labourlist--2020-07-16--Labour to Win: The road to No 10 runs through Greater Manchester

Three months into his leadership , Keir Starmer has already achieved the highest net satisfaction scores of any opposition leader since the mid-1990s .
Week in , week out , his measured analysis of the Tories ’ failure to deliver personal protective equipment , implement track and trace or properly fund our NHS and social care is gaining traction .
And not just to those inside the Westminster bubble .
Labour is cutting through across the country .
He is showing up Boris Johnson and his acolytes for what they are : incompetent .
With a rejuvenated frontbench , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ ve launched Greater Manchester Labour to Win to make a success of Keir ’ s leadership .
Many of those who have joined Labour to Win want one thing – a Labour government .
We recognise that in order to address the injustices of Tory rule , we need to win the next general election .
This is Labour Party 101 .
Clause one of our rule book is clear : Labour ’ s purpose is “ to organise and maintain in parliament and in the country a political Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialists , and we back the new leader .
Yet there are some party members who do not support the new leader .
So be it .
Ours is a political party in which healthy debate should be encouraged , not dismissed .
Some existing and rejoining party members have recently been decried as ‘ centrists ’ , ‘ moderates ’ or ‘ red Tories ’ , however .
A culture of suspicion and blame has pervaded the party over the last five years .
At Labour to Win , we will champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our common goals and addresses the systemic cultural issues identified in the Labour Together report .
We support our shared values of social justice , equality and internationalism .
We ’ re real Labour .
Invested in our party , visible in our communities , aware of the damage a decade of Tory government has done to jobs , opportunities and our struggling public services .
On issues ranging from support for domestic abuse survivors , the move to net-zero carbon , rebalancing the economy to work for all regions and nations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tories don ’ t have the answers we all demand .
Only Labour does .
We stand for a strong relationship with local government .
For ten years , hard-working Labour councillors up and down the country have faced the near-impossible challenge of balancing budgets and resources that have successively been slashed to the bone by both the Tories and Lib Dems .
We ’ ll always call out the ideological harm caused by the Tories , instead of criticising Labour councils at the mercy of Tory cuts .
We want to train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since the start of the year , thousands of members have joined the party , enthused by the prospect of a new leader .
We want to build on that fervour , using our collective talent to win back the many council and Westminster seats lost over the last five years .
And we will campaign for Labour candidates across Greater Manchester .
Labour to Win will support candidates best suited to a role , rather than promoting those most closely aligned with a particular faction .
Because that ’ s how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how we win and – most importantly – how we can put our values into practice .
We stand united with members from across our party in supporting Keir , holding the Tories to account and working towards a Labour government in 2024 .
And we recognise and value the different voices from across our party .
That ’ s why Labour to Win is supporting national executive committee ( NEC ) candidates who represent a number of diverse traditions from within our party .
The road to 2024 ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denying that we ’ ve got to a mountain to climb to recover from last year ’ s disastrous result .
But we live in hope , confident in our values , our aims and our purpose .
The road to No 10 runs through Greater Manchester .
Bury North , Bolton North East , Bury South , Heywood and Middleton are all seats we need to win four years from now if we ’ ve any chance of making the country a fairer place for us all .
If you share our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and let ’ s put Labour back on the path to power .

Three months into his leadership, Keir Starmer has already achieved the highest net satisfaction scores of any opposition leader since the mid-1990s. Week in, week out, his measured analysis of the Tories’ failure to deliver personal protective equipment, implement track and trace or properly fund our NHS and social care is gaining traction. And not just to those inside the Westminster bubble. Labour is cutting through across the country. He is showing up Boris Johnson and his acolytes for what they are: incompetent.
With a rejuvenated frontbench, a new leader and thousands of new members, we’ve launched Greater Manchester Labour to Win to make a success of Keir’s leadership. Many of those who have joined Labour to Win want one thing – a Labour government. We recognise that in order to address the injustices of Tory rule, we need to win the next general election.
This is Labour Party 101. Clause one of our rule book is clear: Labour’s purpose is “to organise and maintain in parliament and in the country a political Labour Party”. We are clause one socialists, and we back the new leader. Yet there are some party members who do not support the new leader. So be it. Ours is a political party in which healthy debate should be encouraged, not dismissed.
Some existing and rejoining party members have recently been decried as ‘centrists’, ‘moderates’ or ‘red Tories’, however. A culture of suspicion and blame has pervaded the party over the last five years. At Labour to Win, we will champion a welcoming, transparent party that supports our common goals and addresses the systemic cultural issues identified in the Labour Together report.
We support our shared values of social justice, equality and internationalism. We’re real Labour. Invested in our party, visible in our communities, aware of the damage a decade of Tory government has done to jobs, opportunities and our struggling public services. On issues ranging from support for domestic abuse survivors, the move to net-zero carbon, rebalancing the economy to work for all regions and nations, to funding for social care – the Tories don’t have the answers we all demand. Only Labour does.
We stand for a strong relationship with local government. For ten years, hard-working Labour councillors up and down the country have faced the near-impossible challenge of balancing budgets and resources that have successively been slashed to the bone by both the Tories and Lib Dems. We’ll always call out the ideological harm caused by the Tories, instead of criticising Labour councils at the mercy of Tory cuts.
We want to train the next generation of activists and candidates. Since the start of the year, thousands of members have joined the party, enthused by the prospect of a new leader. We want to build on that fervour, using our collective talent to win back the many council and Westminster seats lost over the last five years.
And we will campaign for Labour candidates across Greater Manchester. Labour to Win will support candidates best suited to a role, rather than promoting those most closely aligned with a particular faction. Because that’s how we gain the trust of the electorate, how we win and – most importantly – how we can put our values into practice.
We stand united with members from across our party in supporting Keir, holding the Tories to account and working towards a Labour government in 2024. And we recognise and value the different voices from across our party. That’s why Labour to Win is supporting national executive committee (NEC) candidates who represent a number of diverse traditions from within our party.
The road to 2024’s election is long. There’s no denying that we’ve got to a mountain to climb to recover from last year’s disastrous result. But we live in hope, confident in our values, our aims and our purpose. The road to No 10 runs through Greater Manchester. Bury North, Bolton North East, Bury South, Heywood and Middleton are all seats we need to win four years from now if we’ve any chance of making the country a fairer place for us all. If you share our common values, join us at labtowin.org and let’s put Labour back on the path to power.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Labour leader Starmer praises Welsh government’s handling of Covid crisis

Keir Starmer has praised the Welsh government in its handling of the coronavirus crisis , describing a “ real contrast ” between the way the devolved administration and the UK government have responded to the pandemic .
In a public Zoom meeting with residents from Gower and Llanelli this afternoon , the Labour leader invited members of the public to ask questions and share their thoughts on the Labour Party .
He told attendees that he thought the Welsh government has “ done a good job in response to Covid-19 ” , citing its “ careful approach ” and praising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things ” .
The Labour leader also said : “ I do think there is a real contrast in how the Welsh government has handled this and how the Westminster government and Boris Johnson have handled this.
” Working with trade unions , teachers and local councils , the Labour-led Welsh government managed to open schools to tens of thousands of pupils last month – ahead of schools in England , which are set to return in September .
But the devolved administration has received criticism in other areas .
Earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ disappointed ” the Welsh government has not given any assurances on whether weekly Covid testing for staff will continue .
Starmer was also asked about the government ’ s plans to ensure that trade rules between the four nations don ’ t diverge after Brexit , with the creation of an independent body to “ monitor and analyse ” regulations passed .
After the UK leaves the EU , a total of 111 powers will be returned from the European bloc to Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
Business Secretary Alok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade rules across the UK .
Commenting on the plans outlined in a government white paper published today , the Labour leader said : “ Welsh people have the right to have a say on the internal market because it will affect them.
” He added that he thought Boris Johnson had not done well in making sure the devolved administrations had been kept “ properly involved ” on issues including Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic .
He said that he is urging the Prime Minister to reach consensus : “ What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you should strive for a four nations agreed approach to this.
” Devolved governments will not be able to veto the proposals set out in the white paper .
But a Welsh government spokesperson said that any attempt to impose them unilaterally from Westminster would be “ deeply damaging ” .
“ We support having rules across the UK to regulate the internal market , but these rules must be agreed between the four governments in the UK , each of which has their own responsibility for economic development , ” they said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent oversight and dispute resolution .
“ Unfortunately , the UK government has not managed to share the paper with us and Welsh ministers have had no recent discussions with the UK government on these issues .
Any attempt to unilaterally impose a system will be deeply damaging.
” Today ’ s ‘ call Keir ’ meeting was the latest in a series of Zoom events that the Labour leader has been hosting with members of the public from different areas of the country , to hear their views on the party .

