conservativehome--2020-04-16--Henry Hill: Scottish Conservatives put the spotlight on Covid-19’s constitutional consequences

Over the past month , this column has covered the ongoing story of how the coronavirus crisis is exposing once again the shortcomings in Britain ’ s balkanised constitutional architecture .
So far this story has focused more on Wales – although the problems with priority supermarket delivery have been replicated in Scotland – but this week saw the Scottish Conservatives also starting to focus on it .
Andrew Bowie has led the charge with a blog post , picked up by the Scotsman , setting out why the Government ’ s response to Covid-19 has demonstrated the utility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devocrats ’ insistence on putting their own importance ahead of effective action : “ At times I fear , there was too much focus on put on demonstrating its independence when , in actual fact , adopting a whole UK position , delegating temporary authority to Westminster on certain issues , may have been the wiser course.
” Unfortunately the West Aberdeenshire and Kinkardine MP , a known devosceptic , does pull his punches to the extent that he pins the blame fully on Scottish Government decision-makers rather than acknowledging the roots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devolution – but this is still progress .
He has also written on this in the Times .
Meanwhile MSPs Murdo Fraser and Adam Tomkins have both taken to Twitter to attack the SNP ’ s muddled stance on UK support – it has called it to be offered on a needs basis , despite this contradicting the Barnett Formula .
The Scottish Government has come under sustained criticism for failing to offer businesses the level of support available in England .
Fraser has penned a piece for the Scotsman on the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least some of the credit for recent u-turns .
In an effort to deflect from this unflattering picture , the SNP tried to spin a story about firms being ordered to divert vital PPE equipment away from Scotland and towards England .
This was categorically denied by the Government , and the Nationalist health minister has since conceded that it wasn ’ t happening – although that hasn ’ t stopped grassroots nationalists in both Scotland and Wales spreading it .
Welsh Labour doubles down on call for ‘ distinct response ’ Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have clearly got the local nationalists rattled .
Welsh Labour members have attacked the Cardiff Bay administration for its policy being “ largely in lock-step with the UK Government ” .
This is despite the fact that , as detailed in recent columns , some of the main stories to have come out of rails in recent weeks have been woeful delays in implementing priority shopping delivery and community volunteering schemes as a direct result of devocrats ’ insistence on doing things separately .
A letter from the grassroots group noted that going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raising questions about the value of devolution ” , although in truth the shortcomings of the Welsh Government ’ s response are doing that already .
Just this week it emerged that it has only reached a shocking 14 per cent of the target it set itself of conducting 5,000 tests a day by mid-April .
Once again , devolutionary nationalism ’ s insistence on north-south solutions appears to be part of the problem : the BBC notes that Vaughan Gething , the health minister , has “ appeared to blame councils for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s new drive-through facility.
” But Cardiff is several hours ’ drive from some parts of north Wales .
Betty Williams , a former Labour MP whose husband has died of Covid-19 , has launched a powerful attack on this thinking in Wales Online , which reports her saying that “ she could also not understand why coronavirus swabs were driven by taxi nearly 200 miles from north Wales to a laboratory in Cardiff for testing when Liverpool was much closer.
” Contrary to the dogma of Welsh Labour Grassroots , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Welsh approach which will “ risk the well-being and lives of potentially tens of thousands of people.
” Unfortunately , Mark Drakeford chose instead to indulge them rather than concede this .
Little wonder the latest polls show Tory support ‘ skyrocketing ’ .
If there ’ s nationalist opposition to be mounted to an effective pan-British response to coronavirus , it was always unlikely Northern Ireland would avoid it , and there it has manifested as a row over whether or not the Army should be deployed to support public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Ulster Unionist health minister , has sought its support – only to be attacked by Sinn Fein for not getting their sign-off .
This despite the fact that Michelle O ’ Neill , republicans ’ Northern Irish leader , was actually the last Stormont minister to request Armed Forces support during heavy snows in 2013 .
However , in this instance Sinn Fein are isolated objectors , with the News Letter reporting that representatives of the DUP , SDLP , and Alliance Party have all welcomed the move .
In related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liking , Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are apparently calling for the creation of an ‘ island unit ’ to combat Covid-19 .

Scottish Conservatives put spotlight on Covid-19’s constitutional implications
Over the past month, this column has covered the ongoing story of how the coronavirus crisis is exposing once again the shortcomings in Britain’s balkanised constitutional architecture.
So far this story has focused more on Wales – although the problems with priority supermarket delivery have been replicated in Scotland – but this week saw the Scottish Conservatives also starting to focus on it.
Andrew Bowie has led the charge with a blog post, picked up by the Scotsman, setting out why the Government’s response to Covid-19 has demonstrated the utility of the Union. He also attacked the devocrats’ insistence on putting their own importance ahead of effective action:
“At times I fear, there was too much focus on put on demonstrating its independence when, in actual fact, adopting a whole UK position, delegating temporary authority to Westminster on certain issues, may have been the wiser course.”
Unfortunately the West Aberdeenshire and Kinkardine MP, a known devosceptic, does pull his punches to the extent that he pins the blame fully on Scottish Government decision-makers rather than acknowledging the roots of the problem in the very structure of devolution – but this is still progress. He has also written on this in the Times.
Meanwhile MSPs Murdo Fraser and Adam Tomkins have both taken to Twitter to attack the SNP’s muddled stance on UK support – it has called it to be offered on a needs basis, despite this contradicting the Barnett Formula.
The Scottish Government has come under sustained criticism for failing to offer businesses the level of support available in England. Fraser has penned a piece for the Scotsman on the subject, and the Tories are taking at least some of the credit for recent u-turns.
In an effort to deflect from this unflattering picture, the SNP tried to spin a story about firms being ordered to divert vital PPE equipment away from Scotland and towards England. This was categorically denied by the Government, and the Nationalist health minister has since conceded that it wasn’t happening – although that hasn’t stopped grassroots nationalists in both Scotland and Wales spreading it.
Welsh Labour doubles down on call for ‘distinct response’
Speaking of Wales, the past few weeks have clearly got the local nationalists rattled. Welsh Labour members have attacked the Cardiff Bay administration for its policy being “largely in lock-step with the UK Government”.
This is despite the fact that, as detailed in recent columns, some of the main stories to have come out of rails in recent weeks have been woeful delays in implementing priority shopping delivery and community volunteering schemes as a direct result of devocrats’ insistence on doing things separately.
A letter from the grassroots group noted that going along with British policy would “risk raising questions about the value of devolution”, although in truth the shortcomings of the Welsh Government’s response are doing that already.
Just this week it emerged that it has only reached a shocking 14 per cent of the target it set itself of conducting 5,000 tests a day by mid-April. Once again, devolutionary nationalism’s insistence on north-south solutions appears to be part of the problem: the BBC notes that Vaughan Gething, the health minister, has “appeared to blame councils for not referring workers for tests at Cardiff’s new drive-through facility.”
But Cardiff is several hours’ drive from some parts of north Wales. Betty Williams, a former Labour MP whose husband has died of Covid-19, has launched a powerful attack on this thinking in Wales Online, which reports her saying that “she could also not understand why coronavirus swabs were driven by taxi nearly 200 miles from north Wales to a laboratory in Cardiff for testing when Liverpool was much closer.”
Contrary to the dogma of Welsh Labour Grassroots, it appears to be the bull-headed insistence on a Welsh approach which will “risk the well-being and lives of potentially tens of thousands of people.”
Unfortunately, Mark Drakeford chose instead to indulge them rather than concede this. Little wonder the latest polls show Tory support ‘skyrocketing’.
Row in Northern Ireland over military support
If there’s nationalist opposition to be mounted to an effective pan-British response to coronavirus, it was always unlikely Northern Ireland would avoid it, and there it has manifested as a row over whether or not the Army should be deployed to support public health operations in the Province.
Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist health minister, has sought its support – only to be attacked by Sinn Fein for not getting their sign-off. This despite the fact that Michelle O’Neill, republicans’ Northern Irish leader, was actually the last Stormont minister to request Armed Forces support during heavy snows in 2013.
However, in this instance Sinn Fein are isolated objectors, with the News Letter reporting that representatives of the DUP, SDLP, and Alliance Party have all welcomed the move.
In related news which will be more to their liking, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are apparently calling for the creation of an ‘island unit’ to combat Covid-19.


conservativehome--2020-04-17--Those five tests. The stage is set for an easing of the lockdown to be trailed after the first May B

Those five tests. The stage is set for an easing of the lockdown to be trailed after the first May Bank Holiday.

