labourlist--2020-09-05--How Starmer’s Labour plans to prioritise rural and coastal communities

Voters in rural and coastal communities are considered a key target by Keir Starmer ’ s Labour ahead of the next general election – the online conference held today by Labour Coast and Country was evidence of that .
Joined by seven shadow cabinet members and two other opposition frontbenchers , as well as councillors , candidates and an MSP , the conference saw all these speakers agree : “ There is no path to power that doesn ’ t see us winning seats in rural , semi-rural and coastal communities , ” as Luke Pollard put it .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mayoral elections was recognised by the panellists , as were the difficulties .
Labour ’ s typical advantage of a huge and active membership base hitting the doorstep can not be used in the same way during the pandemic .
The Shadow Environment Secretary nonetheless made his level of ambition clear : “ The next elections in 2021 will be a barometer for whether Labour can win again , whether Keir is going to be PM , and whether Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are doing a good job or not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Zoom conference featured heavy participation from attendees , there was very little factional discussion but a singular focus : rebuilding trust in rural and coastal areas .
Kate Green ’ s contribution to the ‘ building back better on the coast and in the country ’ panel set out the priorities in her new education brief , including a focus on “ the importance of working-class aspiration ” .
She noted that despite not supporting Rebecca Long-Bailey in the leadership election , the previous Shadow Education Secretary was “ on to something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Green said : “ I want us to open up a conversation between Labour and the the voters we really need that says : ‘ You ’ re rightly aspirational for your children , for your families .
Labour is aspirational for your children and your families too.
’ ” She also emphasised the need to prioritise early years investment , which she said “ pays the greatest dividends ” , and revealed a rights-based approach to education when saying : “ Everybody going through our education system has the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told attendees that her other priority in the role was child poverty , as “ Keir , in offering me to be the Shadow Education Secretary , asked me to take the child poverty brief into the education portfolio.
” This reflects her previous brief in the work and pensions team and background as a former chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group .
“ Tackling rural and coastal poverty has too often been overlooked , I think , in the work that we have done as a party , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she also told us that , when appointed to replace Long-Bailey , fellow frontbencher Steve Reed advised her : “ Kate , your job is not to generate policy , it ’ s to get out there and attack the Tories.
” Steve Reed , a former council leader and Labour ’ s local government spokesperson , said a focus on rural and coastal issues was “ long overdue ” in the party .
He emphasised the value of participative democracy , and told the conference : “ Labour needs to become the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ one of the most centralising governments I ’ ve ever seen ” , Reed argued that Labour should be looking at opening up data , models of co-production , engagement via digital platforms , and other means of ensuring that people are involved in taking decisions that affect them .
To rebuild trust in politics , Labour must “ trust people to participate in exercising power ” .
Reed touched on many of the themes embraced by Labour Together , the group that he co-launched in 2015 and that had Morgan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer ’ s chief of staff .
But the communities lead also made a point that came up repeatedly during the conference : with an 80-seat majority , the Tories are implementing policies – especially in planning – that are effectively “ waging war ” on towns and coastal communities .
The whole of Labour agrees that we need to build more homes , Thangam Debbonaire said , but “ everybody ’ s got an opinion on how we do that ” .
The Shadow Housing Secretary highlighted the need for high-quality housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
“ Homes need to contribute to net-zero carbon emissions targets , and housing traditionally does the opposite , ” she pointed out , and mentioned that the shadow cabinet is in the processing of setting up its subcommittee on climate change .
Her focus is on where housing should be built and how .
Debbonaire also reiterated Labour ’ s policy to scrap no-fault Section 21 evictions , and suggested there was a need to change Section 8 , which is usually used to evict private tenants on rent arrears grounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values of voters and stressed the need for unity .
While the Tories try to divide people over issues such as Black Lives Matter , she said , both Labour ’ s values and electoral strategy must be “ to bring people together , wherever they live , whatever their background ” .
She summed it up as “ not a triangulation strategy , but one that speaks to the whole country ” .
In specific terms , she said Labour needs to talk about things in a way that is more reflective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live .
There are “ relentless campaigns on trains rather than on buses ” , she said , but Labour needs to be heard on manufacturing , farming and industry , plus crime and anti-social behaviour , which she said Labour had “ neglected over recent years ” .
Reeves is responsible for Labour ’ s Brexit policy .
The shadow minister for the Cabinet Office raised the issue of lorry parks , which are set to be imposed on rural areas – “ our beautiful countryside areas ” – without any local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not the Brexit that people in those areas voted for.
” “ I see my job as more political than policy , ” John Healey revealed to the conference .
“ I am acutely conscious that we went into the last election and came out the other side with a greater deficit than the Conservatives on public trust for Labour on defence and security than on the economy… For many of us , the hardest doors to knock [ in 2019 ] were those with stickers for ‘ Help for Heroes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Shadow Defence Secretary ’ s view was clear .
“ It may not win us the next election but will help us lose the election if we don ’ t close that gap .
And it ’ s not always been the case for Labour.
” He also said defence plays a large part in rural and coastal communities as they are host to “ most of the major sites ” – not just military bases but also shipbuilding .
“ There is no route for Keir Starmer into No 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the constituencies that Labour Coast and Country is looking to speak for , ” Healey said .
His team have already got to work on this project , with a relaunch of Labour Friends of the Armed Forces .
Shadow minister Daniel Zeichner discussed the Tory positions on trade standards , food imports and the threat to farmers amid Brexit , explaining : “ Rural communities don ’ t want any of this , and that is a huge opportunity for Labour .
I think we could have a perfect moment when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He outlined Labour ’ s new approach well when he said : “ I think there are many decent Conservatives who are not impressed by Boris Johnson and the antics of his government .
If we can present ourselves as a credible , plausible alternative that wants to build an environmentally friendly , sustainable food and farming system for the future , that is our chance.
” Answering a question and whether Labour ’ s position on animal welfare and shooting risks losing support , Zeichner replied : “ I ’ ve never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ve got a principled position as a party .
It ’ s something that many of us feel passionate about – and many , many people in rural areas share that view.
” His boss Luke Pollard is passionate about fishing .
“ I bloody love talking about fish , ” he started .
There is an idea that this policy area is owned by UKIP , the Brexit Party , the Tories – and yet “ Labour ’ s fishing policy is materially better for coastal communities than all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for instance , of requiring two-third of fish caught under a UK quota to be landed in British ports “ creates overnight more jobs in those coastal communities ” .
Away from policy , shadow cabinet members also had a lot to say .
The difficulties of targeting these areas was fully acknowledged , with Rachel Reeves saying of Labour MPs : “ Most of us represent urban areas… That ’ s a real problem because it ’ s inevitable that the things we see at constituency level influence our thinking as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ If there ’ s any hope of us getting back into government in 2024 , we need to win back coastal and country constituencies.
” Nia Griffith , now leading on Wales in the frontbench team , said Labour “ must improve our messaging ” by “ referencing rural areas whenever we speak ” and producing graphics that don ’ t only show off cities .
Members need more training , too , particularly on social media , she said .
Although not every seat can have their own organiser , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a named organiser that they refer to.
” Jessie Joe Jacobs , Labour ’ s Tees Valley mayoral candidate , shared lessons from her charity work , with a digital focus in campaigning and a data obsession being key .
“ If we can get a mobile number , we can text the vote out , ” she said , which is particularly important in her seven-constituency patch and more broadly during Covid .
One recommendation that came through strongly from the party members watching the conference , who contributed via the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push for regional representation on Labour ’ s ruling body .
Like the Scottish executive committee ( SEC ) , they want the NEC to have a regional structure for local party representatives .
This idea was unsuccessfully proposed in 2018 by Progress and Labour First , but could make a comeback under Starmer .
Optimism was expressed by the Labour representatives not only on the party ’ s new electoral strategies and approaches to policy , but also on an aspect of the pandemic context in which it will now operate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hope .
He said people living outside of cities now think : The Shadow Environment , Food and Rural Affairs Secretary is determined .
“ Labour will be the party of the countryside , ” he said .
“ When you don ’ t start with that big idea , all we ’ re doing is excusing a poorer deal for those communities in our campaign work .
”