Keir Starmer has praised the Welsh government in its handling of the coronavirus crisis, describing a “real contrast” between the way the devolved administration and the UK government have responded to the pandemic.
In a public Zoom meeting with residents from Gower and Llanelli this afternoon, the Labour leader invited members of the public to ask questions and share their thoughts on the Labour Party.
He told attendees that he thought the Welsh government has “done a good job in response to Covid-19”, citing its “careful approach” and praising it for having “prioritised the right things”.
The Labour leader also said: “I do think there is a real contrast in how the Welsh government has handled this and how the Westminster government and Boris Johnson have handled this.”
Working with trade unions, teachers and local councils, the Labour-led Welsh government managed to open schools to tens of thousands of pupils last month – ahead of schools in England, which are set to return in September.
But the devolved administration has received criticism in other areas. Earlier this week, care homes reported that they are “disappointed” the Welsh government has not given any assurances on whether weekly Covid testing for staff will continue.
Starmer was also asked about the government’s plans to ensure that trade rules between the four nations don’t diverge after Brexit, with the creation of an independent body to “monitor and analyse” regulations passed.
After the UK leaves the EU, a total of 111 powers will be returned from the European bloc to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Business Secretary Alok Sharma today set out plans to regulate trade rules across the UK.
Commenting on the plans outlined in a government white paper published today, the Labour leader said: “Welsh people have the right to have a say on the internal market because it will affect them.”
He added that he thought Boris Johnson had not done well in making sure the devolved administrations had been kept “properly involved” on issues including Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.
He said that he is urging the Prime Minister to reach consensus: “What I say to the Prime Minister is that you should strive for a four nations agreed approach to this.”
Devolved governments will not be able to veto the proposals set out in the white paper. But a Welsh government spokesperson said that any attempt to impose them unilaterally from Westminster would be “deeply damaging”.
“We support having rules across the UK to regulate the internal market, but these rules must be agreed between the four governments in the UK, each of which has their own responsibility for economic development,” they said. “Any new system must have independent oversight and dispute resolution.
“Unfortunately, the UK government has not managed to share the paper with us and Welsh ministers have had no recent discussions with the UK government on these issues. Any attempt to unilaterally impose a system will be deeply damaging.”
Today’s ‘call Keir’ meeting was the latest in a series of Zoom events that the Labour leader has been hosting with members of the public from different areas of the country, to hear their views on the party.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Our labour movement must show solidarity with democracy activists in Hong Kong

After China unilaterally imposed its national security law on Hong Kong , effectively subverting the rule of law in the territory , democracy activists are bracing for months of political confrontation .
It ’ s time for the UK labour movement to show active solidarity with them .
Last weekend , more than 600,000 people – one tenth of the electorate – participated in primaries for Power for Democracy , an umbrella group that intends to contest elections in September for the ruling legislative council .
The results were skewed heavily in favour of candidates favouring a strategy of resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance .
Carrie Lam ’ s pro-Beijing administration immediately accused the selected candidates of “ threatening fair elections ” .
Now they have been accused of breaching the national security law itself and face the prospect of being barred from standing .
The Tories , who for years regarded China ’ s human rights record as a tiresome distraction , have now flipped to President Trump-style rhetoric , ordering the removal of Huawei ’ s 5G equipment from the UK and using as a threat against China a possible commitment to accept three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Labour must speak on China with a distinctive voice , which genuinely seeks to defend human rights – not just in parliament but across the movement .
That ’ s why we ’ ve set up the Labour Movement Solidarity with Hong Kong ( UK ) , an alliance of people from all wings of the party who want Labour to take consistent action in defence of democratic rights in Hong Kong .
We ’ ve been holding online rallies and briefings with activists from the Hong Kong trade union movement whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of the cheap labour bosses across the border in Guangdong .
On Saturday , July 18th , we ’ ll be hearing from Lee Cheuk Yan , a prominent leader in the HKCTU and the Hong Kong Labour Party , who has taken a prominent role in the democracy demonstrations .
Stephen Kinnock , Labour ’ s shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific , will speak alongside MPs , including John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome , trade union activists , and Promise Li , a socialist activist from HK-based leftist organisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , the unofficial labour movement in China ’ s sweatshops , the migrant rights movements , the journalists fighting for free speech and those fighting for more plurality and diversity inside the party have all suffered reverses .
Where independent trade union activists and labour lawyers once could operate freely in places like Guangdong , organising from physical centres and co-ordinating strikes via social media , they are now largely reduced to cultural work and basic social support activity .
The Jasic strike in 2018 saw left-wing and feminist students in Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartlands organise around explicitly socialist demands and around rank and file workplace activism .
It exemplified what the party bureaucrats fear most .
For the CCP , Hong Kong ’ s semi-democratic system – flawed though it is – stands not just as a symbolic political alternative to a one-party surveillance state : it allows the left and the labour movement in Hong Kong to deliver active solidarity across the border to workers in struggle .
The coronavirus pandemic has intensified geopolitical rivalry between the USA and China , with the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the UK , much of the political running is being made by right-wing Tory MPs whose strategy and rhetoric aligns with that of right-wing Republicans , people who care little for human rights and labour rights in their own countries .
Trump and his allies are stoking up anti-Chinese racism and xenophobia , and during the pandemic that has clearly begun to resonate here .
Labour must take a strong , independent , internationalist stance , showing solidarity with workers both in the PRC and Hong Kong , with democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Uighur people without becoming part of Trump ’ s anti-China bandwagon .
In some parts of the labour movement , there is ignorance and denial about what the Xi regime is doing .
The Morning Star newspaper , funded by UK trade unions , regularly casts the Hong Kong protesters as reactionaries .
It has downplayed Hong Kong police brutality , even showcasing pleas from pro-Beijing stooges on the LegCo to supply them with tear gas , and actually justifying the national security law .
We should instead have a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which can simultaneously tell the truth about Beijing ’ s attacks on human rights – from Hong Kong to Xinjiang , where a million Uighur people have been herded into “ re-education camps ” – and oppose Trump ’ s anti-Chinese rhetoric and racism .
Above all , if hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong people are forced to use their right to relocate to the UK , we need to make sure that our party welcomes them , both to our country and our movement .
What the movement does in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those co-ordinating the crackdown from Beijing .
Let ’ s make sure the voices of internationalism , workers ’ solidarity and democracy are louder inside our movement than those supporting the authoritarian state .

After China unilaterally imposed its national security law on Hong Kong, effectively subverting the rule of law in the territory, democracy activists are bracing for months of political confrontation. It’s time for the UK labour movement to show active solidarity with them.
Last weekend, more than 600,000 people – one tenth of the electorate – participated in primaries for Power for Democracy, an umbrella group that intends to contest elections in September for the ruling legislative council. The results were skewed heavily in favour of candidates favouring a strategy of resistance to China’s crackdown, not compliance.
Carrie Lam’s pro-Beijing administration immediately accused the selected candidates of “threatening fair elections”. Now they have been accused of breaching the national security law itself and face the prospect of being barred from standing.
The Tories, who for years regarded China’s human rights record as a tiresome distraction, have now flipped to President Trump-style rhetoric, ordering the removal of Huawei’s 5G equipment from the UK and using as a threat against China a possible commitment to accept three million Hong Kong residents into the UK.
Labour must speak on China with a distinctive voice, which genuinely seeks to defend human rights – not just in parliament but across the movement. That’s why we’ve set up the Labour Movement Solidarity with Hong Kong (UK), an alliance of people from all wings of the party who want Labour to take consistent action in defence of democratic rights in Hong Kong.
We’ve been holding online rallies and briefings with activists from the Hong Kong trade union movement whose very existence is a thorn in the side of the cheap labour bosses across the border in Guangdong. On Saturday, July 18th, we’ll be hearing from Lee Cheuk Yan, a prominent leader in the HKCTU and the Hong Kong Labour Party, who has taken a prominent role in the democracy demonstrations.
Stephen Kinnock, Labour’s shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific, will speak alongside MPs, including John McDonnell and Nadia Whittome, trade union activists, and Promise Li, a socialist activist from HK-based leftist organisation Lausan.
Since Xi Jin Ping took office, the unofficial labour movement in China’s sweatshops, the migrant rights movements, the journalists fighting for free speech and those fighting for more plurality and diversity inside the party have all suffered reverses.
Where independent trade union activists and labour lawyers once could operate freely in places like Guangdong, organising from physical centres and co-ordinating strikes via social media, they are now largely reduced to cultural work and basic social support activity.
The Jasic strike in 2018 saw left-wing and feminist students in Beijing together with migrant workers in the industrial heartlands organise around explicitly socialist demands and around rank and file workplace activism. It exemplified what the party bureaucrats fear most.
For the CCP, Hong Kong’s semi-democratic system – flawed though it is – stands not just as a symbolic political alternative to a one-party surveillance state: it allows the left and the labour movement in Hong Kong to deliver active solidarity across the border to workers in struggle.
The coronavirus pandemic has intensified geopolitical rivalry between the USA and China, with the White House now designating Beijing as a strategic competitor. In the UK, much of the political running is being made by right-wing Tory MPs whose strategy and rhetoric aligns with that of right-wing Republicans, people who care little for human rights and labour rights in their own countries. Trump and his allies are stoking up anti-Chinese racism and xenophobia, and during the pandemic that has clearly begun to resonate here.
Labour must take a strong, independent, internationalist stance, showing solidarity with workers both in the PRC and Hong Kong, with democrats and free speech advocates, and with minorities like the Uighur people without becoming part of Trump’s anti-China bandwagon.
In some parts of the labour movement, there is ignorance and denial about what the Xi regime is doing. The Morning Star newspaper, funded by UK trade unions, regularly casts the Hong Kong protesters as reactionaries. It has downplayed Hong Kong police brutality, even showcasing pleas from pro-Beijing stooges on the LegCo to supply them with tear gas, and actually justifying the national security law.
We should instead have a strong, principled alternative voice inside our movement, which can simultaneously tell the truth about Beijing’s attacks on human rights – from Hong Kong to Xinjiang, where a million Uighur people have been herded into “re-education camps” – and oppose Trump’s anti-Chinese rhetoric and racism.
Above all, if hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong people are forced to use their right to relocate to the UK, we need to make sure that our party welcomes them, both to our country and our movement. What the movement does in Britain matters both to the protesters and to those co-ordinating the crackdown from Beijing. Let’s make sure the voices of internationalism, workers’ solidarity and democracy are louder inside our movement than those supporting the authoritarian state.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Social care must be “key area of focus” in Covid inquiry, says Starmer

