conservativehome--2020-04-22--Luke Evans: The virus, its aftermath – and why we need a mature, open discussion about helping the d

Luke Evans: The virus, its aftermath – and why we need a mature, open discussion about helping the dying through their final days

Dr Luke Evans is a member of the Health Select Committee , and is MP for Bosworth .
It may have been Benjamin Franklin who first introduced the widespread use of the idiom about ‘ death and taxes ’ but frankly at this time it doesn ’ t really matter .
All of us know that there are only two certainties and yet not just in Westminster , but in life too , whilst we wax endlessly about one , the other remains taboo .
There is nothing so certain or so natural as death , and the practice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
As a doctor , like all practitioners , I work hard to prevent premature and untimely deaths ; but I also help those nearing the end of their lives to have a comfortable , pain-free , good death .
This Coronavirus outbreak has brought us face to face with daily death tolls in the hundreds , and for many lockdown has brought the time to contemplate our own mortality ; that is just as true for parliamentarians as anyone else .
The truth is that we are talking about death now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many of us perhaps more than we have ever talked about it .
Because it is a notifiable disease , we are hearing that , each day , hundreds of people are dying whilst infected with Coronavirus .
According to Office of National Statistics for March this year , whilst 86 per cent of those deaths had COVID-19 assigned as the underlying cause , in 91 per cent of deaths from Coronavirus there was also at least one pre-existing condition ; there ’ s no reason to expect that trends will differ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means , though , is that in the significant majority of COVID-19 deaths a victim would already have been having their chronic conditions managed by a medical team playing a role in preventing untimely death , but also helping to deliver that good death when the time comes .
It goes without saying that palliative care is every bit as important as other areas of medicine for those nearing the end of their life and infected by Coronavirus .
Last week at the Health and Social Care Select Committee , I questioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s preparedness to deliver outstanding end of life care in both care home and residential settings .
Whilst ventilators are absolutely vital , it ’ s also true that the vast majority of people in those settings and approaching end of life will never need such an invasive intervention .
Why ?
Because they have a what clinicians call “ a ceiling of treatment ” .
In essence , taking them to an ITU setting would be literally futile .
What is therefore essential is adequate staffing , equipment and pain medication – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course access for loved ones at a deeply traumatic time .
Whilst it was pleasing to hear the Minister ’ s reassurances about my concerns , we must not lose sight of the need to give the very best medical care to those nearing the end of their lives .
It ’ s important to place Coronavirus in context .
Admittedly , whilst March was the first month in which COVID-19 was recorded as a significant cause of death , and figures over the last month have obviously worsened , in only eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred in England and Wales did the doctor certify Coronavirus as a cause .
We were far more likely to die for another reason , overwhelmingly during our old age .
As a constituency MP , a doctor , and a community leader all of this matters tremendously .
It matters because no matter the cause of death , whether Coronavirus or not , our role is to advocate for the best death for everyone .
We will all lose a loved one at some point in our lives and ensuring their death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their wishes respected , is paramount .
One of the jobs of parliamentarians during the coming months is to ask : what all that means in the context of Coronavirus and its eventual legacy ?
We have to create an environment which makes it not only acceptable but desirable to discuss our wishes for care when we are unwell : whether we wish to sign a DNAR form ?
The level of treatment we might consider ?
How we want to die ?
And whether we want to be buried or cremated ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and every one of us should now be thinking in a positive way about what will be coming to us all .
It ’ s important that we harness any positives that have arisen from this terrible period in our history .
There aren ’ t many , but it is essential to give purpose to those lives lost prematurely .
I very much hope that one of those positives is a mature , open conversation by the public and professionals about helping the dying through their final days .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is acceptable , and not just the unspoken cousin in a 300-year-old idiom .

Dr Luke Evans is a member of the Health Select Committee, and is MP for Bosworth.
It may have been Benjamin Franklin who first introduced the widespread use of the idiom about ‘death and taxes’ but frankly at this time it doesn’t really matter.
All of us know that there are only two certainties and yet not just in Westminster, but in life too, whilst we wax endlessly about one, the other remains taboo.
There is nothing so certain or so natural as death, and the practice of medicine is central to how we manage it. As a doctor, like all practitioners, I work hard to prevent premature and untimely deaths; but I also help those nearing the end of their lives to have a comfortable, pain-free, good death.
This Coronavirus outbreak has brought us face to face with daily death tolls in the hundreds, and for many lockdown has brought the time to contemplate our own mortality; that is just as true for parliamentarians as anyone else. The truth is that we are talking about death now more than we have in years, for many of us perhaps more than we have ever talked about it.
Because it is a notifiable disease, we are hearing that, each day, hundreds of people are dying whilst infected with Coronavirus. According to Office of National Statistics for March this year, whilst 86 per cent of those deaths had COVID-19 assigned as the underlying cause, in 91 per cent of deaths from Coronavirus there was also at least one pre-existing condition; there’s no reason to expect that trends will differ significantly in later months.
What that means, though, is that in the significant majority of COVID-19 deaths a victim would already have been having their chronic conditions managed by a medical team playing a role in preventing untimely death, but also helping to deliver that good death when the time comes.
It goes without saying that palliative care is every bit as important as other areas of medicine for those nearing the end of their life and infected by Coronavirus.
Last week at the Health and Social Care Select Committee, I questioned the Secretary of State on the Government’s preparedness to deliver outstanding end of life care in both care home and residential settings.
Whilst ventilators are absolutely vital, it’s also true that the vast majority of people in those settings and approaching end of life will never need such an invasive intervention. Why? Because they have a what clinicians call “a ceiling of treatment”. In essence, taking them to an ITU setting would be literally futile. What is therefore essential is adequate staffing, equipment and pain medication – not to mention quality communication and of course access for loved ones at a deeply traumatic time.
Whilst it was pleasing to hear the Minister’s reassurances about my concerns, we must not lose sight of the need to give the very best medical care to those nearing the end of their lives.
It’s important to place Coronavirus in context. Admittedly, whilst March was the first month in which COVID-19 was recorded as a significant cause of death, and figures over the last month have obviously worsened, in only eight per cent of the 47,358 deaths that occurred in England and Wales did the doctor certify Coronavirus as a cause. We were far more likely to die for another reason, overwhelmingly during our old age.
As a constituency MP, a doctor, and a community leader all of this matters tremendously. It matters because no matter the cause of death, whether Coronavirus or not, our role is to advocate for the best death for everyone.
We will all lose a loved one at some point in our lives and ensuring their death is comfortable and without distress, with their wishes respected, is paramount.
One of the jobs of parliamentarians during the coming months is to ask: what all that means in the context of Coronavirus and its eventual legacy?
We have to create an environment which makes it not only acceptable but desirable to discuss our wishes for care when we are unwell: whether we wish to sign a DNAR form? The level of treatment we might consider? How we want to die? And whether we want to be buried or cremated?
Preparation for events is key, each and every one of us should now be thinking in a positive way about what will be coming to us all.
It’s important that we harness any positives that have arisen from this terrible period in our history. There aren’t many, but it is essential to give purpose to those lives lost prematurely.
I very much hope that one of those positives is a mature, open conversation by the public and professionals about helping the dying through their final days. It’s time that talking about death becomes something which is acceptable, and not just the unspoken cousin in a 300-year-old idiom.


conservativehome--2020-04-22--Warwick Lightfoot: Central Government has no choice but to protect Council finances