Our governments never declare five tests without having made their minds up in advance .
So it was with Gordon Brown ’ s five tests for joining the Euro .
They were designed to ensure that we never would .
The purpose of these ones is the opposite .
Three of them are legerdemain .
Who will decide whether the rate of infection “ is decreasing to manageable levels ” ?
( Test three . )
Who will “ need to be confident ” that the supply of testing and PPE will be able to meet future demand ?
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other than Ministers , who will make decisions with an eye to the polls .
They will ultimately be guided not by “ the science ” but by “ the politics ” .
True , it would be awkward for them to claim that there has been “ a sustained and consistent fall ” in daily death numbers ( not “ rates ” , as Dominic Raab said , since we can ’ t be sure how many people have the Coronavirus ) if the Government ’ s scientific advisers were unwilling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
But the pass has already been sold on that one .
Chris Whitty said on Wednesday that the peak is “ flattening out ” .
Ministers would not have included this test as one of the five were they not confident that the advisers will soon be willing to signal a thumbs-up .
When ?
As this site reported yesterday , Boris Johnson is up and about texting people from Chequers .
The hope in Downing Street is that he will be back at work after the first May Bank Holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to look at a report from the joint Number Ten/Cabinet Office unit examining proposals from the departments about how to lift the lockdown .
Test One ( “ we must protect the NHS ’ s ability to cope ” and Test Five ( “ we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS ” ) are in essence the same .
Again , they ultimately require a political decision .
The Department of Health can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth test .
But it gives the Prime Minister enough wiggle room to say , during the days after the bank holiday , that they have been met if the shutdown is eased off gradually .
In other words , Johnson will seek to keep ahead of public opinion – which he is doing triumphantly so far : polls show overwhelming support for the Government ’ s position .
The art for him is to not to be caught out by a sudden shift in mood as closures , job losses and destitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday whether that might be early June – a quarter of the year in from the original wave of entrenchment in March .
The announcement in early May of a partial end to the lockdown might successfully juggle appeasing those who want it ended , satisfying those who believe that it is still essential , and keeping the Health Department and the Treasury on the same page .
Above all , it would continue to meet the Government ’ s primary aim : ensuring that the NHS can indeed cope with any relaxation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint whatsoever about all these being political decisions .
That ’ s of their essence .
The biggest fly in this ointment is the assumption that the Prime Minister will be back to his usual bouncing self by after the May Bank Holiday .
If he isn ’ t , he will have some serious thinking to do about whether Dominic Raab should be empowered to step up to the next level .
Yesterday , the latter could simply have said that the lockdown will last for another three weeks – and nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t confirms that the Government is preparing its way out .

Our governments never declare five tests without having made their minds up in advance. So it was with Gordon Brown’s five tests for joining the Euro. They were designed to ensure that we never would. The purpose of these ones is the opposite.
Three of them are legerdemain. Who will decide whether the rate of infection “is decreasing to manageable levels”? (Test three.) Who will “need to be confident” that the supply of testing and PPE will be able to meet future demand? (Test four.) Why, none other than Ministers, who will make decisions with an eye to the polls. They will ultimately be guided not by “the science” but by “the politics”.
True, it would be awkward for them to claim that there has been “a sustained and consistent fall” in daily death numbers (not “rates”, as Dominic Raab said, since we can’t be sure how many people have the Coronavirus) if the Government’s scientific advisers were unwilling to back them up. (Test Two.)
But the pass has already been sold on that one. Chris Whitty said on Wednesday that the peak is “flattening out”. Ministers would not have included this test as one of the five were they not confident that the advisers will soon be willing to signal a thumbs-up.
When? As this site reported yesterday, Boris Johnson is up and about texting people from Chequers. The hope in Downing Street is that he will be back at work after the first May Bank Holiday on May 8. He would then be able to look at a report from the joint Number Ten/Cabinet Office unit examining proposals from the departments about how to lift the lockdown.
Test One (“we must protect the NHS’s ability to cope” and Test Five (“we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS”) are in essence the same. Again, they ultimately require a political decision.
The Department of Health can be expected to be very cautious about that fifth test. But it gives the Prime Minister enough wiggle room to say, during the days after the bank holiday, that they have been met if the shutdown is eased off gradually.
In other words, Johnson will seek to keep ahead of public opinion – which he is doing triumphantly so far: polls show overwhelming support for the Government’s position. The art for him is to not to be caught out by a sudden shift in mood as closures, job losses and destitution reach a critical mass. We asked yesterday whether that might be early June – a quarter of the year in from the original wave of entrenchment in March.
The announcement in early May of a partial end to the lockdown might successfully juggle appeasing those who want it ended, satisfying those who believe that it is still essential, and keeping the Health Department and the Treasury on the same page.
Above all, it would continue to meet the Government’s primary aim: ensuring that the NHS can indeed cope with any relaxation of social distancing. We make no complaint whatsoever about all these being political decisions. That’s of their essence.
The biggest fly in this ointment is the assumption that the Prime Minister will be back to his usual bouncing self by after the May Bank Holiday. If he isn’t, he will have some serious thinking to do about whether Dominic Raab should be empowered to step up to the next level.
Yesterday, the latter could simply have said that the lockdown will last for another three weeks – and nothing much else. That he didn’t confirms that the Government is preparing its way out.


conservativehome--2020-04-17--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Protector of the Millennium Awards Trust –

