labourlist--2020-09-29--Commons passes controversial internal market bill by 340 votes to 256

The controversial internal market bill has passed its third reading in the Commons with a majority of 84 , as MPs voted 340 to 256 in favour of allowing government ministers to break international law .
Following a debate in Westminster this evening , MPs passed the legislation that overrides parts of the withdrawal agreement signed with the EU by Boris Johnson ’ s government less than a year ago .
Commenting on the bill shortly before the vote , Ed Miliband said Labour would vote against it as a result of the implications for devolution and due to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Shadow Business Secretary said : “ It [ the bill ] makes a choice to impose the rule that the lowest regulatory standard in one parliament , must be the standard for all without a proper voice for the devolved administrations .
“ And I have read carefully the debates at committee and report stage on this , and there has been no proper answer forthcoming from government about why they did not seek to legislate for the common frameworks as they could easily have done .
“ Nor , Madam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are taking such broad powers over public spending in specific devolved areas of competence.
” The bill includes plans for a “ mutual recognition regime ” after the UK leaves the EU , which would require regulatory standards in one area of the union to be automatically accepted in others and centralises devolved powers to Westminster .
Miliband went on to voice Labour ’ s concerns about the bill breaking international law .
He argued that “ nobody should be in any doubt about the damage already done by this bill ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticed around the world ” .
He added : “ We need new trade deals , where our word is our bond , and this government play these appalling games ; thinking so little of their backbenchers that they can pull the wool over their eyes… “ The bill will get its majority and go to the other place .
But their lordships should know that across this House there is deep concern about it .
This has been shown again , and again , by good people on all sides of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place to bring this bill into compliance with the rule of law and salvage our reputation .
But we in the House of Commons have a chance tonight to show our concern again.
” The controversial bill produced a rebellion at second reading , with two Tory MPs voting against – Roger Gale and Andrew Percy – and 30 more appearing to abstain , although some will have had no vote recorded without being active abstentions .
But the parliamentary vote today comes after Boris Johnson managed to head off a full-scale rebellion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the controversial legislation as he managed to reach a compromise deal .
The government agreed the principle of an amendment tabled by Tory Bob Neill , which provides for a ‘ parliamentary lock ’ on the use of certain powers within the bill – allowing MPs to decide whether a minister can break international law .
Commenting on the supposed concession today , shadow minister Lucy Powell said : “ Even with the additional vote conceded by my friend opposite , it doesn ’ t change the fundamentals that this bill itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” She urged MPs to back Labour ’ s amendment to the bill , new clause one , which she argued would have forced the government to “ respect the rule of law whilst implementing their own withdrawal agreement ” .
The amendment from the opposition party , tabled by Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband , was rejected by MPs earlier in the afternoon as the bill completed its report stage in the House , with 256 votes in favour and 350 against .
Theresa May was expected to vote against the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in total had no vote recorded , including a number who were likely paired .
No Labour MP voted in favour .
Under the withdrawal agreement signed by Johnson , Northern Ireland is set to remain in the single market regardless of whether the wider UK has a deal on trade and security with the EU by the end of the year .
This means that if the UK does not reach an agreement on trade with the European bloc , the EU ’ s codes on goods coming into Northern Ireland will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border .
The internal market bill would override this by narrowly defining the obligation to notify Brussels of subsidy decisions for it to approve , and dispense with the requirement for local businesses to file customs paperwork when exporting to the rest of the UK .
The European Commission ’ s Maros Sefcovic warned that the plans put forward by the UK Conservative government are “ far apart ” from what the EU can accept , but Michael Gove this week refused to remove the controversial parts of the bill .
Keir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ wrong ” to propose breaking international law over Brexit , and told the government that a “ good deal is there to be had and the Prime Minister needs to get on and negotiate it ” .
Mark Drakeford described the legislation as a “ smash and grab ” on the devolution settlement , as it would allow UK government ministers to take back powers that have been devolved to Wales , Northern Ireland and Scotland for 20 years .
The Welsh Labour leader and First Minister described the bill put forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enormous power grab ” and warned that the measures included will “ put enormous strains into the union that is the UK ” .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon criticised the plans as a “ full frontal assault on devolution ” and argued that the campaign for independence is now about stopping the “ Scottish parliament from being undermined and its powers eroded ” .
UK ministers have been making their case for the bill by claiming that it would give way to more spending in devolved areas after the Brexit transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the first time since devolution .
But Welsh Brexit minister Jeremy Miles described these assurances as “ laughable ” to LabourList on Monday , highlighting that in the very same bill the government is legislating to break an agreement it signed less than a year ago .
The bill has now completed its progress through the Commons and will go to the Lords .
The final stages are not expected to be completed until December , with MPs likely to have a final vote just days before the transition period ends @

The controversial internal market bill has passed its third reading in the Commons with a majority of 84, as MPs voted 340 to 256 in favour of allowing government ministers to break international law.
Following a debate in Westminster this evening, MPs passed the legislation that overrides parts of the withdrawal agreement signed with the EU by Boris Johnson’s government less than a year ago.
Commenting on the bill shortly before the vote, Ed Miliband said Labour would vote against it as a result of the implications for devolution and due to its provisions for ministers to break international law.
The Shadow Business Secretary said: “[The bill] makes a choice to impose the rule that the lowest regulatory standard in one parliament must be the standard for all without a proper voice for the devolved administrations.
“And I have read carefully the debates at committee and report stage on this, and there has been no proper answer forthcoming from government about why they did not seek to legislate for the common frameworks, as they could easily have done.
“Nor can they explain why they are taking such broad powers over public spending in specific devolved areas of competence.”
The bill includes plans for a “mutual recognition regime” after the UK leaves the EU, which would require regulatory standards in one area of the union to be automatically accepted in others and centralises devolved powers to Westminster.
Miliband went on to voice Labour’s concerns about the bill breaking international law. He argued that “nobody should be in any doubt about the damage already done by this bill”, and said it “has been noticed around the world”.
The Labour frontbencher added: “We need new trade deals, where our word is our bond, and this government play these appalling games; thinking so little of their backbenchers that they can pull the wool over their eyes…
“The bill will get its majority and go to the other place. But their lordships should know that across this House there is deep concern about it. This has been shown again, and again, by good people on all sides of this House.
“I urge the other place to bring this bill into compliance with the rule of law and salvage our reputation. But we in the House of Commons have a chance tonight to show our concern again.”
The controversial bill produced a rebellion at second reading, with two Tory MPs voting against – Roger Gale and Andrew Percy – and 30 more appearing to abstain, although some will have had no vote recorded without being active abstentions.
But the parliamentary vote today comes after Boris Johnson managed to head off a full-scale rebellion within his own party earlier this month over the controversial legislation as he managed to reach a compromise deal.
The government agreed the principle of an amendment tabled by Tory Bob Neill, which provides for a ‘parliamentary lock’ on the use of certain powers within the bill – allowing MPs to decide whether a minister can break international law.
Commenting on the supposed concession today, shadow minister Lucy Powell said: “Even with the additional vote conceded by my friend opposite, it doesn’t change the fundamentals that this bill itself breaks the agreement and breaks international law.”
She urged MPs to back Labour’s amendment to the bill, new clause one, which she argued would have forced the government to “respect the rule of law whilst implementing their own withdrawal agreement”.
The amendment from the opposition party, tabled by Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband, was rejected by MPs earlier in the afternoon as the bill completed its report stage in the House, with 256 votes in favour and 350 against.
Theresa May was expected to vote against the bill but ultimately abstained. 21 Tory MPs in total had no vote recorded, including a number of parliamentarians who were likely paired. No Labour MP voted in favour of the bill.
Under the withdrawal agreement signed by Johnson, Northern Ireland is set to remain in the single market regardless of whether the wider UK has a deal on trade and security with the EU by the end of the year.
This means that if the UK does not reach an agreement on trade with the European bloc, the EU’s codes on goods coming into Northern Ireland will still be required, necessitating checks at the border.
The internal market bill would override this by narrowly defining the obligation to notify Brussels of subsidy decisions for it to approve, and dispense with the requirement for local businesses to file customs paperwork when exporting to the rest of the UK.
The European Commission’s Maros Sefcovic warned that the plans put forward by the UK Conservative government are “far apart” from what the EU can accept, but Michael Gove this week refused to remove the controversial parts of the bill.
Keir Starmer has declared that the government is “wrong” to propose breaking international law over Brexit, and told the government that a “good deal is there to be had and the Prime Minister needs to get on and negotiate it”.
Mark Drakeford described the legislation as a “smash and grab” on the devolution settlement, as it would allow UK government ministers to take back powers that have been devolved to Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland for 20 years.
The Welsh Labour leader and First Minister described the bill put forward by the UK government as an “enormous power grab” and warned that the measures included will “put enormous strains into the union that is the UK”.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon criticised the plans as a “full frontal assault on devolution” and argued that the campaign for independence is now about stopping the “Scottish parliament from being undermined and its powers eroded”.
UK ministers have been making their case for the bill by claiming that it would give way to more spending in devolved areas after the Brexit transition period ends, including on infrastructure and culture, for the first time since devolution.
But Welsh Brexit minister Jeremy Miles described these assurances as “laughable” to LabourList on Monday, highlighting that in the very same bill the government is legislating to break an agreement it signed less than a year ago.
The bill has now completed its progress through the Commons and will go to the Lords. The final stages are not expected to be completed until December, with MPs likely to have a final vote just days before the transition period ends.