Warwick Lightfoot is the Head of Economics at Policy Exchange The ability of the coronavirus pandemic , and the attendant lockdown , to upend matters reaches to all aspects of state and society – and local authority finances are no exception .
The provision of vital local services is now considerably stretched , as Robert Jenrick , the Housing , Communities and Local Government Secretary acknowledged last week , as he announced £1.6 billion of emergency funding .
In particular , there will be pressure on adult social care , registration services , mortuary and cemeteries , while staff absence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or possibly months .
All of this takes place while many sources of revenue – albeit marginal – from things such as charging for parking or planning applications are under threat .
The good news is that it is not yet clear that the pandemic is an inevitable disaster for local authority finances .
The bulk of local authority funding comes from three sources : Council Tax ( retained by the council ) , business rates ( which are generally pooled nationally , although subject to Byzantine arrangements where some authorities retain 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central government .
While the Business Rates holiday announced in mid-March has obvious implications , it is likely that Council Tax and the grants will continue more or less as before .
Central government will also help local authorities via Housing Benefit , which props up Council Tax revenues , and it has made clear that it will meet the cost of the business rate relief measures .
The lockdown and remote working will , however , have a direct effect on local authority accounts .
This is the time of year when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and close their account books .
This process will be significantly disrupted this year , with the result that financial information about councils will be incomplete and delayed .
But overall , the key to grasping local authority finance is to appreciate that central government and Parliament have decided to give local councils responsibility for important and complex public services .
These include child protection , disability services for adults , adult social care , and educational services .
Councils , on the other hand , have a limited tax base , mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base does not offer an elastic or buoyant source of revenue .
So to fund these expensive and complex services , central government has to supplement the councils ’ property tax base with grants .
What is more , the economic capacity of local councils varies – and taxable activity across the country does not neatly correlate with social and community need .
This has been a longstanding issue in English local authority finance and pre-dated even the Layfield Report on local government finance undertaken almost 50 years ago .
If anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has compounded it further .
Yet a generous and sophisticated grant regime that directed resources to councils on the basis of need ensured effective national revenue sharing , which allowed public services provision to be roughly uniform around the country .
Apart from the big three sources of local authority revenue – Council Tax ( 32 per cent according to the most recent figures ) , Business Rates ( 17 per cent ) , and grants from central government ( 49 per cent ) – a further couple of per cent of funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other sources .
Parking charges , sales of assets ( such as redundant property ) , and investment income can all make a modest contribution to council budgets .
These can not be relied upon to fund services properly .
And like Business Rates , the amount of revenue that can be accrued from parking charges , for example , is a geographic lottery .
It usually turns on whether a council has a major shopping centre , the classic examples being central London boroughs such as Camden , Kensington and Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brings into sharp focus some important principles of keeping council budgets in order .
First , many local authorities are inescapably reliant on help from central government revenue and redistribution of tax revenue on the basis of need .
Second , ingenious forms of local taxation , charging , or money-raising , such as revenue from criminal justice enforcement , are not a magic bullet solution .
Third , the national government must be willing to step in to ensure that in a crisis , needs are met and the public services that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There has been a push in recent years to find new ways for local authorities to raise revenue , especially since grants from the centre were cut in the years after 2008 crash .
Most notable has been an experiment in recent years to encourage local authorities to retain more of their local business rates and to move away from a grant regime based around the core principles of revenue sharing and need .
This has been enacted in Government policy : the Business Rates Retention Scheme , introduced in 2013 , allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the business rates in their area .
Subsequently in 2019 , the Government piloted schemes to allow some local authorities to retain up to 75 per cent .
Arguments behind these policies are often animated by a belief that retention will incentivise Local Authorities to support local growth , and a resentment of the UK ’ s economic centralisation in Whitehall .
The problem remains that many local authorities – retirement communities , and “ left-behind places ” with older populations , for example – do not have an economic base to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geography very often mean that the only way to ensure that local councils can meet their need is through a generous system of grants that redistribute revenues around the country .
In a crisis like the one the country is experiencing , there is no alternative to relying on the immense borrowing and tax-raising power of the national government .
To ensure that local authorities are able to meet all of their service requirements while maintaining balanced budgets , the government grant will have to take the strain .
The Government has rightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and businesses and will have to continue doing the same for councils .
There may well be opportunities further down to the line to for ministers to explore opportunities to give councils more buoyant sources of tax , such as revenue from local income , and sales taxes to finance local public services .
But that time is not now .

Warwick Lightfoot is the Head of Economics at Policy Exchange
The ability of the coronavirus pandemic, and the attendant lockdown, to upend matters reaches to all aspects of state and society – and local authority finances are no exception. The provision of vital local services is now considerably stretched, as Robert Jenrick, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary acknowledged last week, as he announced £1.6 billion of emergency funding.
In particular, there will be pressure on adult social care, registration services, mortuary and cemeteries, while staff absence is likely to be higher for weeks or possibly months. All of this takes place while many sources of revenue – albeit marginal – from things such as charging for parking or planning applications are under threat.
The good news is that it is not yet clear that the pandemic is an inevitable disaster for local authority finances. The bulk of local authority funding comes from three sources: Council Tax (retained by the council), business rates (which are generally pooled nationally, although subject to Byzantine arrangements where some authorities retain 50 per cent), and grants from central government. While the Business Rates holiday announced in mid-March has obvious implications, it is likely that Council Tax and the grants will continue more or less as before. Central government will also help local authorities via Housing Benefit, which props up Council Tax revenues, and it has made clear that it will meet the cost of the business rate relief measures.
The lockdown and remote working will, however, have a direct effect on local authority accounts. This is the time of year when council finance departments complete their annual accounting and close their account books. This process will be significantly disrupted this year, with the result that financial information about councils will be incomplete and delayed.
But overall, the key to grasping local authority finance is to appreciate that central government and Parliament have decided to give local councils responsibility for important and complex public services. These include child protection, disability services for adults, adult social care, and educational services. Councils, on the other hand, have a limited tax base, mostly centred around property. This property tax base does not offer an elastic or buoyant source of revenue. So to fund these expensive and complex services, central government has to supplement the councils’ property tax base with grants.
What is more, the economic capacity of local councils varies – and taxable activity across the country does not neatly correlate with social and community need. This has been a longstanding issue in English local authority finance and pre-dated even the Layfield Report on local government finance undertaken almost 50 years ago. If anything, economic change and de-industrialisation since the 1970s has compounded it further. Yet a generous and sophisticated grant regime that directed resources to councils on the basis of need ensured effective national revenue sharing, which allowed public services provision to be roughly uniform around the country.
Apart from the big three sources of local authority revenue – Council Tax (32 per cent according to the most recent figures), Business Rates (17 per cent), and grants from central government (49 per cent) – a further couple of per cent of funding can come in from an eclectic group of other sources. Parking charges, sales of assets (such as redundant property), and investment income can all make a modest contribution to council budgets. These cannot be relied upon to fund services properly. And like Business Rates, the amount of revenue that can be accrued from parking charges, for example, is a geographic lottery. It usually turns on whether a council has a major shopping centre, the classic examples being central London boroughs such as Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.
The virus certainly brings into sharp focus some important principles of keeping council budgets in order. First, many local authorities are inescapably reliant on help from central government revenue and redistribution of tax revenue on the basis of need. Second, ingenious forms of local taxation, charging, or money-raising, such as revenue from criminal justice enforcement, are not a magic bullet solution. Third, the national government must be willing to step in to ensure that in a crisis, needs are met and the public services that it has legislated for are provided.
There has been a push in recent years to find new ways for local authorities to raise revenue, especially since grants from the centre were cut in the years after 2008 crash. Most notable has been an experiment in recent years to encourage local authorities to retain more of their local business rates and to move away from a grant regime based around the core principles of revenue sharing and need.
This has been enacted in Government policy: the Business Rates Retention Scheme, introduced in 2013, allows local authorities to retain 50 per cent of the business rates in their area. Subsequently in 2019, the Government piloted schemes to allow some local authorities to retain up to 75 per cent. Arguments behind these policies are often animated by a belief that retention will incentivise Local Authorities to support local growth, and a resentment of the UK’s economic centralisation in Whitehall.
The problem remains that many local authorities – retirement communities, and “left-behind places” with older populations, for example – do not have an economic base to stimulate. The brute facts of economic geography very often mean that the only way to ensure that local councils can meet their need is through a generous system of grants that redistribute revenues around the country.
In a crisis like the one the country is experiencing, there is no alternative to relying on the immense borrowing and tax-raising power of the national government. To ensure that local authorities are able to meet all of their service requirements while maintaining balanced budgets, the government grant will have to take the strain. The Government has rightly displayed imagination and generosity in helping households and businesses and will have to continue doing the same for councils. There may well be opportunities further down to the line to for ministers to explore opportunities to give councils more buoyant sources of tax, such as revenue from local income, and sales taxes to finance local public services. But that time is not now.


conservativehome--2020-04-22--Ben Roback: Trump cheers protesters on – as America divides over the virus on party lines