Voters in rural and coastal communities are considered a key target by Keir Starmer’s Labour ahead of the next general election – the online conference held today by Labour Coast and Country was evidence of that. Joined by seven shadow cabinet members and two other opposition frontbenchers, as well as councillors, candidates and an MSP, the conference saw all these speakers agree: “There is no path to power that doesn’t see us winning seats in rural, semi-rural and coastal communities,” as Luke Pollard put it.
The importance of next year’s local and mayoral elections was recognised by the panellists, as were the difficulties. Labour’s typical advantage of a huge and active membership base hitting the doorstep cannot be used in the same way during the pandemic. The Shadow Environment Secretary nonetheless made his level of ambition clear: “The next elections in 2021 will be a barometer for whether Labour can win again, whether Keir is going to be PM, and whether Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are doing a good job or not. We have to win.” And although the Zoom conference featured heavy participation from attendees, there was very little factional discussion but a singular focus: rebuilding trust in rural and coastal areas.
Education and poverty
Kate Green’s contribution to the ‘building back better on the coast and in the country’ panel set out the priorities in her new education brief, including a focus on “the importance of working-class aspiration”. She noted that despite not supporting Rebecca Long-Bailey in the leadership election, the previous Shadow Education Secretary was “on to something” with that theme in her campaign.
Green said: “I want us to open up a conversation between Labour and the the voters we really need that says: ‘You’re rightly aspirational for your children, for your families. Labour is aspirational for your children and your families too.’”
She also emphasised the need to prioritise early years investment, which she said “pays the greatest dividends”, and revealed a rights-based approach to education when saying: “Everybody going through our education system has the right to the very best of education.”
Green told attendees that her other priority in the role was child poverty, as “Keir, in offering me to be the Shadow Education Secretary, asked me to take the child poverty brief into the education portfolio.” This reflects her previous brief in the work and pensions team and background as a former chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group.
“Tackling rural and coastal poverty has too often been overlooked, I think, in the work that we have done as a party,” the new shadow cabinet member said. But she also told us that, when appointed to replace Long-Bailey, fellow frontbencher Steve Reed advised her: “Kate, your job is not to generate policy, it’s to get out there and attack the Tories.”
Devolution and local empowerment
Steve Reed, a former council leader and Labour’s local government spokesperson, said a focus on rural and coastal issues was “long overdue” in the party. He emphasised the value of participative democracy, and told the conference: “Labour needs to become the devolvers and the empowerers.”
In contrast to “one of the most centralising governments I’ve ever seen”, Reed argued that Labour should be looking at opening up data, models of co-production, engagement via digital platforms, and other means of ensuring that people are involved in taking decisions that affect them. To rebuild trust in politics, Labour must “trust people to participate in exercising power”.
Reed touched on many of the themes embraced by Labour Together, the group that he co-launched in 2015 and that had Morgan McSweeney as a director before he became Starmer’s chief of staff. But the communities lead also made a point that came up repeatedly during the conference: with an 80-seat majority, the Tories are implementing policies – especially in planning – that are effectively “waging war” on towns and coastal communities.
Housing and net zero
The whole of Labour agrees that we need to build more homes, Thangam Debbonaire said, but “everybody’s got an opinion on how we do that”. The Shadow Housing Secretary highlighted the need for high-quality housing and linked that aim to the climate crisis.
“Homes need to contribute to net-zero carbon emissions targets, and housing traditionally does the opposite,” she pointed out, and mentioned that the shadow cabinet is in the processing of setting up its subcommittee on climate change. Her focus is on where housing should be built and how.
Debbonaire also reiterated Labour’s policy to scrap no-fault Section 21 evictions, and suggested there was a need to change Section 8, which is usually used to evict private tenants on rent arrears grounds.
Brexit and unity
Rachel Reeves talked about the shared values of voters and stressed the need for unity. While the Tories try to divide people over issues such as Black Lives Matter, she said, both Labour’s values and electoral strategy must be “to bring people together, wherever they live, whatever their background”. She summed it up as “not a triangulation strategy, but one that speaks to the whole country”.
In specific terms, she said Labour needs to talk about things in a way that is more reflective of the places where all of us live. There are “relentless campaigns on trains rather than on buses”, she said, but Labour needs to be heard on manufacturing, farming and industry, plus crime and anti-social behaviour, which she said Labour had “neglected over recent years”.
Reeves is responsible for Labour’s Brexit policy. The shadow minister for the Cabinet Office raised the issue of lorry parks, which are set to be imposed on rural areas – “our beautiful countryside areas” – without any local ability to oppose the plans. “This is not the Brexit that people in those areas voted for.”
Defence and the armed forces community
“I see my job as more political than policy,” John Healey revealed to the conference. “I am acutely conscious that we went into the last election and came out the other side with a greater deficit than the Conservatives on public trust for Labour on defence and security than on the economy… For many of us, the hardest doors to knock [in 2019] were those with stickers for ‘Help for Heroes’ or British Legion in the windows.”
The Shadow Defence Secretary’s view was clear. “It may not win us the next election but will help us lose the election if we don’t close that gap. And it’s not always been the case for Labour.” He also said defence plays a large part in rural and coastal communities as they are host to “most of the major sites” – not just military bases but also shipbuilding.
“There is no route for Keir Starmer into No 10 that doesn’t run through many of the constituencies that Labour Coast and Country is looking to speak for,” Healey said. His team have already got to work on this project, with a relaunch of Labour Friends of the Armed Forces.
Environment, animal welfare and fishing
Shadow minister Daniel Zeichner discussed the Tory positions on trade standards, food imports and the threat to farmers amid Brexit, explaining: “Rural communities don’t want any of this, and that is a huge opportunity for Labour. I think we could have a perfect moment when the Conservative government is deeply unpopular.”
He outlined Labour’s new approach well when he said: “I think there are many decent Conservatives who are not impressed by Boris Johnson and the antics of his government. If we can present ourselves as a credible, plausible alternative that wants to build an environmentally friendly, sustainable food and farming system for the future, that is our chance.”
Answering a question and whether Labour’s position on animal welfare and shooting risks losing support, Zeichner replied: “I’ve never been of that view in rural areas. We’ve got a principled position as a party. It’s something that many of us feel passionate about – and many, many people in rural areas share that view.”
His boss Luke Pollard is passionate about fishing. “I bloody love talking about fish,” he started. There is an idea that this policy area is owned by UKIP, the Brexit Party, the Tories – and yet “Labour’s fishing policy is materially better for coastal communities than all their policies together” because the policy, for instance, of requiring two-third of fish caught under a UK quota to be landed in British ports “creates overnight more jobs in those coastal communities”.
Organising and campaigning
Away from policy, shadow cabinet members also had a lot to say. The difficulties of targeting these areas was fully acknowledged, with Rachel Reeves saying of Labour MPs: “Most of us represent urban areas… That’s a real problem because it’s inevitable that the things we see at constituency level influence our thinking as shadow cabinet members.” But she added: “If there’s any hope of us getting back into government in 2024, we need to win back coastal and country constituencies.”
Nia Griffith, now leading on Wales in the frontbench team, said Labour “must improve our messaging” by “referencing rural areas whenever we speak” and producing graphics that don’t only show off cities. Members need more training, too, particularly on social media, she said. Although not every seat can have their own organiser, Griffith recommended: “Every constituency should have a named organiser that they refer to.”
Jessie Joe Jacobs, Labour’s Tees Valley mayoral candidate, shared lessons from her charity work, with a digital focus in campaigning and a data obsession being key. “If we can get a mobile number, we can text the vote out,” she said, which is particularly important in her seven-constituency patch and more broadly during Covid.
One recommendation that came through strongly from the party members watching the conference, who contributed via the Chat and asked questions, was a push for regional representation on Labour’s ruling body. Like the Scottish executive committee (SEC), they want the NEC to have a regional structure for local party representatives. This idea was unsuccessfully proposed in 2018 by Progress and Labour First, but could make a comeback under Starmer.
Demographic shift
Optimism was expressed by the Labour representatives not only on the party’s new electoral strategies and approaches to policy, but also on an aspect of the pandemic context in which it will now operate. Pollard was most explicit about this cause for hope. He said people living outside of cities now think:
“Why do I need to commute to a big city, when I can live in coastal and rural areas? Have a better quality of life, greater access to nature and the countryside… “There will be, as one of the effects of the virus, a population shift. That will be a challenge for big cities, but it might also change the demographics of some of those communities that some in our movement have sought to rule out.”
The Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary is determined. “Labour will be the party of the countryside,” he said. “When you don’t start with that big idea, all we’re doing is excusing a poorer deal for those communities in our campaign work.”


labourlist--2020-09-06--Sunday shows: Extinction Rebellion acting “in tradition of suffragettes”, says Abbott

Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott described as “ ridiculous ” reports that the government may reclassify Extinction Rebellion an organised crime group , and said the group ’ s blockades were “ in the tradition of the suffragettes ” .
• On the Extinction Rebellion protests blockading two printing UK presses this weekend : “ It ’ s important to remind ourselves that direct action , which is what those actions were , is actually legal.
” • On similar action : “ We also saw over the weekend , blockading of the port of Dover by far-right and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no matter what we think of the people committing them.
” • On government classifying Extinction Rebellion as an organised crime group : “ Ridiculous .
They are not criminals , they are protestors and activists in the tradition of the suffragettes and the hunger marches of the 1920s.
” • Asked whether Labour under Keir Starmer has shifted to the centre : “ I don ’ t think Keir Starmer would say we ’ d shifted from the left… He said the case for a strong radical Labour Party is as important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ happy to appear more left-wing , more pro-Corbyn ” for the purposes of gaining votes in the leadership election : “ You may say that , I couldn ’ t possibly comment.
” • She added : “ All I am telling you is that on the record , Keir Starmer has been very clear that we shouldn ’ t abandon the radicalism we found in the Corbyn era.
” • On the dangers of a no-deal Brexit : “ I think there ’ s a very real danger that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could be disastrous in many ways.
” • On refugees and Brexit : “ We are not going to be able to act effectively against , with migrants crossing the Channel , once we come out of the EU and we don ’ t have the cooperation , we don ’ t have the access to databases.
” • On Black Lives Matter protests and if the UK police are racist : “ The figures don ’ t lie .
Black people are disproportionately more likely to be stop and searched , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have handcuffs used on them.
” • On the police and Black people during the pandemic : “ Even under the Covid legislation , Black people were disproportionately more likely to have fines applied to them.
” • On stop and search : “ Theresa May , though I didn ’ t agree with her on a lot of things , understood that stop and search was a problem for the relationship between young people and the police and minority communities and the police.
” Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard also appeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his refusal to stand down as leader and said that he believed the SNP ’ s record in government will drive voters to choose Labour in the 2021 election .
• On whether he was going to resign : “ No , I ’ m not , and I think those people who have been calling this week for me to step down have underestimated both my resolve but also the mandate I got from members.
” • He added : “ The mandate that I was given by the members… was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was also to be the leader of the Scottish Labour Party going into the May 2021 elections.
” • On the SNP ’ s record : “ There will be a reckoning for the SNP ’ s record .
It said education was going to be a top priority , but actually the attainment gap in education between the poorest areas and wealthier ones is widening.
” • On Labour ’ s chances : “ There are big questions that the SNP will be called to account for… People will realise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second independence referendum : “ There needs to be a greater parity of esteem between the different parts of the UK and greater decentralisation , but if the question is whether I believe in the creation of a separate Scottish state , I do not.
” '' Some of your colleagues are calling for you to resign , are you going to ? ''
– @ SophyRidgeSky Scottish Labour leader @ LabourRichard says Labour MSPs calling for him to step down `` have underestimated my resolve and also the mandate I got '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brexit negotiations .
He said there were only “ two bones of contention left ” and that the government ’ s red lines on fisheries and trade were “ just plain common sense ” .
The Foreign Secretary defended Tony Abbott ’ s appointment to the UK Board of Trade .
Raab said he didn ’ t believe accusations that the former Australian Prime Minister is sexist and homophobic and argued he had “ huge trade expertise ” .
Asked if Extinction Rebellion should be classed as an organised crime group : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abbott ’ s remarks .
The idea that it ’ s right to damage property or intervene with a free press in the name of progressive protest is perverse.
” Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds discussed whether people should be returning to offices and urged the government to introduce a “ two-test ” Covid system for travellers coming to the UK to remove the need for “ blanket ” quarantine .
• On people returning to the office : “ There has to be a very strong , robust system of communication in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t exist then people will not go back.
” • He added : “ What we can not have are people threatened with the sack , for example , if they won ’ t go back to the office or people who have previously been shielding who are being forced into it.
” • On Labour ’ s position : “ We support this gradual reopening… The point I ’ m making is , to achieve that aim , to make sure that we do do all we can to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strategy in which people have confidence.
” • On concerns about students returning to universities : “ What we need obviously going forward is to ensure that we do have the test , track and isolate system properly set up… That really must be the focus of the government.
” • On quarantine and testing at airports : “ What I ’ ve suggested to the Home Secretary in a letter today is a two-test system that takes away the need for a blanket 14-day quarantine .
And that ’ s supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe routes for refugees coming to the UK : “ The Dubs amendment… everyone expected it to be 3,000 unaccompanied children that this country would assist , that was closed down by the government with less than 500 accepted.
” • On the UK ’ s resettlement programme : “ That was closed down in March .
We are now starting to reopen international travel – that now should be slowly and safely reopened as well.
” • On working internationally on displacement : “ The government has to deal with the underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now is not the time to be abolishing the Department for International Development .
”

Ridge on Sunday
Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott described as “ridiculous” reports that the government may reclassify Extinction Rebellion an organised crime group, and said the group’s blockades were “in the tradition of the suffragettes”.
On the Extinction Rebellion protests blockading two printing UK presses this weekend: “It’s important to remind ourselves that direct action, which is what those actions were, is actually legal.”
On similar action: “We also saw over the weekend, blockading of the port of Dover by far-right and anti-immigrant activists… These tactics are legal, no matter what we think of the people committing them.”
On government classifying Extinction Rebellion as an organised crime group: “Ridiculous. They are not criminals, they are protestors and activists in the tradition of the suffragettes and the hunger marches of the 1920s.”
Asked whether Labour under Keir Starmer has shifted to the centre: “I don’t think Keir Starmer would say we’d shifted from the left… He said the case for a strong radical Labour Party is as important as ever.”
On whether Starmer was “happy to appear more left-wing, more pro-Corbyn” for the purposes of gaining votes in the leadership election: “You may say that, I couldn’t possibly comment.”
She added: “All I am telling you is that on the record, Keir Starmer has been very clear that we shouldn’t abandon the radicalism we found in the Corbyn era.”
On the dangers of a no-deal Brexit: “I think there’s a very real danger that we will leave without a proper deal and that could be disastrous in many ways.”
On refugees and Brexit: “We are not going to be able to act effectively against, with migrants crossing the Channel, once we come out of the EU and we don’t have the cooperation, we don’t have the access to databases.”
On Black Lives Matter protests and if the UK police are racist: “The figures don’t lie. Black people are disproportionately more likely to be stop and searched, Black people are disproportionately more likely to have handcuffs used on them.”
On the police and Black people during the pandemic: “Even under the Covid legislation, Black people were disproportionately more likely to have fines applied to them.”
On stop and search: “Theresa May, though I didn’t agree with her on a lot of things, understood that stop and search was a problem for the relationship between young people and the police and minority communities and the police.”
.@SophyRidgeSky: 'Do you think @Keir_Starmer was happy to appear more left-wing, more pro-Corbyn during the leadership election to try and get votes?' @HackneyAbbott: "You may say that, I couldn't possibly comment."#Ridge live: https://t.co/NZtlQe2tCY pic.twitter.com/yBJPfBnWBB — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) September 6, 2020
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard also appeared on the show this morning. He reiterated his refusal to stand down as leader and said that he believed the SNP’s record in government will drive voters to choose Labour in the 2021 election.
On whether he was going to resign: “No, I’m not, and I think those people who have been calling this week for me to step down have underestimated both my resolve but also the mandate I got from members.”
He added: “The mandate that I was given by the members… was to campaign on a radical agenda, but it was also to be the leader of the Scottish Labour Party going into the May 2021 elections.”
On the SNP’s record: “There will be a reckoning for the SNP’s record. It said education was going to be a top priority, but actually the attainment gap in education between the poorest areas and wealthier ones is widening.”
On Labour’s chances: “There are big questions that the SNP will be called to account for… People will realise that there are alternatives.”
On a second independence referendum: “There needs to be a greater parity of esteem between the different parts of the UK and greater decentralisation, but if the question is whether I believe in the creation of a separate Scottish state, I do not.”
"Some of your colleagues are calling for you to resign, are you going to?" – @SophyRidgeSky Scottish Labour leader @LabourRichard says Labour MSPs calling for him to step down "have underestimated my resolve and also the mandate I got". Latest #Ridge: https://t.co/Xox9IRabJs pic.twitter.com/WHRjFnNhNn — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) September 6, 2020
Dominic Raab discussed the reported difficulties in Brexit negotiations. He said there were only “two bones of contention left” and that the government’s red lines on fisheries and trade were “just plain common sense”.
The Foreign Secretary defended Tony Abbott’s appointment to the UK Board of Trade. Raab said he didn’t believe accusations that the former Australian Prime Minister is sexist and homophobic and argued he had “huge trade expertise”.
Asked if Extinction Rebellion should be classed as an organised crime group: “I’m astounded by Diane Abbott’s remarks. The idea that it’s right to damage property or intervene with a free press in the name of progressive protest is perverse.”
The Andrew Marr Show
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds discussed whether people should be returning to offices and urged the government to introduce a “two-test” Covid system for travellers coming to the UK to remove the need for “blanket” quarantine.


labourlist--2020-09-06--Speaker slams PM for lowering tone of debate with Starmer IRA accusation