Keir Starmer has said that the social care sector must be a “ key area of focus ” in the coronavirus inquiry , declaring that the “ failure to protect our care homes at the start of the pandemic was a national shame ” .
At a meeting in Nottinghamshire today , the Labour leader met with care workers .
He also met with bereaved families of Covid-19 victims yesterday , including those who lost relatives in care homes .
Starmer called on the government to take action now to establish what happened in care homes during the height of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be learned , and lives can be saved ” ahead of a possible second wave .
During his visit , he said : “ The government ’ s failure to protect our care homes at the start of the pandemic was a national shame .
I pay tribute to care staff who did everything they could but were left without tests or protective equipment .
“ An independent inquiry was always inevitable .
But the Prime Minister must now guarantee that social care will be a key area of focus for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now ahead of a possible second wave this winter .
We need to get to the bottom of what happened in care homes so that lessons can be learned , and lives can be saved .
We can not afford for the same mistakes to be made again.
” Earlier this year , the government commissioned its Preparing for a Challenging Winter report , which was published this week .
The paper urged the government to make July and August a “ period of intense preparation ” .
Starmer raised this report with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Questions on Wednesday .
He asked that he commit to implementing its recommendations , which lay out steps to prevent what he called a “ worst-case scenario ” later this year .
But challenged over the details of the document , the Prime Minister failed to confirm that he had actually read it .
When asked if he had , he said only : “ Of course I am aware of the report.
” A leaked version of a report on Exercise Cygnus – the exercise run in 2016 by the government simulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – stated that further planning was needed to prepare the social care system for such an event .
Labour highlighted that the report warned there was “ little attention paid ” to social care , and that the chief executive of Care England revealed in May that the report ’ s “ clear recommendations… haven ’ t been implemented ” .
Martin Green said : “ It beggars belief .
This is a report that made some really clear recommendations that haven ’ t been implemented .
If they had put in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been in a much better place at the start of this pandemic.
” The party also emphasised reports that local authority social care directors had called for better supply plans two years ago , and warned that “ demand for personal protective equipment could rapidly outstrip supply ” .

Keir Starmer has said that the social care sector must be a “key area of focus” in the coronavirus inquiry, declaring that the “failure to protect our care homes at the start of the pandemic was a national shame”.
At a meeting in Nottinghamshire today, the Labour leader met with care workers. He also met with bereaved families of Covid-19 victims yesterday, including people who lost relatives in care homes.
Starmer called on the government to take action now to establish what happened in care homes during the height of the pandemic, “so that lessons can be learned, and lives can be saved” ahead of a possible second wave.
During his visit, he said: “The government’s failure to protect our care homes at the start of the pandemic was a national shame. I pay tribute to care staff who did everything they could but were left without tests or protective equipment.
“An independent inquiry was always inevitable. But the Prime Minister must now guarantee that social care will be a key area of focus for that inquiry.
“We also need action now ahead of a possible second wave this winter. We need to get to the bottom of what happened in care homes so that lessons can be learned, and lives can be saved. We cannot afford for the same mistakes to be made again.”
Earlier in the year, the government commissioned a Preparing for a Challenging Winter report, which was published this week. The paper urges the government to make July and August a “period of intense preparation”.
Starmer raised this report with Boris Johnson in Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. He asked that the Prime Minister commit to implementing its recommendations, which set out steps to prevent the “reasonable worst-case scenario” of 120,000 more deaths.
But challenged over the details of the document, the Prime Minister failed to confirm that he had actually read the report. When asked if he had, he said only: “Of course I am aware of the report.”
A leaked version of a report on Exercise Cygnus – the exercise run in 2016 by the government simulating how the UK would handle a pandemic – stated that further planning was needed to prepare the social care system for such an event.
Labour highlighted that the report warned there was “little attention paid” to social care, and the chief executive of Care England revealed in May that the report’s “clear recommendations… haven’t been implemented”.
Care England’s Martin Green said: “It beggars belief. This is a report that made some really clear recommendations that haven’t been implemented. If they had put in place a response to every one, we would have been in a much better place at the start of this pandemic.”
Labour also emphasised reports that local authority social care directors had called for better supply plans two years ago, and warned that “demand for personal protective equipment could rapidly outstrip supply”.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Labour needs trade unions, they need Labour and workers need both

The TUC held its Organise 2020 event last week , an online festival of ideas and workshops aimed at transforming the trade union movement and readying it for the challenging times ahead .
Underpinning this festival was the Organise 2020 pledges , which sets out a blueprint for the cooperative future of trade unionism by listing its main objectives .
The pledges state that TUC affiliates will : • • Increase the number of workers aged under 30 in our movement ; • Enthuse thousands of activists from all backgrounds to train as new workplace reps ; • Work cooperatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new and growing sectors ; • Modernise how unions operate , organise and communicate for a digital-first era ; and • Drive up union membership levels where we already have recognition agreements .
This could be a seminal moment for the future of workers ’ rights and the shape of Britain ’ s economy post-pandemic and post-Brexit .
But it will only be significant if the Labour Party fully supports the TUC in this endeavour .
At the event ’ s opening webinar , Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner observed that the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roots , saying : “ A plant without roots dies pretty quickly , and we need to embed our roots again.
” Rayner is correct : from Tony Blair through to Jeremy Corbyn , Labour has neglected trade unions .
They were often treated by New Labour as a political inconvenience , while in Corbynite Labour they were romanticised as working-class institutions but seen as obstructive within the party bureaucracy .
Two fundamental parts of the labour movement continued to drift .
With this in mind , it would be nice to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foster greater unity within the movement .
The most effective thing Starmer and the rest of Labour could do , for themselves , the trade union movement , and – most importantly – for the people they are supposed to traditionally represent , is champion the TUC ’ s Organise 2020 pledges .
The growth of trade unionism is the growth of the Labour Party , because both are integral parts of the labour movement .
If Labour still aspires to be the ‘ party of the working class ’ – a title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservatives – then it should actively attempt to support and facilitate every one of these pledges .
It is only the fulfilment of the pledges that will resurrect trade unionism and truly benefit workers .
If nothing else , their success would help Labour ’ s performance electorally .
At the last election , much was made of the collapse of the ‘ Red Wall ’ – although it is too simplistic to say that Labour has lost the support of the supposedly traditional working class , what is true is that Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Red Wall even when seats still returned a Labour MP .
The Labour Together report that analysed the 2019 defeat linked this decline in Labour votes with the decline of industry and , subsequently , trade unionism .
If successful , the efforts of the TUC will result in the spread of workplace organisation and activism in a changing UK economy , and a better deal for workers on a national scale .
This is a chance for Labour to put down roots in demographics it may otherwise struggle to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural hegemony centred around the workplace and collective endeavour .
Being more in touch with a variety of workers across the country will give the Labour Party a better idea of what voters want and what strategies should be pursued to ascertain power .
And successful activism , producing tangible improvements for workers , will show that Labour can be effective and engender change even in opposition .
Most helpful to unions would be if Labour encouraged young members to take active roles in trade unions .
Labour experiences overwhelmingly strong support amongst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been mirrored with an increase in young trade union members .
This is vital , because the trade union movement has a debilitating weakness with recruiting young members – currently it is on course to lose half of its workplace representatives in the next 15 years .
Labour could encourage more of its campaigners to try to understand unions and take on representative roles in the workplace .
A version of this was put forward by Rebecca Long-Bailey in her leadership bid .
And although I think that version was too much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions of agency and independence from the party apparatus , the concept of close cooperation between the party and the TUC affiliated unions at all levels should not be dismissed .
If these two groups do not work together , both will fail – and society will bear the consequences .
I am not saying that the sole focus of the party should be the growth of unions .
They are two separate arms of the labour movement and will never perfectly align .
But right now Labour needs trade unions , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both .
Without trade unions , Labour loses touch with the workplace , a defining feature of working-class life , and suffers electorally .
Without the Labour Party , trade unions are unable to effectively influence the state and risk being left behind by younger generations .
Jobs are already under threat and large-scale unemployment is coming – this is indisputable .
Early job losses include 12,000 lost in British Airways , 5,000 in Upper Crust , 4,000 in Boots , 1,900 in Cafe Rouge , 1,700 in Airbus , 1,300 in John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 in Pret A Manger .
Everyone in employment needs as much security as possible to guarantee their livelihood .
By supporting and facilitating the TUC pledges , Labour will support those who need that security most while improving its own chances of winning power .
This is just the beginning : only cooperation between the Labour Party and the TUC will see fair , safe and well-paid work remain part of people ’ s lives and allow workers to shape the nature of the economy in which they work .