labourlist--2020-09-29--We must keep fighting for women’s representation at Holyrood

For as long as I can remember , Labour and trade union women in Scotland have been organising and lobbying for fair and equal representation .
The STUC ’ s 50/50 campaign ran throughout the ‘ 90s .
Working with politicians and a vibrant and diverse Civic Scotland , the Scottish Constitutional Committee committed to deliver real change .
The demand was for a Scottish parliament , supporting gender balance right from the beginning .
Letters were signed by many to that effect , including one Richard Leonard .
When a Scottish parliament was finally delivered , Scottish Labour honoured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party ’ s MSP group as women in 1999 .
In 2003 , that went to 56 % but it has fallen back in recent years and the fight for 50/50 must again be won .
As things stand , a whole generation of younger women know that representation is anything but equal .
For those who worked so hard to deliver the Scottish parliament , it seems like a betrayal – and yes , many women use that word to describe just how let down they feel .
Richard Leonard was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representation , and the Scottish Labour women ’ s committee have held him to his commitment every step of the way .
It ’ s been a difficult few years but they have worked tirelessly to reclaim lost ground and ensure that at least 50 % women , in all our diversity , are selected as candidates for the 2021 Holyrood election .
The last few Scottish executives have discussed this , agreed the principle , and a working group led by deputy leader Jackie Baillie was set up to examine options .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right across our movement .
A number of options have been considered , but the goal throughout has been to deliver at least 50/50 .
The most obvious way to achieve that was to ensure a woman finishes top in each regional list for next year ’ s Scottish elections .
Richard Leonard supported this , but went further .
His proposal is of historic significance in the fight for equal representation .
He proposed a vision where women , including women of colour , LGBT+ , disabled and working-class women , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better still , with protected places on the list .
Those key workers , the ones who kept society going during the pandemic , should absolutely be amongst this group .
Nurses , paramedics , care home assistants , refuse staff and other frontline workers all need greater representation in our parliament .
Labour must lead the way in delivering an increase in working-class representation at Holyrood , to transform Scottish politics forever just as the founders of our party did over 100 years ago .
This is not about all-women shortlists or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about putting women at the top of a diverse list , with zipping thereafter .
This would create a list of candidates that reflects the society we seek to represent , delivering at least 50/50 in the process .
What is there to argue against in this , you wonder ?
If Scottish Labour is to reverse its recent fortunes it must start reaching out to wider society , rekindling that passion , hope and drive for natural justice .
The party must bring forward a new set of candidates that mirror our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that resonates with the electorate .
We need a group with the same belief in a better Scotland that drove the movement that delivered a Scottish parliament a generation ago .
Labour was at the forefront then and should be again .
We need that passion and ambition .
What better way to start this process than going back to those founding principles and committing once again to equal representation and diversity of women and men ?
What better way than to ensure that those candidates are representative of the communities they seek @ @ @

For as long as I can remember, Labour and trade union women in Scotland have been organising and lobbying for fair and equal representation. The STUC’s 50/50 campaign ran throughout the ‘90s. Working with politicians and a vibrant and diverse Civic Scotland, the Scottish Constitutional Committee committed to deliver real change. The demand was for a Scottish parliament, supporting gender balance right from the beginning. Letters were signed by many to that effect, including one Richard Leonard.
When a Scottish parliament was finally delivered, Scottish Labour honoured that pledge, delivering 50% of the party’s MSP group as women in 1999. In 2003, that went to 56% but it has fallen back in recent years and the fight for 50/50 must again be won.
As things stand, a whole generation of younger women know that representation is anything but equal. For those who worked so hard to deliver the Scottish parliament, it seems like a betrayal – and yes, many women use that word to describe just how let down they feel.
Richard Leonard was elected on a platform promising to improve representation, and the Scottish Labour women’s committee have held him to his commitment every step of the way. It’s been a difficult few years but they have worked tirelessly to reclaim lost ground and ensure that at least 50% women, in all our diversity, are selected as candidates for the 2021 Holyrood election.
The last few Scottish executives have discussed this, agreed the principle, and a working group led by deputy leader Jackie Baillie was set up to examine options. Conversations have been had with representatives from right across our movement. A number of options have been considered, but the goal throughout has been to deliver at least 50/50. The most obvious way to achieve that was to ensure a woman finishes top in each regional list for next year’s Scottish elections.
Richard Leonard supported this, but went further. His proposal is of historic significance in the fight for equal representation. He proposed a vision where women, including women of colour, LGBT+, disabled and working-class women, are encouraged to come forward – and, better still, with protected places on the list.
Those key workers, the ones who kept society going during the pandemic, should absolutely be amongst this group. Nurses, paramedics, care home assistants, refuse staff and other frontline workers all need greater representation in our parliament. Labour must lead the way in delivering an increase in working-class representation at Holyrood, to transform Scottish politics forever just as the founders of our party did over 100 years ago.
This is not about all-women shortlists or excluding men, it’s simply about putting women at the top of a diverse list, with zipping thereafter. This would create a list of candidates that reflects the society we seek to represent, delivering at least 50/50 in the process. What is there to argue against in this, you wonder?
If Scottish Labour is to reverse its recent fortunes it must start reaching out to wider society, rekindling that passion, hope and drive for natural justice. The party must bring forward a new set of candidates that mirror our society and offer a freshness and enthusiasm that resonates with the electorate.
We need a group with the same belief in a better Scotland that drove the movement that delivered a Scottish parliament a generation ago. Labour was at the forefront then and should be again. We need that passion and ambition. What better way to start this process than going back to those founding principles and committing once again to equal representation and diversity of women and men? What better way than to ensure that those candidates are representative of the communities they seek to serve?


labourlist--2020-09-29--Dave Anderson: Why I’m standing to represent local parties on Labour’s NEC

As this hapless government lurches from one catastrophe to the next , and we continue to see sterling performances by our frontbenchers , it is little wonder that many people are asking “ how long can Boris last ?
” and saying : “ bring it on ” .
That ’ s understandable , but three things stick in my mind .
First , learn the lessons of history .
Think Thatcher in ’ 81 .
Massively unpopular in both the country and in her own party .
But with the Falklands , she turned things around and led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I do believe that there may be enough sympathy for Boris Johnson as he faces the huge challenge of Covid because many still think of him as one of the lads doing his best .
He is still not seen as a consummate politician , and that may help him .
Secondly , this man has obsessed about this job for half a century .
He will do anything he can to cling on , no matter what mess he leaves behind for his successor and regardless of which party the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who own their existence in Westminster to him will not be moved easily by more sane heads as the implosion goes on .
Thirdly , I do believe that the Tories will spend big time to get re-elected and in doing so they will steal some of our clothes .
They ’ ve already shown in this crisis that they will not let ideology get in the way : this is a man who has no real ideological soul .
We believe in spending public money for public good ; he will spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
We in Labour will continue to face huge difficulties in regaining the power we need to lead our country forward .
If we are to have any chance to do that , we need to focus our collective strengths and experience in a united way .
We must stop tearing each other apart .
As a candidate in the Constituency Labour Party ( CLP ) section of the national executive committee ( NEC ) elections , I ’ ve been amazed at the number of different factions that are vying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grassroots Alliance and others along the way , I fervently hope that we aren ’ t seeing the entrenchment of opposites on our ruling body to continue the sad and sorry infighting that has epitomised so much of our recent past .
We can ’ t afford this to continue .
Of course we can disagree with each other – but if disunity becomes the focus of the NEC , it will poison the chances of us getting into power .
We also need to listen to the people we ’ ve lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m aghast that I ’ m living in a Tory-led constituency for the first time in almost 60 years .
The local people aren ’ t swivel-eyed loonies , but they do feel that they ’ ve been deserted and that the security they took for granted in their lives in heavy industry and manufacturing is now a distant memory .
We must talk with them , not at them , and develop an offer that will attract them to believe in us once again .
We must not lose sight of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By and large , they have never deserted us , despite many of their members expressing their dissatisfaction with us and more and more of them turnIng away from us at the ballot box .
Their members could and should be the bedrock on which we build our party back up again .
They know their workplaces and communities – and if we reinvigorate a proper political education programme jointly with our comrades , we could reach deeply into communities where we are now regarded with suspicion .
I would hope to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our party in taking us back into the hearts of our nation , but whether I ’ m sitting around the NEC table or not I will still be urging our leaders to accept the advice I have given in this article .
Stop the infighting , develop an offer to the nation by working with the real people , fully engage with our union comrades to build a party for the future from the ground up .

