conservativehome--2020-07-30--Garvan Walshe: Italian governments have failed to revive Naples for centuries. What are the lessons

Garvan Walshe: Italian governments have failed to revive Naples for centuries. What are the lessons for its British equivalents?

Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party .
A mad weekend dash for sun has just taken me to Naples .
The city , its old historical centre , continuously inhabited long before the Roman Empire , lived up to its long-standing reputation for liveliness and chaos .
From the tiny alleys on a Roman street plan overlooked by eight or nine storeys , the abbeys built by Angevin kings , decaying masterpieces of baroque architecture , to fishmonger-restaurants with live produce and massive loins of tuna selling for €10 a kilo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s resemble a sedate town in Baden-Württenberg , forty-eight hours there subject you to constant sensory bombardment .
The energy offers the thinnest of disguises of poverty we think vanished from Western Europe .
The better-preserved old districts look like East Berlin ; the worst reminded my companion of her childhood in Communist Albania .
Prices , as well as physical conditions , reflect people ’ s limited purchasing power .
Below the Port ’ Alba ( a city gate named after the Spanish viceroy notorious for his brutal suppression of the Dutch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falling masonry killing pedestrians that pass through it .
The second net has been hung to catch the rocks that pierce the first one .
It ’ s a city heavy with the pall of lost greatness , unable to pay to maintain the memory of its glorious past .
This can ’ t merely be attributed to the destructive effects of organised crime .
Palermo , for instance is in far better shape .
Rubbish collection , once a disaster , now compares favourably with that of Brussels .
The city betrays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical and cultural infrastructure .
A smart new subway station adjoins the main railway terminus , though the square above it resists attempts to gentrify it with a success only matched by Manchester ’ s Piccadilly Gardens .
A whole new commercial neighbourhood , the Centro Direzionale , replaced former warehouses with Canary-Wharf style towers .
The National Archeological Museum and the art gallery in the former Bourbon Palace of Capodimonte are superb and show signs of plentiful public investment .
Rather , they show the limitations of public-spending-led regeneration that concentrates on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of how the Government ’ s attempts to revive the economy in the “ red wall ” seats could go wrong .
At its height under the Spanish and later the Bourbons , the Neapolitan economy thrived because of its position as a political centre .
The aristocracy extracted wealth from the peasants on their estates and used it to commission palaces , paintings , and other luxury goods , and for political patronage .
This stimulated a strong service-based economy that fell into decline following Italian unification .
Though , as Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it never had much industry .
The financial and legal services that had served the Kingdom of Two Sicilies were displaced by Milan and Rome , leaving a void as big as the decline of industry in Manchester or Sheffield .
Post-war Italian governments tried repeatedly , but without success to fill it .
They could reallocate resources from the north , but never managed to get a southern economy to grow on its own .
Naples also stands out as being the largest European city never to have had a home-grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Greeks , Romans , Byzantines , Normans , Angevins , Aragonese , Spanish and finally Bourbons , before being reluctantly integrated into modern Italy .
The Bourbons stifled the enlightenment while post-unification Italy focused its energies on the interests of the industrialising north .
Anyone who has spent time in the North of England will recognise its identification as unruly , authentically peripheral and ungovernable : the ironic rejection of central authority a badge of honour that covers up the fact their city doesn ’ t exercise it any more .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure-based redevelopment falls : it is liable to be seen as charity for which its recipients , already struggling with a chip on their shoulder , are supposed to feel grateful .
In this respect Naples has much in common with the de-industrialised communities that form the “ red wall ” .
They lack infrastructure , of course , but it is control over the means to define their own purpose that matters more .
They lack the political institutions to revive themselves , not only the money to pay for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ give up power : to the ministries in Whitehall and Rome that control the funds , and want , on behalf of the taxpayers to which they are accountable , to ensure the money is well spent ( the principle applies even more strongly to the EU ’ s Covid rescue package , in that the taxpayers and spenders are accountable to entirely different publics ) .
The second is that it mistakes the results of economic regeneration for its causes .
Successful attempts at revival , like Dresden ’ s or Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the places attractive for ambitious and creative people to move to .
Now , as Richard Florida and Daniel Finkelstein have observed , that the age of capital-intensive mass manufacturing is over , people don ’ t move to jobs , but jobs move to where the people are .
This means that expanded to include schools , childcare , decent housing , good entertainment and other things that make it easier to have a good life in a town or city , matter more than glitzy new stations .
Get these things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is not to say that depressed areas can not benefit from financial help , but that if public spending-based revival is to work , it has to be done in a way that enhances the power of the communities into which it is invested , rather than turning them into recipients of the end result of central government cheques paid to large infrastructure companies .
If not we ’ ll end up with a load of melancholy mini-Napleses , but without Neapolitan food , sunshine , or views of Vesuvius .

Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party.
A mad weekend dash for sun has just taken me to Naples. The city, its old historical centre, continuously inhabited long before the Roman Empire, lived up to its long-standing reputation for liveliness and chaos.
From the tiny alleys on a Roman street plan overlooked by eight or nine storeys, the abbeys built by Angevin kings, decaying masterpieces of baroque architecture, to fishmonger-restaurants with live produce and massive loins of tuna selling for €10 a kilo, and traffic that makes Rome’s resemble a sedate town in Baden-Württenberg, forty-eight hours there subject you to constant sensory bombardment.
The energy offers the thinnest of disguises of poverty we think vanished from Western Europe. The better-preserved old districts look like East Berlin; the worst reminded my companion of her childhood in Communist Albania. Prices, as well as physical conditions, reflect people’s limited purchasing power.
Below the Port’Alba (a city gate named after the Spanish viceroy notorious for his brutal suppression of the Dutch revolt) hang two nets to prevent falling masonry killing pedestrians that pass through it. The second net has been hung to catch the rocks that pierce the first one. It’s a city heavy with the pall of lost greatness, unable to pay to maintain the memory of its glorious past.
This can’t merely be attributed to the destructive effects of organised crime. Palermo, for instance is in far better shape. Rubbish collection, once a disaster, now compares favourably with that of Brussels.
The city betrays evidence of attempts to revive it through physical and cultural infrastructure. A smart new subway station adjoins the main railway terminus, though the square above it resists attempts to gentrify it with a success only matched by Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens.
A whole new commercial neighbourhood, the Centro Direzionale, replaced former warehouses with Canary-Wharf style towers. The National Archeological Museum and the art gallery in the former Bourbon Palace of Capodimonte are superb and show signs of plentiful public investment.
Rather, they show the limitations of public-spending-led regeneration that concentrates on physical capital, and present a warning of how the Government’s attempts to revive the economy in the “red wall” seats could go wrong.
At its height under the Spanish and later the Bourbons, the Neapolitan economy thrived because of its position as a political centre. The aristocracy extracted wealth from the peasants on their estates and used it to commission palaces, paintings, and other luxury goods, and for political patronage.
This stimulated a strong service-based economy that fell into decline following Italian unification. Though, as Italy’s largest port it had docks, it never had much industry.
The financial and legal services that had served the Kingdom of Two Sicilies were displaced by Milan and Rome, leaving a void as big as the decline of industry in Manchester or Sheffield. Post-war Italian governments tried repeatedly, but without success to fill it. They could reallocate resources from the north, but never managed to get a southern economy to grow on its own.
Naples also stands out as being the largest European city never to have had a home-grown governing class. It has been ruled by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Angevins, Aragonese, Spanish and finally Bourbons, before being reluctantly integrated into modern Italy.
The Bourbons stifled the enlightenment while post-unification Italy focused its energies on the interests of the industrialising north. Anyone who has spent time in the North of England will recognise its identification as unruly, authentically peripheral and ungovernable: the ironic rejection of central authority a badge of honour that covers up the fact their city doesn’t exercise it any more.
Here’s the first trap into which infrastructure-based redevelopment falls: it is liable to be seen as charity for which its recipients, already struggling with a chip on their shoulder, are supposed to feel grateful.
In this respect Naples has much in common with the de-industrialised communities that form the “red wall”. They lack infrastructure, of course, but it is control over the means to define their own purpose that matters more. They lack the political institutions to revive themselves, not only the money to pay for it.
But to receive money is also to give up power: to the ministries in Whitehall and Rome that control the funds, and want, on behalf of the taxpayers to which they are accountable, to ensure the money is well spent (the principle applies even more strongly to the EU’s Covid rescue package, in that the taxpayers and spenders are accountable to entirely different publics).
The second is that it mistakes the results of economic regeneration for its causes. Successful attempts at revival, like Dresden’s or Manchester’s for example, involved making the places attractive for ambitious and creative people to move to.
Now, as Richard Florida and Daniel Finkelstein have observed, that the age of capital-intensive mass manufacturing is over, people don’t move to jobs, but jobs move to where the people are. This means that expanded to include schools, childcare, decent housing, good entertainment and other things that make it easier to have a good life in a town or city, matter more than glitzy new stations. Get these things right and private capital will follow.
This is not to say that depressed areas cannot benefit from financial help, but that if public spending-based revival is to work, it has to be done in a way that enhances the power of the communities into which it is invested, rather than turning them into recipients of the end result of central government cheques paid to large infrastructure companies. If not we’ll end up with a load of melancholy mini-Napleses, but without Neapolitan food, sunshine, or views of Vesuvius.