The House of Commons Speaker has criticised Boris Johnson for lowering the tone of the debate by accusing Keir Starmer of “ basically being a supporter of the IRA ” during Prime Minister ’ s Questions this week .
In a Times Radio interview , Lindsay Hoyle has said he “ wasn ’ t comfortable ” with the exchange between the Prime Minister and the Labour leader on Wednesday and said it was “ touching a nerve of something I didn ’ t quite like ” .
The Speaker said : “ I get many , many letters and emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the Prime Minister to account ?
Why doesn ’ t he answer the questions ?
“ The fact is , I ’ m not there to ensure how the Prime Minister answers questions .
I ’ m there to make sure we have good order in the chamber .
“ I think it was becoming very personal , something I wanted to take out of that .
I don ’ t think it was the right way to take the House on Wednesday .
To make accusations of people is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sets the tone , and that was not a good tone I wanted to see .
To accuse somebody of basically being a supporter of the IRA , someone who had actually prosecuted the IRA , was touching a nerve of something I didn ’ t quite like.
” Pressed during PMQs on the 13 U-turns that the government has performed over the summer , Johnson accused the leader of the opposition of having “ supported an IRA-condoning politician ” by working under Jeremy Corbyn .
“ I wasn ’ t comfortable with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfortable with it , how is the person who was receiving it ?
” Hoyle commented .
“ It ’ s very easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment and say something maybe with hindsight we ought not to say.
” The Speaker was also sceptical when asked about the chances of parliament returning to normal by Christmas , as suggested by Johnson .
He said : “ Who knows ?
I ’ m glad he ’ s got a crystal ball .
Mine ’ s not quite as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ d like to believe everybody in this country will be back to normal by Christmas .
I don ’ t quite see that , but if he knows something I don ’ t know , so be it .
I want the chamber to come back .
But I will not compromise health and safety.
” The Commons moved to a hybrid system during the coronavirus pandemic with MPs allowed to contribute to debates remotely .
Parliament returned from recess earlier this week but a limit of 50 MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoyle added : “ We are a Covid-secure workplace .
If we were to lose that status , the game is over .
It ’ s about working in an efficient way .
If people don ’ t need to be here , why would we have them here ?
It ’ s about having the essential people who make this place tick.
” He also told listeners that he and House leader Jacob Rees-Mogg had considered introducing a rule forcing MPs to wear face masks in order to allow more members to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hoyle explained : “ I can take the House down tomorrow to the one-metre rule .
That would give us an extra 80 MPs in there , but the MPs would have to sit down when they speak with a mask on .
In the debating chamber , that really wouldn ’ t work .
“ One , I wouldn ’ t know who was behind the mask , and two , you wouldn ’ t hear what they ’ ve got to say .
So myself and the Leader of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sensible approach .
”

The House of Commons Speaker has criticised Boris Johnson for lowering the tone of the debate by accusing Keir Starmer of “basically being a supporter of the IRA” during Prime Minister’s Questions this week.
In a Times Radio interview, Lindsay Hoyle has said he “wasn’t comfortable” with the exchange between the Prime Minister and the Labour leader on Wednesday and said it was “touching a nerve of something I didn’t quite like”.
The Speaker said: “I get many, many letters and emails saying, why can’t you hold the Prime Minister to account? Why doesn’t he answer the questions?
“The fact is, I’m not there to ensure how the Prime Minister answers questions. I’m there to make sure we have good order in the chamber.
“I think it was becoming very personal, something I wanted to take out of that. I don’t think it was the right way to take the House on Wednesday. To make accusations of people is not a good way forward.
“The chamber sets the tone, and that was not a good tone I wanted to see. To accuse somebody of basically being a supporter of the IRA, someone who had actually prosecuted the IRA, was touching a nerve of something I didn’t quite like.”
Pressed during PMQs on the 13 U-turns that the government has performed over the summer, Johnson accused the leader of the opposition of having “supported an IRA-condoning politician” by working under Jeremy Corbyn.
“I wasn’t comfortable with it. If I’m not comfortable with it, how is the person who was receiving it?” Hoyle commented. “It’s very easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment and say something maybe with hindsight we ought not to say.”
The Speaker was also sceptical when asked about the chances of parliament returning to normal by Christmas, as suggested by Johnson. He said: “Who knows? I’m glad he’s got a crystal ball. Mine’s not quite as clear as the Prime Minister’s.
“I’d like to believe everybody in this country will be back to normal by Christmas. I don’t quite see that, but if he knows something I don’t know, so be it. I want the chamber to come back. But I will not compromise health and safety.”
The Commons moved to a hybrid system during the coronavirus pandemic with MPs allowed to contribute to debates remotely. Parliament returned from recess earlier this week but a limit of 50 MPs in the chamber remains in place.
Hoyle added: “We are a Covid-secure workplace. If we were to lose that status, the game is over. It’s about working in an efficient way. If people don’t need to be here, why would we have them here? It’s about having the essential people who make this place tick.”
He also told listeners that he and House leader Jacob Rees-Mogg had considered introducing a rule forcing MPs to wear face masks in order to allow more members to be physically present at the same time.
Hoyle explained: “I can take the House down tomorrow to the one-metre rule. That would give us an extra 80 MPs in there, but the MPs would have to sit down when they speak with a mask on. In the debating chamber, that really wouldn’t work.
“One, I wouldn’t know who was behind the mask, and two, you wouldn’t hear what they’ve got to say. So myself and the Leader of the House have both agreed that is not a sensible approach.”


labourlist--2020-09-07--How Labour can develop a distinctive narrative on business

Brendan Chilton ’ s comment piece for LabourList last week argued that the party should be opposing the Tories if they start suggesting income tax or corporation tax rises because Labour should be both the “ natural party of business ” and striving to make Britain competitive against economies like “ China and Vietnam ” .
It ’ s a provocative proposal , but the prospect of entering and then losing two races to the bottom – with the Tories over taxes , and then with Vietnam over wage rates – does not greatly appeal .
There is no route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relies on cost-cutting to compete , and Labour should not pretend that there might be .
But Chilton does highlight something critical , and worth exploring .
Labour did have a pretty solid policy offer to businesses , large and small , in the last few elections .
Overhauling our transport infrastructure , radically improving broadband access and expanding education provision would all dramatically improve the conditions British businesses in which have to operate , with connectivity and access to skilled labour fundamental to their success .
And Labour ’ s offer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close consultation with the Federation of Small Businesses , addressed their most pressing concerns , from quarterly tax reporting to the problem of delayed payments .
However , whilst all this could have helped tell a distinctive Labour story for business , it never quite gelled .
I suspect that our approach looked too transactional ; we offered a few things that were objectively beneficial without necessarily gluing them together into a complete story .
We didn ’ t really show what business would look like in Labour ’ s Britain , nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this vision .
We made talking about the economy as a whole harder because business is what most people think about if you start talking about the economy .
Without the overall story on business , the specific policies could look a little threadbare – or , worse , like an afterthought .
This matters electorally .
The numbers of small businesses and the self-employed have risen consistently in Britain for almost two decades , with the numbers growing by almost 200,000 last year to 5.82m .
60 % of the working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company employing fewer than 250 workers .
And there seems to have been an appreciable shift in public attitudes , too : one survey this summer suggested that whilst 64 % want to start a business , this rises to 80 % for those under the age of 25 .
No doubt some of this reflects poor employment prospects elsewhere .
Labour has very robust proposals on tackling bogus self-employment , or reinforcing rights at work , but we had less to say outside of these problem areas .
It would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a widespread aspiration , and think about how to ally it to social justice , than to give the impression of pushing against it .
It ’ s not only social changes to which Labour should respond .
Technological shifts are opening new options for a fairer economy , of which the most dramatic is the extraordinary expansion of data use in the last decade .
But the data economy – growing dramatically under Covid-19 – does not only mean more working from home , or online shopping .
For manufacturing , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at larger and larger scale is no longer quite so pressing .
Mass production still provides the backbone of manufacturing globally , but for a growing number of product lines it is the ability to churn out more customised products in smaller numbers that provides the competitive edge .
Digital technologies like 3D printing are reducing the minimum scale needed for manufacturing firms to compete internationally , and creating the possibility of a new life for smaller companies .
This could be tied directly to a programme for green transformation : mass insulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need small-scale , localised production of insulation for our older buildings – something that small , local business could be ideally placed to provide .
Or growing the circular economy – recycling , reusing and reprogramming old goods , with its huge potential for job creation – can open the same opportunities for smaller , locally-focused businesses .
It is already possible to see how whole sectors can be opened up to support a range of viable , smaller-scale companies , whether as sole proprietors , family-owned firms or worker-owned enterprises .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but growing number of employee-owned firms in manufacturing , particularly in the North of England , and it was good to see Jonathan Reynolds and the Co-op Party raise the “ Right to Own ” for employees , giving them the option to turn businesses threatened with closure or takeover into worker-owned enterprises .
Of course , this shift in scale covers only one part of the digitisation story : at the other end of the pipeline , the data economy has meant the growth of vast concentrations of power , which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest tech companies have seen their value grow by almost 40 % , or $ 1.9 trillion , since it began .
The collection , management and analysis of data is rapidly coming to dominate all economic questions – but where it can be placed under effective democratic and public control , data can , too , be used to support small businesses .
Over 17,000 developers , for example , have registered to use Transport for London ’ s store of data , with over 40 % of Londoners now using apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giants and putting public data to public should now part of a meaningful business policy .
But developing a distinctive Labour narrative on business will mean more than just focusing on the economics .
This pandemic , as we know , is hitting small businesses and the self-employed hard : Labour needs not only to offer clear mechanisms of support , including more radical proposals like Universal Basic Income , but to show how both can be part of how we rebuild after Covid-19 .
The coming devastation of our high streets from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceleration of the existing trend towards online consumption – is a challenge to how we think about our town centres , and also our businesses .
There is a clear social value to the existence of a thriving high street , which is over and above the value those businesses produce and keep themselves .
As shops close , a whole community loses out – and replacing those shops with “ substandard ” flats , as under Tory proposals , is no answer to this challenge .
Instead , we need to explore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of businesses , such as making business rates fairer , but also to change what we mean by a successful business .
Can a pub threatened with closure be repurposed as a community enterprise ?
Can shuttered shops be reopened as makerspaces ?
And can a Labour government , with a strong sense of public purpose and a mission to create a fairer , more sustainable , more democratic society , support new forms of business ownership , and new measures for business success ?

