and others facing redundancy or potentially dangerous working environments. I know the whole shadow cabinet and Keir Starmer personally all share this agenda and ambition. I am looking forward to working with Labour members on all of it.
This piece is part of a series by members of the new shadow cabinet.


labourlist--2020-05-11--No bailouts for tax haven businesses, Labour MPs tell Chancellor

The government should not offer emergency state support to big businesses that are registered in tax havens , 24 Labour MPs have told the Chancellor in a letter .
A cross-party group of MPs , which also includes Lib Dem , SNP and Plaid Cymru representatives , has urged Rishi Sunak to impose conditions on corporate bailouts .
They are in favour of forcing businesses in receipt of government support to implement a moratorium on dividend payouts and share buybacks , and curb executive pay .
The MPs have said cited measures put in place by Denmark and France , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been refused coronavirus financial aid .
Below is the full text of the letter to Rishi Sunak .
The Coronavirus pandemic has forced governments across the world to make economic interventions scarcely imaginable just months ago .
Here in the UK , you have repeatedly said that we are “ all in this together ” .
We write because we are concerned that on the current trajectory , this is far from being true .
Before the virus hit , working people had suffered a decade of cuts to public services and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people were living in poverty .
This crisis risks seriously exacerbating these inequalities .
This is why it is vital that economic measures are introduced to protect everyone ’ s livelihoods , to ensure that those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share , and to require that companies in receipt of state bailouts share in the collective effort .
It would be wrong , for example , to bailout tax dodgers like billionaire Richard Branson , or for public money to go to companies that continue to pay millions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to condition emergency state support for big businesses as follows : • They must not be registered in tax havens .
• They must implement a moratorium on dividend payouts and share buybacks .
Countries such as Denmark and France have implemented measures similar to these .
If the government does not also act , we do not believe it can truly say we are “ all in this together ” .
We look forward to hearing from you .
Apsana Begum Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse Diane Abbott Member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newington John McDonnell Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington Graham Stringer Member of Parliament for Blackley and Broughton Layla Moran Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon Angus MacNeil Member of Parliament for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Stuart McDonald Member of Parliament for Cumbernauld , Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East

The government should not offer emergency state support to big businesses that are registered in tax havens, 24 Labour MPs have told the Chancellor in a letter.
A cross-party group of MPs, which also includes Lib Dem, SNP and Plaid Cymru representatives, has urged Rishi Sunak to impose conditions on corporate bailouts.
They are in favour of forcing businesses in receipt of government support to implement a moratorium on dividend payouts and share buybacks, and curb executive pay.
The MPs have said cited measures put in place by Denmark and France, where firms registered in offshore tax havens have been refused coronavirus financial aid.
Below is the full text of the letter to Rishi Sunak.
Dear Chancellor,
The Coronavirus pandemic has forced governments across the world to make economic interventions scarcely imaginable just months ago. Here in the UK, you have repeatedly said that we are “all in this together”.
We write because we are concerned that on the current trajectory, this is far from being true.
Before the virus hit, working people had suffered a decade of cuts to public services and stagnating wages, and more than 14 million people were living in poverty. This crisis risks seriously exacerbating these inequalities.
This is why it is vital that economic measures are introduced to protect everyone’s livelihoods, to ensure that those with the broadest shoulders pay their fair share, and to require that companies in receipt of state bailouts share in the collective effort.
It would be wrong, for example, to bailout tax dodgers like billionaire Richard Branson, or for public money to go to companies that continue to pay millions to executives or shareholders.
We therefore urge you to condition emergency state support for big businesses as follows:
They must not be registered in tax havens.
They must implement a moratorium on dividend payouts and share buybacks.
They must curb excessive executive pay.
Countries such as Denmark and France have implemented measures similar to these. If the government does not also act, we do not believe it can truly say we are “all in this together”.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Apsana Begum
Member of Parliament for Poplar and Limehouse
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Member of Parliament for Streatham
Zarah Sultana
Member of Parliament for Coventry South
Claudia Webbe
Member of Parliament for Leicester East
Signatories
Diane Abbott
Member of Parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Tahir Ali
Member of Parliament for Birmingham, Hall Green
Paula Barker
Member of Parliament for Liverpool, Wavertree
Richard Burgon
Member of Parliament for Leeds East
Ian Byrne
Member of Parliament for Liverpool, West Derby
Rosie Cooper
Member of Parliament for West Lancashire
Jeremy Corbyn
Member of Parliament for Islington North
Yvonne Fovargue
Member of Parliament for Makerfield
Barry Gardiner
Member of Parliament for Brent North
Mike Hill
Member of Parliament for Hartlepool
George Howarth
Member of Parliament for Knowsley
Ian Lavery
Member of Parliament for Wansbeck
Clive Lewis
Member of Parliament for Norwich South
John McDonnell
Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington
Ian Mearns
Member of Parliament for Gateshead
Grahame Morris
Member of Parliament for Easington
Kate Osborne
Member of Parliament for Jarrow
Graham Stringer
Member of Parliament for Blackley and Broughton
Jon Trickett
Member of Parliament for Hemsworth
Mick Whitley
Member of Parliament for Birkenhead
Christine Jardine
Member of Parliament for Edinburgh West
Layla Moran
Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon
Wera Hobhouse
Member of Parliament for Bath
Martin Docherty-Hughes
Member of Parliament for West Dunbartonshire
Kenny MacAskill
Member of Parliament for East Lothian
Angus MacNeil
Member of Parliament for Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Stuart McDonald
Member of Parliament for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Jonathan Edwards
Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East Dinefwr
Ben Lake
Member of Parliament for Ceredigion
Liz Saville-Roberts
Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd


labourlist--2020-05-11--Clive Lewis pledges support for Covid-19 rent strikes

Clive Lewis has declared that he will be supporting rent strikes by those unable to pay for coronavirus-related reasons and has called for local councillors to “ support that direct action ” .
The representative for Norwich South made the comments today during an online Zoom event hosted by Positive Money for the launch of their report , The Tragedy of Growth , which the Labour MP is also supporting .
Lewis criticised his own party ’ s policy of a rent deferment , and said that the additional cost of paying back rent arrears could be “ the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people .
Commenting on issues faced by people as a result of the coronavirus crisis , Lewis said : “ There are a large number of people going into debt… There will be rent strikes , I think , taking place in London which I ’ m going to be supporting.
” He added : “ My own party ’ s policy has been to extend the time that people have to pay back their debt , and I think it ’ s been worked out that if you extend it by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will increase by about £125 a month .
For some people , that ’ s the difference between eating and not eating.
” The former shadow Treasury minister had already criticised Labour ’ s new housing policy announced over the weekend , which advocated a two-year repayment plan for renters with coronavirus-related arrears .
He warned that “ power concedes nothing without demand and hence why , yes to answer the other question , I will be supporting those rent strikes ” .
Appealing to councillors watching , he said : “ Get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of it , get your local party to back this.
” The report released by Positive Money describes how the tendency for unemployment and inequality to rise with the absence of growth in a free market economy creates a ‘ growth imperative ’ for policymakers .
It argues for a number of reforms that it says would help overcome this imperative , including a universal basic income , an “ ecosystem of public banks ” to provide fairer access to credit , higher marginal tax rates on the highest incomes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also calls for the government to stop publishing GDP figures and instead place more emphasis on social and environmental wellbeing with a wider range of indicators .
Lewis has supported the report and said that “ Covid-19 is showing us that our economic system as it ’ s currently configured is broken ” .

Clive Lewis has declared that he will be supporting rent strikes by those unable to pay for coronavirus-related reasons and has called for local councillors to “support that direct action”.
The representative for Norwich South made the comments today during an online Zoom event hosted by Positive Money for the launch of their report, The Tragedy of Growth, which the Labour MP is also supporting.
Lewis criticised his own party’s policy of a rent deferment, and said that the additional cost of paying back rent arrears could be “the difference between eating and not eating” for some people.
Commenting on issues faced by people as a result of the coronavirus crisis, Lewis said: “There are a large number of people going into debt… There will be rent strikes, I think, taking place in London which I’m going to be supporting.”
He added: “My own party’s policy has been to extend the time that people have to pay back their debt, and I think it’s been worked out that if you extend it by two years the average rent each month will increase by about £125 a month. For some people, that’s the difference between eating and not eating.”
The former shadow Treasury minister had already criticised Labour’s new housing policy announced over the weekend, which advocated a two-year repayment plan for renters with coronavirus-related arrears.
He warned that “power concedes nothing without demand and hence why, yes to answer the other question, I will be supporting those rent strikes”. Appealing to councillors watching, he said: “Get involved in that direct action, be a part of it, get your local party to back this.”
The report released by Positive Money describes how the tendency for unemployment and inequality to rise with the absence of growth in a free market economy creates a ‘growth imperative’ for policymakers.
It argues for a number of reforms that it says would help overcome this imperative, including a universal basic income, an “ecosystem of public banks” to provide fairer access to credit, higher marginal tax rates on the highest incomes and the cancellation or reduction of household debt.
It also calls for the government to stop publishing GDP figures and instead place more emphasis on social and environmental wellbeing with a wider range of indicators. Lewis has supported the report and said that “Covid-19 is showing us that our economic system as it’s currently configured is broken”.


labourlist--2020-05-11--Workers in the hospitality industry are heading for a crisis