As this hapless government lurches from one catastrophe to the next, and we continue to see sterling performances by our frontbenchers, it is little wonder that many people are asking “how long can Boris last?” and saying: “bring it on”.
That’s understandable, but three things stick in my mind. First, learn the lessons of history. Think Thatcher in ’81. Massively unpopular in both the country and in her own party. But with the Falklands, she turned things around and led to 14 years of misery for our people.
I do believe that there may be enough sympathy for Boris Johnson as he faces the huge challenge of Covid because many still think of him as one of the lads doing his best. He is still not seen as a consummate politician, and that may help him.
Secondly, this man has obsessed about this job for half a century. He will do anything he can to cling on, no matter what mess he leaves behind for his successor and regardless of which party the next Prime Minister belongs to. The sycophants who own their existence in Westminster to him will not be moved easily by more sane heads as the implosion goes on.
Thirdly, I do believe that the Tories will spend big time to get re-elected and in doing so they will steal some of our clothes. They’ve already shown in this crisis that they will not let ideology get in the way: this is a man who has no real ideological soul. We believe in spending public money for public good; he will spend it to ensure his own part in history.
We in Labour will continue to face huge difficulties in regaining the power we need to lead our country forward. If we are to have any chance to do that, we need to focus our collective strengths and experience in a united way.
We must stop tearing each other apart. As a candidate in the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) section of the national executive committee (NEC) elections, I’ve been amazed at the number of different factions that are vying for support. From Tribune to the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance and others along the way, I fervently hope that we aren’t seeing the entrenchment of opposites on our ruling body to continue the sad and sorry infighting that has epitomised so much of our recent past. We can’t afford this to continue. Of course we can disagree with each other – but if disunity becomes the focus of the NEC, it will poison the chances of us getting into power.
We also need to listen to the people we’ve lost in the last two decades. I’m aghast that I’m living in a Tory-led constituency for the first time in almost 60 years. The local people aren’t swivel-eyed loonies, but they do feel that they’ve been deserted and that the security they took for granted in their lives in heavy industry and manufacturing is now a distant memory. We must talk with them, not at them, and develop an offer that will attract them to believe in us once again.
We must not lose sight of our comrades in the trade unions either. By and large, they have never deserted us, despite many of their members expressing their dissatisfaction with us and more and more of them turnIng away from us at the ballot box. Their members could and should be the bedrock on which we build our party back up again. They know their workplaces and communities – and if we reinvigorate a proper political education programme jointly with our comrades, we could reach deeply into communities where we are now regarded with suspicion.
I would hope to play my part at the top of our party in taking us back into the hearts of our nation, but whether I’m sitting around the NEC table or not I will still be urging our leaders to accept the advice I have given in this article. Stop the infighting, develop an offer to the nation by working with the real people, fully engage with our union comrades to build a party for the future from the ground up.


labourlist--2020-09-29--Vincent Lo: Why I’m standing to be Labour’s NEC treasurer

Conversations about finances or money can be difficult and rather complicated .
I had to learn the hard way whilst working and living in my mum ’ s chip shop .
After a long day of serving customers with the finest fish and chips , I had to do the books !
People from all walks of life came into our shop , from the nurse who had just finished the night shift to the office worker grabbing a quick lunch , to students after classes .
As well as people who just wanted something to eat , but who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would always scoop a large bag of chips and a cup of tea for anyone who came in .
“ Nobody should go hungry , ” my mum would say .
And I started to ask the question : why should people go hungry when we live in one of the richest countries on earth ?
Why do some people have a home whilst others are homeless ?
How is it that some people can have an education , yet others can not ?
As I chatted away with our customers , working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesson : to never , ever judge anybody .
Listening to all of these stories , I realised just how lucky I was to have a roof over my head , food on the table and a desire to learn and hopefully to make a small difference someday .
I was told : “ Well , this is how it is… it ’ s their choice… don ’ t waste your time… nothing changes… that ’ s life.
” These chats , in time , became conversations amongst friends , teachers , colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doorstep .
The pandemic has laid bare the fragility of our politics , the uncertainty ratcheting up our anxiety and fear .
Fear of the unknown , fear of sickness and fear of death .
Make no mistake , Covid-19 has changed our country and our lives for the foreseeable future .
And yet we are led by a Prime Minister , a government , who has reduced our once admired democracy into a farce .
The laughing stock of Europe and indeed the world .
It has exposed the pettiness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system to ensure they maintain control whilst we are left to pick up the pieces .
One rule for them , another for everybody else .
This Prime Minister is unfit to run our chip shop – let alone our country of 65 million people .
We must defeat him at the earliest possible opportunity .
In order to defeat him and the Tories in 2024 , we need to ensure our own finances are in order .
As a councillor , I know how tough budgets can be – ours has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
I fear Tory austerity will rear its ugly head once again but , if we are well-organised , we can make every single penny work for the many , not the few .
I look forward to serving as your treasurer and building a well-funded and highly-resourced Labour Party to take on the Tories in every single election .
This is how we can make a difference , it doesn ’ t have to be this way .

Conversations about finances or money can be difficult and rather complicated. I had to learn the hard way whilst working and living in my mum’s chip shop. After a long day of serving customers with the finest fish and chips, I had to do the books! People from all walks of life came into our shop, from the nurse who had just finished the night shift to the office worker grabbing a quick lunch, to students after classes. As well as people who just wanted something to eat, but who did not have any money. We would always scoop a large bag of chips and a cup of tea for anyone who came in.
“Nobody should go hungry,” my mum would say. And I started to ask the question: why should people go hungry when we live in one of the richest countries on earth? Why do some people have a home whilst others are homeless? How is it that some people can have an education, yet others cannot? As I chatted away with our customers, working in the shop taught me an invaluable lesson: to never, ever judge anybody. Listening to all of these stories, I realised just how lucky I was to have a roof over my head, food on the table and a desire to learn and hopefully to make a small difference someday. I was told: “Well, this is how it is… it’s their choice… don’t waste your time… nothing changes… that’s life.” These chats, in time, became conversations amongst friends, teachers, colleagues, Labour members and eventually conversations on the doorstep.
The pandemic has laid bare the fragility of our politics, the uncertainty ratcheting up our anxiety and fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of sickness and fear of death. Make no mistake, Covid-19 has changed our country and our lives for the foreseeable future. And yet we are led by a Prime Minister, a government, who has reduced our once admired democracy into a farce. The laughing stock of Europe and indeed the world. It has exposed the pettiness of our politics, the gaming of the system to ensure they maintain control whilst we are left to pick up the pieces. One rule for them, another for everybody else.
This Prime Minister is unfit to run our chip shop – let alone our country of 65 million people. We must defeat him at the earliest possible opportunity. In order to defeat him and the Tories in 2024, we need to ensure our own finances are in order. As a councillor, I know how tough budgets can be – ours has been cut by £174m over the last ten years. I fear Tory austerity will rear its ugly head once again but, if we are well-organised, we can make every single penny work for the many, not the few. I look forward to serving as your treasurer and building a well-funded and highly-resourced Labour Party to take on the Tories in every single election. This is how we can make a difference, it doesn’t have to be this way.


labourlist--2020-09-29--Labour tells Williamson to “get a grip” on university Covid chaos

Labour ’ s Kate Green has told Gavin Williamson to “ get a grip ” and do more to stop further Covid outbreaks at universities after he failed to announce changes to face-to-face teaching or testing infrastructure today .
The Education Secretary used a Commons speech this afternoon to introduce a mandatory end-of-term self-isolation period for students , which is designed to allow them to return home and join their families for Christmas .
Williamson also said his department had asked universities to provide more mental health support .
Labour had asked which measures were being put in place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate .
But Williamson reiterated the government ’ s plans to keep in place tiered face-to-face teaching for most students and offered no extra testing infrastructure or funding for universities , many of which have faced Covid outbreaks in recent weeks .
Kate Green , Labour ’ s education spokesperson , told the Commons : “ He ’ s right that some courses need face-to-face teaching , but has he considered supporting universities to move all teaching online where this is possible , at least for this first term ?
“ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government that they must get a grip on testing and tracing if we want to reduce the spread of the virus , and their failure to do so lies at the root of this situation and sorting it out must be the government ’ s top priority.
” Stressing the need for government intervention , she added : “ The Secretary of State said he asked universities to provide additional help , but beyond asking what will his department be doing to help them ?
“ I ’ m glad he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a straight answer on uniting students and their families over Christmas but can I ask why it took several days and repeated contradictions from his ministerial colleagues to do so ?
” Green concluded : “ The crisis now facing our universities was predictable and was predicted .
Today the Secretary of State failed to outline a plan to get testing fit for purpose , failed to commit that every student who needs access to remote learning will get it and has no plan to ensure the future of our universities .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grip , the situation we ’ ve seen in recent days could repeat itself across the country… and the Secretary of State will once again have let young people down as a result of his incompetence.
” Labour accused Williamson this morning of pulling an “ ‘ Invisible Man ’ act ” on universities after failing to make any statements on universities before today ’ s statement , despite many complaints as students were locked into their accommodation .
Reacting to Williamson ’ s statement , the University and College Union ( UCU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to say universities were well prepared for Covid and called on the government to “ halt in-person teaching ” .
Their concerns were reflected by several Labour backbenchers , including Richard Burgon who accused the government of putting safety at risk because “ it fears online teaching could lead to demands for fee or rent refunds ” .
Green urged the Education Secretary in a letter sent over the weekend to at least delay the start of some university terms this year until mass testing has become available to all students on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest intervention by Green follows reports that thousands of students have been banned from leaving their flats , in some cases with private security stationed outside their accommodation and with some running out of essential items .