Brendan Chilton’s comment piece for LabourList last week argued that the party should be opposing the Tories if they start suggesting income tax or corporation tax rises because Labour should be both the “natural party of business” and striving to make Britain competitive against economies like “China and Vietnam”. It’s a provocative proposal, but the prospect of entering and then losing two races to the bottom – with the Tories over taxes, and then with Vietnam over wage rates – does not greatly appeal. There is no route to creating a fairer society here that relies on cost-cutting to compete, and Labour should not pretend that there might be.
But Chilton does highlight something critical, and worth exploring. Labour did have a pretty solid policy offer to businesses, large and small, in the last few elections. Overhauling our transport infrastructure, radically improving broadband access and expanding education provision would all dramatically improve the conditions British businesses in which have to operate, with connectivity and access to skilled labour fundamental to their success. And Labour’s offer to small businesses in 2019, developed in close consultation with the Federation of Small Businesses, addressed their most pressing concerns, from quarterly tax reporting to the problem of delayed payments.
However, whilst all this could have helped tell a distinctive Labour story for business, it never quite gelled. I suspect that our approach looked too transactional; we offered a few things that were objectively beneficial without necessarily gluing them together into a complete story. We didn’t really show what business would look like in Labour’s Britain, nor did we consistently say why we cared about this vision. We made talking about the economy as a whole harder because business is what most people think about if you start talking about the economy. Without the overall story on business, the specific policies could look a little threadbare – or, worse, like an afterthought.
This matters electorally. The numbers of small businesses and the self-employed have risen consistently in Britain for almost two decades, with the numbers growing by almost 200,000 last year to 5.82m. 60% of the working population are self-employed, or work for a company employing fewer than 250 workers. And there seems to have been an appreciable shift in public attitudes, too: one survey this summer suggested that whilst 64% want to start a business, this rises to 80% for those under the age of 25. No doubt some of this reflects poor employment prospects elsewhere. Labour has very robust proposals on tackling bogus self-employment, or reinforcing rights at work, but we had less to say outside of these problem areas. It would make sense to work with the grain of a widespread aspiration, and think about how to ally it to social justice, than to give the impression of pushing against it.
It’s not only social changes to which Labour should respond. Technological shifts are opening new options for a fairer economy, of which the most dramatic is the extraordinary expansion of data use in the last decade. But the data economy – growing dramatically under Covid-19 – does not only mean more working from home, or online shopping. For manufacturing, it also means that the requirement to work at larger and larger scale is no longer quite so pressing. Mass production still provides the backbone of manufacturing globally, but for a growing number of product lines it is the ability to churn out more customised products in smaller numbers that provides the competitive edge.
Digital technologies like 3D printing are reducing the minimum scale needed for manufacturing firms to compete internationally, and creating the possibility of a new life for smaller companies. This could be tied directly to a programme for green transformation: mass insulation of lofts, for instance, will need small-scale, localised production of insulation for our older buildings – something that small, local business could be ideally placed to provide. Or growing the circular economy – recycling, reusing and reprogramming old goods, with its huge potential for job creation – can open the same opportunities for smaller, locally-focused businesses.
It is already possible to see how whole sectors can be opened up to support a range of viable, smaller-scale companies, whether as sole proprietors, family-owned firms or worker-owned enterprises. The Employee Ownership Association points to a small but growing number of employee-owned firms in manufacturing, particularly in the North of England, and it was good to see Jonathan Reynolds and the Co-op Party raise the “Right to Own” for employees, giving them the option to turn businesses threatened with closure or takeover into worker-owned enterprises.
Of course, this shift in scale covers only one part of the digitisation story: at the other end of the pipeline, the data economy has meant the growth of vast concentrations of power, which the pandemic has only reinforced: the six largest tech companies have seen their value grow by almost 40%, or $1.9 trillion, since it began. The collection, management and analysis of data is rapidly coming to dominate all economic questions – but where it can be placed under effective democratic and public control, data can, too, be used to support small businesses. Over 17,000 developers, for example, have registered to use Transport for London’s store of data, with over 40% of Londoners now using apps derived from it. Challenging the data giants and putting public data to public should now part of a meaningful business policy.
But developing a distinctive Labour narrative on business will mean more than just focusing on the economics. This pandemic, as we know, is hitting small businesses and the self-employed hard: Labour needs not only to offer clear mechanisms of support, including more radical proposals like Universal Basic Income, but to show how both can be part of how we rebuild after Covid-19. The coming devastation of our high streets from the pandemic – in reality, an acceleration of the existing trend towards online consumption – is a challenge to how we think about our town centres, and also our businesses.
There is a clear social value to the existence of a thriving high street, which is over and above the value those businesses produce and keep themselves. As shops close, a whole community loses out – and replacing those shops with “substandard” flats, as under Tory proposals, is no answer to this challenge. Instead, we need to explore ways to not just provide policy in support of businesses, such as making business rates fairer, but also to change what we mean by a successful business. Can a pub threatened with closure be repurposed as a community enterprise? Can shuttered shops be reopened as makerspaces? And can a Labour government, with a strong sense of public purpose and a mission to create a fairer, more sustainable, more democratic society, support new forms of business ownership, and new measures for business success?


labourlist--2020-09-07--Social care spending £600m lower than 2010, TUC analysis finds

New analysis by the TUC has found that social care spending is still £600m lower than in 2010 despite repeated promises by the Prime Minister to “ fix the crisis in social care once and for all ” .
In a report into the sector published today , research showed that spending per head is 8 % below the level in 2010 and that regional cuts range from 18 % in London to 5 % in the South East , East Midlands and East of England .
The TUC has said that the insufficient funding has forced councils to restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are increasingly left to rely on informal care from friends and family .
The organisation also argued that “ in a time of rising unemployment , social care could provide a steady source of new decent jobs ” , and called on the government to “ act now to unlock 120,000 existing vacancies , to help those losing their jobs ” .
The report revealed that almost 25 % of social care workers have a zero-hours contract , seven in ten are paid less than £10 per hour , that the sector has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff turnover rate of 31 % .
It called for : • Immediate funding to fill all social care vacancies ; • A universal service free at the point of use .
Commenting on the contribution made by care workers in the pandemic , TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ When the country needed them , social care workers stepped up .
“ Care workers looked after older and disabled people in the midst of a pandemic , often without the right personal protective equipment , and often for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now it ’ s time to fix the broken system .
Social care is badly underfunded .
Pay and conditions for care workers are dreadful .
And families can ’ t be sure of high-quality , affordable care when a family member needs it .
“ As we face mass unemployment , ministers should act to unlock the 120,000 existing social care vacancies right now .
And they should put investment in social care at the heart of our national recovery plan .
“ Social care jobs should be decent jobs on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every community .
The TUC ’ s plan sets out how a full funding settlement for social care would work .
Ministers can ’ t spend another decade hiding from the social care crisis.
” A report under the last Labour government warned that if no action were taken then the cost of social care would double within a decade , but plans to introduce a national care service in the UK were shelved by the coalition government .
Boris Johnson told the public in his first speech as Prime Minister in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis in social care once and for all ” .
He also said on June 30th that the ministers were “ finalising ” plans .
10 Downing Street rejected reports over the summer that the government is considering a move to make people aged over 40 pay more in taxes to contribute towards the cost of social care amid the escalating crisis in the sector .
A group of more than 30 councils and charities called in July for the government to publish a timetable for changes to the sector , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before parliament returned in September .
No plan has been announced .