The TUC held its Organise 2020 event last week, an online festival of ideas and workshops aimed at transforming the trade union movement and readying it for the challenging times ahead. Underpinning this festival was the Organise 2020 pledges, which sets out a blueprint for the cooperative future of trade unionism by listing its main objectives.
The pledges state that TUC affiliates will:
Increase the number of workers aged under 30 in our movement; Enthuse thousands of activists from all backgrounds to train as new workplace reps; Work cooperatively between unions to bring trade unionism into new and growing sectors; Work jointly to eliminate insecure employment; Modernise how unions operate, organise and communicate for a digital-first era; and Drive up union membership levels where we already have recognition agreements.
This could be a seminal moment for the future of workers’ rights and the shape of Britain’s economy post-pandemic and post-Brexit. But it will only be significant if the Labour Party fully supports the TUC in this endeavour. At the event’s opening webinar, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner observed that the party had drifted away from its trade union roots, saying: “A plant without roots dies pretty quickly, and we need to embed our roots again.” Rayner is correct: from Tony Blair through to Jeremy Corbyn, Labour has neglected trade unions.
They were often treated by New Labour as a political inconvenience, while in Corbynite Labour they were romanticised as working-class institutions but seen as obstructive within the party bureaucracy. Two fundamental parts of the labour movement continued to drift. With this in mind, it would be nice to see Keir Starmer support trade unions properly and foster greater unity within the movement. The most effective thing Starmer and the rest of Labour could do, for themselves, the trade union movement, and – most importantly – for the people they are supposed to traditionally represent, is champion the TUC’s Organise 2020 pledges. The growth of trade unionism is the growth of the Labour Party, because both are integral parts of the labour movement.
If Labour still aspires to be the ‘party of the working class’ – a title that is currently strongly contested by the Conservatives – then it should actively attempt to support and facilitate every one of these pledges. It is only the fulfilment of the pledges that will resurrect trade unionism and truly benefit workers. If nothing else, their success would help Labour’s performance electorally. At the last election, much was made of the collapse of the ‘Red Wall’ – although it is too simplistic to say that Labour has lost the support of the supposedly traditional working class, what is true is that Labour had been suffering reduced returns in much of the Red Wall even when seats still returned a Labour MP. The Labour Together report that analysed the 2019 defeat linked this decline in Labour votes with the decline of industry and, subsequently, trade unionism.
If successful, the efforts of the TUC will result in the spread of workplace organisation and activism in a changing UK economy, and a better deal for workers on a national scale. This is a chance for Labour to put down roots in demographics it may otherwise struggle to reach, and to assert a form of cultural hegemony centred around the workplace and collective endeavour. Being more in touch with a variety of workers across the country will give the Labour Party a better idea of what voters want and what strategies should be pursued to ascertain power. And successful activism, producing tangible improvements for workers, will show that Labour can be effective and engender change even in opposition.
Most helpful to unions would be if Labour encouraged young members to take active roles in trade unions. Labour experiences overwhelmingly strong support amongst voters under 30, but this has not been mirrored with an increase in young trade union members. This is vital, because the trade union movement has a debilitating weakness with recruiting young members – currently it is on course to lose half of its workplace representatives in the next 15 years.
Labour could encourage more of its campaigners to try to understand unions and take on representative roles in the workplace. A version of this was put forward by Rebecca Long-Bailey in her leadership bid. And although I think that version was too much of a command-and-control approach, which robbed unions of agency and independence from the party apparatus, the concept of close cooperation between the party and the TUC affiliated unions at all levels should not be dismissed. If these two groups do not work together, both will fail – and society will bear the consequences.
I am not saying that the sole focus of the party should be the growth of unions. They are two separate arms of the labour movement and will never perfectly align. But right now Labour needs trade unions, the unions need Labour, and workers need both. Without trade unions, Labour loses touch with the workplace, a defining feature of working-class life, and suffers electorally. Without the Labour Party, trade unions are unable to effectively influence the state and risk being left behind by younger generations.
Jobs are already under threat and large-scale unemployment is coming – this is indisputable. Early job losses include 12,000 lost in British Airways, 5,000 in Upper Crust, 4,000 in Boots, 1,900 in Cafe Rouge, 1,700 in Airbus, 1,300 in John Lewis, 1,300 in EasyJet, and 1,000 in Pret A Manger. Everyone in employment needs as much security as possible to guarantee their livelihood. By supporting and facilitating the TUC pledges, Labour will support those who need that security most while improving its own chances of winning power. This is just the beginning: only cooperation between the Labour Party and the TUC will see fair, safe and well-paid work remain part of people’s lives and allow workers to shape the nature of the economy in which they work.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Labour expected to apologise to ex-staffers over Panorama response

As publication of the EHRC report on Labour antisemitism nears , bits of information will trickle out .
The Guardian ’ s front-page splash today reports that Labour is set to settle its case with antisemitism whistleblowers and issue an apology .
“ No final settlement has been reached but sources said an agreement was imminent , ” according to the paper .
Seven of eight former Labour staffers who appeared in a Panorama documentary on antisemitism in the party last year took legal action , claiming that senior figures had attacked their reputations and suggested they had personal motives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson at the time had described them as “ disaffected officials who have always opposed Corbyn ’ s leadership , worked to actively undermine it and have both personal and political axes to grind ” .
Legal advice issued to the leadership under Corbyn suggested that Labour could win the case , The Guardian reports , and settling will prove controversial within the party .
It is worth noting that during the leadership contest , at a Jewish Labour Movement hustings , each of the four candidates in the running at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Panorama programme .
Even Corbynite candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey said : “ We should apologise for how we behaved .
We should settle any claims that were made.
” What has changed since then ?
Well , for some on the Labour left , the leaked report makes a difference , and indeed this is raised by sources in The Guardian write-up .
The contents described a “ hyper-factional ” environment and alleged that disciplinary cases were mishandled in order to undermine Corbyn ’ s leadership .
That internal report is currently the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Martin Forde QC , now due to conclude in September at the earliest .
In other news from the labour movement , Unite ’ s Steve Turner has written for LabourList on the need for government to “ embrace positive interventionist action to support UK manufacturing ” and fix the apprenticeship levy .
He tells Rishi Sunak to put the “ billions of pounds currently sitting there doing nothing to good use ” .
The demands follow gloomy news that a ‘ v-shaped recovery ’ is not taking place .
GDP rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to a record slump of 20.3 % in April .
Labour has called for urgent action and more targeted support , but also reiterated that the party is “ not calling for tax rises – we ’ re calling for growth “ .
Sunak spent an uncomfortable afternoon yesterday in front of the Treasury committee , where Labour MPs challenged him on the job retention bonus scheme , and slammed him for the lack of support for female workers in the pandemic .
Labour is continuing to focus on this theme today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ wave of nursery closures ” .
Labour is urging the government to focus financial support on the sector , or risk a setback to the country ’ s recovery .
Meanwhile Boris Johnson ’ s ruthless approach to party discipline has been evidenced again .
Julian Lewis has lost the Tory whip because he dared to beat Chris ‘ Failing ’ Grayling , No 10 ’ s pick , to become chair of the intelligence and security committee – a post for which Lewis has relevant experience and Grayling did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee is meeting today to discuss publication of the long-awaited Russia report .
We could find out as soon as next week whether there are embarrassing details in it that the Tories have been desperately trying to hide .