conservativehome--2020-07-30--Gary Powell: Local authorities and the transing of non-transgender young people: a serious child saf

Gary Powell: Local authorities and the transing of non-transgender young people: a serious child safeguarding issue

Local authorities have a legal and moral safeguarding duty in relation to how their services impact on children and also people with protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010 .
There are nine protected characteristics , including sexual orientation , sex , disability and gender reassignment .
With the onward march of extreme gender ideology , we are seeing an alarming number of false positives among children identified – or “ self-identifying ” – as transgender .
Most at risk of being catapulted along a false transing pathway are children who are actually gay , lesbian , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to take reasonable and appropriate steps to prevent the services that they provide or support causing harm to children because of reckless political virtue-signalling , ( which includes allowing boys to use girls ’ toilets in schools ) .
If they do not , then those local authorities will be in serious breach of their child safeguarding duties and their duties to avoid causing indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 with regard to sexual orientation , disability ( autism ) and sex .
Betraying vulnerable children will rightly expose councils to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims of that betrayal .
The main purveyor in the UK of what I would term extreme gender ideology is the LGBT+ lobbying group , Stonewall : an multi-million-pound turnover outfit that receives over £600,000 from local and national government , and that I wrote about previously in Conservative Home .
It has enormous influence on Relationship and Sex Education in schools via its LGBT+ education programmes .
As a gay rights activist for forty years , I regard Stonewall as having become a highly pernicious influence in modern British society .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesbian , gay and bisexual ( LGB ) movement , is particularly effective at throwing mud at good people who oppose extreme gender ideology , including attempts to get gender heretics sacked merely for daring to say that biological sex is real .
However , when a BBC Newsnight report highlighted the probability that gay and lesbian children are wrongly self-identifying as trans and being referred to gender clinics , the LGBT+ movement responded with silence .
The allegations in a recent report on BBC Newsnight into events at the Tavistock Centre , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gender clinic , highlight how out-of-control the western leftist obsession with gender ideology has become .
BBC Newsnight had read a “ sizeable portion ” of staff interview transcripts resulting from a review into the Tavistock Centre GIDS ( Gender Identity Development Service ) : a review triggered by “ serious concerns about children ’ s welfare raised by staff in an internal report ” .
Newsnight reported that , in all the interview transcripts they saw , there was mention of homophobia in the families of the children attending the clinic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling with their sexual orientation , and some parents appearing to prefer their children to be transgender ( and therefore heterosexual ) , rather than gay or lesbian .
How do children land up in these GIDS clinics ?
The Tavistock declares : “ We accept self-referrals as well as referrals from GPs and other professionals such as social workers , psychiatrists and teachers.
” Social workers , teachers … we are squarely in local authority child safeguarding and Equality Act territory .
How many local authorities are responsible for creating a culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lesbian children by giving so much prominence to transgender issues that children grasp at an escape route out of their stigmatised homosexuality ?
A lesbian girl who is attracted to females now self-identifies as a heterosexual boy in a female body .
Not only that , but with staggering implausibility , children are treated by the medical and political establishment as capable of giving informed consent to receive hormones that will block their puberty – and after only three counselling sessions at a GIDS clinic .
The physically damaging process of puberty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a later date , followed by breast or genital amputations .
This is surely a shocking and abject failure in child safeguarding .
Stonewall is strikingly quiet about the transing of gay and lesbian children .
It campaigns for people to be recognised as trans without any diagnosis of gender dysphoria , and for people to be able to enjoy all the rights associated with being trans simply by self-identifying as trans .
80 per cent of transwomen retain their male genitalia .
Predatory men with male genitalia pretending to be transwomen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s changing rooms ?
This is a child safeguarding nightmare .
Stonewall reveal on their website ( page last updated in 2015 ) that 56 local authorities have signed up to their Diversity Champions programme ( annual subscription £2,500 ) .
Of these , 10 are Conservative-run councils .
Not only are gay and lesbian children in danger of being wrongly transed with the tacit or active consent of their local authority : in equal danger are the many boys and girls who simply do not confirm to 1950s gender stereotypes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are transgender .
Children on the autistic spectrum constitute another high-risk group .
The Tavistock Centre ’ s internal review revealed that 35 per cent of the children referred to them had autistic traits , compared to a normal community prevalence of three per cent .
A disproportionate number of children with autism are ending up in GIDS clinics : something about which a leading Asperger syndrome specialist , Prof. Tony Attwood , has expressed concern .
Many such children can come to mistakenly view gender transition as a potential cure for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an important duty to support those children with genuine gender dysphoria , which is a complex and potentially very distressing pathology .
However , this duty is matched by an equal duty not to cause harm to other groups of children , and to provide clear guidance to their own departments , schools , and partner agencies , in order to ensure that trans issues are taught about and dealt with in a sensible and sensitive manner .
This is potentially a child safeguarding timebomb waiting to explode .
Not for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims is being tolerated and ignored in the service of political or social expediency .