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Protector of the Millennium Awards Trust – 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 .
“ The Office of the Complaints Commissioner is headed by the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner ( the Commissioner ) who is a statutory appointment required under the Financial Services Act 2012 .
This is a senior position and , whilst the appointment is made by the regulators , it is an independent role , subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner carries out his duties through a company limited by guarantee ( Office of the Complaints Commissioner ) from premises based in the City of London .
He is assisted by three staff .
The Commissioner ’ s role is to review independently complaints about the actions or inactions of the UK ’ s current financial services regulators , the Financial Conduct Authority , the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England ( but only in respect of its oversight of the banking clearing houses and payment schemes ) .
” Remuneration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with judicial salaries , pro-rated as appropriate.
” “ Science , technology and demography are changing the way health care services are provided and this has implications for the education and training of the future workforce .
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) are predicting worldwide shortages of doctors and nurses .
These developments provide the context for the work of HEE over the next few years .
How do we use finite resources most effectively to ensure that we have the right people in the right place with the right skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
This is an exciting and fundamentally important task and our purpose is to improve the quality and safety of healthcare through the development , education and training of the current and future workforce.
” “ The Prudential Regulation Committee ( PRC ) governs the Prudential Regulation Authority ( PRA ) which is responsible for the prudential regulation of banks , building societies , other deposit takers , insurance companies and certain investment firms .
Chaired by the Governor , and accountable to Parliament , the PRC takes the most significant and high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for overseeing and holding to account the PRA ’ s strategy and policy making functions , and for setting the levy on regulated firms .
It also adopts the budget of the PRA.The Government is seeking to appoint up to three external members to fill vacancies which arise from retirements in 2020/21 .
These are high profile and influential roles .
Appointees will be independent and will not represent or lobby for individual groups , interests or sectors.
” Time : “ The PRC meets 15 to 20 times a year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Having celebrated our 156 year anniversary last year , we are looking forward to the challenge of strengthening our role in safeguarding the best natural haven on the east coast of England .
We cover an area across the River Stour , the lower part of the River Orwell , Harwich Harbour and an area seaward extending 12 nautical miles from the harbour entrance .
We provide services for shipping using the commercial ports of Felixstowe , Ipswich , Harwich International , Harwich Navyard and Mistley and also pilot boarding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medway , Blackwater , Colne and Crouch .
Our vision is to be an exemplary Trust Port offering world class services , working with all stakeholders for a flourishing Haven.
” “ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 registered charity and the sole trustee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 continued success .
This will mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , advice and challenge .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 priorities , overcome challenges and exploit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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.
– – – – – – – – – –
HM Treasury – Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner
“The Office of the Complaints Commissioner is headed by the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner (the Commissioner) who is a statutory appointment required under the Financial Services Act 2012. This is a senior position and, whilst the appointment is made by the regulators, it is an independent role, subject to approval by HM Treasury. The current Commissioner carries out his duties through a company limited by guarantee (Office of the Complaints Commissioner) from premises based in the City of London. He is assisted by three staff. The Commissioner’s role is to review independently complaints about the actions or inactions of the UK’s current financial services regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England (but only in respect of its oversight of the banking clearing houses and payment schemes).”
Time: Est. three days per week.
Remuneration: “Remuneration is on a level with judicial salaries, pro-rated as appropriate.”
Closes: 13 April
– – – – – – – – – –
Health Education England – Non-Executive Director
“Science, technology and demography are changing the way health care services are provided and this has implications for the education and training of the future workforce. The World Health Organisation (WHO) are predicting worldwide shortages of doctors and nurses. These developments provide the context for the work of HEE over the next few years. How do we use finite resources most effectively to ensure that we have the right people in the right place with the right skills and knowledge to respond to these developments? This is an exciting and fundamentally important task and our purpose is to improve the quality and safety of healthcare through the development, education and training of the current and future workforce.”
Time: 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: £7,883 per annum.
Closes: 14 April
– – – – – – – – – –
HM Treasury – External Member to the Prudential Regulation Committee
“The Prudential Regulation Committee (PRC) governs the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) which is responsible for the prudential regulation of banks, building societies, other deposit takers, insurance companies and certain investment firms. Chaired by the Governor, and accountable to Parliament, the PRC takes the most significant and high impact supervisory decisions. It is responsible for overseeing and holding to account the PRA’s strategy and policy making functions, and for setting the levy on regulated firms. It also adopts the budget of the PRA.The Government is seeking to appoint up to three external members to fill vacancies which arise from retirements in 2020/21. These are high profile and influential roles. Appointees will be independent and will not represent or lobby for individual groups, interests or sectors.”
Time: “The PRC meets 15 to 20 times a year. The nature of the role will require flexibility.”
Remuneration: £108,300 per annum.
Closes: 15 April
– – – – – – – – – –
Harwich Haven Authority – Non-Executive Chair
“Having celebrated our 156 year anniversary last year, we are looking forward to the challenge of strengthening our role in safeguarding the best natural haven on the east coast of England. We cover an area across the River Stour, the lower part of the River Orwell, Harwich Harbour and an area seaward extending 12 nautical miles from the harbour entrance. We provide services for shipping using the commercial ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Harwich International, Harwich Navyard and Mistley and also pilot boarding and landing services for the rivers Thames, Medway, Blackwater, Colne and Crouch. Our vision is to be an exemplary Trust Port offering world class services, working with all stakeholders for a flourishing Haven.”
Time: 20 days per annum.
Remuneration: £37,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 April
– – – – – – – – – –
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--2020-04-17--How Johnson, by at last making National Insurance a reality, could become the second founder of the

How Johnson, by at last making National Insurance a reality, could become the second founder of the NHS

The pandemic has exploded the narrow bounds of political possibility .
Once the immediate crisis has been surmounted , the Government will have the opportunity , indeed the obligation , to ensure that next time we are better prepared .
Boris Johnson said in his message on Easter Sunday that “ the NHS saved my life , no question ” , and after thanking the “ two nurses who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way ” , went on to declare : A few of his most carping opponents may question this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sincerity .
His near-death experience , and the way he spoke about it , have demonstrated to most people ’ s satisfaction that the Prime Minister can be trusted to protect the NHS .
At the same time , the public has learned to its horror that many NHS and care-home staff have had to work without the protective equipment needed to arrest the spread of infection .
Other essential equipment , including ventilators , was in short supply , making good these shortages took longer than it should have done , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted earlier this week on ConHome , were far quicker to introduce widespread testing for the disease .
So Johnson can say , with perfect truth , that in order to protect the NHS , we have got to make changes .
He can mobilise public opinion in a way that none of his predecessors was able to do .
There are two directions in which British policy could go .
One is towards greater central command and control .
This would be catastrophic : it would repeat the original error of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Labour minister , Douglas Jay , put it , that “ the gentleman from Whitehall really does know better what is good for people than the people know themselves ” .
The German lesson is that local initiative , and competition between different providers , are indispensable .
Many of those providers are private , and are therefore able to respond to crises with a rapidity and flexibility which are seldom found in the public sector .
The result is not a Wild West , devil-take-the-hindmost capitalism – the caricature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppliers within the NHS seek to terrify us .
Competition between hospitals , and between laboratories , is regulated , each of the 16 federal states retains a considerable measure of autonomy , and an elaborate system of public and private health insurance supplies the necessary funds .
It would be absurd to seek , in detail , to replicate a German system which can be traced back to 1883 , and which accords with German traditions .
But our own system proceeds from a planning error of the 1940s – the introduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – which we have never managed to correct , and which is not in accordance with our own best traditions , which have always entailed a high measure of local control .
This tradition of local initiative is not extinct : without it , the hospice movement would not have started .
If we had waited for the NHS to provide the care needed by the mortally ill , we would be waiting to this day .
The Conservatives acquired , when they opposed Labour ’ s proposals for taking central control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for opposing the whole idea of a National Health Service .
Johnson is the leader who could show , on the contrary , that the NHS is only safe in Conservative hands .
He could become – I realise this will sound like reckless talk – its second founder .
Conservatives are rightly suspicious of grand measures of reform , but here is a moment which deserves to be seized .
For many years before the pandemic , a crisis has been building up over social care .
Who is to pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infirm to pay for ourselves ?
There is much to be said for doing that from a system of compulsory insurance , so that whether or not we need cover ourselves , we help pay for those who do .
That kind of solidarity , and equity , underlay the Beveridge Report of 1942 ( composed by William Beveridge , illustrated at the top of this piece ) , whose insurance provisions could be traced back to what David Lloyd George had done in 1911 , who in turn had built on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
National Insurance , a great German invention which still exists in vestigial form as an extra tax in Great Britain , is perhaps an idea whose time at Westminster has at last come .
And Johnson is perhaps the first Prime Minister since the 1940s with the boldness and imagination to see this .