Labour’s Kate Green has told Gavin Williamson to “get a grip” and do more to stop further Covid outbreaks at universities after he failed to announce changes to face-to-face teaching or testing infrastructure today.
The Education Secretary used a Commons speech this afternoon to introduce a mandatory end-of-term self-isolation period for students, which is designed to allow them to return home and join their families for Christmas.
Williamson also said his department had asked universities to provide more mental health support. Labour had asked which measures were being put in place, particularly to help those students being required to self-isolate.
But Williamson reiterated the government’s plans to keep in place tiered face-to-face teaching for most students and offered no extra testing infrastructure or funding for universities, many of which have faced Covid outbreaks in recent weeks.
Kate Green, Labour’s education spokesperson, told the Commons: “He’s right that some courses need face-to-face teaching, but has he considered supporting universities to move all teaching online where this is possible, at least for this first term?
“For weeks now, Labour has warned the government that they must get a grip on testing and tracing if we want to reduce the spread of the virus, and their failure to do so lies at the root of this situation and sorting it out must be the government’s top priority.”
Stressing the need for government intervention, she added: “The Secretary of State said he asked universities to provide additional help, but beyond asking what will his department be doing to help them?
“I’m glad he’s listened to Labour and has finally given a straight answer on uniting students and their families over Christmas but can I ask why it took several days and repeated contradictions from his ministerial colleagues to do so?”
Green concluded: “The crisis now facing our universities was predictable and was predicted. Today the Secretary of State failed to outline a plan to get testing fit for purpose, failed to commit that every student who needs access to remote learning will get it and has no plan to ensure the future of our universities.
“If he doesn’t get a grip, the situation we’ve seen in recent days could repeat itself across the country… and the Secretary of State will once again have let young people down as a result of his incompetence.”
Labour accused Williamson this morning of pulling an “‘Invisible Man’ act” on universities after failing to make any statements on universities before today’s statement, despite many complaints as students were locked into their accommodation.
Reacting to Williamson’s statement, the University and College Union (UCU) said he was “clearly wrong” to say universities were well prepared for Covid and called on the government to “halt in-person teaching”.
Their concerns were reflected by several Labour backbenchers, including Richard Burgon who accused the government of putting safety at risk because “it fears online teaching could lead to demands for fee or rent refunds”.
Green urged the Education Secretary in a letter sent over the weekend to at least delay the start of some university terms this year until mass testing has become available to all students on campuses and safety can be guaranteed.
The latest intervention by Green follows reports that thousands of students have been banned from leaving their flats, in some cases with private security stationed outside their accommodation and with some running out of essential items.


labourlist--2020-09-29--Rayner slams “incompetent” PM as Johnson fails to understand Covid rules

Angela Rayner has accused Boris Johnson of being “ grossly incompetent ” as he failed to understand Covid rules on household mixing set to come into force tonight in the North East of England .
Commenting after the Prime Minister made a televised appearance in Exeter today , Labour ’ s deputy leader criticised Johnson for his muddled answers on the circumstances in which households will be allowed to mix .
Johnson told the public this afternoon : “ On the rule of six , outside the areas such as the North East where extra measures have been brought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside .
“ In the North East and other areas where extra tight measures have been brought in , you should follow the guidance of local authorities .
But it is six in a home or six in hospitality but , as I understand it , not six outside .
“ That is the situation .
But clearly , for everybody watching tonight , I appreciate that this is one of those things that people will feel is confusing.
” The Prime Minister was wrong to assert that his government ’ s ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to outside settings .
Under the new North East guidance , inter-household mixing outside will not be illegal but the ‘ rule of six ’ will apply .
Boris Johnson ’ s mistake followed the failure of government minister for apprenticeships and skills Gillian Keegan to clarify whether the changes in the rules would affect pubs and restaurants on the BBC this morning .
Tougher restrictions in the North East of England banning “ indoor mixing between households in any setting mixing ” , such as pubs and restaurants , are being enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been illegal for two households to mix inside or in a garden , but it was only specified as guidance that they should not meet at public venues , including restaurants and pubs .
Commenting after the Prime Minister ’ s appearance this afternoon , Rayner said : “ For the Prime Minister to not understand his own rules is grossly incompetent .
“ These new restrictions are due to come into force across huge parts of the country tonight .
The government needs to get a grip.
” Labour ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after widespread criticism of the incorrect statements made by the Prime Minister , tweeting : “ In a pandemic , clarity is everything .
“ People want to follow the rules and need the Prime Minister to be clear about what they are and why implemented .
I again urge ministers to set up website/app where people can tap in post code & find out all local rules.
” Johnson has since tweeted to say that he “ misspoke ” during the conference .
He clarified : “ In the North East , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from different households in social settings indoors , including in pubs , restaurants and your home .
“ You should also avoid socialising with other households outside .
This is vital to control the spread of coronavirus and keep everyone safe .
If you are in a high risk area , please continue to follow the guidelines from local authorities.
” Keir Starmer has repeatedly criticised Johnson for unclear messaging throughout the pandemic .
He told The Andrew Marr Show earlier this month : “ One of the very important things in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarity of communication .
”

Angela Rayner has accused Boris Johnson of being “grossly incompetent” as he failed to understand Covid rules on household mixing set to come into force tonight in the North East of England.
Commenting after the Prime Minister made a televised appearance in Exeter today, Labour’s deputy leader criticised Johnson for his muddled answers on the circumstances in which households will be allowed to mix.
Johnson told the public this afternoon: “On the rule of six, outside the areas such as the North East where extra measures have been brought in, it is six inside and six outside.
“In the North East and other areas where extra tight measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities. But it is six in a home or six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside.
“That is the situation. But clearly, for everybody watching tonight, I appreciate that this is one of those things that people will feel is confusing.”
The Prime Minister was wrong to assert that his government’s ‘rule of six’ will not apply to outside settings. Under the new North East guidance, inter-household mixing outside will not be illegal but the ‘rule of six’ will apply.
Boris Johnson’s mistake followed the failure of government minister for apprenticeships and skills Gillian Keegan to clarify whether the changes in the rules would affect pubs and restaurants on the BBC this morning.
Tougher restrictions in the North East of England banning “indoor mixing between households in any setting mixing”, such as pubs and restaurants, are being enforced from 12am on Wednesday.
It had already been illegal for two households to mix inside or in a garden, but it was only specified as guidance that they should not meet at public venues, including restaurants and pubs.
Commenting after the Prime Minister’s appearance this afternoon, Rayner said: “For the Prime Minister to not understand his own rules is grossly incompetent.
“These new restrictions are due to come into force across huge parts of the country tonight. The government needs to get a grip.”
Labour’s health spokesperson Jon Ashworth also pitched in after widespread criticism of the incorrect statements made by the Prime Minister, tweeting: “In a pandemic, clarity is everything.
“People want to follow the rules and need the Prime Minister to be clear about what they are and why implemented. I again urge ministers to set up website/app where people can tap in post code & find out all local rules.”
Johnson has since tweeted to say that he “misspoke” during the conference. He clarified: “In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home.
“You should also avoid socialising with other households outside. This is vital to control the spread of coronavirus and keep everyone safe. If you are in a high risk area, please continue to follow the guidelines from local authorities.”
Keir Starmer has repeatedly criticised Johnson for unclear messaging throughout the pandemic. He told The Andrew Marr Show earlier this month: “One of the very important things in a pandemic is that there’s clarity of communication.”


labourlist--2020-09-30--Hoyle does not select key amendment but slams “contempt” shown to MPs

Speaker Hoyle has blocked a Tory rebellion by not selecting amendments to the coronavirus legislation this afternoon but delivered a strong rebuke in accusing the government of showing “ contempt ” to the House of Commons .
Backbench Conservative MPs were set to defy ministers by voting in favour of the Brady amendment , which would have forced the government to allow parliamentary votes on future coronavirus-related restrictions .
But Lindsay Hoyle did not select amendments to the motion being considered this afternoon as the vote does not create new legislation and only gives a “ binary choice ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus Act .
The Speaker took the opportunity , however , to criticise the “ totally unsatisfactory ” way in which the government has exercised its powers during the Covid-19 crisis and urge ministers to “ rebuild trust ” with MPs .
In a statement delivered before PMQs , the Commons Speaker told MPs : “ The way in which the government has exercised its powers to make secondary legislation during this crisis has been totally unsatisfactory .
“ All too often , important statutory instruments have been published a matter of hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some explanations why important measures have come into effect before they can be laid before this House have been unconvincing and shows a total disregard for the House .
“ The government must make greater efforts to prepare measures more quickly , so that this House can debate and decide upon the most significant measures at the earliest possible point .
The use of made affirmative statutory instruments under the urgency procedure gives rise to particular concern .
“ I will give very sympathetic consideration to applications for urgent questions or emergency debates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to the despatch box to justify the use of such powers .
“ I hope that all hon .
Members will have a chance to express their views through substantive , amendable motions , on the scrutiny of delegated powers or on the operation of the Coronavirus Act 2020 or both .
“ But I turn now to the motion to be considered later today , which invites the House to make a narrow , binary choice as to whether the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 should or should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is only a 90 minute debate as a proceeding under an Act ( under SO16 ) I am disappointed that I can not give additional time to discuss the issues and I know some Members will be disappointed .
“ When I became Speaker , I made it clear that I would take decisions on matters relating to procedure guided by professional advice .
I have concluded , on the basis of the advice that I have received , that any amendment to the motion before the House risks giving rise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken .
“ This then risks decisions which are rightly the responsibility of Parliament ultimately being determined by the courts .
Lack of clarity in such important matters risks undermining the rule of law .
“ I have therefore decided not to select any of the amendments to the motion .
As I hope my earlier comments show , I have not taken this decision lightly , and I am looking to the government to remedy a situation I regard as completely unsatisfactory .
“ I now look to the government to rebuild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it with the contempt that it has shown .
”