New analysis by the TUC has found that social care spending is still £600m lower than in 2010 despite repeated promises by the Prime Minister to “fix the crisis in social care once and for all”.
In a report into the sector published today, research showed that spending per head is 8% below the level in 2010 and that regional cuts range from 18% in London to 5% in the South East, East Midlands and East of England.
The TUC has said that the insufficient funding has forced councils to restrict eligibility for support, meaning that people are increasingly left to rely on informal care from friends and family.
The organisation also argued that “in a time of rising unemployment, social care could provide a steady source of new decent jobs”, and called on the government to “act now to unlock 120,000 existing vacancies, to help those losing their jobs”.
The report revealed that almost 25% of social care workers have a zero-hours contract, seven in ten are paid less than £10 per hour, that the sector has around 120,000 unfilled vacancies and an annual staff turnover rate of 31%. It called for:
A new funding settlement;
Immediate funding to fill all social care vacancies;
Fair pay and conditions for care workers;
A national social care forum;
A reduced private sector role; and
A universal service free at the point of use.
Commenting on the contribution made by care workers in the pandemic, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “When the country needed them, social care workers stepped up.
“Care workers looked after older and disabled people in the midst of a pandemic, often without the right personal protective equipment, and often for low wages and no sick pay.
“Now it’s time to fix the broken system. Social care is badly underfunded. Pay and conditions for care workers are dreadful. And families can’t be sure of high-quality, affordable care when a family member needs it.
“As we face mass unemployment, ministers should act to unlock the 120,000 existing social care vacancies right now. And they should put investment in social care at the heart of our national recovery plan.
“Social care jobs should be decent jobs on fair pay, at the heart of every community. The TUC’s plan sets out how a full funding settlement for social care would work. Ministers can’t spend another decade hiding from the social care crisis.”
A report under the last Labour government warned that if no action were taken then the cost of social care would double within a decade, but plans to introduce a national care service in the UK were shelved by the coalition government.
Boris Johnson told the public in his first speech as Prime Minister in July 2019 that he would “fix the crisis in social care once and for all”. He also said on June 30th that the ministers were “finalising” plans.
10 Downing Street rejected reports over the summer that the government is considering a move to make people aged over 40 pay more in taxes to contribute towards the cost of social care amid the escalating crisis in the sector.
A group of more than 30 councils and charities called in July for the government to publish a timetable for changes to the sector, with a “radical rethink” of social care, before parliament returned in September. No plan has been announced.


labourlist--2020-09-07--Deal or no deal? Brexit looms large again as PM threatens to collapse trade talks

Brexit looms large again .
After a general election being told about an ‘ oven-ready ’ deal , Boris Johnson is well on his way to collapsing that deal and the ongoing trade talks between Westminster and Brussels , according to the Financial Times this morning .
The Prime Minister is set to give a statement today , in which he ’ ll say that there needs to be an agreement by the time of the European Council on October 15th – otherwise the UK will be prepared to “ move on ” without a deal .
This comes alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be published on Wednesday will override two key parts of the withdrawal agreement , signed just ten months ago , on state aid and Northern Ireland customs .
The backlash has seen the PM condemned by MPs across the board for reneging on the international agreement .
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Louise Haigh said it would be an “ act of immense bad faith ” and one that would be “ viewed dimly by future trading partners ” .
After a bit of a sluggish restart to parliament last week , this one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour has said it will try to amend the government ’ s fire safety bill today , after it emerged that over 80 % of private and nearly 50 % of social housing with Grenfell-style flammable cladding has not had the dangerous material removed .
The party ’ s proposals would force the government to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry ’ s phase one report , published in October 2019 .
The opposition has also declared it will bring a motion to require the publication of all official documents relating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer , following reports that the Prime Minister and Education Secretary were warned about the problems with the algorithm weeks or months in advance .
And it ’ s time for the Health Secretary to face the music in parliament today after almost 3,000 people in the UK tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday , the highest total since May and a 50 % increase in a single day .
The government is hanging on to the fact that most of the new cases seem to be in younger people , but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply “ lost control of the virus “ .
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said : “ This increase , combined with the ongoing testing fiasco where ill people are told to drive for miles for tests , and the poor performance of the contact tracing system , needs an explanation from ministers.
” We can look forward to that later .
Extinction Rebellion had a busy weekend after a relatively quiet period .
More than 100 demonstrators blockaded two printing presses on Friday , disrupting the distribution of papers owned by Rupert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direct action has been mixed .
Backbencher Dawn Butler initially tweeted “ bravo… excellent work ” before deleting the post two hours later .
Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott defended the protests , saying the action was legal and describing reports that the group might be reclassified as a criminal organisation as “ ridiculous ” .
However , Labour leader Keir Starmer has taken a different view , condemning the attack on the “ free press ” and arguing that “ denying people the chance to read what they choose is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change ” .
Don ’ t miss out on our live event at 7pm today – LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers will be in conversation with Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon .
You can watch along here and please email us with questions for the frontbencher about his brief .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Brexit looms large again. After a general election being told about an ‘oven-ready’ deal, Boris Johnson is well on his way to collapsing that deal and the ongoing trade talks between Westminster and Brussels, according to the Financial Times this morning. The Prime Minister is set to give a statement today, in which he’ll say that there needs to be an agreement by the time of the European Council on October 15th – otherwise the UK will be prepared to “move on” without a deal. This comes alongside reports that the internal market bill to be published on Wednesday will override two key parts of the withdrawal agreement, signed just ten months ago, on state aid and Northern Ireland customs. The backlash has seen the PM condemned by MPs across the board for reneging on the international agreement. Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Louise Haigh said it would be an “act of immense bad faith” and one that would be “viewed dimly by future trading partners”.
After a bit of a sluggish restart to parliament last week, this one is set to be much busier. Labour has said it will try to amend the government’s fire safety bill today, after it emerged that over 80% of private and nearly 50% of social housing with Grenfell-style flammable cladding has not had the dangerous material removed. The party’s proposals would force the government to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s phase one report, published in October 2019. The opposition has also declared it will bring a motion to require the publication of all official documents relating to the exam results chaos over the summer, following reports that the Prime Minister and Education Secretary were warned about the problems with the algorithm weeks or months in advance.
And it’s time for the Health Secretary to face the music in parliament today after almost 3,000 people in the UK tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, the highest total since May and a 50% increase in a single day. The government is hanging on to the fact that most of the new cases seem to be in younger people, but there is widespread concern that the government has simply “lost control of the virus“. Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: “This increase, combined with the ongoing testing fiasco where ill people are told to drive for miles for tests, and the poor performance of the contact tracing system, needs an explanation from ministers.” We can look forward to that later.
Extinction Rebellion had a busy weekend after a relatively quiet period. More than 100 demonstrators blockaded two printing presses on Friday, disrupting the distribution of papers owned by Rupert Murdoch. Labour’s reaction to the direct action has been mixed. Backbencher Dawn Butler initially tweeted “bravo… excellent work” before deleting the post two hours later. Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott defended the protests, saying the action was legal and describing reports that the group might be reclassified as a criminal organisation as “ridiculous”. However, Labour leader Keir Starmer has taken a different view, condemning the attack on the “free press” and arguing that “denying people the chance to read what they choose is wrong and does nothing to tackle climate change”.
Don’t miss out on our live event at 7pm today – LabourList editor Sienna Rodgers will be in conversation with Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon. You can watch along here and please email us with questions for the frontbencher about his brief. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-09-07--Women’s empowerment and childcare must be prioritised to grow our economy

Next year , should I win my Tees Valley mayoral election , I will be the UK ’ s first female metro mayor .
Standing for this role as a woman gives me a different perspective on what it takes to grow our economy .
This is a perspective that quite frankly many of the men in these roles don ’ t see , or at least they don ’ t realise its importance .
For many years I have worked with and championed women across the Tees Valley , and one of the big issues that regularly comes up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childcare .
The UK currently has the seventh most expensive childcare in the world , with families spending on average 36 % of their income on childcare .
The proportion is much lower for our European neighbours , with Sweden , Greece , Iceland and Austria all averaging less than 10 % .
We simply don ’ t stack up , and this barrier to entry to the workplace is holding women back economically .
Covid , along with the pressures brought by this government , are making it worse .
I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shadow minister for children and early years , last week .
We talked about the issues confronting women and looked particularly at childcare .
She highlighted the potential devastating loss of 472 childcare providers across our region in the next year .
There are government schemes currently available , but they are incredibly restrictive and hard to access , with only 40 % of two-year-old children eligible .
It is hard to argue with any conviction that it does more than pay lip service to the real problems and issues of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues were affecting women across the Tees Valley , we ran a survey asking families their thoughts on childcare and how it was affecting their access to the workplace .
The results of that research showed that 80 % of respondents considered childcare to be expensive and how difficult it was to get access to the government schemes leading women to have to persevere with expensive alternatives .
This fits in with the results of a nationwide survey by Pregnant Then Screwed , which showed that 51 % of women said that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to work at all , whilst a staggering 74 % said that it had adversely affected their earning ability .
Of course all of the issues have been made significantly worse by the current Covid crisis .
65 % of mothers who were furloughed said lack of childcare was the reason , whilst 44 % of self-employed mothers reported that the crisis had cost them childcare places vital to the running of their businesses .
We must do better , and I will do better .
Good access to affordable childcare is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the most important factors in allowing women to achieve economically .
The Labour Party is committed to offering universal childcare for children aged between two and four , and to ensuring that there is a Sure Start centre in every community .
I am also keen to explore ways in which local companies can allow more flexible working to help with childcare needs .
If we are to grow the economy in the Tees Valley , affordable childcare will be part of that growth .
We must empower women and families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic potential .