Cllr Gary Powell is a councillor in Buckinghamshire
Local authorities have a legal and moral safeguarding duty in relation to how their services impact on children and also people with protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. There are nine protected characteristics, including sexual orientation, sex, disability and gender reassignment. With the onward march of extreme gender ideology, we are seeing an alarming number of false positives among children identified – or “self-identifying” – as transgender. Most at risk of being catapulted along a false transing pathway are children who are actually gay, lesbian, on the autistic spectrum, or gender-non-conforming.
Councils need to take reasonable and appropriate steps to prevent the services that they provide or support causing harm to children because of reckless political virtue-signalling, (which includes allowing boys to use girls’ toilets in schools). If they do not, then those local authorities will be in serious breach of their child safeguarding duties and their duties to avoid causing indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 with regard to sexual orientation, disability (autism) and sex. Betraying vulnerable children will rightly expose councils to legal action in due course by the victims of that betrayal.
The main purveyor in the UK of what I would term extreme gender ideology is the LGBT+ lobbying group, Stonewall: an multi-million-pound turnover outfit that receives over £600,000 from local and national government, and that I wrote about previously in Conservative Home. It has enormous influence on Relationship and Sex Education in schools via its LGBT+ education programmes. As a gay rights activist for forty years, I regard Stonewall as having become a highly pernicious influence in modern British society.
The LGBT+ movement, as distinct from the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) movement, is particularly effective at throwing mud at good people who oppose extreme gender ideology, including attempts to get gender heretics sacked merely for daring to say that biological sex is real. However, when a BBC Newsnight report highlighted the probability that gay and lesbian children are wrongly self-identifying as trans and being referred to gender clinics, the LGBT+ movement responded with silence.
The allegations in a recent report on BBC Newsnight into events at the Tavistock Centre, England’s only NHS children’s gender clinic, highlight how out-of-control the western leftist obsession with gender ideology has become. BBC Newsnight had read a “sizeable portion” of staff interview transcripts resulting from a review into the Tavistock Centre GIDS (Gender Identity Development Service): a review triggered by “serious concerns about children’s welfare raised by staff in an internal report”. Newsnight reported that, in all the interview transcripts they saw, there was mention of homophobia in the families of the children attending the clinic. Transcripts contained reports of young people struggling with their sexual orientation, and some parents appearing to prefer their children to be transgender (and therefore heterosexual), rather than gay or lesbian.
How do children land up in these GIDS clinics? The Tavistock declares:
“We accept self-referrals as well as referrals from GPs and other professionals such as social workers, psychiatrists and teachers.”
Social workers, teachers … we are squarely in local authority child safeguarding and Equality Act territory.