Speaker Hoyle has blocked a Tory rebellion by not selecting amendments to the coronavirus legislation this afternoon but delivered a strong rebuke in accusing the government of showing “contempt” to the House of Commons.
Backbench Conservative MPs were set to defy ministers by voting in favour of the Brady amendment, which would have forced the government to allow parliamentary votes on future coronavirus-related restrictions.
But Lindsay Hoyle did not select amendments to the motion being considered this afternoon as the vote does not create new legislation and only gives a “binary choice” on continuing to enforce existing provisions in the Coronavirus Act.
The Speaker took the opportunity, however, to criticise the “totally unsatisfactory” way in which the government has exercised its powers during the Covid-19 crisis and urge ministers to “rebuild trust” with MPs.
In a statement delivered before PMQs, the Commons Speaker told MPs: “The way in which the government has exercised its powers to make secondary legislation during this crisis has been totally unsatisfactory.
“All too often, important statutory instruments have been published a matter of hours before they come into force, and some explanations why important measures have come into effect before they can be laid before this House have been unconvincing and shows a total disregard for the House.
“The government must make greater efforts to prepare measures more quickly, so that this House can debate and decide upon the most significant measures at the earliest possible point. The use of made affirmative statutory instruments under the urgency procedure gives rise to particular concern.
“I will give very sympathetic consideration to applications for urgent questions or emergency debates in such cases, requiring ministers to come to the despatch box to justify the use of such powers.
“I hope that all hon. Members will have a chance to express their views through substantive, amendable motions, on the scrutiny of delegated powers or on the operation of the Coronavirus Act 2020 or both.
“But I turn now to the motion to be considered later today, which invites the House to make a narrow, binary choice as to whether the temporary provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 should or should not yet expire.
“Unfortunately, as it is only a 90 minute debate as a proceeding under an Act (under SO16) I am disappointed that I cannot give additional time to discuss the issues and I know some Members will be disappointed.
“When I became Speaker, I made it clear that I would take decisions on matters relating to procedure guided by professional advice. I have concluded, on the basis of the advice that I have received, that any amendment to the motion before the House risks giving rise to uncertainty about the decision the House has taken.
“This then risks decisions which are rightly the responsibility of Parliament ultimately being determined by the courts. Lack of clarity in such important matters risks undermining the rule of law.
“I have therefore decided not to select any of the amendments to the motion. As I hope my earlier comments show, I have not taken this decision lightly, and I am looking to the government to remedy a situation I regard as completely unsatisfactory.
“I now look to the government to rebuild trust with this House and not treat it with the contempt that it has shown.”


labourlist--2020-09-30--Now is the time to build socialist housing policies for a recovering Britain

We have struggled to keep housing issues at the top of the political agenda in the era of Brexit followed by the coronavirus era .
But the housing and homelessness crisis has worsened .
On top of everything else , the disaster of Grenfell three years ago led to a new crisis for social landlords needing to replace dangerous cladding , and a new generation of leaseholders facing penury .
Yet the short-term arrangements to help street homeless people showed what can be done when there is a strategy backed by finance and determination .
And the debate around evictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the coronavirus ban came to an end – has rekindled fundamental conversations around tenants ’ rights and the way that the benefits system works for people in and out of work .
We need to argue for policies that will help owners and tenants who have been impoverished and threatened with insecurity because of the Covid crisis .
But we also need to think longer term about the housing policies that are essential to the UK ’ s economic and social recovery .
Labour ’ s objective should be to make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with progressive housing policies .
We need far more genuinely affordable and green homes , designed to the highest , safest standards , more flexible to meet the needs of people working from home but also with a better external environment and community facilities .
We need policies fit for all tenures and all parts of the country .
We need to make sure that councils can take the lead in defining and meeting the needs of their areas .
But we must also ensure that our policies are attractive to the electorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all areas and across all tenures .
We have much to offer private tenants whose lives have become far more precarious during the pandemic .
We must have a focus on helping people into home ownership , whilst realising that route is now closed to many who need high-quality alternatives .
We should work closely with newly-emerging leaseholder groups to look at ending this feudal system .
We need to support better regulation , and council and housing association tenants ’ rights to ensure they get a good service from their landlord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Labour Housing Group is determined to lead the renewed debate about housing policies that can lead the recovery .
Our upcoming online conference is a good start .
We will hear from new Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire , who will explain what Labour is doing now to combat the Tories and how we can build future campaigns .
As a lot of housing policy is made in the Treasury , we are also delighted to host an interview with Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds .
She will be interviewed by Steve Hilditch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – who will be drawing out Anneliese ’ s thoughts on how a future Labour government could improve the operation of the housing market for owners and renters , how we should prioritise public investment in new and greener homes , and whether we can switch spending from ‘ benefits to bricks ’ .
Eight workshops will cover the whole gamut of housing policies ( other than homelessness , which was the topic of LHG ’ s fringe meeting at Connected 2020 ) .
Speakers at the workshops include four MPs : Clive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public housing once more , and Mike Amesbury and Abena Oppong-Asare reflecting on what we can learn from the appalling Grenfell disaster and its aftermath .
We are also pleased to welcome speakers from three different areas talking about how racial disparities and inequalities in housing provision have affected BAME communities .
And we will hear from local authority cabinet housing leads , academics , lawyers and campaigns such as the Labour Campaign for Council Housing , the SHOUT campaign for social housing and the National Leasehold Campaign .
Working together across our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build socialist housing policies for a recovering Britain .
LHG is holding an online conference on Saturday , open to all Labour members , in partnership with the frontbench housing team , socialist societies and Labour campaign groups .
You can see more about the conference here and register here .

We have struggled to keep housing issues at the top of the political agenda in the era of Brexit followed by the coronavirus era. But the housing and homelessness crisis has worsened. On top of everything else, the disaster of Grenfell three years ago led to a new crisis for social landlords needing to replace dangerous cladding, and a new generation of leaseholders facing penury. Yet the short-term arrangements to help street homeless people showed what can be done when there is a strategy backed by finance and determination. And the debate around evictions – which we saw again last week when the coronavirus ban came to an end – has rekindled fundamental conversations around tenants’ rights and the way that the benefits system works for people in and out of work.
We need to argue for policies that will help owners and tenants who have been impoverished and threatened with insecurity because of the Covid crisis. But we also need to think longer term about the housing policies that are essential to the UK’s economic and social recovery. Labour’s objective should be to make the recovery as smooth and equitable as possible with progressive housing policies. We need far more genuinely affordable and green homes, designed to the highest, safest standards, more flexible to meet the needs of people working from home but also with a better external environment and community facilities.
We need policies fit for all tenures and all parts of the country. We need to make sure that councils can take the lead in defining and meeting the needs of their areas. But we must also ensure that our policies are attractive to the electorate and help to build support for Labour in all areas and across all tenures. We have much to offer private tenants whose lives have become far more precarious during the pandemic. We must have a focus on helping people into home ownership, whilst realising that route is now closed to many who need high-quality alternatives. We should work closely with newly-emerging leaseholder groups to look at ending this feudal system. We need to support better regulation, and council and housing association tenants’ rights to ensure they get a good service from their landlord and have a bigger say in decisions.
Labour Housing Group is determined to lead the renewed debate about housing policies that can lead the recovery. Our upcoming online conference is a good start. We will hear from new Shadow Housing Secretary Thangam Debbonaire, who will explain what Labour is doing now to combat the Tories and how we can build future campaigns. As a lot of housing policy is made in the Treasury, we are also delighted to host an interview with Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds. She will be interviewed by Steve Hilditch – one of the founders of LHG – who will be drawing out Anneliese’s thoughts on how a future Labour government could improve the operation of the housing market for owners and renters, how we should prioritise public investment in new and greener homes, and whether we can switch spending from ‘benefits to bricks’.
Eight workshops will cover the whole gamut of housing policies (other than homelessness, which was the topic of LHG’s fringe meeting at Connected 2020). Speakers at the workshops include four MPs: Clive Betts and James Murray talking about building public housing once more, and Mike Amesbury and Abena Oppong-Asare reflecting on what we can learn from the appalling Grenfell disaster and its aftermath. We are also pleased to welcome speakers from three different areas talking about how racial disparities and inequalities in housing provision have affected BAME communities. And we will hear from local authority cabinet housing leads, academics, lawyers and campaigns such as the Labour Campaign for Council Housing, the SHOUT campaign for social housing and the National Leasehold Campaign. Working together across our movement, now is the time to build socialist housing policies for a recovering Britain.
LHG is holding an online conference on Saturday, open to all Labour members, in partnership with the frontbench housing team, socialist societies and Labour campaign groups. You can see more about the conference here and register here.