The pandemic has exploded the narrow bounds of political possibility. Once the immediate crisis has been surmounted, the Government will have the opportunity, indeed the obligation, to ensure that next time we are better prepared.
Boris Johnson said in his message on Easter Sunday that “the NHS saved my life, no question”, and after thanking the “two nurses who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way”, went on to declare:
“We will win because the NHS is the beating heart of this country. It is the best of this country. It is unconquerable. It is powered by love.”
A few of his most carping opponents may question this declaration, but the public readily accepts its sincerity. His near-death experience, and the way he spoke about it, have demonstrated to most people’s satisfaction that the Prime Minister can be trusted to protect the NHS.
At the same time, the public has learned to its horror that many NHS and care-home staff have had to work without the protective equipment needed to arrest the spread of infection.
Other essential equipment, including ventilators, was in short supply, making good these shortages took longer than it should have done, and various countries, including Germany as noted earlier this week on ConHome, were far quicker to introduce widespread testing for the disease.
So Johnson can say, with perfect truth, that in order to protect the NHS, we have got to make changes. He can mobilise public opinion in a way that none of his predecessors was able to do.
There are two directions in which British policy could go. One is towards greater central command and control.
This would be catastrophic: it would repeat the original error of the 1940s, when it was supposed, as a Labour minister, Douglas Jay, put it, that “the gentleman from Whitehall really does know better what is good for people than the people know themselves”.
The German lesson is that local initiative, and competition between different providers, are indispensable.
Many of those providers are private, and are therefore able to respond to crises with a rapidity and flexibility which are seldom found in the public sector.
The result is not a Wild West, devil-take-the-hindmost capitalism – the caricature of American conditions with which opponents of private suppliers within the NHS seek to terrify us.
Competition between hospitals, and between laboratories, is regulated, each of the 16 federal states retains a considerable measure of autonomy, and an elaborate system of public and private health insurance supplies the necessary funds.
It would be absurd to seek, in detail, to replicate a German system which can be traced back to 1883, and which accords with German traditions.
But our own system proceeds from a planning error of the 1940s – the introduction of an excessive level of central control – which we have never managed to correct, and which is not in accordance with our own best traditions, which have always entailed a high measure of local control.
This tradition of local initiative is not extinct: without it, the hospice movement would not have started. If we had waited for the NHS to provide the care needed by the mortally ill, we would be waiting to this day.
The Conservatives acquired, when they opposed Labour’s proposals for taking central control of hospitals, an unmerited but enduring reputation for opposing the whole idea of a National Health Service.
Johnson is the leader who could show, on the contrary, that the NHS is only safe in Conservative hands. He could become – I realise this will sound like reckless talk – its second founder.
Conservatives are rightly suspicious of grand measures of reform, but here is a moment which deserves to be seized.
For many years before the pandemic, a crisis has been building up over social care. Who is to pay for us when we are too old and infirm to pay for ourselves?
There is much to be said for doing that from a system of compulsory insurance, so that whether or not we need cover ourselves, we help pay for those who do.
That kind of solidarity, and equity, underlay the Beveridge Report of 1942 (composed by William Beveridge, illustrated at the top of this piece), whose insurance provisions could be traced back to what David Lloyd George had done in 1911, who in turn had built on what Bismarck started in Germany in the 1880s.
National Insurance, a great German invention which still exists in vestigial form as an extra tax in Great Britain, is perhaps an idea whose time at Westminster has at last come.
And Johnson is perhaps the first Prime Minister since the 1940s with the boldness and imagination to see this.


Coronavirus Count

UK cumulative total of lab-confirmed cases : 103,093 ( Down from 98,476 ) .
UK cumulative total of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 13,729 ( Up from 12,868 ) .
Latest daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 4,618 ( Down from 4,605 ) .
Latest daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 861 ( Down from 761 ) 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 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 7.00 on Friday April 17th . )

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--2020-04-17--Iain Dale: Scrap IR35, keep entrepreneurs’ relief. And let SMEs lead us from lockdown to recovery

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and is a commentator for CNN .
The Government ’ s daily press briefings have come under a lot of criticism this week – sometimes justifiably , sometimes not .
The communications strategy seems to be following that of the general election : repeat the same phrases until the whole country has learned them off by heart .
Stay at home .
Protect the NHS .
Save lives .
Repeat .
Whatever the question from the journalist is , just repeat that phrase as often as possible .
It does my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in too , but it has been effective in persuading the general public to do what they ’ ve been asked to .
At least the Westminster press conferences have some degree of interaction between the journalists and the three government spokespeople .
In Scotland , Nicola Sturgeon allows a single question .
Then the journalist ’ s microphone is muted and no follow up question is allowed .
Sturgeon ’ s great asset is her ability to think on her feet , so it ’ s a mystery as to why she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet the media let her off the hook for it , in a way they certainly didn ’ t when , during the initial few days of the daily press conferences , journalists weren ’ t allowed a follow up in London either .
That soon changed , and quite right too .
The Scottish media is incredibly supine to the SNP administration , and its failure to protest about it tells us all we need to know .
The Office for Budget Responsibility published a post-Coronavirus economic scenario which scared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only a scenario , they said , not a prediction .
Why publish it , then ?
Nonetheless , it did go some way to illustrate that , whatever else people can disagree on , we can all agree that we won ’ t be returning to a normal economic situation any time soon .
And by ‘ soon ’ , I mean for the decade or even two .
The public finances will be shot to pieces , but how are they put back on an even keel ?
The public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the austerity policies of the last ten years , so what is the alternative ?
People will argue that extra borrowing doesn ’ t matter given interest rates are at as near nought per cent as you can get .
Maybe , but the natural laws of economics don ’ t change .
Rising levels of borrowing and debt lead to economic uncertainty .
The challenge for the Chancellor is not only how to reduce borrowing , but also how to meet the increasing demands from public services .
The tax burden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
The rate of that increase is bound to rise .
Expect a lot of hidden tax rises which will hit middle earners hardest .
Putting taxes up for the low paid is politically unacceptable , but I would expect to see a revamping of income tax bands , as well as a big increase in property taxes .
In theory , older people should now be taxed more but , for a government which won its electoral mandate on the backs of the votes of older generations , this may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority will surely be to rebuild an enterprise economy and encourage entrepreneurs to start new businesses .
The recovery will be built from the bottom up .
Big business will look after its own interests , as it always does , but it is the SMEs which will be the job creators .
Everything possible must be done to encourage them .
Get rid of the IR35 reforms .
Abandon the plans to abolish the entrepreneurs relief .
Get rid of any barrier to people starting up businesses .
Do that , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night follows day .
We need a revolution in economic thinking .
It will not be business as usual .
It can ’ t be .
But have we got the politicians and economic thinkers who are up to the task ?
I bloody well hope so .
I ’ m tempted to start a weekly award in this column for The Wanker of the Week .
The undoubted winner this week would be Channel 4 News ’ s Alex Thomson .
He ’ s a journalist who I have always admired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plot .
Firstly , he questioned whether Boris Johnson should be allowed to recuperate at Chequers because it ’ s his “ second home ” .
He ’ s the f*cking Prime Minister , you absolute bellend .
And he nearly died .
He then followed it up by suggesting in as many words in a question at the daily Government briefing that the government is deliberately following a strategy of killing as many old people as possible .
Quite how Matt Hancock didn ’ t throw something at the screen is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Tory support came from the over 65s at the last election you ’ d have to be pretty dumb as a politician to want to kill off the main base of your own support .