In his column in this morning ’ s Times , Daniel Finkelstein cited the famous Churchill quote after El Alamein : “ Now is not the end .
It is not even the beginning of the end .
But it is , perhaps , the end of the beginning.
” In its COVID-19 journey , the UK is perhaps approaching the end of the beginning as discussion around an easing of restrictions increases .
Meanwhile , the United States has pursued a much faster route to “ the end ” at a national level , where Donald Trump is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for business as soon as reasonably possible .
It has prompted a battle to reopen America that is taking place along deeply political lines .
A constitutional crisis is on the horizon , as the President continues to test the limits of executive power .
In a conference call with state governors last week , Trump told them that he wants to begin to reopen the US economy on May 1 .
The White House has distributed a document of guidelines for “ Opening up America Again ” that offers proposed phased re-openings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ gating ” criteria .
As ever , constitutionally it is worth remembering that power lies largely with governors , on a state-by-state basis , not with the White House .
But politically , Republican governors are under pressure to follow the President ’ s intent .
In Georgia , Governor Brian Kemp has outlined plans to begin easing current lockdown requirements .
Gyms , bowling alleys , barbers and salons will be allowed to re-open from April 24 .
Restaurants and theatres will re-open on 27 April .
In Tennessee , Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not extending his “ safer-at-home ” order that is set to expire on April 30 .
Most businesses in 89 counties will be allowed to reopen on May 1 .
In South Carolina , Governor Henry McMaster has relaxed rules for previously non-essential businesses , including department stores .
Public beaches are set to be reopened as well .
Other states with Republican Governors that are beginning to either ease lockdown rules or signal their intent to do so soon include Texas , Vermont , Ohio , Idaho , Florida and North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) is a rare Democrat who has eased restrictions in his state , having allowed some recreational activities to resume this week .
Elsewhere , governors are working together on a regional basis .
Connecticut ’ s stay at home order expires on May 20 , and the state is allied with Delaware , Massachusetts , New York , New Jersey and Rhode Island in a multistate effort to coordinate reopening .
But are Americans ready to return to normal life ?
The political response to COVID-19 has fallen into predictable political lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics in the United States .
Fringes of the Conservative right who prioritise freedom , liberty and small government have taken to the streets in protest at their state Governor ’ s cautiousness to lift restrictions .
Michigan has become the epicentre of these protests , where the Democratic Governor , Gretchen Whitmer , is under sever pressure to lift restrictions in her state .
Similar demonstrations have taken place in more than a dozen states , where protests range from the handful to the thousands .
Trump has expressed tacit support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest .
Last week , he described protestors as “ great people ” .
He has demanded states be “ liberated ” .
For all the political battles and protests dominating the airwaves , it is worth remembering that exit strategies and an easing of restrictions is just as much about the willingness of citizens in their states to return to normal life as it the decisions of governors to loosen their restrictions .
It is patently obvious that those protesting with signs declaring “ freedom ” and “ choice ” are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialising .
But a new poll showed most Americans feel it would be risky to return to “ normal ” life just yet and would wait indefinitely or at least for a few more months for the threat of coronavirus infection to subside .
The response is largely split along party lines , with 21 per cent more Democrats considering returning work a risk compared to Republicans .
Overall , 50.6 per cent of Americans disapprove of the President ’ s handling of COVID-19 compared to 47.1 per cent who approve ( RealClearPolitics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep ramping up the pressure The President has made the COVID-19 response increasingly political in recent weeks .
That will continue as the White House puts Republican governors under even more pressure to ease their restrictions , with William Barr , the Attorney General , describing stay at home orders as “ disturbingly close to house arrest ” .
Trump is anxious to resume economic activity in order to begin reversing the 22 million Americans who have filed for unemployment benefit since restrictions were imposed .
Returning to the playbook that successfully propelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is turning his focus again towards immigration and China .
In an executive order , he has paused immigration for 60 days .
The link between COVID-10 – the “ Invisible Enemy ” – and China was brought into sharp focus by Tom Cotton , a Republican Senator , who tweeted : “ 22 million Americans have lost their jobs in the last month because of the China virus .
Let ’ s help them get back to work before we import more foreigners to compete for their jobs ” .

In his column in this morning’s Times, Daniel Finkelstein cited the famous Churchill quote after El Alamein: “Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” In its COVID-19 journey, the UK is perhaps approaching the end of the beginning as discussion around an easing of restrictions increases.
Meanwhile, the United States has pursued a much faster route to “the end” at a national level, where Donald Trump is in a hurry to get the country open for business as soon as reasonably possible. It has prompted a battle to reopen America that is taking place along deeply political lines.
A constitutional crisis is on the horizon, as the President continues to test the limits of executive power. In a conference call with state governors last week, Trump told them that he wants to begin to reopen the US economy on May 1. The White House has distributed a document of guidelines for “Opening up America Again” that offers proposed phased re-openings in states or regions that meet certain “gating” criteria.
Republican Governors are falling into line
As ever, constitutionally it is worth remembering that power lies largely with governors, on a state-by-state basis, not with the White House. But politically, Republican governors are under pressure to follow the President’s intent.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp has outlined plans to begin easing current lockdown requirements. Gyms, bowling alleys, barbers and salons will be allowed to re-open from April 24. Restaurants and theatres will re-open on 27 April.
In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee said this week that he was not extending his “safer-at-home” order that is set to expire on April 30. Most businesses in 89 counties will be allowed to reopen on May 1.
In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster has relaxed rules for previously non-essential businesses, including department stores. Public beaches are set to be reopened as well.
Other states with Republican Governors that are beginning to either ease lockdown rules or signal their intent to do so soon include Texas, Vermont, Ohio, Idaho, Florida and North Dakota.
Governor Tim Walz (Minnesota) is a rare Democrat who has eased restrictions in his state, having allowed some recreational activities to resume this week. Elsewhere, governors are working together on a regional basis.
Connecticut’s stay at home order expires on May 20, and the state is allied with Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island in a multistate effort to coordinate reopening.
But are Americans ready to return to normal life?
The political response to COVID-19 has fallen into predictable political lines, the likes of which often define politics in the United States. Fringes of the Conservative right who prioritise freedom, liberty and small government have taken to the streets in protest at their state Governor’s cautiousness to lift restrictions.
Michigan has become the epicentre of these protests, where the Democratic Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, is under sever pressure to lift restrictions in her state. Similar demonstrations have taken place in more than a dozen states, where protests range from the handful to the thousands.
Trump has expressed tacit support for the protestors, and certainly their right to protest. Last week, he described protestors as “great people”. He has demanded states be “liberated”.
For all the political battles and protests dominating the airwaves, it is worth remembering that exit strategies and an easing of restrictions is just as much about the willingness of citizens in their states to return to normal life as it the decisions of governors to loosen their restrictions.
It is patently obvious that those protesting with signs declaring “freedom” and “choice” are ready to resume working, spending and socialising. But a new poll showed most Americans feel it would be risky to return to “normal” life just yet and would wait indefinitely or at least for a few more months for the threat of coronavirus infection to subside.
The response is largely split along party lines, with 21 per cent more Democrats considering returning work a risk compared to Republicans. Overall, 50.6 per cent of Americans disapprove of the President’s handling of COVID-19 compared to 47.1 per cent who approve (RealClearPolitics).
Expect the White House to keep ramping up the pressure
The President has made the COVID-19 response increasingly political in recent weeks. That will continue as the White House puts Republican governors under even more pressure to ease their restrictions, with William Barr, the Attorney General, describing stay at home orders as “disturbingly close to house arrest”.
Trump is anxious to resume economic activity in order to begin reversing the 22 million Americans who have filed for unemployment benefit since restrictions were imposed. Returning to the playbook that successfully propelled him into the White House in 2016, he is turning his focus again towards immigration and China.
In an executive order, he has paused immigration for 60 days. The link between COVID-10 – the “Invisible Enemy” – and China was brought into sharp focus by Tom Cotton, a Republican Senator, who tweeted: “22 million Americans have lost their jobs in the last month because of the China virus. Let’s help them get back to work before we import more foreigners to compete for their jobs”.


conservativehome--2020-04-22--Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: The new Opposition leader begins, in a quiet way, to set the agenda