labourlist--2020-09-30--Millions of jobs at risk? Rishi Sunak’s name is all over it

Asking government ministers about restrictions that they have put into place with little debate or scrutiny , affecting millions of people in the country , has a “ gotcha ” element to it .
That is according to Business Secretary Alok Sharma , who compared the question to that of a “ quiz show ” this morning , and also presumably according to the Prime Minister who was unable to explain the coronavirus rules for the North East yesterday .
That we still don ’ t have a handy way of checking local restrictions on the Covid app or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is bad enough , but there is no hope if Boris Johnson can ’ t be bothered to remember what is coming into force ahead of a national TV appearance – even after a minister made the same blunder that very morning .
Angela Rayner called it “ grossly incompetent ” .
As for the economic side of the crisis , Anneliese Dodds has written to the Chancellor with seven ways his winter plan “ fails Britain ’ s workers ” .
Mocking the slick , neatly branded graphics always put out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and showing an awareness that he is the favourite to replace Johnson , a new Labour attack line has also emerged : “ Rishi Sunak ’ s name is all over it ” .
And exploring the detail of Labour ’ s problems with the winter plan , Dan Carden has written for LabourList to point out the gaps in Rishi Sunak ’ s new job support scheme and set out Labour ’ s genuine job recovery scheme proposal .
As Carden says of Sunak ’ s update last week : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to say to the millions facing unemployment and real hardship over the winter.
” Labour has consistently called for five urgent changes to social security , which will be desperately needed over the coming months , but there is no sign of them being implemented .
50 organisations have now demanded that the planned cut to Universal Credit – which would take away the temporary £20-per-week Covid increase – does not go ahead in April .
Jonathan Reynolds is supporting the campaign .
The Downing Street residents may be blundering their way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but for now the Tories still have an 80-seat majority – and they were able to get Commons approval for the internal market bill without a single Conservative MP voting against it .
Closing the debate for the opposition , Ed Miliband expressed hope that the Lords would “ bring this bill into compliance with the rule of law and salvage our reputation ” .
We know that there will be Tory peers uncomfortable with giving ministers the power to override parts of the withdrawal agreement with the EU , such as Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Michael Howard .
But was it all just showmanship , a ploy for EU negotiations ?
Yet more Tory rebellion is threatened over the Coronavirus Act .
One question is whether such a rebellion will even have the opportunity to manifest itself , as Speaker Hoyle is no Bercow and he is thought unlikely to select the Brady amendment .
Another is whether Downing Street will bow to pressure anyway in a bid to improve its handling of party management – and the cross-party demands for some parliamentary scrutiny of Covid rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ll find out more from the chamber this afternoon , plus we ’ ve got PMQs at the usual midday and a coronavirus press conference at 5pm .
Sign up to LabourList ’ s morning email for everything Labour , every weekday morning .

Asking government ministers about restrictions that they have put into place with little debate or scrutiny, affecting millions of people in the country, has a “gotcha” element to it. That is according to Business Secretary Alok Sharma, who compared the question to that of a “quiz show” this morning, and also presumably according to the Prime Minister who was unable to explain the coronavirus rules for the North East yesterday. That we still don’t have a handy way of checking local restrictions on the Covid app or a simple postcode-entering tool on a government website is bad enough, but there is no hope if Boris Johnson can’t be bothered to remember what is coming into force ahead of a national TV appearance – even after a minister made the same blunder that very morning. Angela Rayner called it “grossly incompetent”.
As for the economic side of the crisis, Anneliese Dodds has written to the Chancellor with seven ways his winter plan “fails Britain’s workers”. Mocking the slick, neatly branded graphics always put out by Rishi Sunak to celebrate his policy announcements, and showing an awareness that he is the favourite to replace Johnson, a new Labour attack line has also emerged: “Rishi Sunak’s name is all over it”. And exploring the detail of Labour’s problems with the winter plan, Dan Carden has written for LabourList to point out the gaps in Rishi Sunak’s new job support scheme and set out Labour’s genuine job recovery scheme proposal.
As Carden says of Sunak’s update last week: “It is staggering that the Chancellor had nothing to say to the millions facing unemployment and real hardship over the winter.” Labour has consistently called for five urgent changes to social security, which will be desperately needed over the coming months, but there is no sign of them being implemented. 50 organisations have now demanded that the planned cut to Universal Credit – which would take away the temporary £20-per-week Covid increase – does not go ahead in April. Jonathan Reynolds is supporting the campaign.
The Downing Street residents may be blundering their way through Covid with remarkable little care, but for now the Tories still have an 80-seat majority – and they were able to get Commons approval for the internal market bill without a single Conservative MP voting against it. Closing the debate for the opposition, Ed Miliband expressed hope that the Lords would “bring this bill into compliance with the rule of law and salvage our reputation”. We know that there will be Tory peers uncomfortable with giving ministers the power to override parts of the withdrawal agreement with the EU, such as Richard Keen who resigned over it and former leader Michael Howard. But was it all just showmanship, a ploy for EU negotiations?
Yet more Tory rebellion is threatened over the Coronavirus Act. One question is whether such a rebellion will even have the opportunity to manifest itself, as Speaker Hoyle is no Bercow and he is thought unlikely to select the Brady amendment. Another is whether Downing Street will bow to pressure anyway in a bid to improve its handling of party management – and the cross-party demands for some parliamentary scrutiny of Covid rules are, after all, very reasonable. We’ll find out more from the chamber this afternoon, plus we’ve got PMQs at the usual midday and a coronavirus press conference at 5pm. Sign up to LabourList’s morning email for everything Labour, every weekday morning.


labourlist--2020-09-30--WATCH: Alok Sharma compares questions on Covid rules to “quiz show”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma has accused journalists of engaging in “ gotcha ” lines of questioning and emulating a “ quiz show ” when asking government ministers to clarify new Covid-19 restrictions in the UK .
The cabinet member made the comments after ministers including the Prime Minister were not able to describe coronavirus restrictions – ignorance of which can lead to thousands of pounds in fines – in media appearances on Tuesday .
Sharma told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today : “ The best way if people are in areas where there are restrictions to find out precisely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should go onto the gov.uk website or indeed the website of their local authority , and they will see those very clearly laid out.
” On journalists asking about restrictions , Sharma added : “ There is an element of slightly ‘ gotcha ’ about this , in terms of some of this line of questioning .
You are a flagship programme when it comes to serious news , and it ’ s not a quiz show.
” Asked whether these restrictions were “ as trivial as a quiz question ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
But what I ’ m saying to you is that what is important is if people want to understand the precise restrictions that they have in areas which are more restricted , they should go on the websites .
“ I ’ ve set out for you , clearly I hope , what the overall message is , which is this ‘ rule of six ’ indoors and outdoors , wash your hands , cover your face , make sure you maintain social distancing and I think people understand that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Alex Norris said : “ The Prime Minister should understand the rules he is asking huge numbers of people to follow .
That ’ s not a gotcha , that ’ s just basic government competence.
” Boris Johnson at a policy announcement event on Tuesday claimed the ‘ rule of six ’ would allow “ six in a home or six in hospitality but , as I understand it , not six outside ” , although the ‘ rule of six ’ does apply in outside settings .
In the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces will not be illegal , but the Department for Health and Social Care has said that it does go against advice for the area .
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Johnson of being “ grossly incompetent ” and pointed out that the new North East restrictions were “ due to come into force across huge parts of the country ” that evening .
The Prime Minister ’ s confused explanation followed the failure of government minister for apprenticeships and skills Gillian Keegan to clarify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect pubs and restaurants .