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and is a commentator for CNN.
The Government’s daily press briefings have come under a lot of criticism this week – sometimes justifiably, sometimes not.
The communications strategy seems to be following that of the general election: repeat the same phrases until the whole country has learned them off by heart. Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives. Repeat. Whatever the question from the journalist is, just repeat that phrase as often as possible.
It does my head in; it probably does yours in too, but it has been effective in persuading the general public to do what they’ve been asked to.
At least the Westminster press conferences have some degree of interaction between the journalists and the three government spokespeople. In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon allows a single question. Then the journalist’s microphone is muted and no follow up question is allowed.
Sturgeon’s great asset is her ability to think on her feet, so it’s a mystery as to why she won’t allow any follow ups. Yet the media let her off the hook for it, in a way they certainly didn’t when, during the initial few days of the daily press conferences, journalists weren’t allowed a follow up in London either.
That soon changed, and quite right too. The Scottish media is incredibly supine to the SNP administration, and its failure to protest about it tells us all we need to know.
– – – – – – – – – –
The Office for Budget Responsibility published a post-Coronavirus economic scenario which scared the bejesus out of most people.
It was only a scenario, they said, not a prediction. Why publish it ,then? Nonetheless, it did go some way to illustrate that, whatever else people can disagree on, we can all agree that we won’t be returning to a normal economic situation any time soon.
And by ‘soon’, I mean for the decade or even two. The public finances will be shot to pieces, but how are they put back on an even keel? The public is in no mood for a return to the austerity policies of the last ten years, so what is the alternative?
People will argue that extra borrowing doesn’t matter given interest rates are at as near nought per cent as you can get. Maybe, but the natural laws of economics don’t change. Rising levels of borrowing and debt lead to economic uncertainty.
The challenge for the Chancellor is not only how to reduce borrowing, but also how to meet the increasing demands from public services. The tax burden has been on the rise for some time. The rate of that increase is bound to rise.
Expect a lot of hidden tax rises which will hit middle earners hardest. Putting taxes up for the low paid is politically unacceptable, but I would expect to see a revamping of income tax bands, as well as a big increase in property taxes.
In theory, older people should now be taxed more but, for a government which won its electoral mandate on the backs of the votes of older generations, this may be one step too far.
The main priority will surely be to rebuild an enterprise economy and encourage entrepreneurs to start new businesses. The recovery will be built from the bottom up. Big business will look after its own interests, as it always does, but it is the SMEs which will be the job creators.
Everything possible must be done to encourage them. Get rid of the IR35 reforms. Abandon the plans to abolish the entrepreneurs relief. Get rid of any barrier to people starting up businesses. Do that, and economic activity will follow as sure as night follows day.
We need a revolution in economic thinking. It will not be business as usual. It can’t be. But have we got the politicians and economic thinkers who are up to the task? I bloody well hope so.
– – – – – – – – – –
I’m tempted to start a weekly award in this column for The Wanker of the Week.
The undoubted winner this week would be Channel 4 News’s Alex Thomson. He’s a journalist who I have always admired, but this week he’s lost the plot.
Firstly, he questioned whether Boris Johnson should be allowed to recuperate at Chequers because it’s his “second home”. He’s the f*cking Prime Minister, you absolute bellend. And he nearly died.
He then followed it up by suggesting in as many words in a question at the daily Government briefing that the government is deliberately following a strategy of killing as many old people as possible.
Quite how Matt Hancock didn’t throw something at the screen is remarkable. Given that a huge amount of Tory support came from the over 65s at the last election you’d have to be pretty dumb as a politician to want to kill off the main base of your own support.


conservativehome--2020-04-17--Shona Haslam: This crisis has shown that councils can make quick decisions when needed

Cllr Shona Haslam is the Leader of the Scottish Borders Council Local Government is on the front line of looking after the most vulnerable in our society during this crisis .
The biggest challenge to local councils is the speed of change and the announcements that flooded out of Government during the first couple of weeks of the crisis .
Thankfully the speed of announcements have now calmed down and we are able to make sure that we are reaching all of the most vulnerable of our community and providing help and support to our local businesses .
The levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been astounding .
The phrase “ whatever it takes ” echoes around the millions of pounds that is cascading to local government and business .
Money for business , for self employed , for furloughed workers , for food boxes , for PPE , for education hubs , for free school meals .
It is a deluge of help and support that is gratefully received and much needed .
But it was a huge amount of support to put in place incredibly quickly .
It is well known that local government is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick responses .
Anyone who has ever applied for planning permission , or tried to find the right person to talk to about preserving a tree , knows that it can be a bit of a bureaucratic maze of departments and officers .
However in a crisis we do tend to come through .
Whether that is winter weather or floods : when crisis hits , our teams swing into action with a mind-blowing urgency and efficiency .
A political leader of a council does not have much to do with the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority .
Much of that is done by the Chief Executive and their officers .
As a council leader , your role is much more to provide the strategic direction and political vision for the council – as well as identification of priorities .
It is your job to work with officers to deliver that vision rather than get involved in the “ how ” it is delivered .
So , when this crisis developed and it became clear that the normal functioning of council had to be suspended you come to rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chief Executive in a way that I have not experienced before .
As with many councils around the country we moved quickly to suspend standing orders and delegate decision-making powers to the Chief Executive .
This simply means that for the duration of the council , the Chief Executive is able to quickly take decisions without asking a Full Council meeting for agreement .
Now , normally this would never be accepted but in these strange times we have little choice .
I have had many questions “ but what if….
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how can the Chief Executive make a decision on their own ?
The truth is the council and all its staff and operations are doing nothing but Covid-related work at the moment .
It is all consuming .
When schools shut we had four days to put in place a scheme for key workers to access child care , for reasonable hours , seven days a week .
That first Monday morning of lock down we had no idea how many children we would have , how many teachers we would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport them safely to and from school .
We are a rural area and we transport thousands of kids every day .
Within a week we had established hubs and a booking system for our young people so that they could safely access child care seven days a week from 7.30am to 6pm .
This service is continuing right through the Easter holidays .
We are also continuing to provide free school meals to all kids entitled to them through our educational hubs .
Then came the shielding announcement .
Anyone with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
This has been really challenging for local government .
We are putting in place major food deliveries for around 2,600 in my area .
The Scottish Government are providing food boxes but these will not be appropriate for everyone and we are contacting them all and finding out who would prefer to have meals delivered rather than a food box .
One thing that has been vital to all of this is our volunteers , without them none of this would have worked .
Throughout our local authority , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers who can swing into action whenever there is a situation that requires on the ground support .
They are led by trained volunteers and fall under the umbrella of local government .
They have been outstanding .
Organising local groups , organising phone lines , shopping , prescription delivery , meal deliveries .
Truly without them , none of this would have worked and we would be in a far worse situation .
This is an incredible amount to have been achieved in the last two weeks of lockdown .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in local government and I have been amazed at the passion , commitment , and drive of officers to get things done .
Since last November , our emergency planning team has dealt with a major fire in a local High School , the aftermath of continuing the education of 1,600 pupils , major flooding in several Borders towns that left 70 families homeless and requiring accommodation and support , and now Covid .
There is a long way still to go , but Local Government is a front line service with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the most vulnerable in our communities .