As publication of the EHRC report on Labour antisemitism nears, bits of information will trickle out. The Guardian’s front-page splash today reports that Labour is set to settle its case with antisemitism whistleblowers and issue an apology. “No final settlement has been reached but sources said an agreement was imminent,” according to the paper.
Seven of eight former Labour staffers who appeared in a Panorama documentary on antisemitism in the party last year took legal action, claiming that senior figures had attacked their reputations and suggested they had personal motives to undermine the party. A Labour spokesperson at the time had described them as “disaffected officials who have always opposed Corbyn’s leadership, worked to actively undermine it and have both personal and political axes to grind”.
Legal advice issued to the leadership under Corbyn suggested that Labour could win the case, The Guardian reports, and settling will prove controversial within the party. It is worth noting that during the leadership contest, at a Jewish Labour Movement hustings, each of the four candidates in the running at the time disavowed Labour’s response to the Panorama programme. Even Corbynite candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey said: “We should apologise for how we behaved. We should settle any claims that were made.”
What has changed since then? Well, for some on the Labour left, the leaked report makes a difference, and indeed this is raised by sources in The Guardian write-up. The contents described a “hyper-factional” environment and alleged that disciplinary cases were mishandled in order to undermine Corbyn’s leadership. That internal report is currently the subject of its own investigation, being chaired by Martin Forde QC, now due to conclude in September at the earliest.
In other news from the labour movement, Unite’s Steve Turner has written for LabourList on the need for government to “embrace positive interventionist action to support UK manufacturing” and fix the apprenticeship levy. He tells Rishi Sunak to put the “billions of pounds currently sitting there doing nothing to good use”. The demands follow gloomy news that a ‘v-shaped recovery’ is not taking place. GDP rose by only 1.8% in May, compared to a record slump of 20.3% in April. Labour has called for urgent action and more targeted support, but also reiterated that the party is “not calling for tax rises – we’re calling for growth“.
Sunak spent an uncomfortable afternoon yesterday in front of the Treasury committee, where Labour MPs challenged him on the job retention bonus scheme, and slammed him for the lack of support for female workers in the pandemic. Labour is continuing to focus on this theme today, with shadow minister Tulip Siddiq predicting a “wave of nursery closures”. Labour is urging the government to focus financial support on the sector, or risk a setback to the country’s recovery.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson’s ruthless approach to party discipline has been evidenced again. Julian Lewis has lost the Tory whip because he dared to beat Chris ‘Failing’ Grayling, No 10’s pick, to become chair of the intelligence and security committee – a post for which Lewis has relevant experience and Grayling did not. And it just so happens that the committee is meeting today to discuss publication of the long-awaited Russia report. We could find out as soon as next week whether there are embarrassing details in it that the Tories have been desperately trying to hide.


labourlist--2020-07-16--“Change course” on Covid economic support, Labour tells government

Anneliese Dodds has warned that the government “ needs to change course ” on its approach to economic support in the pandemic , or risk seeing an “ extra wave of unemployment ” .
In an interview with BBC Breakfast this morning , the Shadow Chancellor urged the government to “ shift away from that one-size-fits-all approach to removing the scheme and requiring an employer contribution ” .
She said that job losses reported recently were linked to the “ initial change to the employer contribution ” , requiring employers to pay for National Insurance and pension contributions in August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Budget Responsibility , Dodds said : “ They suggested that we could see a reduction of about 1.4 million jobs that are recovered by the job retention scheme.
” She added : “ It does seem to be likely that unless we see a shift away from that one-size-fits-all approach to removing the scheme and requiring an employer contribution , that we will see extra waves of unemployment coming through .
“ We ’ ve already seen some over recent days , which appear to be related to the initial change to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ etc… We do think that ’ s a warning signal that government needs to change course.
” Earlier this week , the Shadow Chancellor warned that the unemployment crisis in the UK caused by the coronavirus pandemic will “ get much worse ” unless the government takes urgent action now .
Her comments follow the release of a report by the OBR , which outlined three scenarios for the UK .
All three show the country experiencing the worst recession in 300 years and a huge increase in borrowing .
Data published on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed that the country has returned to growth for the first time since the start of the lockdown – but that the growth is much smaller than the ‘ v-shaped ’ recovery hoped for .
GDP in the UK rose by 1.8 % in May , according to the independent statistics authority .
While a welcome increase , it follows the record slump of 20.3 % in April , and a 6.9 % decline in the preceding month .
Data published by the ONS today showed that early indicators for June suggest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payrolls is down around 650,000 compared with the figure in March .
Commenting on this statistical release , Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson said : “ Every lost job is a personal tragedy now and a hammer blow to public finances in the long run .
“ Last week the Chancellor should have targeted support to the sectors worst affected by this terrible crisis .
Instead his blanket approach won ’ t deliver for those who need it most .
“ The government still has time to grasp the scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It must act now before it ’ s too late.
” Labour has repeatedly argued for the government to abandon what the party describes as a “ one-size-fits-all ” approach to economic support , calling instead for “ sector-specific ” and targeted intervention .

Anneliese Dodds has warned that the government “needs to change course” on its approach to economic support in the pandemic, or risk seeing an “extra wave of unemployment”.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast this morning, the Shadow Chancellor urged the government to “shift away from that one-size-fits-all approach to removing the scheme and requiring an employer contribution”.
She said that job losses reported recently were linked to the “initial change to the employer contribution”, requiring employers to pay for National Insurance and pension contributions in August.
Commenting on reports from the Office for Budget Responsibility, Dodds said: “They suggested that we could see a reduction of about 1.4 million jobs that are recovered by the job retention scheme.”
She added: “It does seem to be likely that unless we see a shift away from that one-size-fits-all approach to removing the scheme and requiring an employer contribution, that we will see extra waves of unemployment coming through.
“We’ve already seen some over recent days, which appear to be related to the initial change to the employer contribution – covering National Insurance etc… We do think that’s a warning signal that government needs to change course.”
“We do think that’s a warning signal that government needs to change course”
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds tells #BBCBreakfast there will be waves unemployment unless support is more targeted ⤵
More here: https://t.co/ki3DUzmdVi pic.twitter.com/7FI3nwFXTD — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) July 16, 2020
Earlier this week, the Shadow Chancellor warned that the unemployment crisis in the UK caused by the coronavirus pandemic will “get much worse” unless the government takes urgent action now.
Her comments follow the release of a report by the OBR, which outlined three scenarios for the UK. All three show the country experiencing the worst recession in 300 years and a huge increase in borrowing.
Data published on Monday by the Office for National Statistics showed that the country has returned to growth for the first time since the start of the lockdown – but that the growth is much smaller than the ‘v-shaped’ recovery hoped for.
GDP in the UK rose by 1.8% in May, according to the independent statistics authority. While a welcome increase, it follows the record slump of 20.3% in April, and a 6.9% decline in the preceding month.
Data published by the ONS today showed that early indicators for June suggest the number of employees in the UK on payrolls is down around 650,000 compared with the figure in March.
Commenting on this statistical release, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson said: “Every lost job is a personal tragedy now and a hammer blow to public finances in the long run.
“Last week the Chancellor should have targeted support to the sectors worst affected by this terrible crisis. Instead his blanket approach won’t deliver for those who need it most.
“The government still has time to grasp the scale of the challenge and change course. It must act now before it’s too late.”
Labour has repeatedly argued for the government to abandon what the party describes as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to economic support, calling instead for “sector-specific” and targeted intervention.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Here’s why you should fix the apprenticeship levy, Chancellor – Build Back Better