Next year, should I win my Tees Valley mayoral election, I will be the UK’s first female metro mayor. Standing for this role as a woman gives me a different perspective on what it takes to grow our economy. This is a perspective that quite frankly many of the men in these roles don’t see, or at least they don’t realise its importance.
For many years I have worked with and championed women across the Tees Valley, and one of the big issues that regularly comes up is the need for good, affordable childcare. The UK currently has the seventh most expensive childcare in the world, with families spending on average 36% of their income on childcare. The proportion is much lower for our European neighbours, with Sweden, Greece, Iceland and Austria all averaging less than 10%. We simply don’t stack up, and this barrier to entry to the workplace is holding women back economically. Covid, along with the pressures brought by this government, are making it worse.
I had a conversation with Tulip Siddiq, Labour’s shadow minister for children and early years, last week. We talked about the issues confronting women and looked particularly at childcare. She highlighted the potential devastating loss of 472 childcare providers across our region in the next year. There are government schemes currently available, but they are incredibly restrictive and hard to access, with only 40% of two-year-old children eligible. It is hard to argue with any conviction that it does more than pay lip service to the real problems and issues of working families.
To see how these issues were affecting women across the Tees Valley, we ran a survey asking families their thoughts on childcare and how it was affecting their access to the workplace. The results of that research showed that 80% of respondents considered childcare to be expensive and how difficult it was to get access to the government schemes leading women to have to persevere with expensive alternatives. This fits in with the results of a nationwide survey by Pregnant Then Screwed, which showed that 51% of women said that they did not have sufficient childcare to enable them to work at all, whilst a staggering 74% said that it had adversely affected their earning ability.
Of course all of the issues have been made significantly worse by the current Covid crisis. 65% of mothers who were furloughed said lack of childcare was the reason, whilst 44% of self-employed mothers reported that the crisis had cost them childcare places vital to the running of their businesses.
We must do better, and I will do better. Good access to affordable childcare is a vital cog in our economy and one of the most important factors in allowing women to achieve economically. The Labour Party is committed to offering universal childcare for children aged between two and four, and to ensuring that there is a Sure Start centre in every community. I am also keen to explore ways in which local companies can allow more flexible working to help with childcare needs.
If we are to grow the economy in the Tees Valley, affordable childcare will be part of that growth. We must empower women and families to be able to fulfil their fullest economic potential.


labourlist--2020-09-07--Labour tables motion to force publication of “exams fiasco” documents

Labour is set to table a motion to force the publication of all internal documents , minutes of meetings and ministerial submissions relating to this year ’ s exams U-turn and has demanded that Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson “ come clean ” .
Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green has called on all parties to back the motion , subject to a vote on Wednesday , to make sure “ the lessons of this summer will be learnt , and confidence in the system can be restored before next year ’ s exams ” .
Exams regulator Ofqual told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williamson had decided on the controversial system of algorithm-awarded grades and chose to cancel all exams without consulting the body .
The Shadow Education Secretary said : “ Time and again the Secretary of State and Prime Minister have tried to avoid taking responsibility for the exams fiasco .
It has become clear that their serial incompetence was responsible for the scandal .
“ MPs from all parties should back this motion to ensure young people , their families and the wider public can be assured that the lessons of this summer will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system can be restored before next year ’ s exams .
“ It is essential Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson come clean about what they knew , when they knew it , and why nothing was done to address the concerns they were warned about.
” This latest move from the Labour Party follows the public outcry in August when the government ’ s new algorithm for allocating exam grades disproportionately downgraded disadvantaged students .
Although the government eventually U-turned and gave all students their teacher-predicted grades , think tanks have warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education sector for years to come .
Commenting on the government ’ s knowledge of the problems with the controversial algorithm this morning , Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted : “ Pupils and teachers deserve to know what Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson knew.
” Ofqual chair Roger Taylor told the parliamentary committee : “ Our initial advice to the Secretary of State was that the best way to handle this was to try and hold exams in a socially distanced manner .
Our second option was to delay exams.
” He revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to consider calculated grades , but the Education Secretary ignored their advice .
Ofqual officials also testified that the government was briefed on the problems of the system a week before results day .

Labour is set to table a motion to force the publication of all internal documents, minutes of meetings and ministerial submissions relating to this year’s exams U-turn and has demanded that Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson “come clean”.
Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green has called on all parties to back the motion, subject to a vote on Wednesday, to make sure “the lessons of this summer will be learnt, and confidence in the system can be restored before next year’s exams”.
Exams regulator Ofqual told the education select committee last week that Gavin Williamson had decided on the controversial system of algorithm-awarded grades and chose to cancel all exams without consulting the body.
The Shadow Education Secretary said: “Time and again the Secretary of State and Prime Minister have tried to avoid taking responsibility for the exams fiasco. It has become clear that their serial incompetence was responsible for the scandal.
“MPs from all parties should back this motion to ensure young people, their families and the wider public can be assured that the lessons of this summer will be learnt, and confidence in the system can be restored before next year’s exams.
“It is essential Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson come clean about what they knew, when they knew it, and why nothing was done to address the concerns they were warned about.”
This latest move from the Labour Party follows the public outcry in August when the government’s new algorithm for allocating exam grades disproportionately downgraded disadvantaged students.
Although the government eventually U-turned and gave all students their teacher-predicted grades, think tanks have warned that the crisis will create problems in the education sector for years to come.
Commenting on the government’s knowledge of the problems with the controversial algorithm this morning, Labour leader Keir Starmer tweeted: “Pupils and teachers deserve to know what Gavin Williamson and Boris Johnson knew.”
Ofqual chair Roger Taylor told the parliamentary committee: “Our initial advice to the Secretary of State was that the best way to handle this was to try and hold exams in a socially distanced manner. Our second option was to delay exams.”
He revealed it was only the “third option” to consider calculated grades, but the Education Secretary ignored their advice. Ofqual officials also testified that the government was briefed on the problems of the system a week before results day.


labourlist--2020-09-07--WATCH: Government must support TfL now or risk “virus spreading”, says Khan

Sadiq Khan has called on the government to offer more support for Transport for London and said that “ if we reduce services it will lead to greater overcrowding which will lead to the virus spreading more ” .
In a Sky News interview this morning , the London mayor suggested that public transport was a necessary public service and that it was in need of “ life support ” from the government to continue running .
On cutting back services to reduce TfL ’ s costs , Khan said : “ We ’ re providing 100 % services in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to provide all the services for people to use the tube , buses and the overground and still socially distance .
“ If we reduce services , it will lead to greater overcrowding , which will lead to the virus spreading more .
What we ’ ve seen in London is a 35 % reduction in people ’ s use of the tube on this time last year and a 55 % reduction in people ’ s use of buses on this time last year.
” On a support package , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve had a 90 % loss in our incomes , we ’ ve asked the government to support TfL because it ’ s a public service .
If they don ’ t support us our ability to provide public transport is reduced because we haven ’ t got the fares coming in .
“ We rely on fares to provide our services .
In the short to medium term , we will not get 100 % of the passengers from before Covid back .
“ The choice , whether its TfL or its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitality or leisure sectors , is to give support now – think of it as life support – or let them die , which means paying more later on for unemployment benefit and for insolvency.
” He added : “ During the course of a normal period , London contributes hugely to the country ’ s wealth and prosperity .
“ I ’ m all for that by the way , I believe in the nation-state and that those with the broadest shoulders should carry the heaviest burden .
“ But in difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TfL and business in London to expect some support from the government , which will make the ability of our country to recover far quicker.
” It has been previously reported that London ’ s transport body is expected to lose £4bn this year as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic , as the number of commuters has plummeted .
TfL has called for £2bn in support .

Sadiq Khan has called on the government to offer more support for Transport for London and said that “if we reduce services it will lead to greater overcrowding which will lead to the virus spreading more”.
In a Sky News interview this morning, the London mayor suggested that public transport was a necessary public service and that it was in need of “life support” from the government to continue running.
On cutting back services to reduce TfL’s costs, Khan said: “We’re providing 100% services in London for a very good reason: we need to provide all the services for people to use the tube, buses and the overground and still socially distance.
“If we reduce services, it will lead to greater overcrowding, which will lead to the virus spreading more. What we’ve seen in London is a 35% reduction in people’s use of the tube on this time last year and a 55% reduction in people’s use of buses on this time last year.”
On a support package, Khan said: “Because we’ve had a 90% loss in our incomes, we’ve asked the government to support TfL because it’s a public service. If they don’t support us our ability to provide public transport is reduced because we haven’t got the fares coming in.
“We rely on fares to provide our services. In the short to medium term, we will not get 100% of the passengers from before Covid back.
“The choice, whether its TfL or its businesses in the culture, retail, hospitality or leisure sectors, is to give support now – think of it as life support – or let them die, which means paying more later on for unemployment benefit and for insolvency.”
He added: “During the course of a normal period, London contributes hugely to the country’s wealth and prosperity.
“I’m all for that by the way, I believe in the nation-state and that those with the broadest shoulders should carry the heaviest burden.
“But in difficult times it’s not unreasonable for TfL and business in London to expect some support from the government, which will make the ability of our country to recover far quicker.”
Are we going to see any services cut in the capital because of TFL losses? London Mayor, @SadiqKhan "We've got to provide a public service, people have to use public transport … because we've had a 90% loss in our incomes, we've asked the Govt to support us." JJ#KayBurley pic.twitter.com/Bi1oASCqG0 — Kay Burley (@KayBurley) September 7, 2020
It has been previously reported that London’s transport body is expected to lose £4bn this year as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as the number of commuters has plummeted. TfL has called for £2bn in support.


labourlist--2020-09-06--Labour bid to amend fire safety bill after “shameful” failure to remove cladding