Sir Keir Starmer opened to an empty House .
His debut as Leader of the Opposition must be nevertheless be counted a distinct success .
For Starmer is not a dramatist , his impact measured by the applause he wins from a live audience .
He is a prosecutor , who works in a quiet and reasonable manner , though with an undertone of moral feeling , to build his case , to demolish the defence , and to win the eventual approval of a jury .
He looked more at ease than Dominic Raab , who as First Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Raab appeared apprehensive , his manner that of a gifted schoolboy who fears his work will not be found satisfactory .
Starmer observed that yesterday , “ 40,000 tests could have been carried out , but only 18,000 tests were carried out , ” and wondered why Raab was unable or unwilling to explain the discrepancy , so Starmer did .
He instanced a care worker in Leicester who has symptoms of the virus , but would have to get to the outskirts of Nottingham in order to be tested .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be done by public transport , for fear of spreading the infection , and takes 45 minutes by car , to which not all care workers have access .
Jeremy Corbyn often strove , as Leader of the Opposition , to show he was more in touch than the Prime Minister with life as it is actually lived .
In order to do so , he liked to give a name to the care worker in Leicester – Marjorie , perhaps – and to add one or two harrowing details of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of his less generous listeners began to think , might not be an entirely representative figure .
Indeed , some of them were so cold-hearted as to wonder whether she actually existed .
Starmer ’ s more humdrum case was harder to brush aside , for it stands to reason that to get from Leicester to Nottingham for a test , if one is a low-paid care worker with the early symptoms of the virus and no car , might be so inconvenient that one would decide not to make the journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
“ So it doesn ’ t look like that ’ s a good plan , ” Starmer remarked after his Leicester example : again a sentiment with which it was hard to disagree .
He wondered how many NHS workers and how many social-care workers have now died of the virus .
Raab said in reply that 69 NHS staff have died , but it is harder to come up with a precise figure for care workers .
Starmer was “ disappointed ” not to get a figure for social-care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same question next week and hopefully we can have a better answer.
” Raab by now looked like a schoolboy who has been found not to have done his prep , and realises with a sinking heart that he will have to have got it done by the same time next week .
He was not bold enough to say it was unrealistic to suppose that figures for the care sector could be compiled as quickly as those for the NHS .
Starmer had begun , in a quiet way , to assert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda .
This first hybrid sitting of the House of Commons worked remarkably smoothly from a technical point of view .
Only Kevin Brennan , ringing in from Cardiff West , broke up during Welsh Questions , with which the day began , and the Welsh Secretary , Simon Hart , said he had “ got the gist ” of it , which was probably true .
But it can not be said too often or too loudly that these changes must be temporary , entailing as they do a grave loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if only from a sedentary position , and of the ability to see how opinion is moving in the House .

Sir Keir Starmer opened to an empty House. His debut as Leader of the Opposition must be nevertheless be counted a distinct success.
For Starmer is not a dramatist, his impact measured by the applause he wins from a live audience. He is a prosecutor, who works in a quiet and reasonable manner, though with an undertone of moral feeling, to build his case, to demolish the defence, and to win the eventual approval of a jury.
He looked more at ease than Dominic Raab, who as First Secretary of State was deputising for Boris Johnson. Raab appeared apprehensive, his manner that of a gifted schoolboy who fears his work will not be found satisfactory.
Starmer observed that yesterday, “40,000 tests could have been carried out, but only 18,000 tests were carried out,” and wondered why
Raab was unable or unwilling to explain the discrepancy, so Starmer did. He instanced a care worker in Leicester who has symptoms of the virus, but would have to get to the outskirts of Nottingham in order to be tested.
This journey, he pointed out, cannot be done by public transport, for fear of spreading the infection, and takes 45 minutes by car, to which not all care workers have access.
Jeremy Corbyn often strove, as Leader of the Opposition, to show he was more in touch than the Prime Minister with life as it is actually lived.
In order to do so, he liked to give a name to the care worker in Leicester – Marjorie, perhaps – and to add one or two harrowing details of her medical and economic predicament.
Marjorie, some of his less generous listeners began to think, might not be an entirely representative figure. Indeed, some of them were so cold-hearted as to wonder whether she actually existed.
Starmer’s more humdrum case was harder to brush aside, for it stands to reason that to get from Leicester to Nottingham for a test, if one is a low-paid care worker with the early symptoms of the virus and no car, might be so inconvenient that one would decide not to make the journey.
Understatement has its place in public life. “So it doesn’t look like that’s a good plan,” Starmer remarked after his Leicester example: again a sentiment with which it was hard to disagree.
He wondered how many NHS workers and how many social-care workers have now died of the virus.
Raab said in reply that 69 NHS staff have died, but it is harder to come up with a precise figure for care workers.
Starmer was “disappointed” not to get a figure for social-care workers: “I’ll ask the same question next week and hopefully we can have a better answer.”
Raab by now looked like a schoolboy who has been found not to have done his prep, and realises with a sinking heart that he will have to have got it done by the same time next week.
He was not bold enough to say it was unrealistic to suppose that figures for the care sector could be compiled as quickly as those for the NHS. Starmer had begun, in a quiet way, to assert his superiority, and to set the agenda.
This first hybrid sitting of the House of Commons worked remarkably smoothly from a technical point of view. Only Kevin Brennan, ringing in from Cardiff West, broke up during Welsh Questions, with which the day began, and the Welsh Secretary, Simon Hart, said he had “got the gist” of it, which was probably true.
But it cannot be said too often or too loudly that these changes must be temporary, entailing as they do a grave loss of the freedom to intervene at any moment, if only from a sedentary position, and of the ability to see how opinion is moving in the House.


conservativehome--2020-04-23--Henry Hill: Carlaw complains to the BBC about its coverage of the Scottish Government

Scottish Conservatives complain to the BBC about ‘ unfair ’ coverage of the Scottish Government Jackson Carlaw has claimed that the BBC are not offering adequate scrutiny of the SNP administration of Holyrood , according to the Daily Record .
According to a complaint the Scottish Conservatives have filed with the Corporation , it failed to press Kate Forbes , the Nationalists ’ Finance Secretary , on a recent u-turn on business support rules to address the coronavirus crisis .
The Tories also reportedly feel that opposition parties don ’ t receive adequate coverage .
One Conservative source also suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correcting a perceived imbalance of pressure on the BBC , which has come under regular attack from separatist activists ever since the 2014 referendum campaign .
Meanwhile Carlaw has been pressing Nicola Sturgeon , the First Minister , on how she intends to distribute the Scottish Government ’ s Covid-19 funding to local authorities .
The SNP have been criticised in the past for excessively concentrating power in Edinburgh at the expense of councils ’ autonomy .
Vaughan Gething , the Welsh Government ’ s health minister , has fallen foul of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sessions by accidentally broadcasting a rant about a fellow AM , the Guardian reports .
He apparently left his microphone live after addressing the chamber , which led to his being overheard attacking Jenny Rathbone , a fellow Labour AM .
Gething objected to her line of questioning , asking “ What the fuck is the matter with her ?
” Plaid Cymru have since called for his resignation .
This comes as Dominic Raab used PMQs to put a spotlight on Cardiff ’ s alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some weeks ( as we have covered in this column ) .
Just this week there was another twist in the story as supermarkets emphatically rejected a claim by Mark Drakeford , the First Minister , that a delay in getting priority deliveries to vulnerable people was their fault .
Wales Online reports his having claimed in a response to Plaid ’ s Leanne Wood that : “ there was no delay in getting supermarkets the information .
There was a considerable delay in some supermarkets taking down off their websites the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information.
” Yet when approached by journalists , the supermarkets themselves reiterated that they had not received the necessary information from the Welsh Government until weeks after the comparable English scheme was already up and running .
Meanwhile Matt Hancock has penned an article in the Welsh press rebutting again the suggestion that companies have been ordered to prioritise England for PPE shipments .
Such a pro-active approach to devolved press is welcome , although the Health Secretary unfortunately employed desiccated ‘ four nations ’ language and the word ‘ British ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private companies rather than any state action .
Legislatures aren ’ t the only institutions struggling on via video-link at the moment .
Elsewhere Stuart Campbell , AKA the arch-separatist blogger Wings over Scotland , had a legal hearing this way – and the BBC reports that such things might become permanent .
He is attempting to overturn a previous decision in which a sheriff ruled that Kezia Dugdale , a former leader of Scottish Labour , had not defamed him when she wrote in a Daily Record column that he had sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Philip Sim has a blow-by-blow account of the hearing on Twitter .
Inquiry into Sargeant scandal is called off History moves at quite a clip these days , but this week saw what is probably the conclusion of a story which longer-term readers of this column may remember as the Carl Sargeant scandal .
This was the quagmire the then-First Minister Carwyn Jones found himself in after Sargeant , a Labour AM and former minister , took his own life after being dismissed from the Welsh Goverment .
Jones set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this got bogged down almost immediately in objections from the Sargeant family .
A High Court judge later ruled it unlawful for Jones to have taken decisions on the probe .
This week , on the advice of ACAS , Drakeford formally wound up the investigation and the Welsh Government paid the Sargeants ’ outstanding legal costs – which have apparently run to £220,000 .
Andrew RT Davies , the former Tory leader in the Assembly , said that he was “ sorry the family will never get the answers they deserve ” @