With more government U-turns these days than can be seen at a driving test centre , it is tempting to see ‘ thinking again ’ as a sign of weakness .
Not all U-turns are bad , however , which is why Unite won ’ t be abandoning the fight to get the Chancellor to think again and embrace positive interventionist action to support UK manufacturing and rebuild our economy out of this crisis .
One positive change of direction that could be quickly executed and widely welcomed , certainly by the manufacturing employers I deal with daily , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t working , certainly not for young workers , so fix it .
Vast sums of cash are standing idle in the Treasury , with employers seeing it as a tax , unable to access it to fund recognised apprenticeships for either their workforces or those of their supply chain partners .
Around one in ten people work in manufacturing in this country , in every region and nation .
It ’ s a highly skilled workforce that we need to grow – but one that requires a steady stream of young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These workers enter on recognised apprenticeship programmes , but never in high enough numbers to address the long-term skills crisis we face .
We desperately need enthusiastic , visionary young people not just to replace those leaving in alarming numbers but to bring new ideas , develop vital new expertise and build the powerhouse behind our new economy , addressing the challenges posed to the sector and our country by climate change and automation .
When Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was recently parading his commitment to apprenticeships , further education and in-work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news for our industries , with a world-class offer to the generation losing out most in this crisis .
But let ’ s compare the rhetoric to what ’ s happening on the ground .
Earlier this week , a steward at a luxury car maker told our Manufacturing Matters event that his company had “ given up on the apprenticeship scheme a long time ago ” , saying : “ They paid into the apprenticeship levy but gave up recruiting apprentices as soon as the industry started to experience difficulties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve just thrown the money away.
” Another rep , working in nuclear power , revealed they ’ d had no apprentices for over three years , and that all those in year four of theirs are furloughed .
When we were fighting for the future of the Merseyside shipbuilder Cammell Laird , we looked to place some of the workers threatened with redundancy into a training college in Birkenhead , to upskill them so that they could be put back into the workplace with the skills needed when orders increased .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonable one .
However , to do so we ’ d need funds from the apprenticeship levy .
The funds that the government had previously pledged would create three million high-quality apprenticeships by 2020 .
That ’ s when we hit a brick wall .
Neither the minister at the time , Richard Harrington , nor his civil servants , knew how to access – let alone release – any of the close to £3bn of levy money sitting in the Treasury ’ s coffers .
And that ’ s the problem with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Williamson have said about the “ opportunity guarantee ” giving every young person the chance of an apprenticeship ( or in-work placement ) with additional payments to businesses for every apprentice hired between August 1st and January 31st next year .
For all this fanfare about kickstarting the economy with jobs for the young , so much more could be achieved by simply putting the billions of pounds currently sitting there doing nothing to good use .
Use it to create ‘ down time ’ , upskilling the current workforce while bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The trouble is , of course , that business sees the apprenticeship levy as a tax on employers .
The government treats it like one , too , rather than as an opportunity to develop the highly skilled workforce that this country desperately needs to build back better and meet the challenges of the future .
Take Rolls Royce .
Why can ’ t a world-beating aerospace firm reskill its workforce and apprentices to repurpose production to produce tomorrow ’ s greener , cleaner technologies instead of panic-sacking 3,000-plus skilled workers ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with a clear , immediate political signal that the government is interested in partnering business and employers along the road to recovery , employers will defer to those short-term survival instincts .
And our young makers of tomorrow will never emerge .
The workers and young apprentices I deal with every day are terrified for their futures – and the tragedy is that they have so much to give to recover our vital industries and transition our nation to a greener , fairer economy .
Yet there was no commitment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making the green buses , the heat pumps , the electric vehicles , the glass , the turbines or batteries that we so desperately need to ‘ build back better ’ than before .
It ’ s with these technologies that we will create the opportunities to grow our economy while supporting our kids to make the things we need here , rather than simply importing from overseas , acquiring the skills we desperately need to thrive .
Time and again , when asked to be ambitious for the people of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the £3bn in energy-efficient measures announced last week : measly when compared to the £36bn and £13.5bn Germany and France are investing respectively .
While the question is asked about who will pay for the pandemic ( answer : absolutely not working people ) , it is bewildering that the government refuses to see the incredible possibilities it could reap from a thriving manufacturing sector .
Manufacturing is not a relic , nor our yesterday as a nation .
In fact , it very much ought to be our future – and central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had their lives put on hold and their dreams shattered by the cruelty of this crisis .
Chancellor , find the key to that apprenticeship levy pot .
Get that cash working and give our young people and planet proper hope of a brighter tomorrow .

With more government U-turns these days than can be seen at a driving test centre, it is tempting to see ‘thinking again’ as a sign of weakness. Not all U-turns are bad, however, which is why Unite won’t be abandoning the fight to get the Chancellor to think again and embrace positive interventionist action to support UK manufacturing and rebuild our economy out of this crisis.
One positive change of direction that could be quickly executed and widely welcomed, certainly by the manufacturing employers I deal with daily, is on the apprenticeship levy. It isn’t working, certainly not for young workers, so fix it. Vast sums of cash are standing idle in the Treasury, with employers seeing it as a tax, unable to access it to fund recognised apprenticeships for either their workforces or those of their supply chain partners.
Around one in ten people work in manufacturing in this country, in every region and nation. It’s a highly skilled workforce that we need to grow – but one that requires a steady stream of young people entering the sector to be sustainable. These workers enter on recognised apprenticeship programmes, but never in high enough numbers to address the long-term skills crisis we face.
We desperately need enthusiastic, visionary young people not just to replace those leaving in alarming numbers but to bring new ideas, develop vital new expertise and build the powerhouse behind our new economy, addressing the challenges posed to the sector and our country by climate change and automation.
When Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was recently parading his commitment to apprenticeships, further education and in-work placements, it ought to have been good news for our industries, with a world-class offer to the generation losing out most in this crisis. But let’s compare the rhetoric to what’s happening on the ground.
Earlier this week, a steward at a luxury car maker told our Manufacturing Matters event that his company had “given up on the apprenticeship scheme a long time ago”, saying: “They paid into the apprenticeship levy but gave up recruiting apprentices as soon as the industry started to experience difficulties. It’s so short-sighted, they’ve just thrown the money away.” Another rep, working in nuclear power, revealed they’d had no apprentices for over three years, and that all those in year four of theirs are furloughed.
When we were fighting for the future of the Merseyside shipbuilder Cammell Laird, we looked to place some of the workers threatened with redundancy into a training college in Birkenhead, to upskill them so that they could be put back into the workplace with the skills needed when orders increased. Not a radical idea – a perfectly reasonable one. However, to do so we’d need funds from the apprenticeship levy. The funds that the government had previously pledged would create three million high-quality apprenticeships by 2020.
That’s when we hit a brick wall. Neither the minister at the time, Richard Harrington, nor his civil servants, knew how to access – let alone release – any of the close to £3bn of levy money sitting in the Treasury’s coffers. And that’s the problem with what both the Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Gavin Williamson have said about the “opportunity guarantee” giving every young person the chance of an apprenticeship (or in-work placement) with additional payments to businesses for every apprentice hired between August 1st and January 31st next year.
For all this fanfare about kickstarting the economy with jobs for the young, so much more could be achieved by simply putting the billions of pounds currently sitting there doing nothing to good use. Use it to create ‘down time’, upskilling the current workforce while bringing tens of thousands of new apprenticeships forward. The trouble is, of course, that business sees the apprenticeship levy as a tax on employers. The government treats it like one, too, rather than as an opportunity to develop the highly skilled workforce that this country desperately needs to build back better and meet the challenges of the future.
Take Rolls Royce. Why can’t a world-beating aerospace firm reskill its workforce and apprentices to repurpose production to produce tomorrow’s greener, cleaner technologies instead of panic-sacking 3,000-plus skilled workers? Until there is joined-up thinking in Westminster, along with a clear, immediate political signal that the government is interested in partnering business and employers along the road to recovery, employers will defer to those short-term survival instincts. And our young makers of tomorrow will never emerge.
The workers and young apprentices I deal with every day are terrified for their futures – and the tragedy is that they have so much to give to recover our vital industries and transition our nation to a greener, fairer economy. Yet there was no commitment in Sunak’s statement last week to making the green buses, the heat pumps, the electric vehicles, the glass, the turbines or batteries that we so desperately need to ‘build back better’ than before. It’s with these technologies that we will create the opportunities to grow our economy while supporting our kids to make the things we need here, rather than simply importing from overseas, acquiring the skills we desperately need to thrive.
Time and again, when asked to be ambitious for the people of the country, this government ducks it. Take the £3bn in energy-efficient measures announced last week: measly when compared to the £36bn and £13.5bn Germany and France are investing respectively. While the question is asked about who will pay for the pandemic (answer: absolutely not working people), it is bewildering that the government refuses to see the incredible possibilities it could reap from a thriving manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing is not a relic, nor our yesterday as a nation. In fact, it very much ought to be our future – and central to that of our younger people who have had their lives put on hold and their dreams shattered by the cruelty of this crisis. Chancellor, find the key to that apprenticeship levy pot. Get that cash working and give our young people and planet proper hope of a brighter tomorrow.


labourlist--2020-07-15--Labour warns of “wave of nursery closures” in struggling childcare sector

Labour has called on the government to focus financial support on the struggling childcare sector to “ prevent a wave of nursery closures ” in the coronavirus pandemic .
In a visit to a nursery on Thursday , shadow minister for children and early years Tulip Siddiq will warn that a mass shutting down of childcare settings would result in a “ setting back ” in the country ’ s recovery .
She is expected to emphasise that if a large number of nurseries are closed , this could lead to many parents – particularly women – losing their jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the economy .
Commenting ahead of her visit , Siddiq said : “ Childcare is absolutely essential for working parents and to our economic recovery from coronavirus .
But it has been ignored by the government in this crisis , with the early years sector consistently excluded from support packages .
“ We were already losing hundreds of nurseries and childminders every month before this crisis hit due to years of underfunding .
We can ’ t afford for any more to close , but that is precisely what will happen unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like childcare.
” Recent research by Ofsted shows that there were 14,000 fewer childcare providers in England in March 2020 than in March 2015 , and that the total number declined by 500 in the first three months of this year .
A survey by the Early Years Alliance of 3,000 pre-schools , nurseries and childminders in April found that 25 % of respondents felt they were “ somewhat ” or “ very unlikely ” to be still operating in 12 months ’ time .
Siddiq added : “ It ’ s time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families in this pandemic and step in with a proper plan to save the childcare sector.
” Labour MPs also criticised Chancellor Rishi Sunak for the absence of support for female workers in the economic coronavirus recovery plan at a Treasury committee meeting on Wednesday .
Siobhain McDonagh highlighted that women had been disproportionately affected by the health crisis , and told Sunak that “ we are 51 % of the population , we are more likely to lose our jobs , and to not do the hours we normally do ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor had failed to mention childcare once in the ‘ mini Budget ’ , despite the government acknowledging that women have been disproportionately impacted by Covid .