Cllr Shona Haslam is the Leader of the Scottish Borders Council
Local Government is on the front line of looking after the most vulnerable in our society during this crisis. The biggest challenge to local councils is the speed of change and the announcements that flooded out of Government during the first couple of weeks of the crisis.
Thankfully the speed of announcements have now calmed down and we are able to make sure that we are reaching all of the most vulnerable of our community and providing help and support to our local businesses.
The levels of financial support from UK Government has been astounding. The phrase “whatever it takes” echoes around the millions of pounds that is cascading to local government and business. Money for business, for self employed, for furloughed workers, for food boxes, for PPE, for education hubs, for free school meals. It is a deluge of help and support that is gratefully received and much needed. But it was a huge amount of support to put in place incredibly quickly.
It is well known that local government is not normally renowned for its nimble feet and quick responses. Anyone who has ever applied for planning permission, or tried to find the right person to talk to about preserving a tree, knows that it can be a bit of a bureaucratic maze of departments and officers. However in a crisis we do tend to come through. Whether that is winter weather or floods: when crisis hits, our teams swing into action with a mind-blowing urgency and efficiency.
A political leader of a council does not have much to do with the day to day organisational running of a local authority. Much of that is done by the Chief Executive and their officers. As a council leader, your role is much more to provide the strategic direction and political vision for the council – as well as identification of priorities. It is your job to work with officers to deliver that vision rather than get involved in the “how” it is delivered.
So, when this crisis developed and it became clear that the normal functioning of council had to be suspended you come to rely on your officers and your relationship with the Chief Executive in a way that I have not experienced before.
As with many councils around the country we moved quickly to suspend standing orders and delegate decision-making powers to the Chief Executive. This simply means that for the duration of the council, the Chief Executive is able to quickly take decisions without asking a Full Council meeting for agreement. Now, normally this would never be accepted but in these strange times we have little choice.
I have had many questions “but what if….” If this happens, or that happens, how can the Chief Executive make a decision on their own? The truth is the council and all its staff and operations are doing nothing but Covid-related work at the moment. It is all consuming.
When schools shut we had four days to put in place a scheme for key workers to access child care, for reasonable hours, seven days a week. That first Monday morning of lock down we had no idea how many children we would have, how many teachers we would have, and how we were going to transport them safely to and from school. We are a rural area and we transport thousands of kids every day.
Within a week we had established hubs and a booking system for our young people so that they could safely access child care seven days a week from 7.30am to 6pm. This service is continuing right through the Easter holidays. We are also continuing to provide free school meals to all kids entitled to them through our educational hubs.
Then came the shielding announcement. Anyone with a serious condition was to isolate for 12 weeks. This has been really challenging for local government. We are putting in place major food deliveries for around 2,600 in my area. The Scottish Government are providing food boxes but these will not be appropriate for everyone and we are contacting them all and finding out who would prefer to have meals delivered rather than a food box.
One thing that has been vital to all of this is our volunteers, without them none of this would have worked. Throughout our local authority, we have a resilient community network. Groups of volunteers who can swing into action whenever there is a situation that requires on the ground support. They are led by trained volunteers and fall under the umbrella of local government. They have been outstanding. Organising local groups, organising phone lines, shopping, prescription delivery, meal deliveries. Truly without them, none of this would have worked and we would be in a far worse situation.
This is an incredible amount to have been achieved in the last two weeks of lockdown. I have never been more proud to be involved in local government and I have been amazed at the passion, commitment, and drive of officers to get things done. Since last November, our emergency planning team has dealt with a major fire in a local High School, the aftermath of continuing the education of 1,600 pupils, major flooding in several Borders towns that left 70 families homeless and requiring accommodation and support, and now Covid.
There is a long way still to go, but Local Government is a front line service with a staff that will continue to deliver and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.


conservativehome--2020-04-17--Exit strategies: What do these look like in other countries?

Exit strategies : What do these look like in other countries ?

Forestry workers and IT manufacturers are allowed back to work.
But Lombardy and Piedmont, the provinces worst-affected by the pandemic, remain on full lockdown.


conservativehome--2020-04-17--Eamonn Butler: After the lockdown. If there is a role for the state, it is in getting out of the way

Eamonn Butler: After the lockdown. If there is a role for the state, it is in getting out of the way of recovery.

Dr Eamonn Butler is Director of the Adam Smith Institute .
Worse than the World Wars , the Boer War , the Crimean War , worse even than the Napoleonic War .
The Office for Budget Responsibility thinks the war against Covid19 could see the UK looking at its worst collapse in 300 years .
The economy ’ s productive capability will fall by 35 per cent in this quarter alone , ending up 12.8 per cent down on the year after a post-lockdown bounceback , and that ’ s before we mention unemployment rising by 2.1 million too geranThere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think they ’ re being far too optimistic .
In Reopening Britain , my latest paper for the Adam Smith Institute , I make the case that officials should stop thinking of the economy as a machine you can just turn off and on again .
It ’ s much more organic and interconnected .
Damage any bit of it—by closing restaurants , for example—and you set off waves of dislocation and destruction in all directions .
Food and drink wholesalers , laundries , business services groups , truckers , insurers and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their suppliers in turn lose business .
But bills keep coming in , and if there is no end in sight to the lockdown , the more it makes sense to liquidate and let the staff go .
So all the shops , cinemas , garden centres and tourist spots that those people used to spend their wages on are hit too .
The longer the lockdown goes on , the more the dislocation and destruction spreads out and accelerates .
Not unlike the virus itself , each troubled business that falls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , each of whom in turn affect many more .
Catch it early , and you can limit the damage .
Leave it too late , and the disaster is unstoppable .
And don ’ t forget : it ’ s not just economic damage .
There is the psychological and social strain on families and kids who are locked down .
The potential for domestic and child abuse , the expected rise in chronic health problems , and indeed suicides .
We are assured that Whitehall officials are talking about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good enough .
People need to believe that there is a way out .
More than that , if they are to accept the strategy , and not flout it and thereby reverse the clinical gains that have been made , they need to feel ownership of it .
Cambridge academics have suggested that we should all walk clockwise in public parks , keep cats indoors and face a £20 minimum spend to stop us going to the shops too often .
That is exactly the sort of elitist thinking that will generate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compliance .
Would a Whitehall version be any better ?
We ’ re falling behind other countries in explaining how we might unwind the lockdown .
While dithering ministers are in thrall to physicians who want to continue the lockdown indefinitely , Germany , Denmark , Austria , even Italy and Spain have already taken early unwinding measures .
Their small steps at least bring hope to businesses and individuals that , here , must be thinking of just giving up .
Half of our firms are running out of cash , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not plugging the gap .
Just £8.7 billion of the £330 billion emergency loans and grants have been paid out , and the furlough payments don ’ t even begin for three days .
Forget the ‘ bounceback ’ : pretty soon there won ’ t be anything left to bounce back .
Right now though , our sovereign Parliament needs to be discussing the shape of what ’ s to come .
They should be seeking and putting forward ideas from their constituents and initiate a wide public debate in which those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected , and improved .
There is no shortage of quick-witted reactions within businesses that stayed open .
Within days of the crisis , supermarkets had found new stocks , marked safe distances on the floor , controlled customer numbers , stepped up deliveries to millions , adjusted supply chains to meet changing demands , and protected their cashiers with acrylic screens .
We should be drawing on the diverse and dynamic ingenuity of individuals and businesses for solutions not relying on the staid groupthink of officials .
Don ’ t imagine that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
As people see their own jobs and businesses falling apart , the idea of the civil service being not just unaffected but expanding will provoke huge unrest .
If there is a role for the state , it is in getting out of the way of recovery : removing those taxes and regulations that will stop business from applying their ingenuity on the problem of rebuilding from the ruins .
Let ’ s recognise that revenue for most businesses has been cut to nil by the state and so maintain then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business rates .
Rates are in any case supposed to reflect rents and therefore profits : but nobody ’ s making profits right now .
There should be cuts in corporate taxes and definitely no phasing out of entrepreneurs ’ relief .
We need those thinkers and innovators now more than ever .
We could even just defer Corporation Tax payments until the crisis is well over .
And let ’ s abolish the factory tax that makes it so expensive for firms to invest here rather than overseas .
While we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries ’ banking licences so they can invest here easily .
Employers ’ National Insurance is a tax on jobs .
Those are exactly what we ’ re looking at needing , there ’ s no sense in taxing job creators now .
And it ’ s the poorest who ’ ve shouldered the burden most .
Let ’ s take them out of NI entirely — not in future years , but right now .
Very importantly , we should slash VAT .
Our consumption has plummeted and we will want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn will get shops and other businesses on their feet again .
It is pointless for big-statists to moan about how much money the Government will lose – if businesses go bust at an accelerating rate , it won ’ t have any VAT receipts anyway .
Construction too looks to be on the cusp of a collapse .
But renovations , refits and brand new builds are the backbone of much of the economy up and down the country .
Let ’ s not forget , if we choose to cut housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will see the biggest welfare gain .
We might put off some of the ‘ intergenerational reckoning ’ others warn about .
Build out , build up and build different — but whatever we do , we must build , and so let ’ s scrap the fussy regulations that put progress on hold .
Most importantly , let ’ s remember to call on the ingenuity and innovation of our businesses and citizens .
They will find ways of reopening Britain safely and quickly that Whitehall would never dream up in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve seen recently , Boris Johnson is the only one that gets this , the only one that can take the people with him .
His Churchill moment is coming .
As we look to what comes after the lockdown , his motto must be his idol ’ s : “ Trust the people .
”