How many local authorities are responsible for creating a culture that responds to the vulnerabilities of gay and lesbian children by giving so much prominence to transgender issues that children grasp at an escape route out of their stigmatised homosexuality? A lesbian girl who is attracted to females now self-identifies as a heterosexual boy in a female body. Not only that, but with staggering implausibility, children are treated by the medical and political establishment as capable of giving informed consent to receive hormones that will block their puberty – and after only three counselling sessions at a GIDS clinic. The physically damaging process of puberty blockers almost always leads to cross-sex hormones at a later date, followed by breast or genital amputations. This is surely a shocking and abject failure in child safeguarding.
Stonewall is strikingly quiet about the transing of gay and lesbian children. It campaigns for people to be recognised as trans without any diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and for people to be able to enjoy all the rights associated with being trans simply by self-identifying as trans. 80 per cent of transwomen retain their male genitalia. Predatory men with male genitalia pretending to be transwomen so they can access girls’ and women’s changing rooms? This is a child safeguarding nightmare.
Stonewall reveal on their website (page last updated in 2015) that 56 local authorities have signed up to their Diversity Champions programme (annual subscription £2,500). Of these, 10 are Conservative-run councils.
Not only are gay and lesbian children in danger of being wrongly transed with the tacit or active consent of their local authority: in equal danger are the many boys and girls who simply do not confirm to 1950s gender stereotypes, and who may become persuaded they are transgender. Children on the autistic spectrum constitute another high-risk group. The Tavistock Centre’s internal review revealed that 35 per cent of the children referred to them had autistic traits, compared to a normal community prevalence of three per cent.
A disproportionate number of children with autism are ending up in GIDS clinics: something about which a leading Asperger syndrome specialist, Prof. Tony Attwood, has expressed concern. Many such children can come to mistakenly view gender transition as a potential cure for their autism-related struggles and difficulties.
Local authorities have an important duty to support those children with genuine gender dysphoria, which is a complex and potentially very distressing pathology. However, this duty is matched by an equal duty not to cause harm to other groups of children, and to provide clear guidance to their own departments, schools, and partner agencies, in order to ensure that trans issues are taught about and dealt with in a sensible and sensitive manner. This is potentially a child safeguarding timebomb waiting to explode. Not for the first time, the suffering of child victims is being tolerated and ignored in the service of political or social expediency.


conservativehome--2020-07-31--WATCH: “We take this step with a heavy heart,” says Hancock

Last night I had to announce local action to tackle a spread in # coronavirus .
We take this step @ @ @ @ @ but it is so important that people follow the social distancing rules so that we @ @ @ @ @ save lives.https : //t.co/uAWxc09o7q pic.twitter.com/UtGoCEVTuo