Business Secretary Alok Sharma has accused journalists of engaging in “gotcha” lines of questioning and emulating a “quiz show” when asking government ministers to clarify new Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.
The cabinet member made the comments after ministers including the Prime Minister were not able to describe coronavirus restrictions – ignorance of which can lead to thousands of pounds in fines – in media appearances on Tuesday.
Sharma told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “The best way if people are in areas where there are restrictions to find out precisely what the position is for that area they should go onto the gov.uk website or indeed the website of their local authority, and they will see those very clearly laid out.”
On journalists asking about restrictions, Sharma added: “There is an element of slightly ‘gotcha’ about this, in terms of some of this line of questioning. You are a flagship programme when it comes to serious news, and it’s not a quiz show.”
Asked whether these restrictions were “as trivial as a quiz question”, he replied: “No, absolutely not. But what I’m saying to you is that what is important is if people want to understand the precise restrictions that they have in areas which are more restricted, they should go on the websites.
“I’ve set out for you, clearly I hope, what the overall message is, which is this ‘rule of six’ indoors and outdoors, wash your hands, cover your face, make sure you maintain social distancing and I think people understand that.”
Commenting on the appearance, Labour shadow minister Alex Norris said: “The Prime Minister should understand the rules he is asking huge numbers of people to follow. That’s not a gotcha, that’s just basic government competence.”
“You are a flagship programme when it comes to serious news, and it’s not a quiz show” Business Secretary Alok Sharma tells #R4Today there's an element of "gotcha" about questions on what exactly the coronavirus restrictions and rules are https://t.co/9dBQYyzMQq pic.twitter.com/kN1j5F4CpL — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 30, 2020
Boris Johnson at a policy announcement event on Tuesday claimed the ‘rule of six’ would allow “six in a home or six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside”, although the ‘rule of six’ does apply in outside settings.
In the North East of England, mixing with other households in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces will not be illegal, but the Department for Health and Social Care has said that it does go against advice for the area.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Johnson of being “grossly incompetent” and pointed out that the new North East restrictions were “due to come into force across huge parts of the country” that evening.
The Prime Minister’s confused explanation followed the failure of government minister for apprenticeships and skills Gillian Keegan to clarify whether the changes in the rules would affect pubs and restaurants.


labourlist--2020-09-29--Labour backs campaign to stop “unbelievable” Universal Credit cuts

Labour has backed a campaign by over 50 organisations calling for Covid Universal Credit increases to be kept in place to stop 700,000 people falling into poverty and said it is “ unbelievable ” that the government would consider cutting the benefit .
Responding to a letter sent from groups including Barnardo ’ s , Oxfam and Shelter calling for the Universal Credit Covid uplift to be continued , Labour argued that the government needs to “ strengthen the safety net ” for suffering families .
The government raised the standard allowance for 12 months earlier in the year as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , increasing the rate for a single claimant over the age of 25 from £317.82 to £409.89 per month .
The signatories of the letter described the boost as a “ lifeline ” for many people in the pandemic , and warned that the “ good work risks being undermined ” if the £20-per-week increase is cut as currently scheduled in April 2021 .
Commenting after the Chancellor failed to mention the benefit in his economic update to the Commons last week , Jonathan Reynolds said : “ It ’ s unbelievable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Credit in the middle of a jobs crisis .
“ The government should have listened to Labour ’ s calls to up-rate legacy benefits to match the increase in Universal Credit , providing an immediate increase in Jobseeker ’ s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance upon which so many are now reliant in this jobs crisis.
” The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary added : “ The government must do all it can to strengthen the safety net to prevent families and individuals from sliding further into hardship from which it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter , coordinated by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation , has been sent following Rishi Sunak ’ s winter economic update last week , in which he acknowledged that many people will see job losses in the coming months .
The group of charities , food bank providers , disability groups , trade unions and others warned against pushing hundreds of thousands of people without jobs into poverty , as well as worsening conditions for those already in poverty .
They also emphasised the importance of extending support to include those on legacy benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right ” to abandon the 1.5 million largely sick and disabled people who are on these soon-to-be phased out programmes .
Joseph Rowntree Foundation director Helen Barnard said : “ Today ’ s letter shows the overwhelming support that exists for this lifeline which is playing a critical role in helping many families keep their heads above water in extremely turbulent times .
“ Building on existing cross-party support in parliament , we are coming together to urge ministers not to cut social security at precisely the moment our country needs it most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritise those hardest hit , pulling families worst affected by the pandemic back from the brink .
“ We are united in calling on the Chancellor to keep doing the right thing by making the uplift to Universal Credit permanent and extending it to those claiming legacy benefits.
” Recent research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimated that the end of the £20-a-week increase in April next year would cut annual incomes by £1,040 for 16 million households and push 700,000 people into poverty .
The Shadow Work And Pensions Secretary committed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Universal Credit scheme if Labour wins the next election , saying it was necessary if the party wants to fulfill its plan to end child poverty .
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Chancellor Rishi Sunak .
Following your statement last week , we are writing to you , to collectively urge you to make the temporary £20/week increase to the standard allowance of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit permanent from April , as well as extend the same uplift to Employment and Support Allowance , Income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We welcomed the swift action you took at the start of the pandemic to implement this much-needed investment .
Falling incomes and rising costs throughout the pandemic have put families under immense financial pressure , but the £20 uplift has been a lifeline that has enabled many of them to keep their heads above water and has stopped us seeing a marked surge in poverty levels .
However , if the uplift ends in April 2021 , this good work risks being undermined .
Modelling by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicates that around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing an overnight income loss equivalent to £1,040 a year , with those on the lowest incomes and families with children being hardest hit .
At a stroke , 700,000 more people will be pulled into poverty , including 300,000 children , and 500,000 more of those already in poverty will be plunged into deep poverty ( more than 50 % below the poverty line ) .
We are therefore urging you to make the uplift permanent and stop families being cut adrift whilst they need help to stay afloat .
Your statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will see job losses over the months to come , and even those whose jobs are protected through the job support scheme will see income cuts .
Along with measures to protect jobs , we hoped to see reassurance and commitment to those who have already , or will be faced with , job and income loss .
Even the most optimistic forecasts expect unemployment to surge and remain high for some time to come .
We warmly welcome the government ’ s commitment to invest in jobs , skills and infrastructure ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
However , these investments will take time and it is crucial that our social security system offers the certainty and security people need to help them stay afloat so that they are equipped to grasp every new opportunity and are protected from the damaging long term consequences of financial hardship .
Further , it is simply not right that those on legacy benefits , who are mostly sick or disabled people and carers , and so have been most at risk during this pandemic , have not been thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow the advice of the social security advisory committee and support 1.5 million more people by applying an equivalent uplift to those on legacy benefits who have so far been excluded from increases .
Our modelling shows that the total cost of making the lifeline permanent ( in addition to normal annual CPI uprating ) and extending to legacy benefits would be around £9bn a year .
A significant investment but crucial for our nation ’ s recovery .
We urge the government to keep doing the right thing , keep families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sincerely , Action for Children The Association of Charitable Organisations Barnardo ’ s Become Bevan Foundation Centrepoint Christians Against Poverty Church Action on Poverty Citizens Advice Child Poverty Action Group Disability Benefits Consortium ( a network of over 100 disability organisations ) End Child Poverty Coalition The Equality Trust The Fawcett Society Feeding Britain Gingerbread Greater Manchester Poverty Action Homeless Link Independent Food Aid Network Joseph Rowntree Foundation Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales Macmillan Cancer Support The Mighty Creatives Mind Motor Neurone Disease Association The MS Society National AIDS Trust National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Housing Federation Neighbourly New Horizons North East Child Poverty Commission Nourish Scotland Oxfam GB The Poverty Alliance Rethink Mental Illness The Rt Revd Christopher Foster , Bishop of Portsmouth The Rt Revd Paul Butler , Bishop of Durham The Runnymede Trust The Salvation Army Save the Children Scope Shelter StepChange Transforming Lives for Good The Trussell Trust Trust for London Turn2Us UK Women ’ s Budget Group Voluntary Organisations Disability Group Wales Council for Voluntary Action / Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru Women ’ s Regional Consortium Northern Ireland Z2K