Dr Eamonn Butler is Director of the Adam Smith Institute.
Worse than the World Wars, the Boer War, the Crimean War, worse even than the Napoleonic War. The Office for Budget Responsibility thinks the war against Covid19 could see the UK looking at its worst collapse in 300 years.
The economy’s productive capability will fall by 35 per cent in this quarter alone, ending up 12.8 per cent down on the year after a post-lockdown bounceback, and that’s before we mention unemployment rising by 2.1 million too
geranThere’s good reason though, to think they’re being far too optimistic. In Reopening Britain, my latest paper for the Adam Smith Institute, I make the case that officials should stop thinking of the economy as a machine you can just turn off and on again. It’s much more organic and interconnected. Damage any bit of it—by closing restaurants, for example—and you set off waves of dislocation and destruction in all directions.
Food and drink wholesalers, laundries, business services groups, truckers, insurers and many others suddenly find they have no customers. Their suppliers in turn lose business. But bills keep coming in, and if there is no end in sight to the lockdown, the more it makes sense to liquidate and let the staff go. So all the shops, cinemas, garden centres and tourist spots that those people used to spend their wages on are hit too.
The longer the lockdown goes on, the more the dislocation and destruction spreads out and accelerates. Not unlike the virus itself, each troubled business that falls passes on the disease on to many others, each of whom in turn affect many more. Catch it early, and you can limit the damage. Leave it too late, and the disaster is unstoppable.
And don’t forget: it’s not just economic damage. There is the psychological and social strain on families and kids who are locked down. The potential for domestic and child abuse, the expected rise in chronic health problems, and indeed suicides.
We are assured that Whitehall officials are talking about the unwinding strategy. That is really not good enough. People need to believe that there is a way out. More than that, if they are to accept the strategy, and not flout it and thereby reverse the clinical gains that have been made, they need to feel ownership of it.
Cambridge academics have suggested that we should all walk clockwise in public parks, keep cats indoors and face a £20 minimum spend to stop us going to the shops too often. That is exactly the sort of elitist thinking that will generate only ridicule and contempt rather than public compliance. Would a Whitehall version be any better?
We’re falling behind other countries in explaining how we might unwind the lockdown. While dithering ministers are in thrall to physicians who want to continue the lockdown indefinitely, Germany, Denmark, Austria, even Italy and Spain have already taken early unwinding measures. Their small steps at least bring hope to businesses and individuals that, here, must be thinking of just giving up.
Half of our firms are running out of cash, and the Treasury’s much-trumpeted schemes are not plugging the gap. Just £8.7 billion of the £330 billion emergency loans and grants have been paid out, and the furlough payments don’t even begin for three days. Forget the ‘bounceback’: pretty soon there won’t be anything left to bounce back.
Right now though, our sovereign Parliament needs to be discussing the shape of what’s to come. They should be seeking and putting forward ideas from their constituents and initiate a wide public debate in which those ideas can be critiqued, amended or rejected, and improved.
There is no shortage of quick-witted reactions within businesses that stayed open. Within days of the crisis, supermarkets had found new stocks, marked safe distances on the floor, controlled customer numbers, stepped up deliveries to millions, adjusted supply chains to meet changing demands, and protected their cashiers with acrylic screens. We should be drawing on the diverse and dynamic ingenuity of individuals and businesses for solutions not relying on the staid groupthink of officials.
Don’t imagine that yet more state schemes will save the day. As people see their own jobs and businesses falling apart, the idea of the civil service being not just unaffected but expanding will provoke huge unrest. If there is a role for the state, it is in getting out of the way of recovery: removing those taxes and regulations that will stop business from applying their ingenuity on the problem of rebuilding from the ruins.
Let’s recognise that revenue for most businesses has been cut to nil by the state and so maintain then expand to all companies the suspension of business rates. Rates are in any case supposed to reflect rents and therefore profits: but nobody’s making profits right now.
There should be cuts in corporate taxes and definitely no phasing out of entrepreneurs’ relief. We need those thinkers and innovators now more than ever. We could even just defer Corporation Tax payments until the crisis is well over. And let’s abolish the factory tax that makes it so expensive for firms to invest here rather than overseas. While we’re at it, recognise other G7 countries’ banking licences so they can invest here easily.
Employers’ National Insurance is a tax on jobs. Those are exactly what we’re looking at needing, there’s no sense in taxing job creators now. And it’s the poorest who’ve shouldered the burden most. Let’s take them out of NI entirely — not in future years, but right now.
Very importantly, we should slash VAT. Our consumption has plummeted and we will want to encourage people to spend and that in turn will get shops and other businesses on their feet again. It is pointless for big-statists to moan about how much money the Government will lose – if businesses go bust at an accelerating rate, it won’t have any VAT receipts anyway.
Construction too looks to be on the cusp of a collapse. But renovations, refits and brand new builds are the backbone of much of the economy up and down the country. Let’s not forget, if we choose to cut housing costs those young people currently cooped up will see the biggest welfare gain. We might put off some of the ‘intergenerational reckoning’ others warn about. Build out, build up and build different — but whatever we do, we must build, and so let’s scrap the fussy regulations that put progress on hold.
Most importantly, let’s remember to call on the ingenuity and innovation of our businesses and citizens. They will find ways of reopening Britain safely and quickly that Whitehall would never dream up in a hundred years.
Of all the ministers we’ve seen recently, Boris Johnson is the only one that gets this, the only one that can take the people with him. His Churchill moment is coming. As we look to what comes after the lockdown, his motto must be his idol’s: “Trust the people.”


conservativehome--2020-04-18--The Government should stand behind loans to small businesses in full