Last night I had to announce local action to tackle a spread in #coronavirus.
We take this step with a heavy heart, but it is so important that people follow the social distancing rules so that we can control the virus & save lives.https://t.co/uAWxc09o7q pic.twitter.com/UtGoCEVTuo
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) July 31, 2020


conservativehome--2020-07-31--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Com

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission – 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 chair is responsible for leading and managing the Panel .
They must lead development and implementation of a strategic vision for the Panel and ensure the reviews under their supervision identify improvements safeguarding partners or others should make to better safeguard and promote the welfare of children…Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level meetings ; effectively manage team dynamics and maintain the confidence of others , including child safeguarding professionals , Ministers and the public .
The right candidate will also demonstrate a strong understanding of multi-agency child safeguarding arrangements , policy and frontline delivery.
” “ The Chair of the College of Policing is appointed by the Home Secretary to ensure the long-term success of the College .
Together with the College Board of Directors , the Chair ( who must not have a background in operational policing ) will set the College ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and priorities .
They will provide the College Chief Executive and team of Executive Directors with the necessary leadership , support and monitoring that will help them to meet the College and Home Secretary ’ s goals .
The College plays a critical role in helping to increase the diversity within the police to reflect the communities they serve.
” “ The Secretary of State for International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities is seeking a strong , strategic leader who will continue to develop the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s overall direction to reflect its crucial role as an equality body and National Human Rights Institution .
This appointment fulfils the requirement of the Equality Act 2006 that the Secretary of State should appoint a Chair to the Commission .
Although the Commission is an independent organisation , the Chair is accountable to the above sponsoring Minister .
You will develop and maintain high-value relationships with Ministers , influential partners , governments at home and abroad , opinion formers , industry and others , demonstrating judgment , integrity and resilience in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service ( NCS ) is a youth programme that runs across England and Northern Ireland .
We exist to engage , unite and empower young people , building their confidence so they can go out there and achieve their dreams , no matter where they ’ re from or what their background is .
Our programme is managed and supported by NCS Trust , our central team who are constantly working to make sure we deliver the most impactful experience we can to as many young people as possible .
National Citizen Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills at a senior level in the following areas : experience and demonstrable senior leadership in the parliamentary/public sector ( 1 Trustee ) ; human resources specialist with commercial experience and a particular focus on people strategy , culture and coaching high performance teams ( 1 Trustee ) ; [ and ] an education leader with strong links to schools and young people ( 1 Trustee ) .
” “ The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner role aims to promote police compliance with the rules on the collection and retention of DNA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roles were created by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 ( POFA ) , which set out the regime for police use of DNA , fingerprints and the regulation of surveillance cameras .
We have decided to appoint a single person to both roles because of the confluence of existing and emerging regulatory issues around police use of automated facial recognition .
The post will cover the duties of the Biometrics Commissioner and the Surveillance Camera Commissioner , while the Government is considering reforms in this area.
” Home Office – Her Majesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire & Rescue Authorities “ HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services ( HMICFRS ) is an independent body that inspects and reports to the public on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England and Wales , fire and rescue authorities in England and national law enforcement agencies .
It aims to ensure that the public and their elected representatives can hold inspected organisations to account by monitoring trends , challenging practice and identifying areas for improvement , and making performance information accessible .
The principal role of HMICFRS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in England and Wales , and of all fire & rescue authorities in England ; providing the public with a clear , consistent and independent view of the quality of services in their local area.
” “ Joint Nature Conservation Committee ( JNCC ) Framework Document provides the legal , administrative and financial framework within which the Joint Committee operates and the specific functions of the Committee and the Chair .
As Chair you will be responsible to the Defra Secretary of State for the leadership , direction and effectiveness of JNCC in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defra and the Devolved Administrations .
You will be the primary contact with Ministers for the Committee .
You will provide visible leadership and vision for JNCC , setting strategic and operational direction , ensuring good governance and , together with the Joint Committee , holding the executive to account.
” “ Environmental Standards Scotland will be established , initially , on a non-statutory basis from January 2021 .
It will transition to a statutory , independent body over the course of 2021 .
The Board will initially comprise of the Chair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland becomes established as a statutory organisation , further board appointments are expected .
Members of the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland will shape how the Board performs its role , including by exercising judgement on what information to monitor ; selecting environmental concerns for initial review and for detailed investigation ; resolving these through agreement with public authorities , where possible ; and , highlighting any significant issues to Ministers.
” Time : 8-10 days per month initially , ~4 per month thereafter .