Labour has backed a campaign by over 50 organisations calling for Covid Universal Credit increases to be kept in place to stop 700,000 people falling into poverty and said it is “unbelievable” that the government would consider cutting the benefit.
Responding to a letter sent from groups including Barnardo’s, Oxfam and Shelter calling for the Universal Credit Covid uplift to be continued, Labour argued that the government needs to “strengthen the safety net” for suffering families.
The government raised the standard allowance for 12 months earlier in the year as part of the response to the coronavirus crisis, increasing the rate for a single claimant over the age of 25 from £317.82 to £409.89 per month.
The signatories of the letter described the boost as a “lifeline” for many people in the pandemic, and warned that the “good work risks being undermined” if the £20-per-week increase is cut as currently scheduled in April 2021.
Commenting after the Chancellor failed to mention the benefit in his economic update to the Commons last week, Jonathan Reynolds said: “It’s unbelievable that the government is considering cutting Universal Credit in the middle of a jobs crisis.
“The government should have listened to Labour’s calls to up-rate legacy benefits to match the increase in Universal Credit, providing an immediate increase in Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance upon which so many are now reliant in this jobs crisis.”
The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary added: “The government must do all it can to strengthen the safety net to prevent families and individuals from sliding further into hardship from which it will be extremely difficult to recover.”
The joint letter, coordinated by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has been sent following Rishi Sunak’s winter economic update last week, in which he acknowledged that many people will see job losses in the coming months.
The group of charities, food bank providers, disability groups, trade unions and others warned against pushing hundreds of thousands of people without jobs into poverty, as well as worsening conditions for those already in poverty.
They also emphasised the importance of extending support to include those on legacy benefits, saying it was “simply not right” to abandon the 1.5 million largely sick and disabled people who are on these soon-to-be phased out programmes.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation director Helen Barnard said: “Today’s letter shows the overwhelming support that exists for this lifeline which is playing a critical role in helping many families keep their heads above water in extremely turbulent times.
“Building on existing cross-party support in parliament, we are coming together to urge ministers not to cut social security at precisely the moment our country needs it most. It’s only right to prioritise those hardest hit, pulling families worst affected by the pandemic back from the brink.
“We are united in calling on the Chancellor to keep doing the right thing by making the uplift to Universal Credit permanent and extending it to those claiming legacy benefits.”
Recent research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimated that the end of the £20-a-week increase in April next year would cut annual incomes by £1,040 for 16 million households and push 700,000 people into poverty.
The Shadow Work And Pensions Secretary committed in June to develop a complete replacement for the Universal Credit scheme if Labour wins the next election, saying it was necessary if the party wants to fulfill its plan to end child poverty.
Below is the full text of the letter sent to Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Dear Chancellor,
Following your statement last week, we are writing to you, to collectively urge you to make the temporary £20/week increase to the standard allowance of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit permanent from April, as well as extend the same uplift to Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
We welcomed the swift action you took at the start of the pandemic to implement this much-needed investment. Falling incomes and rising costs throughout the pandemic have put families under immense financial pressure, but the £20 uplift has been a lifeline that has enabled many of them to keep their heads above water and has stopped us seeing a marked surge in poverty levels.
However, if the uplift ends in April 2021, this good work risks being undermined. Modelling by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicates that around 16 million people will be in households facing an overnight income loss equivalent to £1,040 a year, with those on the lowest incomes and families with children being hardest hit. At a stroke, 700,000 more people will be pulled into poverty, including 300,000 children, and 500,000 more of those already in poverty will be plunged into deep poverty (more than 50% below the poverty line). We are therefore urging you to make the uplift permanent and stop families being cut adrift whilst they need help to stay afloat.
Your statement last week made clear that many families will see job losses over the months to come, and even those whose jobs are protected through the job support scheme will see income cuts. Along with measures to protect jobs, we hoped to see reassurance and commitment to those who have already, or will be faced with, job and income loss. Even the most optimistic forecasts expect unemployment to surge and remain high for some time to come. We warmly welcome the government’s commitment to invest in jobs, skills and infrastructure; these will be vital to boosting opportunity across the country. However, these investments will take time and it is crucial that our social security system offers the certainty and security people need to help them stay afloat so that they are equipped to grasp every new opportunity and are protected from the damaging long term consequences of financial hardship.
Further, it is simply not right that those on legacy benefits, who are mostly sick or disabled people and carers, and so have been most at risk during this pandemic, have not been thrown an equivalent lifeline. We urge you to follow the advice of the social security advisory committee and support 1.5 million more people by applying an equivalent uplift to those on legacy benefits who have so far been excluded from increases.
Our modelling shows that the total cost of making the lifeline permanent (in addition to normal annual CPI uprating) and extending to legacy benefits would be around £9bn a year. A significant investment but crucial for our nation’s recovery. We urge the government to keep doing the right thing, keep families afloat and keep the lifeline.
Yours sincerely,
Action for Children
The Association of Charitable Organisations
Barnardo’s
Become
Bevan Foundation
Centrepoint
Christians Against Poverty
Church Action on Poverty
Citizens Advice
Child Poverty Action Group
Disability Benefits Consortium (a network of over 100 disability organisations)
End Child Poverty Coalition
The Equality Trust
The Fawcett Society
Feeding Britain
Gingerbread
Greater Manchester Poverty Action
Homeless Link
Independent Food Aid Network
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales
Macmillan Cancer Support
The Mighty Creatives
Mind
Motor Neurone Disease Association
The MS Society
National AIDS Trust
National Children’s Bureau
National Education Union
National Housing Federation
Neighbourly
New Horizons
North East Child Poverty Commission
Nourish Scotland
Oxfam GB
The Poverty Alliance
Rethink Mental Illness
The Rt Revd Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth
The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham
The Runnymede Trust
The Salvation Army
Save the Children
Scope
Shelter
StepChange
Transforming Lives for Good
The Trussell Trust
Trust for London
Turn2Us
UK Women’s Budget Group
Voluntary Organisations Disability Group
Wales Council for Voluntary Action / Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru
Women’s Regional Consortium Northern Ireland
Z2K


labourlist--2020-09-30--Labour demands urgent action to support mental health of university students

Labour has called on the government to take urgent action to support the mental health of self-isolating university students and warned that a failure to act could trigger a “ crisis for thousands of young people ” .
The opposition party is urging the government to work with students , universities and students ’ unions to ensure that every young person has the resources they need amid local lockdowns being imposed on UK campuses .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson acknowledged the negative impact of restrictions on the mental health of students when addressing the House of Commons on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Green branded the failure to outline support for students an act of “ shocking complacency ” , adding that many young people are “ now self-isolating with a group of people who are practically strangers ” .
Labour has called on the government to : • “ Outline an emergency package of measures that will support the mental health of students , particularly those who are self-isolating ; • “ Ensure that existing services are genuinely accessible , with signposting of support for all students to be reinforced ; and • “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as universities , accommodation providers and local NHS and mental health partners , to deliver support where it is most needed.
” Responding to reports of students across the country being quarantined in their accommodation , Labour leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green will hold a Zoom meeting with students on Thursday afternoon .
Commenting ahead of the online outreach event , Green said : “ Students across the country are in an extremely difficult position , and many are now self-isolating with a group of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges in returning to universities were predictable and predicted , and it was an act of shocking complacency for the government to fail to ensure that students would all get the support they need.
” Labour has highlighted evidence showing that support for students was inadequate before the pandemic .
According to 2019 data , 25 % of unis had cut or frozen their mental health budgets and some students waited over three months for counselling .
Also commenting on the challenges facing university students , shadow minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country requires urgent attention .
“ Even before the pandemic , students were placed on long waiting lists for access to mental health services – we can not have students falling through the cracks now.
” The shadow minister for mental health added : “ Parents deserve to know that when they send their children to university , they are safe and their wellbeing is supported.
” Education Secretary Gavin Williamson admitted in parliament on Tuesday that the situation on university campuses will affect the mental health and wellbeing of students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Referring to mental health concerns while updating MPs in the House of Commons on the return of students to universities , he said only : “ We must be mindful of how that will affect the mental health and wellbeing of students .
“ Many universities have bolstered existing mental health services and offer alternatives to face-to-face consultations.
” Higher Education Statistics Agency research found that the number of students reporting a mental health condition has risen sharply in recent years , with over twice as many in 2018/19 than in 2014/15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a history of mental health needs , carried out by Young Minds in July this year , 80 % of respondents reported that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health condition deteriorate .
Commenting on those starting university this year , the same report said : “ Many said they felt anxious and apprehensive , both in terms of their studies and the likelihood of having a full university experience .
“ Young people expressed apprehension about what fresher ’ s week would be like in the current context , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great deal of confusion and a feeling of being unprepared for what to expect .
”

Labour has called on the government to take urgent action to support the mental health of self-isolating university students and warned that a failure to act could trigger a “crisis for thousands of young people”.
The opposition party is urging the government to work with students, universities and students’ unions to ensure that every young person has the resources they need amid local lockdowns being imposed on UK campuses.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson acknowledged the negative impact of restrictions on the mental health of students when addressing the House of Commons on Tuesday, but did not unveil any additional support.
Green branded the failure to outline support for students an act of “shocking complacency”, adding that many young people are “now self-isolating with a group of people who are practically strangers”. Labour has called on the government to:
“Outline an emergency package of measures that will support the mental health of students, particularly those who are self-isolating; “Ensure that existing services are genuinely accessible, with signposting of support for all students to be reinforced; and “Work with students and students’ unions, as well as universities, accommodation providers and local NHS and mental health partners, to deliver support where it is most needed.”
Responding to reports of students across the country being quarantined in their accommodation, Labour leader Keir Starmer and Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green will hold a Zoom meeting with students on Thursday afternoon.
Commenting ahead of the online outreach event, Green said: “Students across the country are in an extremely difficult position, and many are now self-isolating with a group of people who are practically strangers.
“The challenges in returning to universities were predictable and predicted, and it was an act of shocking complacency for the government to fail to ensure that students would all get the support they need.”
Labour has highlighted evidence showing that support for students was inadequate before the pandemic. According to 2019 data, 25% of unis had cut or frozen their mental health budgets and some students waited over three months for counselling.
Also commenting on the challenges facing university students, shadow minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: “The current situation for students across the country requires urgent attention.
“Even before the pandemic, students were placed on long waiting lists for access to mental health services – we cannot have students falling through the cracks now.”
The shadow minister for mental health added: “Parents deserve to know that when they send their children to university, they are safe and their wellbeing is supported.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson admitted in parliament on Tuesday that the situation on university campuses will affect the mental health and wellbeing of students, but did not announce any additional support.
Referring to mental health concerns while updating MPs in the House of Commons on the return of students to universities, he said only: “We must be mindful of how that will affect the mental health and wellbeing of students.
“Many universities have bolstered existing mental health services and offer alternatives to face-to-face consultations.”
Higher Education Statistics Agency research found that the number of students reporting a mental health condition has risen sharply in recent years, with over twice as many in 2018/19 than in 2014/15.
In a survey of young people with a history of mental health needs, carried out by Young Minds in July this year, 80% of respondents reported that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health condition deteriorate.
Commenting on those starting university this year, the same report said: “Many said they felt anxious and apprehensive, both in terms of their studies and the likelihood of having a full university experience.
“Young people expressed apprehension about what fresher’s week would be like in the current context, and about forming friendships. There was also a great deal of confusion and a feeling of being unprepared for what to expect.”