Rule one of the lockdown is that all the usual conventions must be suspended – economic as well as behavioural .
There is no more vivid a demonstration than the story to date of the Business Interruption Loan Scheme .
The scheme was designed to square a circle .
On the one hand , it would be prudent .
It would be a loan scheme , not a grant one , so the taxpayer would eventually get his money back .
On the other , it would be generous : the Government was prepared to issue up to £330 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of all public spending .
It was announced in what was effectively the second of three Budgets since March 11 ( four , if you count the Chancellor ’ s later package for the self-employed ) .
Rushi Sunak was thereby recognising a unique aspect of this crisis – unlike even that of wartime , when the economy , however adapted , keeps going .
He understood that it was undergoing a form of cardiac arrest , and so needed emergency treatment just to stay alive .
The tragedy of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grasped this intellectually ( and emotionally ) , the banks have not understood it culturally .
And the Treasury is not in a good place to get them to do so .
Imagine yourself to be a smaller business confronted by a slump in sales , because of the economic seizure , with no forseeable prospect of resuming them even when the lockdown is lifted , because that is bound to take place gradually .
The first question you would ask is whether it was best to take on a loan at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how you could start beginning to pay it off .
Better perhaps to close down altogether ; take the hit on the chin ; save on office , staff and other costs , and re-open anew when the crisis abates .
But let ’ s presume that you are swayed by the rates and mortgage holidays , believe that your company can make it through , and apply to a bank for a loan .
What happens next ?
First , you may not be able to get through to a bank at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre may be off sick or self-isolating .
Or the centre may be based abroad , together with back office functions , in countries where lockdowns are being strictly enforced , such as India .
Next , when you do , you may well find that the attitude of the bank concerned is “ business as usual ” .
It will ask for business plans , accounts , cashflow projections , collateral .
Opinion will forever divide on whether this is prudent lending or hidebound conservatism ( in contrast to the relative willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lend ) .
One point , however , is clear .
What may make sense in ordinary times makes none in exceptional ones .
The business owner asked when he will be able to reopen , for example , will only be able to reply “ I ’ m sorry , I haven ’ t a clue ” .
Hence much of the frustration and pain that Allie Renison of the IOD reported recently on this site .
The Chancellor can confirm himself that the banks have been behaving in such restrictive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early April he barred them from asking for homes and savings as collateral , and sought to prevent them from steering companies towards standard business loans instead .
And the figures tell the tale in any event .
The banks have nearly doubled the number of loans in a week , but only one in five of the firms that have applied have been successful .
The nub of the matter was demonstrated by ConservativeHome ’ s ringround of Tory MPs near the start of month .
As we wrote then , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party…is support over which one has limited control ” .
( Hence the mirror image application success of the furlough scheme which government manages directly . )
There are two potential ways forward .
Either Ministers can carry on trying , through the British Business Bank or directly , to push on the string , or rather the Gordian Knot – streamline credit checks , lengthen loan periods , increase overdraft limits , fiddle with interest rates , side-step EU rules and so on .
Or they can slice through the knot by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loans but the lot – at least for the smaller firms .
That option now commands the support of an unlikely alliance of George Osborne , Ed Miliband , Sajid Javid and Norman Lamont .
This site believes that the last is now the better option , and saying so takes us back to where we started .
There will be different views of what government economic policy should be once the lockdown begins to be lifted .
Some will urge an austerity-flavoured package , on the ground that there is no ultimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others will want the opposite : a massive consolidation of the already massive statism of recent interventions .
We suspect that Boris Johnson will need to waive the usual norms , so unusual will be our predicament , and go for a Reagan-type programme of deregulation , infrastructure spending , borrowing and tax cuts .
But whatever happens later , that will be then and now is now .
The economy itself is on a ventilator and , until the patient recovers , the Chancellor ’ s main duty is to keep it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conclude that since most of us helped to bail out the banks during the financial crisis , they should now help to bale some of us out during this pandemic .
For as others have noted , this looks like being a rare form of economic crisis : one in which the banks ’ balance sheets are just fine , thank you .
None the less , the most practicable means of resolving this lending problem is by going not through the banks but round them , by ensuring that the taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the risk of moral hazard that involves .
In normal times , this would be doollaly .
But these are not normal times .
Up is down .
Black is white .

Rule one of the lockdown is that all the usual conventions must be suspended – economic as well as behavioural. There is no more vivid a demonstration than the story to date of the Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
The scheme was designed to square a circle. On the one hand, it would be prudent. It would be a loan scheme, not a grant one, so the taxpayer would eventually get his money back. On the other, it would be generous: the Government was prepared to issue up to £330 billion of loans, a sum worth over a third of all public spending.
It was announced in what was effectively the second of three Budgets since March 11 (four, if you count the Chancellor’s later package for the self-employed). Rushi Sunak was thereby recognising a unique aspect of this crisis – unlike even that of wartime, when the economy, however adapted, keeps going.
He understood that it was undergoing a form of cardiac arrest, and so needed emergency treatment just to stay alive. The tragedy of the scheme to date is that while he grasped this intellectually (and emotionally), the banks have not understood it culturally. And the Treasury is not in a good place to get them to do so.
Imagine yourself to be a smaller business confronted by a slump in sales, because of the economic seizure, with no forseeable prospect of resuming them even when the lockdown is lifted, because that is bound to take place gradually.
The first question you would ask is whether it was best to take on a loan at all, given the uncertainty about when and how you could start beginning to pay it off. Better perhaps to close down altogether; take the hit on the chin; save on office, staff and other costs, and re-open anew when the crisis abates.
But let’s presume that you are swayed by the rates and mortgage holidays, believe that your company can make it through, and apply to a bank for a loan. What happens next?
First, you may not be able to get through to a bank at all. The staff at the call centre may be off sick or self-isolating. Or the centre may be based abroad, together with back office functions, in countries where lockdowns are being strictly enforced, such as India.
Next, when you do, you may well find that the attitude of the bank concerned is “business as usual”. It will ask for business plans, accounts, cashflow projections, collateral. Opinion will forever divide on whether this is prudent lending or hidebound conservatism (in contrast to the relative willingness of, say, the German banks to lend).
One point, however, is clear. What may make sense in ordinary times makes none in exceptional ones. The business owner asked when he will be able to reopen, for example, will only be able to reply “I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue”. Hence much of the frustration and pain that Allie Renison of the IOD reported recently on this site.
The Chancellor can confirm himself that the banks have been behaving in such restrictive ways: that’s why in early April he barred them from asking for homes and savings as collateral, and sought to prevent them from steering companies towards standard business loans instead.
And the figures tell the tale in any event. The banks have nearly doubled the number of loans in a week, but only one in five of the firms that have applied have been successful.
The nub of the matter was demonstrated by ConservativeHome’s ringround of Tory MPs near the start of month. As we wrote then, “any financial support delivered through a third party…is support over which one has limited control”. (Hence the mirror image application success of the furlough scheme which government manages directly.)
There are two potential ways forward. Either Ministers can carry on trying, through the British Business Bank or directly, to push on the string, or rather the Gordian Knot – streamline credit checks, lengthen loan periods, increase overdraft limits, fiddle with interest rates, side-step EU rules and so on.
Or they can slice through the knot by guaranteeing not 80 per cent of the loans but the lot – at least for the smaller firms. That option now commands the support of an unlikely alliance of George Osborne, Ed Miliband, Sajid Javid and Norman Lamont.
This site believes that the last is now the better option, and saying so takes us back to where we started. There will be different views of what government economic policy should be once the lockdown begins to be lifted. Some will urge an austerity-flavoured package, on the ground that there is no ultimate escape from lower debt and deficits.
Others will want the opposite: a massive consolidation of the already massive statism of recent interventions. We suspect that Boris Johnson will need to waive the usual norms, so unusual will be our predicament, and go for a Reagan-type programme of deregulation, infrastructure spending, borrowing and tax cuts.
But whatever happens later, that will be then and now is now. The economy itself is on a ventilator and, until the patient recovers, the Chancellor’s main duty is to keep it switched on.
It’s tempting to conclude that since most of us helped to bail out the banks during the financial crisis, they should now help to bale some of us out during this pandemic. For as others have noted, this looks like being a rare form of economic crisis: one in which the banks’ balance sheets are just fine, thank you.
None the less, the most practicable means of resolving this lending problem is by going not through the banks but round them, by ensuring that the taxpayer stands fully behind the loans, with all the risk of moral hazard that involves. In normal times, this would be doollaly. But these are not normal times. Up is down. Black is white.