Labour has called on the government to focus financial support on the struggling childcare sector to “prevent a wave of nursery closures” in the coronavirus pandemic.
In a visit to a nursery on Thursday, shadow minister for children and early years Tulip Siddiq will warn that a mass shutting down of childcare settings would result in a “setting back” in the country’s recovery.
She is expected to emphasise that if a large number of nurseries are closed, this could lead to many parents – particularly women – losing their jobs, which would have a knock-on effect on the economy.
Commenting ahead of her visit, Siddiq said: “Childcare is absolutely essential for working parents and to our economic recovery from coronavirus. But it has been ignored by the government in this crisis, with the early years sector consistently excluded from support packages.
“We were already losing hundreds of nurseries and childminders every month before this crisis hit due to years of underfunding. We can’t afford for any more to close, but that is precisely what will happen unless the government targets support properly on sectors like childcare.”
Recent research by Ofsted shows that there were 14,000 fewer childcare providers in England in March 2020 than in March 2015, and that the total number declined by 500 in the first three months of this year.
A survey by the Early Years Alliance of 3,000 pre-schools, nurseries and childminders in April found that 25% of respondents felt they were “somewhat” or “very unlikely” to be still operating in 12 months’ time.
Siddiq added: “It’s time for ministers to get serious about supporting families in this pandemic and step in with a proper plan to save the childcare sector.”
Labour MPs also criticised Chancellor Rishi Sunak for the absence of support for female workers in the economic coronavirus recovery plan at a Treasury committee meeting on Wednesday.
Siobhain McDonagh highlighted that women had been disproportionately affected by the health crisis, and told Sunak that “we are 51% of the population, we are more likely to lose our jobs, and to not do the hours we normally do”.
Angela Eagle raised the fact that the Chancellor had failed to mention childcare once in the ‘mini Budget’, despite the government acknowledging that women have been disproportionately impacted by Covid.


labourlist--2020-07-15--Sunak challenged on lack of childcare support for female workers in pandemic

Labour MPs Siobhain McDonagh and Angela Eagle have challenged Rishi Sunak on the lack of childcare support for female workers in his summer economic update last week .
Appearing before members of the Treasury committee this afternoon , the Chancellor faced questions on his economic recovery plan for the country amid the coronavirus pandemic .
McDonagh said women had been disproportionately affected by the economic consequences of the health crisis , telling Sunak : “ We are 51 % of the population , we are more likely to lose our jobs , and to not do the hours we normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chancellor had failed to mention childcare once in the ‘ mini Budget ’ , despite the government acknowledging that women have been disproportionately impacted by Covid .
“ It was about a 22 minute statement , ” the Chancellor replied .
“ And there are probably many , many , many parts of the economy , many sectors , many types of families that have been impacted that we couldn ’ t mention in 22 minutes.
” He added : “ With regard to childcare and nurseries in general what I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received a full business rates holiday for the 12 months .
“ And those childcare providers are receiving all the government funding the would have got regardless of whether they are actually getting those children in.
” Sunak also faced questions over the lack of help for an estimated three million people in the country who have been unable to access any support throughout the crisis from any of the government ’ s programmes .
Labour ’ s Rushanara Ali said : “ This crisis has obviously created huge problems and with your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have been left out – the three million – it does feel like you ’ ve stopped listening .
“ What do you have to say to that ?
And is there anything you can do in terms of reconsidering to help the three million households that still haven ’ t had the help that they need ?
” The Chancellor replied : “ It ’ s not a question of not listening , it ’ s a question of a decision that I took to target support on those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw a line at a place that I thought was reasonable.
” The committee members also discussed the job retention bonus announced in the summer economic update – the MPs raised particular concerns with the way in which it fails to target support and would result in “ dead weight ” .
Eagle highlighted how the National Institute of Economic Research said that the Chancellor ’ s recovery package was “ poorly timed and could trigger a sharp rise in unemployment rising ” .
She also reminded members that both the ‘ eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retention bonus schemes had to be given “ ministerial direction by you , because the chief accounting officer in HMRC wasn ’ t convinced that they were value for money ” .
Ali added to those concerns on the specifics of the job retention bonus scheme , warning that the policy revealed by the Chancellor last week will lead to “ perverse incentives ” .
She said : “ Businesses bringing back people that they might have made redundant so that they can benefit from the furlough scheme and getting rid of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk in order to do their jobs during the pandemic.
” Sunak replied by asking which group of people they thought “ should not be eligible for the job retention bonus ” .
He added : “ We ’ re hearing it should be more targeted , but being more targeted means people should be excluded.
” The scheme revealed by the Chancellor in the economic update last week will see a £1,000 bonus for employers for every furloughed employee that they bring back to work until at least January To qualify for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least £520 each month on average .
Analysis suggests that if all furloughed employees were brought back this way , the scheme would cost a total of £9bn .
Labour has criticised the policy , arguing that the programme to get furloughed staff back to work is not targeted enough , and that the country “ can ’ t afford dead weight ” .

Labour MPs Siobhain McDonagh and Angela Eagle have challenged Rishi Sunak on the lack of childcare support for female workers in his summer economic update last week.
Appearing before members of the Treasury committee this afternoon, the Chancellor faced questions on his economic recovery plan for the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
McDonagh said women had been disproportionately affected by the economic consequences of the health crisis, telling Sunak: “We are 51% of the population, we are more likely to lose our jobs, and to not do the hours we normally do.”
Eagle raised the fact that the Chancellor had failed to mention childcare once in the ‘mini Budget’, despite the government acknowledging that women have been disproportionately impacted by Covid.
“It was about a 22 minute statement,” the Chancellor replied. “And there are probably many, many, many parts of the economy, many sectors, many types of families that have been impacted that we couldn’t mention in 22 minutes.”
He added: “With regard to childcare and nurseries in general what I can say is that nurseries this year have received a full business rates holiday for the 12 months.
“And those childcare providers are receiving all the government funding the would have got regardless of whether they are actually getting those children in.”
Sunak also faced questions over the lack of help for an estimated three million people in the country who have been unable to access any support throughout the crisis from any of the government’s programmes.
Labour’s Rushanara Ali said: “This crisis has obviously created huge problems and with your response and inability to take into account those who have been left out – the three million – it does feel like you’ve stopped listening.
“What do you have to say to that? And is there anything you can do in terms of reconsidering to help the three million households that still haven’t had the help that they need?”
The Chancellor replied: “It’s not a question of not listening, it’s a question of a decision that I took to target support on those who I thought most needed it and to draw a line at a place that I thought was reasonable.”
The committee members also discussed the job retention bonus announced in the summer economic update – the MPs raised particular concerns with the way in which it fails to target support and would result in “dead weight”.
Eagle highlighted how the National Institute of Economic Research said that the Chancellor’s recovery package was “poorly timed and could trigger a sharp rise in unemployment rising”.
She also reminded members that both the ‘eat out to help out’ and job retention bonus schemes had to be given “ministerial direction by you, because the chief accounting officer in HMRC wasn’t convinced that they were value for money”.
Ali added to those concerns on the specifics of the job retention bonus scheme, warning that the policy revealed by the Chancellor last week will lead to “perverse incentives”.
She said: “Businesses bringing back people that they might have made redundant so that they can benefit from the furlough scheme and getting rid of people who might have put their lives at risk in order to do their jobs during the pandemic.”
Sunak replied by asking which group of people they thought “should not be eligible for the job retention bonus”. He added: “We’re hearing it should be more targeted, but being more targeted means people should be excluded.”
The scheme revealed by the Chancellor in the economic update last week will see a £1,000 bonus for employers for every furloughed employee that they bring back to work until at least January
To qualify for the bonus, workers must be paid at least £520 each month on average. Analysis suggests that if all furloughed employees were brought back this way, the scheme would cost a total of £9bn.
Labour has criticised the policy, arguing that the programme to get furloughed staff back to work is not targeted enough, and that the country “can’t afford dead weight”.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Back “radical obesity plan” to protect health of children, Labour tells Johnson