Labour will try to amend the government ’ s fire safety bill this week , after it emerged that over 80 % of private sector accommodation with Grenfell-style flammable cladding has not had the dangerous material removed .
The party will try to amend the legislation due before parliament on Monday and force the government to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry ’ s phase one report , published in October 2019 .
The move comes after the latest government figures released in August showed that Grenfell-style cladding had not been removed from over 80 % of private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social sector buildings .
The report on the first stage of the inquiry into the Grenfell fire said the programme to withdraw the aluminium composite material – ‘ ACM ’ – cladding from buildings “ should be pursued as vigorously as possible ” .
Commenting on the government ’ s inaction since the fire killed 72 people in 2017 , Labour frontbencher Sarah Jones said : “ Over three years after Grenfell , it is shameful how little progress has been made .
“ The government has continuously broken their promises , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country are stuck living in unsafe flats .
The victims and survivors of Grenfell are still waiting for justice .
This is completely unacceptable.
” While the government has claimed its fire safety bill would take it a “ step further ” to delivering on the inquiry ’ s recommendations , it does not include direct provisions for any of the measures called for in the report .
The shadow policing and fire minister added : “ Every measure necessary should be put in place to prevent a fire like Grenfell from ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to honour their promises and back the amendment and get the work done.
” The fire safety bill is intended to give greater clarity over the responsibility for fire safety in buildings containing more than one home .
It passed its second reading in April and the remaining stages are scheduled to take place tomorrow .
Labour ’ s amendment would create a legal mandate for owners to share information on the design and materials of buildings with the local fire service and to undertake regular inspections of flat entrance doors and lifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bill would also see owners of buildings required to make sure that all residents are informed of the premises ’ evacuation and fire safety procedures .
Commenting on the removal of Grenfell-style cladding in the phase one report , chair of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick wrote that is is “ essential that it be done as quickly as possible ” .
He added : “ Concern has been voiced publicly , most recently by the House of Commons communities and local government select committee , about the apparently slow rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Survivors of the incident , the worst residential fire since World War Two , expressed disappointment in June 2019 over the lack of action to stop a similar tragedy from happening .
They accused the government of merely “ going through the motions ” .
Labour put forward a five-point plan last year that included giving councils powers to impose tougher fines and take over residential blocks in order to make sure works get done to make buildings safe .

Labour will try to amend the government’s fire safety bill this week, after it emerged that over 80% of private sector accommodation with Grenfell-style flammable cladding has not had the dangerous material removed.
The party will try to amend the legislation due before parliament on Monday and force the government to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s phase one report, published in October 2019.
The move comes after the latest government figures released in August showed that Grenfell-style cladding had not been removed from over 80% of private sector buildings and nearly 50% of social sector buildings.
The report on the first stage of the inquiry into the Grenfell fire said the programme to withdraw the aluminium composite material – ‘ACM’ – cladding from buildings “should be pursued as vigorously as possible”.
Commenting on the government’s inaction since the fire killed 72 people in 2017, Labour frontbencher Sarah Jones said: “Over three years after Grenfell, it is shameful how little progress has been made.
“The government has continuously broken their promises, while tens of thousands of people across the country are stuck living in unsafe flats. The victims and survivors of Grenfell are still waiting for justice. This is completely unacceptable.”
While the government has claimed its fire safety bill would take it a “step further” to delivering on the inquiry’s recommendations, it does not include direct provisions for any of the measures called for in the report.
The shadow policing and fire minister added: “Every measure necessary should be put in place to prevent a fire like Grenfell from ever happening again. We urge the government to honour their promises and back the amendment and get the work done.”
The fire safety bill is intended to give greater clarity over the responsibility for fire safety in buildings containing more than one home. It passed its second reading in April and the remaining stages are scheduled to take place tomorrow.
Labour’s amendment would create a legal mandate for owners to share information on the design and materials of buildings with the local fire service and to undertake regular inspections of flat entrance doors and lifts.
The proposed changes to the government’s bill would also see owners of buildings required to make sure that all residents are informed of the premises’ evacuation and fire safety procedures.
Commenting on the removal of Grenfell-style cladding in the phase one report, chair of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick wrote that is is “essential that it be done as quickly as possible”.
He added: “Concern has been voiced publicly, most recently by the House of Commons communities and local government select committee, about the apparently slow rate of progress in carrying out the work.”
Survivors of the incident, the worst residential fire since World War Two, expressed disappointment in June 2019 over the lack of action to stop a similar tragedy from happening. They accused the government of merely “going through the motions”.
Labour put forward a five-point plan last year that included giving councils powers to impose tougher fines and take over residential blocks in order to make sure works get done to make buildings safe.


labourlist--2020-09-07--Labour urges government to save pubs as 5,500 have closed since 2010

Labour has warned that a blanket withdrawal from the furlough scheme would have a catastrophic effect on the hospitality sector , after new analysis revealed that one pub or bar has shut every 14 hours under the Conservatives .
Over 5,500 pubs and bars have closed since the Tories first took power in 2010 , according to the Interdepartmental Business Register , and the number of establishments has fallen in every single region of the UK .
The South East has been the worst-hit area , losing 855 pubs or bars during this period , followed by the North West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which have all lost at least 530 each .
Labour is reiterating its call for the furlough scheme to be extended in hard-hit industries , as well as the creation of a ‘ hospitality and high street fightback fund ’ to support pubs , bars and other under-pressure high street businesses .
The hospitality sector has started to reopen but is operating at a reduced capacity due to social distancing rules .
The British Beer and Pub Association said in August that 37 % of pubs would not break even in their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pubs and breweries have said that their current business couldn ’ t last beyond March 2021 .
The decline in the numbers of pubs and bars predates Covid-19 .
The Long Live The Local Campaign has previously called on the government to reduce the tax pressures placed on pubs and bars , with British pubs facing some of the highest beer duty taxes in Europe .
Lucy Powell , shadow minister for business and consumers , said : “ Pubs are a vital part of our high streets and social fabric in communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been hard hit by the pandemic , and Tory indifference and incompetence over many years means that many have gone to the wall .
“ Ministers ’ blanket approach to ending the furlough further threatens the future of many more .
The furlough scheme must be extended for hard-hit sectors to save jobs now , and a ‘ hospitality and high street fund ’ must be established so local areas can target support at businesses still in distress.
” According to the ONS , small , independent pubs that employ fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with their numbers falling by 24 % between 2007 and 2019 .
In 2019 the number of UK pubs went up by 315 , the first increase in over a decade , but the pandemic has largely halted this recovery .
The pressure on the hospitality sector reflects wider struggles for local businesses and the high street , with one in ten shops standing empty even before the pandemic hit .
Labour has said this is part of a pattern of economic mismanagement from the government , as an Institute for Fiscal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowest recovery from a recession on record after the 2007 financial crash .
British workers had also experienced 12 years of wage stagnation in that period .

Labour has warned that a blanket withdrawal from the furlough scheme would have a catastrophic effect on the hospitality sector, after new analysis revealed that one pub or bar has shut every 14 hours under the Conservatives.
Over 5,500 pubs and bars have closed since the Tories first took power in 2010, according to the Interdepartmental Business Register, and the number of establishments has fallen in every single region of the UK.
The South East has been the worst-hit area, losing 855 pubs or bars during this period, followed by the North West, South West, and Wales, which have all lost at least 530 each.
Labour is reiterating its call for the furlough scheme to be extended in hard-hit industries, as well as the creation of a ‘hospitality and high street fightback fund’ to support pubs, bars and other under-pressure high street businesses.
The hospitality sector has started to reopen but is operating at a reduced capacity due to social distancing rules. The British Beer and Pub Association said in August that 37% of pubs would not break even in their first month of reopening. One in four pubs and breweries have said that their current business couldn’t last beyond March 2021.
The decline in the numbers of pubs and bars predates Covid-19. The Long Live The Local Campaign has previously called on the government to reduce the tax pressures placed on pubs and bars, with British pubs facing some of the highest beer duty taxes in Europe.
Lucy Powell, shadow minister for business and consumers, said: “Pubs are a vital part of our high streets and social fabric in communities up and down the country. They have been hard hit by the pandemic, and Tory indifference and incompetence over many years means that many have gone to the wall.
“Ministers’ blanket approach to ending the furlough further threatens the future of many more. The furlough scheme must be extended for hard-hit sectors to save jobs now, and a ‘hospitality and high street fund’ must be established so local areas can target support at businesses still in distress.”
According to the ONS, small, independent pubs that employ fewer than ten people have been the worst affected, with their numbers falling by 24% between 2007 and 2019.
In 2019 the number of UK pubs went up by 315, the first increase in over a decade, but the pandemic has largely halted this recovery.
The pressure on the hospitality sector reflects wider struggles for local businesses and the high street, with one in ten shops standing empty even before the pandemic hit.
Labour has said this is part of a pattern of economic mismanagement from the government, as an Institute for Fiscal Studies report previously revealed we had the slowest recovery from a recession on record after the 2007 financial crash. British workers had also experienced 12 years of wage stagnation in that period.