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.
– – – – – – – – – –
Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel – Chair
“The chair is responsible for leading and managing the Panel. They must lead development and implementation of a strategic vision for the Panel and ensure the reviews under their supervision identify improvements safeguarding partners or others should make to better safeguard and promote the welfare of children…Successful applicants will demonstrate the ability to: provide strong strategic leadership; chair high level meetings; effectively manage team dynamics and maintain the confidence of others, including child safeguarding professionals, Ministers and the public. The right candidate will also demonstrate a strong understanding of multi-agency child safeguarding arrangements, policy and frontline delivery.”
Time: 6-8 days per month.
Remuneration: £500 per diem.
Closes: 31 July
– – – – – – – – – –
College of Policing – Chair
“The Chair of the College of Policing is appointed by the Home Secretary to ensure the long-term success of the College. Together with the College Board of Directors, the Chair (who must not have a background in operational policing) will set the College’s strategic direction and aims against budgets and priorities. They will provide the College Chief Executive and team of Executive Directors with the necessary leadership, support and monitoring that will help them to meet the College and Home Secretary’s goals. The College plays a critical role in helping to increase the diversity within the police to reflect the communities they serve.”
Time: 1-2 days per week.
Remuneration: £135,000 pro rata.
Closes: 03 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Equality & Human Rights Commission – Chair
“The Secretary of State for International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities is seeking a strong, strategic leader who will continue to develop the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and set the Commission’s overall direction to reflect its crucial role as an equality body and National Human Rights Institution. This appointment fulfils the requirement of the Equality Act 2006 that the Secretary of State should appoint a Chair to the Commission. Although the Commission is an independent organisation, the Chair is accountable to the above sponsoring Minister. You will develop and maintain high-value relationships with Ministers, influential partners, governments at home and abroad, opinion formers, industry and others, demonstrating judgment, integrity and resilience in the face of challenge.”
Time: 1-2 days per week.
Remuneration: £500 per diem.
Closes: 03 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – National Citizen Service Trustees
“National Citizen Service (NCS) is a youth programme that runs across England and Northern Ireland. We exist to engage, unite and empower young people, building their confidence so they can go out there and achieve their dreams, no matter where they’re from or what their background is. Our programme is managed and supported by NCS Trust, our central team who are constantly working to make sure we deliver the most impactful experience we can to as many young people as possible. National Citizen Service is seeking three Trustees with experience and skills at a senior level in the following areas: experience and demonstrable senior leadership in the parliamentary/public sector (1 Trustee); human resources specialist with commercial experience and a particular focus on people strategy, culture and coaching high performance teams (1 Trustee); [and] an education leader with strong links to schools and young people (1 Trustee).”
Time: 5-10 days per week.
Remuneration: “Reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 09 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
“The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner role aims to promote police compliance with the rules on the collection and retention of DNA, fingerprints and surveillance cameras respectively. The roles were created by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (POFA), which set out the regime for police use of DNA, fingerprints and the regulation of surveillance cameras. We have decided to appoint a single person to both roles because of the confluence of existing and emerging regulatory issues around police use of automated facial recognition. The post will cover the duties of the Biometrics Commissioner and the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, while the Government is considering reforms in this area.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: £125,000 per annum.
Closes: 09 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and of Fire & Rescue Authorities
“HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is an independent body that inspects and reports to the public on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England and Wales, fire and rescue authorities in England and national law enforcement agencies. It aims to ensure that the public and their elected representatives can hold inspected organisations to account by monitoring trends, challenging practice and identifying areas for improvement, and making performance information accessible. The principal role of HMICFRS is undertaking the all-force inspections of policing in England and Wales, and of all fire & rescue authorities in England; providing the public with a clear, consistent and independent view of the quality of services in their local area.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: £175,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Joint Nature Conservation Committee – Chair
“Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Framework Document provides the legal, administrative and financial framework within which the Joint Committee operates and the specific functions of the Committee and the Chair. As Chair you will be responsible to the Defra Secretary of State for the leadership, direction and effectiveness of JNCC in line with strategies and plans agreed with Defra and the Devolved Administrations. You will be the primary contact with Ministers for the Committee. You will provide visible leadership and vision for JNCC, setting strategic and operational direction, ensuring good governance and, together with the Joint Committee, holding the executive to account.”
Time: 2.5 days per week.
Remuneration: £40,059 per annum.
Closes: 03 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Environmental Standards Scotland – Chair/Members
“Environmental Standards Scotland will be established, initially, on a non-statutory basis from January 2021. It will transition to a statutory, independent body over the course of 2021. The Board will initially comprise of the Chair and two other members. Once Environmental Standards Scotland becomes established as a statutory organisation, further board appointments are expected. Members of the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland will shape how the Board performs its role, including by exercising judgement on what information to monitor; selecting environmental concerns for initial review and for detailed investigation; resolving these through agreement with public authorities, where possible; and, highlighting any significant issues to Ministers.”
Time: 8-10 days per month initially, ~4 per month thereafter.
Remuneration: £300/£200 per diem.
Closes: 03 September