Scottish Conservatives complain to the BBC about ‘unfair’ coverage of the Scottish Government
Jackson Carlaw has claimed that the BBC are not offering adequate scrutiny of the SNP administration of Holyrood, according to the Daily Record.
According to a complaint the Scottish Conservatives have filed with the Corporation, it failed to press Kate Forbes, the Nationalists’ Finance Secretary, on a recent u-turn on business support rules to address the coronavirus crisis. The Tories also reportedly feel that opposition parties don’t receive adequate coverage.
One Conservative source also suggested that the move was a step towards correcting a perceived imbalance of pressure on the BBC, which has come under regular attack from separatist activists ever since the 2014 referendum campaign.
Meanwhile Carlaw has been pressing Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, on how she intends to distribute the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 funding to local authorities. The SNP have been criticised in the past for excessively concentrating power in Edinburgh at the expense of councils’ autonomy.
Welsh minister faces calls to resign after expletive-ridden outburst
Vaughan Gething, the Welsh Government’s health minister, has fallen foul of the Assembly’s new ‘virtual’ sessions by accidentally broadcasting a rant about a fellow AM, the Guardian reports.
He apparently left his microphone live after addressing the chamber, which led to his being overheard attacking Jenny Rathbone, a fellow Labour AM. Gething objected to her line of questioning, asking “What the fuck is the matter with her?” Plaid Cymru have since called for his resignation.
This comes as Dominic Raab used PMQs to put a spotlight on Cardiff’s alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 crisis, which has been a theme with Tory MPs for some weeks (as we have covered in this column). Just this week there was another twist in the story as supermarkets emphatically rejected a claim by Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, that a delay in getting priority deliveries to vulnerable people was their fault.
Wales Online reports his having claimed in a response to Plaid’s Leanne Wood that: “there was no delay in getting supermarkets the information. There was a considerable delay in some supermarkets taking down off their websites the notice that said they were waiting for the information.”
Yet when approached by journalists, the supermarkets themselves reiterated that they had not received the necessary information from the Welsh Government until weeks after the comparable English scheme was already up and running.
Meanwhile Matt Hancock has penned an article in the Welsh press rebutting again the suggestion that companies have been ordered to prioritise England for PPE shipments. Such a pro-active approach to devolved press is welcome, although the Health Secretary unfortunately employed desiccated ‘four nations’ language and the word ‘British’ occurs only once, in reference to private companies rather than any state action.
Wings over Scotland appeal heard in virtual court
Legislatures aren’t the only institutions struggling on via video-link at the moment. Elsewhere Stuart Campbell, AKA the arch-separatist blogger Wings over Scotland, had a legal hearing this way – and the BBC reports that such things might become permanent.
He is attempting to overturn a previous decision in which a sheriff ruled that Kezia Dugdale, a former leader of Scottish Labour, had not defamed him when she wrote in a Daily Record column that he had sent ‘homophobic tweets’. BBC Scotland’s Philip Sim has a blow-by-blow account of the hearing on Twitter.
Inquiry into Sargeant scandal is called off
History moves at quite a clip these days, but this week saw what is probably the conclusion of a story which longer-term readers of this column may remember as the Carl Sargeant scandal.
This was the quagmire the then-First Minister Carwyn Jones found himself in after Sargeant, a Labour AM and former minister, took his own life after being dismissed from the Welsh Goverment.
Jones set up an inquiry into the affair, but this got bogged down almost immediately in objections from the Sargeant family. A High Court judge later ruled it unlawful for Jones to have taken decisions on the probe.
This week, on the advice of ACAS, Drakeford formally wound up the investigation and the Welsh Government paid the Sargeants’ outstanding legal costs – which have apparently run to £220,000.
Andrew RT Davies, the former Tory leader in the Assembly, said that he was “sorry the family will never get the answers they deserve”.


conservativehome--2020-04-23--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct A

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ This is an opportunity to take on an intellectually demanding role at the heart of international financial services , leading a sizeable and complex organisation .
There is a requirement for strong leadership in a challenging environment to undertake a critically important role .
Under Andrew Bailey , the FCA has formulated a transformation programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next phase of its development : a data strategy and enhanced analytical skills to rapidly identify harm across an exceptionally broad range of firms of all sizes exploiting fast-moving changes in technology and distribution to target consumers ; enhance employee capabilities and processes to act swiftly on the harms identified ; [ and ] and with a regulatory framework which is appropriate following the completion of EU withdrawal , and which takes advantage of the opportunities for better and more efficient regulation brought by technology and behavioural science.
” “ UnLtd is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Millennium Awards Trust ( MAT ) .
The Millennium Awards Trust was established by the Millennium Commission which founded it with a permanent endowment of £100 million of National Lottery funds .
The MAT is governed by a Trust Deed which defines the framework within which the MAT should operate .
This Deed provides for the appointment of a Protector of the Trust ( the Protector ) who has a fiduciary duty to ensure the integrity of the administration of the Trust and the propriety of its procedures .
The Protector is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Secretary of State for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport .
We are now looking to identify a suitably qualified individual to succeed the incumbent who is coming to the end of their term .
We are looking to formally appoint a successor in Summer 2020.
” “ This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of an organisation which keeps Britain moving .
You would be joining the DVSA at an exciting time , with the opportunity to help shape the future of the agency and ensure its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the executive team in developing the organisation to be equipped for a future where technological transformation will significantly influence mobility .
The DVSA is now seeking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors to the Board who will embrace technological disruption , possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have a passion for harnessing the possibilities that digital transformation plays in driving greater customer insight and intimacy .
We seek a Non-Executive Director who will be expected to provide thought leadership in digital transformation and keep abreast of digital transformation trends and innovative approaches to operational excellence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will have the necessary skills required to chair the audit and risk committee.
” Time : Up to 36 days per annum .
“ Led by the Non-Executive Chair , the Crown Commercial Service ( CCS ) Board is responsible for the oversight of the operation of CCS , with emphasis on its strategic direction , management control , and corporate governance .
All Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to decisions covering the strategy for the organisation and the overall direction of the business , adding value by offering counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Technology and Digital Transformation Committee to support progression of our transformation journey… To complement our existing Board we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring recent experience in leading large scale digital transformation in either the private or public sector.
” “ As a non-executive director , you will play an active role on the board of SLC , supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company ’ s portfolio of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the continued growth of its customer base , delivery of recommendations from the Tailored Review ( Annex 3 ) and implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education .
A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to the Company are commensurate with and focussed on its delivery obligations .
The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government ’ s major assets : the Student Loan book .
This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exchequer and taxpayers ( £3.6bn raised to date ) .
There may be other opportunities to realise the value , in the widest sense , of the SLC ’ s data in the future .
”

Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Financial Conduct Authority – Chief Executive
“This is an opportunity to take on an intellectually demanding role at the heart of international financial services, leading a sizeable and complex organisation. There is a requirement for strong leadership in a challenging environment to undertake a critically important role. Under Andrew Bailey, the FCA has formulated a transformation programme, to equip the organisation for the next phase of its development: a data strategy and enhanced analytical skills to rapidly identify harm across an exceptionally broad range of firms of all sizes exploiting fast-moving changes in technology and distribution to target consumers; enhance employee capabilities and processes to act swiftly on the harms identified; [and] and with a regulatory framework which is appropriate following the completion of EU withdrawal, and which takes advantage of the opportunities for better and more efficient regulation brought by technology and behavioural science.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: Competitive.
Closes: 24 April
– – – – – – – – – –
UnLtd – Protector of the Millennium Awards Trust
“UnLtd is a registered charity and the sole trustee of the Millennium Awards Trust (MAT). The Millennium Awards Trust was established by the Millennium Commission which founded it with a permanent endowment of £100 million of National Lottery funds. The MAT is governed by a Trust Deed which defines the framework within which the MAT should operate. This Deed provides for the appointment of a Protector of the Trust (the Protector) who has a fiduciary duty to ensure the integrity of the administration of the Trust and the propriety of its procedures. The Protector is appointed for a term of three years by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. We are now looking to identify a suitably qualified individual to succeed the incumbent who is coming to the end of their term. We are looking to formally appoint a successor in Summer 2020.”
Time: 3-4 hours per quarter.
Remuneration: £5,000 per annum honorarium.
Closes: 24 April
– – – – – – – – – –
Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency – Non-Executive Directors
“This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of an organisation which keeps Britain moving. You would be joining the DVSA at an exciting time, with the opportunity to help shape the future of the agency and ensure its continued success. This will mean supporting the executive team in developing the organisation to be equipped for a future where technological transformation will significantly influence mobility. The DVSA is now seeking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors to the Board who will embrace technological disruption, possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have a passion for harnessing the possibilities that digital transformation plays in driving greater customer insight and intimacy. We seek a Non-Executive Director who will be expected to provide thought leadership in digital transformation and keep abreast of digital transformation trends and innovative approaches to operational excellence, as well as a Non-Executive Director who will have the necessary skills required to chair the audit and risk committee.”
Time: Up to 36 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000.
Closes: 28 April
– – – – – – – – – –
Crown Commercial Service – Non-Executive Directors
“Led by the Non-Executive Chair, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Board is responsible for the oversight of the operation of CCS, with emphasis on its strategic direction, management control, and corporate governance. All Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to decisions covering the strategy for the organisation and the overall direction of the business, adding value by offering counsel, advice and challenge. We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Technology and Digital Transformation Committee to support progression of our transformation journey… To complement our existing Board we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring recent experience in leading large scale digital transformation in either the private or public sector.”
Time: Approx 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Student Loans Company Board – Non-Executive Directors
“As a non-executive director, you will play an active role on the board of SLC, supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company’s portfolio of priorities, overcome challenges and exploit opportunities, including the continued growth of its customer base, delivery of recommendations from the Tailored Review (Annex 3) and implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education. A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to the Company are commensurate with and focussed on its delivery obligations. The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government’s major assets: the Student Loan book. This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to monetise that asset for the benefit of the exchequer and taxpayers (£3.6bn raised to date). There may be other opportunities to realise the value, in the widest sense, of the SLC’s data in the future.”
Time: Two days per month.
Remuneration: £12,000, up to £17,000.
Closes: 19 May


conservativehome--2020-04-23--Responding to the challenge of two million unemployed people – and maybe more

It makes no sense in ordinary times for the Government to pay people to do nothing – unless they are sick , disabled , incapacitated or unable for some other reason to work at all .
But these are extraordinary times , and Ministers have been right to set up schemes which aim to support people and business when it makes sense for them not to work – or where they simply can ’ t .
Those that are delivered through third parties , such as the Business Interruption Loan Scheme , seem to be working less well than those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The online portal for the Job Retention Scheme has held up well , given that some eight million people have applied for it – far more than Government originally anticipated .
And Iain Duncan Smith writes on ConservativeHome this morning about the durability of Universal Credit – which is becoming the backbone of state support for inactivity , but was designed to ease the journey from it to work .
This raises the question of what further measures , if any , Ministers should take to help pay people to work as , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown is eased in mid-May .
For although it indeed usually makes no sense for the taxpayer to pay people not work , with the exceptions we ’ ve already described , for the taxpayer to pay people to work doesn ’ t come without problems either .
The classic example was Gordon Brown ’ s tax credits plans , which built on the Major Government ’ s own Family Credit scheme , but “ took it all too far ” , like Ziggy Stardust in the song .
These schemes can reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a substitute for their employers paying them properly – and also raises problems of equity between the beneficiaries and the taxpayer .
But it doesn ’ t follow that because such plans can get out of hand , none should be implemented at all .
Over at the Education Department , Gavin Williamson is pondering the matter , this site is told .
The story of Britain ’ s “ jobs miracle ” since the late Major period is too well told to need telling again , together with some of the issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and durability of that work .
What ’ s more to the point now is the return of unemployment on a huge scale .
The Office for Budget Responsibility ’ s recent assessment was bleak – and , remember , it is based on a “ hopefully temporary ” shock .
“ Unemployment rises by more than 2 million to 10 per cent in the second quarter , but then declines more slowly than GDP recovers , ” the OBR declares .
There are two groups of people who are particularly exposed : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and younger people – who already find themselves unable to build up capital to the same extent as older ones .
For the former , JobCentre Plus will need a shift in thinking .
Until the Coronavirus , those coming through its doors were those without work in an age of full employment , in effect .
One source pondered whether the service is capable of actively engaging the newly unemployed with potential careers in say , teaching , the police or nursing ( at a time when post-Brexit policy seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a role for an expanded careers service , which takes one to the younger group specifically , who will be entering a restricted labour market .
There ’ s a case for , say , abolishing some of the lower qualification rules , which make it harder for people from retraining , and for raising the limit in apprenticeship funding for SMEs .
The Government could pay wider time-limited subsidies to businesses fearful of taking new workers on as the lockdown is relaxed .
That raises the potential problem of nothing being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schemes along those lines wouldn ’ t be out of place amidst a broader programme of deregulation , tax cuts and letting the deficit take the strain .
That ’ s if the money markets will wear it , a matter that Neil O ’ Brien probed in his column earlier this week , but it makes sense , as it did not in 2010 , to try to grow our way out of trouble , given the stronger public finances .
At any rate , the Government will need new policy responses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a spike of mass unemployment for the first time in recent history .

It makes no sense in ordinary times for the Government to pay people to do nothing – unless they are sick, disabled, incapacitated or unable for some other reason to work at all.
But these are extraordinary times, and Ministers have been right to set up schemes which aim to support people and business when it makes sense for them not to work – or where they simply can’t.
Those that are delivered through third parties, such as the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, seem to be working less well than those that government is handling directly itself.
(Which is why we believe that the simplest way of dealing with the Gordian knot of government regulation, the banks’ slowness to lend and the plight of small business is for government to stand 100 per cent behind the loans.)
The online portal for the Job Retention Scheme has held up well, given that some eight million people have applied for it – far more than Government originally anticipated.
And Iain Duncan Smith writes on ConservativeHome this morning about the durability of Universal Credit – which is becoming the backbone of state support for inactivity, but was designed to ease the journey from it to work.
This raises the question of what further measures, if any, Ministers should take to help pay people to work as, God and Boris Johnson willing, the lockdown is eased in mid-May.
For although it indeed usually makes no sense for the taxpayer to pay people not work, with the exceptions we’ve already described, for the taxpayer to pay people to work doesn’t come without problems either.
The classic example was Gordon Brown’s tax credits plans, which built on the Major Government’s own Family Credit scheme, but “took it all too far”, like Ziggy Stardust in the song.
These schemes can reach the point where government funding workers becomes a substitute for their employers paying them properly – and also raises problems of equity between the beneficiaries and the taxpayer.
(The Coalition Government addressed the issue by compelling some employers to pay more – hence the rise of the rebadged Minimum Wage as the National Living Wage.)
But it doesn’t follow that because such plans can get out of hand, none should be implemented at all. Over at the Education Department, Gavin Williamson is pondering the matter, this site is told.
The story of Britain’s “jobs miracle” since the late Major period is too well told to need telling again, together with some of the issues that it throws up about the quality and durability of that work.
What’s more to the point now is the return of unemployment on a huge scale. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s recent assessment was bleak – and, remember, it is based on a “hopefully temporary” shock.
“Unemployment rises by more than 2 million to 10 per cent in the second quarter, but then declines more slowly than GDP recovers,” the OBR declares.
There are two groups of people who are particularly exposed: those who have recently lost their jobs, and younger people – who already find themselves unable to build up capital to the same extent as older ones.
For the former, JobCentre Plus will need a shift in thinking. Until the Coronavirus, those coming through its doors were those without work in an age of full employment, in effect.
One source pondered whether the service is capable of actively engaging the newly unemployed with potential careers in say, teaching, the police or nursing (at a time when post-Brexit policy seeks to reduce migration).
And there may be a role for an expanded careers service, which takes one to the younger group specifically, who will be entering a restricted labour market.
There’s a case for, say, abolishing some of the lower qualification rules, which make it harder for people from retraining, and for raising the limit in apprenticeship funding for SMEs.
The Government could pay wider time-limited subsidies to businesses fearful of taking new workers on as the lockdown is relaxed.
That raises the potential problem of nothing being so permanent as the temporary – but schemes along those lines wouldn’t be out of place amidst a broader programme of deregulation, tax cuts and letting the deficit take the strain.
That’s if the money markets will wear it, a matter that Neil O’Brien probed in his column earlier this week, but it makes sense, as it did not in 2010, to try to grow our way out of trouble, given the stronger public finances.
At any rate, the Government will need new policy responses to what at the very least will be a spike of mass unemployment for the first time in recent history.