Labour ’ s Jonathan Ashworth is calling on Boris Johnson to implement a “ radical obesity plan ” to protect the health of children as new figures from NHS England reveal a growing crisis made worse by coronavirus .
The lockdown brought about by the pandemic is exacerbating the existing childhood obesity crisis , according to early research , with children ’ s health experts warning of a lack of exercise and potential weight gain .
Labour analysis of the latest NHS England figures shows that last year there were 11,000 hospital admissions directly attributable to obesity , including almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second highest number on record .
The party has highlighted that 47 % of children – less than half – currently meet physical activity guidelines , while just over 7,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2018/19 including two children under 16 .
The worry is that the lockdown has led to fewer children doing enough exercise , as many are no longer walking to school , moving between classes and playing sports with friends in school playgrounds .
The five-point plan being proposed by Shadow Health Secretary is as follows : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on advertising ; • Mandatory and clearer calorie and nutrition labelling on all food and drinks ; • Ban the sale of energy drinks to children ; • Reverse cuts to public health funding to roll out weight management programmes to support people to live healthier lives .
Commenting on the demands , Ashworth said : “ The childhood obesity crisis means we need decisive action from Boris Johnson , not more dither and delay .
“ Ministers promised to tackle our growing obesity crisis but have not implemented a single measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapter of the childhood obesity report was published .
Ministerial dither is putting children ’ s health at risk .
“ Given the fears over the impact of lockdown on obesity levels , it ’ s urgent that children ’ s health is now given priority and the action needed is no longer ducked by ministers.
” Johnson is reported to have changed his mind on tackling obesity after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19 .
The Prime Minister says he has ditched his previously held “ libertarian stance ” on the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government published the second chapter of its obesity report over two years ago , yet minister have failed to implement any of the recommendations .
Health campaigners such as Action on Sugar and Salt have argued that there is a “ golden opportunity to ensure that lessons learned during the pandemic are translated to equitable access to health for all ” .
The Times has reported that an anti-obesity drive will be launched soon – banning deals on targeted products , while starting a a fitness awareness campaign and possibly introducing compulsory @ @ @ @ @

Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth is calling on Boris Johnson to implement a “radical obesity plan” to protect the health of children as new figures from NHS England reveal a growing crisis made worse by coronavirus.
The lockdown brought about by the pandemic is exacerbating the existing childhood obesity crisis, according to early research, with children’s health experts warning of a lack of exercise and potential weight gain.
Labour analysis of the latest NHS England figures shows that last year there were 11,000 hospital admissions directly attributable to obesity, including almost 700 under-16s admitted due to obesity – the second highest number on record.
The party has highlighted that 47% of children – less than half – currently meet physical activity guidelines, while just over 7,000 people had bariatric surgery in 2018/19 including two children under 16.
The worry is that the lockdown has led to fewer children doing enough exercise, as many are no longer walking to school, moving between classes and playing sports with friends in school playgrounds.
The five-point plan being proposed by Shadow Health Secretary is as follows:
Protect children from junk food marketing with restrictions on advertising; Create healthier retail environments, promoting healthy food choices in shops and supermarkets; Mandatory and clearer calorie and nutrition labelling on all food and drinks; Ban the sale of energy drinks to children; Reverse cuts to public health funding to roll out weight management programmes to support people to live healthier lives.
Commenting on the demands, Ashworth said: “The childhood obesity crisis means we need decisive action from Boris Johnson, not more dither and delay.
“Ministers promised to tackle our growing obesity crisis but have not implemented a single measure in over two years since the second chapter of the childhood obesity report was published. Ministerial dither is putting children’s health at risk.
“Given the fears over the impact of lockdown on obesity levels, it’s urgent that children’s health is now given priority and the action needed is no longer ducked by ministers.”
Johnson is reported to have changed his mind on tackling obesity after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19. The Prime Minister says he has ditched his previously held “libertarian stance” on the issue.
But Labour has pointed out that the government published the second chapter of its obesity report over two years ago, yet minister have failed to implement any of the recommendations.
Health campaigners such as Action on Sugar and Salt have argued that there is a “golden opportunity to ensure that lessons learned during the pandemic are translated to equitable access to health for all”.
The Times has reported that an anti-obesity drive will be launched soon – banning deals on targeted products, while starting a a fitness awareness campaign and possibly introducing compulsory calorie counts on menus.


labourlist--2020-07-16--Lloyd Russell-Moyle quits frontbench citing “right-wing media campaign”

Brighton MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has quit the Labour frontbench today , citing a “ campaign by the right-wing media ” against him .
His resignation statement posted on social media channels reads : “ This afternoon I spoke to Keir and asked to step back from the front bench duties as minister for air quality and the natural environment but remain a Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven .
“ It is with regret I leave the shadow ministry , but owing to a campaign by the right-wing media my position has become untenable .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and daily calls of harassment to my office , which has exposed those who work for me to abuse that would not be acceptable in any workplace .
“ It is my job to get political flack , but it is not the job of caseworkers , researchers and assistants to be attacked .
“ It has also led to hounding and stress , from which I need a few weeks to support my team and myself to collectively recover .
“ I am here to represent all my constituents and I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , and to the people who believe Labour can make our country a fair , better , happier place for all of us .
I shall continue to work hard for you.
” Russell-Moyle added : “ I shall return to the backbenches for the time being to support Keir in defending and furthering the manifesto we stood on and to achieve a Labour government.
“ A Labour spokesperson said : “ Lloyd spoke to Keir Starmer this afternoon and informed Keir of his decision to step back from front bench duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Keir thanked Lloyd for his hard work on the frontbench and wished him well in his plans for the coming months to focus on housing and youth services.
” The shadow environment minister had recently been criticised by the party-affiliated Jewish Labour Movement .
The group said he had “ in his short time in parliament , managed to attract constant controversy in relation to antisemitism ” .
Russell-Moyle issued an apology after comments he made about Zionism from before he became an MP in 2017 emerged earlier this month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had suggested that Zionism was a “ dangerous nationalist idea ” and “ not progressive in its very nature “ .
JLM criticised the Labour MP for his “ very public defence of Chris Williamson ” and for “ offering his support to numerous members suspended or under investigation for engaging in antisemitism “ .
Russell-Moyle also attracted criticism last month after he accused JK Rowling of using her sexual assault as “ justification ” for discriminating against trans people .
Asked on Wednesday about the possibility of Russell-Moyle being sacked , Starmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made this apology at the weekend and has promised to reach out to the Jewish Labour Movement , and that ’ s the right thing to do.
” In response to the resignation announcement this evening , a JLM executive member said Russell-Moyle had not reached out to the organisation .
Joshua Garfield tweeted : “ We never heard from him .
It appears he opted to step down instead of reaching out to us.
” Luke Pollard , Shadow Environment Secretary , told LabourList in early June : “ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lloyd in the team… Lloyd is a force of nature .
”

Brighton MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has quit the Labour frontbench today, citing a “campaign by the right-wing media” against him.
His resignation statement, posted on social media channels tonight, reads: “This afternoon I spoke to Keir and asked to step back from the front bench duties as minister for air quality and the natural environment but remain a Labour and Co-operative MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.
“It is with regret I leave the shadow ministry, but owing to a campaign by the right-wing media my position has become untenable.
“This has unleashed a torrent of online hate and daily calls of harassment to my office, which has exposed those who work for me to abuse that would not be acceptable in any workplace.
“It is my job to get political flack, but it is not the job of caseworkers, researchers and assistants to be attacked. It has also led to hounding and stress, from which I need a few weeks to support my team and myself to collectively recover.
“I am here to represent all my constituents and I am grateful to all those who voted for me, and to the people who believe Labour can make our country a fair, better, happier place for all of us. I shall continue to work hard for you.”
Russell-Moyle added: “I shall return to the backbenches for the time being to support Keir in defending and furthering the manifesto we stood on and to achieve a Labour government.“
A Labour spokesperson commented: “Lloyd spoke to Keir Starmer this afternoon and informed Keir of his decision to step back from front bench duties as shadow minister for the natural environment.
“Keir thanked Lloyd for his hard work on the frontbench and wished him well in his plans for the coming months to focus on housing and youth services.”
The shadow environment minister had recently been criticised by the party-affiliated Jewish Labour Movement, which said he had “in his short time in parliament, managed to attract constant controversy in relation to antisemitism”.
Russell-Moyle issued an apology after comments he made about Zionism from before he became an MP in 2017 emerged earlier this month.
In a social media post, he had suggested that Zionism was a “dangerous nationalist idea” and “not progressive in its very nature“.
JLM criticised the Labour MP for his “very public defence of Chris Williamson” and for “offering his support to numerous members suspended or under investigation for engaging in antisemitism“.
Russell-Moyle also attracted criticism last month after he accused author JK Rowling of “using her own sexual assault as justification for discriminating against [trans people]”.
Asked on Wednesday about the possibility of Russell-Moyle being sacked, Starmer’s spokesperson said: “Lloyd made this apology at the weekend and has promised to reach out to the Jewish Labour Movement, and that’s the right thing to do.”
In response to the resignation announcement this evening, a JLM executive member said Russell-Moyle had not reached out to the organisation.
Joshua Garfield tweeted: “We never heard from him. It appears he opted to step down instead of reaching out to us.”
Luke Pollard, Shadow Environment Secretary, told LabourList in early June: “I’m really pleased that I’ve got Lloyd in the team… Lloyd is a force of nature.”