Hospitality is both one of the worst hit sectors by the virus and one with a disproportionate number of young , low-paid , insecure workers .
A vast majority working in the sector have been furloughed during the coronavirus crisis .
Business groups and trade unions had called for the furlough scheme to be introduced to protect against mass redundancies and ensure that – once safe to do so – businesses would be ready with the staff and expertise in place to reopen quickly .
Furlough represents a massive investment in our businesses and workers .
For it to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see a return on that investment with jobs and livelihoods saved and an economy that is able to restart quickly .
But in his announcement on Sunday , Boris Johnson said that some hospitality businesses may be able to open at the beginning of July .
Business owners like me , and the workers that rely on us , are anxiously waiting to see what will happen at the end of June when the furlough scheme is currently due to end – when we know that it will be at least a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we allow pubs , clubs and restaurants to reopen , it is clear that with social distancing in place they will have to do so at a reduced capacity with extra staff .
It will make businesses unviable .
Business organisations and Labour have been calling for more flexibility in the furlough scheme to allow for part-time working , so that we can ease workers back into their jobs and get companies back on their feet .
This is particularly important in businesses where each member of staff will have specific expertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work .
This is a way to ease out of the lockdown and get people back to work .
Hospitality workers will need longer to return to work because of the requirements of social distancing measures .
If we need them to stay at home , then it is only fair that we support them in doing so by extending the furlough scheme – with no penalty to them .
Both increased flexibility and an extension to the scheme are supported by the Labour frontbench and have been called for by business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow a gradual restarting of the economy , we are faced with the possibility that the amount of help will be reduced to 60 % .
Hospitality would be heavily affected by such a move – there is no way to avoid that .
Few expect pubs , clubs and restaurants to be able to open until the end of August , two months after the furlough scheme is supposed to end .
Even an August opening will depend on whether individual businesses will be able to enforce social distancing measures and remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And reducing furlough pay to 60 % , while employers can not open up and make a profit , is a cliff edge for workers .
Staff won ’ t have enough income on furlough to pay bills but the businesses that they rely on can not open up again , forced to remain closed for public health .
While on furlough , employees can look for other work and undertake training .
What they can ’ t do is create jobs from thin air .
Tory dogma has always been that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order for them to go and find work .
Their thinking is that conditions for workers should be made increasingly difficult to motivate them to find work .
Yet hospitality workers will be trying to find work at the same time as millions of others – there is no magic job tree .
We are heading towards a crisis for these workers .
If , as seems likely , we are about to see large numbers of hospitality staff unemployed , then we should be using this time to mitigate that crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to redeploy to other sectors .
And they should not have support gradually taken away from them unless there is something to replace it .
We have some time to work it out .
Let us not waste this opportunity and lurch into another crisis .

Hospitality is both one of the worst hit sectors by the virus and one with a disproportionate number of young, low-paid, insecure workers. A vast majority working in the sector have been furloughed during the coronavirus crisis. Business groups and trade unions had called for the furlough scheme to be introduced to protect against mass redundancies and ensure that – once safe to do so – businesses would be ready with the staff and expertise in place to reopen quickly.
Furlough represents a massive investment in our businesses and workers. For it to be judged a success, we would expect to see a return on that investment with jobs and livelihoods saved and an economy that is able to restart quickly. But in his announcement on Sunday, Boris Johnson said that some hospitality businesses may be able to open at the beginning of July.
Business owners like me, and the workers that rely on us, are anxiously waiting to see what will happen at the end of June when the furlough scheme is currently due to end – when we know that it will be at least a month before we can open. Even if we allow pubs, clubs and restaurants to reopen, it is clear that with social distancing in place they will have to do so at a reduced capacity with extra staff. It will make businesses unviable.
Business organisations and Labour have been calling for more flexibility in the furlough scheme to allow for part-time working, so that we can ease workers back into their jobs and get companies back on their feet. This is particularly important in businesses where each member of staff will have specific expertise that is needed for the whole process to work. This is a way to ease out of the lockdown and get people back to work.
Hospitality workers will need longer to return to work because of the requirements of social distancing measures. If we need them to stay at home, then it is only fair that we support them in doing so by extending the furlough scheme – with no penalty to them. Both increased flexibility and an extension to the scheme are supported by the Labour frontbench and have been called for by business.
Instead of sensible measures that will allow a gradual restarting of the economy, we are faced with the possibility that the amount of help will be reduced to 60%. Hospitality would be heavily affected by such a move – there is no way to avoid that. Few expect pubs, clubs and restaurants to be able to open until the end of August, two months after the furlough scheme is supposed to end.
Even an August opening will depend on whether individual businesses will be able to enforce social distancing measures and remain profitable, which for many is impossible. And reducing furlough pay to 60%, while employers cannot open up and make a profit, is a cliff edge for workers. Staff won’t have enough income on furlough to pay bills but the businesses that they rely on cannot open up again, forced to remain closed for public health.
While on furlough, employees can look for other work and undertake training. What they can’t do is create jobs from thin air. Tory dogma has always been that people only need to be poor in order for them to go and find work. Their thinking is that conditions for workers should be made increasingly difficult to motivate them to find work. Yet hospitality workers will be trying to find work at the same time as millions of others – there is no magic job tree.
We are heading towards a crisis for these workers. If, as seems likely, we are about to see large numbers of hospitality staff unemployed, then we should be using this time to mitigate that crisis. They will need free retraining and assistance to redeploy to other sectors. And they should not have support gradually taken away from them unless there is something to replace it. We have some time to work it out. Let us not waste this opportunity and lurch into another crisis.