Coronavirus Count

UK cumulative total of lab-confirmed cases : 133,495 ( Up from 129,044 ) .
UK cumulative total of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 18,100 ( Up from 17,337 ) .
Latest daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 4,451 ( Up from 4,301 ) .
Latest daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 759 ( Down from 828 ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS IN HOSPITAL From the Government ’ s website Number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK .
ConHome note April 14 : Public Health England has changed its presentation of the data to make it clear that the UK cumulative and daily totals of cases are of lab-confirmed figures , and that the cumulative and daily totals of deaths exclude those outside hospitals ( i.e : in care homes ) .
It has also separated out its graph info for cases and deaths .
We will reproduce the daily figures rather than cumulative ones .
“ The risk to the UK has been raised to high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
GOVERNMENT RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS ( SELF-DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
See here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS ON WHAT AND HOW THEY CAN CLAIM See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS , TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW See here .
Published on Saturday March 28 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE CORONAVIRUS BILL WILL DO See here .
Published on Wednesday March 18 HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soap and water are not available .
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ( not your hands ) when you cough or sneeze .
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell .
The symptoms of coronavirus are : However , these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness .
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common , such as cold and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do .
Use this service if : • You think you might have coronavirus .
• In the last 14 days you ’ ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers .
• You ’ ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus .
• In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours .
• In Wales call 111 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 0845 46 47 .
• Do not go to a GP surgery , pharmacy or hospital .
• What the coronavirus is , how it ’ s spread and how to avoid catching it – Government NHS website overview .
• Stay at home advice and how to manage self-isolation .
( All information taken from Government sources .
Updated as of 19.00 on Tuesday April 22nd . )

HEADLINE FACTS
Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases: 292,950 (Up from 291,409).
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths: 41,481 (Up from 41,279).
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases: 1,541 (Up from 1,266).
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths: 202 (Up from 151).
England total cases: 156,410 (Up from 156,018 ).
England total deaths: 37,069 (Up from 36,883).
England death rate: 279.4 (Was 278.7).
Scotland total cases: 15,709 (Up from 15,682).
Scotland total deaths: 2,439 (Up from 2,434).
Scotland death rate: 288.9 (Was 288.4).
Wales total cases: 14,658 (Up from 14,581).
Wales total deaths: 1,435 (Up from 1,425).
Wales death rate: 467.0 (Was 464.6)
Northern Ireland total cases: 4,838 (Up from 4,822)
Northern Ireland total deaths: 538 (Up from 537).
Northern Ireland death rate: 257.1 (Was 256.3).
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS BY DATE REPORTED
DAILY NUMBER OF LAB-CONFIRMED ENGLAND CASES
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
– – –
RISK
“The risk to the UK has been raised to high” –
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
– – –
NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDER FORM
See here
(The Government’s scheme to recruit 250,000 volunteers.)
– – –
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: THE UK GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY
See here. New as of Monday May 11.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON THE LOCKDOWN.
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON SHIELDING AND PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO ARE CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE FROM COVID-19
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON SOCIAL DISTANCING
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: GENERAL ADVICE
See here.
GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. WHAT YOU CAN DO AND CAN’T DO
See here.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS, TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW
See here. Published on Saturday March 28.
– – –
HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
Always wash your hands when you get home or into work .
Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze .
Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
A cough.
A high temperature.
Shortness of breath.
However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
USING 111
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Use this service if:
You think you might have coronavirus.
In the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers.
You’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.
In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47.
In Northern Ireland call 111.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
FURTHER LINKS TO GOVERNMENT ADVICE
– – –
(All information taken from Government sources.
Updated as of 19.00 on Friday June 12.)


conservativehome--2020-04-23--Garvan Walshe: How the Coronavirus set up Netanyahu for his great escape

Garvan Walshe is a former national and international security policy adviser to the Conservative Party .
The virus may continue to spread , but one man has reason to be happy .
Thanks to the emergency the epidemic has caused , Israel ’ s Benjamin Netanyahu has pulled off yet another great escape .
The country ’ s last election left him unable to form a government for the third time in a row .
And this time , there was not only no majority for him , there was also a majority against him .
More than 61 members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speaker hostile to him .
Yuli Edelstein , the outgoing speaker tried everything to prevent a vote on his own removal taking place , but resigned after the Supreme Court ordered him to hold one he was certain to lose .
The opposition would replace him with Benny Gantz , the former Chief of Staff of the IDF , whose Kahol Lavan party formed the core of the anti-Netanyahu Knesset majority .
Its next step was to have passed a specific law preventing a prime minister under indictment from holding office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposition would have got its way , and Citizen Netanyahu would have found himself in front of the District Court in Jerusalem defending himself from allegations of corruption .
The virus however demanded urgent action .
Caretaker Prime Minister Netanyahu began issuing orders for a lockdown .
He was denounced for his “ Corona Coup ” .
The public , sick of elections , hoped for a government of national unity , to deal with the epidemic , which was beginning to ravage Israel ’ s densely populated ultra-orthodox communities despite some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed .
Now , Netanyahu saw his chance and made the offer to Gantz .
Gantz ’ s campaign promise , to oust Netanyahu and never to go into coalition with him evaporated .
He announced he would enter negotiations .
This is where Netanyahu deserves his reputation as more subtle than any beast of field of Israeli politics , for by doing so , he persuaded Gantz to betray his voters , and split Kahol Lavan in two .
This immeasurably strengthened Netanyahu ’ s position .
Beforehand , had no government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced another election between the judicially-harried Netanyahu , and Cincinnatus Gantz , the honest soldier called to save the republic .
Each time the public voted , the scales tipped ever so slightly more away from Netanyahu .
Another election was a risky proposition indeed .
But now Cincinnatus had sold his soul and betrayed his allies .
A further election would finish him off .
So Netanyhahu offered him half of the posts in the Cabinet , though rump Kahol Lavan was now itself half the size of Netanyahu ’ s Likud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prime Minister so that in 18 months time Gantz would become PM , and Netanyahu his deputy .
Nonetheless , Netanyahu didn ’ t get what he really wanted – immunity from prosecution .
He had to make do with the lesser protection of a veto over the appointment of the new Public Prosecutor and Attorney General , and influence over the judicial appointments committee , which could affect the makeup of the Supreme Court should Netanyahu be convicted and need to appeal .
Legally-speaking Netanyahu has emerged in a better situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight his case from the Prime Minister ’ s official residence ( and a newly created deputy-Prime Minister ’ s official residence should he last long enough to need to rotate out of the top job ) .
But his political position is more precarious than he had hoped before he provoked the series of inconclusive elections back in 2019 .
Then he built his majority from a bloc of ideological allies from the Russian-immigrant right , religious-zionist hard right and ultra-orthodox parties .
Now he has fallen out with Avigdor Lieberman ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalists Nafthali Bennet and Ayelet Shaked ( whose party changes its name more frequently than Shaked sprays herself with “ fascism ” perfume ) , and depends on a man who will self-destruct next time he goes to the polls .
Reversing Israeli military doctrine , he has given up space to buy time .
For the first time since returning to power he has to watch his right flank , for whom a “ patriotic , not corrupt ” message has got to have some appeal .
Yet , Gantz ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to block the distribution of red meat to Bennet and Shaked ’ s supporters .
Gantz himself will be defence minister , Gabi Ashkenazi ( another ex-Chief of Staff ) Foreign Minister and Avi Nissenkorn , also from Gantz ’ s party , the vital justice ministry .
Netanyahu defied the odds , and exploited the virus , to escape once more , but his room for manoeuvre is limited , and the clock is now running against him .
What ’ s certain is that he ’ ll focus the next eighteen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his political skill to what has become his central preoccupation : his own survival .

Garvan Walshe is a former national and international security policy adviser to the Conservative Party.
The virus may continue to spread, but one man has reason to be happy.
Thanks to the emergency the epidemic has caused, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has pulled off yet another great escape.
The country’s last election left him unable to form a government for the third time in a row. And this time, there was not only no majority for him, there was also a majority against him.
More than 61 members of the Knesset were prepared to install a speaker hostile to him.
Yuli Edelstein, the outgoing speaker tried everything to prevent a vote on his own removal taking place, but resigned after the Supreme Court ordered him to hold one he was certain to lose.
The opposition would replace him with Benny Gantz, the former Chief of Staff of the IDF, whose Kahol Lavan party formed the core of the anti-Netanyahu Knesset majority.
Its next step was to have passed a specific law preventing a prime minister under indictment from holding office.
Had it not been for Covid-19, the opposition would have got its way, and Citizen Netanyahu would have found himself in front of the District Court in Jerusalem defending himself from allegations of corruption.
The virus however demanded urgent action. Caretaker Prime Minister Netanyahu began issuing orders for a lockdown. He was denounced for his “Corona Coup”. The public, sick of elections, hoped for a government of national unity, to deal with the epidemic, which was beginning to ravage Israel’s densely populated ultra-orthodox communities despite some of the most draconian quarantine restrictions being imposed.
Now, Netanyahu saw his chance and made the offer to Gantz. Gantz’s campaign promise, to oust Netanyahu and never to go into coalition with him evaporated. He announced he would enter negotiations.
This is where Netanyahu deserves his reputation as more subtle than any beast of field of Israeli politics, for by doing so, he persuaded Gantz to betray his voters, and split Kahol Lavan in two.
This immeasurably strengthened Netanyahu’s position. Beforehand, had no government been formed, the country would have faced another election between the judicially-harried Netanyahu, and Cincinnatus Gantz, the honest soldier called to save the republic.
Each time the public voted, the scales tipped ever so slightly more away from Netanyahu. Another election was a risky proposition indeed. But now Cincinnatus had sold his soul and betrayed his allies. A further election would finish him off.
So Netanyhahu offered him half of the posts in the Cabinet, though rump Kahol Lavan was now itself half the size of Netanyahu’s Likud, and the “rotation” of the Prime Minister so that in 18 months time Gantz would become PM, and Netanyahu his deputy.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu didn’t get what he really wanted – immunity from prosecution. He had to make do with the lesser protection of a veto over the appointment of the new Public Prosecutor and Attorney General, and influence over the judicial appointments committee, which could affect the makeup of the Supreme Court should Netanyahu be convicted and need to appeal.
Legally-speaking Netanyahu has emerged in a better situation than before the epidemic. He can fight his case from the Prime Minister’s official residence (and a newly created deputy-Prime Minister’s official residence should he last long enough to need to rotate out of the top job).
But his political position is more precarious than he had hoped before he provoked the series of inconclusive elections back in 2019. Then he built his majority from a bloc of ideological allies from the Russian-immigrant right, religious-zionist hard right and ultra-orthodox parties.
Now he has fallen out with Avigdor Lieberman’s Russian-immigrant party as well as the nationalists Nafthali Bennet and Ayelet Shaked (whose party changes its name more frequently than Shaked sprays herself with “fascism” perfume), and depends on a man who will self-destruct next time he goes to the polls.
Reversing Israeli military doctrine, he has given up space to buy time. For the first time since returning to power he has to watch his right flank, for whom a “patriotic, not corrupt” message has got to have some appeal.
Yet, Gantz’s party of securocrats is now in position to block the distribution of red meat to Bennet and Shaked’s supporters. Gantz himself will be defence minister, Gabi Ashkenazi (another ex-Chief of Staff) Foreign Minister and Avi Nissenkorn, also from Gantz’s party, the vital justice ministry.
Netanyahu defied the odds, and exploited the virus, to escape once more, but his room for manoeuvre is limited, and the clock is now running against him. What’s certain is that he’ll focus the next eighteen months devote use every last drop of his political skill to what has become his central preoccupation: his own survival.


conservativehome--2020-04-23--John Moss: In Waltham Forest, party divisions are forgotten as councillors are pulling together to h

John Moss: In Waltham Forest, party divisions are forgotten as councillors are pulling together to help our residents

Cllr John Moss is a councillor in Waltham Forest and a former Parliamentary Candidate .
Early on in the Covid-19 crisis , our Mayor , Chris Robbins , set up a WhatsApp group and added all councillors , irrespective of party , to it .
This has been a source of information ( and sometimes amusement ) during the past few weeks as we have all sought to do the best we can to support local residents .
One of the first local organisations to kick into gear was Age UK Waltham Forest , based in Chingford .
They asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescriptions or shopping for those isolating at home on Government advice .
They were rolled into the whole Borough effort with two other organisations , Eat or Heat and PL84U , who are now sharing the burden of supporting our residents across Waltham Forest .
Some of our councillors work for the NHS and their regular updates can be harrowing or heartening .
Many others have joined the volunteer army , joining the queues outside supermarkets and chemists and also making daily calls to residents living alone to make sure they are OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councillors have also shared options for home food delivery and mental health support with each other and promoted these to our residents via social media , as well as exercise tips and of course , guidance as we have received it from the Government .
The three MPs covering Waltham Forest have also been active in co-ordinating with the Council to make sure there has always been a consistent message about what people need to do and where to go to for support .
We opened our application portal for businesses to claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , probably inevitably , swamped with applications .
Personally , I have been seeking support for a couple of businesses that moved into new premises quite recently , which because they are new build or newly converted , are not on the Rating List .
This means they are not , strictly speaking , eligible for the support , but our MP is writing to the Chancellor about this and we hope discretion will be given to Councils to make grants to businesses in this position in line with the wider scheme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has all but stopped in the UK , I am still busy with pitches and presentations , so my daily routine involves a mix of working on these in my home office , joining conference calls and keeping up liaison with our clients .
Around that , I fit the trips to the chemist or supermarket to support our residents and I try and get in a daily walk .
My garden has also had a bit more attention than it might otherwise have got .
We all need to stick together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these difficult days .
I am very proud of the officers at Waltham Forest who have responded with calm competence , and of the councillors who have not tried to make any political capital out of this .
I always say that politicians of every party just want to make people ’ s lives better , we just disagree about how to do that .
This crisis has shown that the desire to help people remains the single strongest driving force within all of us .

Cllr John Moss is a councillor in Waltham Forest and a former Parliamentary Candidate.
Early on in the Covid-19 crisis, our Mayor, Chris Robbins, set up a WhatsApp group and added all councillors, irrespective of party, to it. This has been a source of information (and sometimes amusement) during the past few weeks as we have all sought to do the best we can to support local residents.
One of the first local organisations to kick into gear was Age UK Waltham Forest, based in Chingford. They asked for volunteers to come forward to collect prescriptions or shopping for those isolating at home on Government advice. They were rolled into the whole Borough effort with two other organisations, Eat or Heat and PL84U, who are now sharing the burden of supporting our residents across Waltham Forest.
Some of our councillors work for the NHS and their regular updates can be harrowing or heartening. Many others have joined the volunteer army, joining the queues outside supermarkets and chemists and also making daily calls to residents living alone to make sure they are OK and have some human contact.
Our councillors have also shared options for home food delivery and mental health support with each other and promoted these to our residents via social media, as well as exercise tips and of course, guidance as we have received it from the Government.
The three MPs covering Waltham Forest have also been active in co-ordinating with the Council to make sure there has always been a consistent message about what people need to do and where to go to for support.
We opened our application portal for businesses to claim their grants this week and it was, probably inevitably, swamped with applications. Personally, I have been seeking support for a couple of businesses that moved into new premises quite recently, which because they are new build or newly converted, are not on the Rating List. This means they are not, strictly speaking, eligible for the support, but our MP is writing to the Chancellor about this and we hope discretion will be given to Councils to make grants to businesses in this position in line with the wider scheme.
My job is in campaigning and whilst this has all but stopped in the UK, I am still busy with pitches and presentations, so my daily routine involves a mix of working on these in my home office, joining conference calls and keeping up liaison with our clients. Around that, I fit the trips to the chemist or supermarket to support our residents and I try and get in a daily walk. My garden has also had a bit more attention than it might otherwise have got.
We all need to stick together and support each other to get through these difficult days. I am very proud of the officers at Waltham Forest who have responded with calm competence, and of the councillors who have not tried to make any political capital out of this. I always say that politicians of every party just want to make people’s lives better, we just disagree about how to do that. This crisis has shown that the desire to help people remains the single strongest driving force within all of us.