conservativehome--2020-07-31--Carlaw resigns. Counter-intuitively, the Scottish Tories may need a proper leadership contest.

Almost a year to the day after Ruth Davidson dramatically decided to step down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives , her successor has done the same .
Jackson Carlaw , who stepped in as interim leader before being effectively crowned in a lopsided leadership contest against Michelle Ballantyne in February , has decided that he is not the man to lead the Tories into the 2021 Scottish elections .
The immediate result is a great deal of confusion .
As the Scottish Tories have two deputy leaders , at the time of writing not even the MSPs know who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More uncertain still is the question of who will succeed him .
There is no obvious dauphin amongst the Scottish Parliament group , many of whom were only elected in 2016 .
Adam Tomkins , one of Ruth Davidson ’ s most high-profile allies , is stepping down in 2021 ( as is Davidson herself , at least at the time of writing ) and in any event had perhaps blotted his copybook by toying with Murdo Fraser ’ s old idea of breaking away from the Conservative Party .
( The band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan didn ’ t field a candidate in February – will they this time ? )
Twitter , meanwhile , is abuzz with speculation that Douglas Ross , the Member of Parliament for Moray , is about to throw his hat into the ring .
Ross , who was reportedly Davidson ’ s preferred successor before winning his Westminster seat , resigned from the Government in May rather than defend Dominic Cummings .
This may give him some distance from the Government which may help him with Scottish voters who haven ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also precedent for an MP simultaneously sitting at Holyrood for a time – Alex Salmond did it between 2007 and 2010 .
But would the man Downing Street sources branded ‘ Mr Nobody ‘ , and who split with the UK close-knit leadership , be able to count on the support he ’ ll need from the UK Conservative machine ?
All of which leads to the question of how the transition should be managed .
With less than a year to go until what could be a make-or-break Holyrood poll the temptation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong .
But there is also a case to be made that the Party needs a fuller debate about where it is and how it got here .
Carlaw ’ s resignation follows the planned departures of both Davidson and Tomkins and the stepping down in January of Eddie Barnes , the Tories ’ long-serving ‘ top spinner ’ .
The machine which delivered their stand-out 2016 result , of which Davidson was a necessary but not sufficient component , has been shedding parts for a while .
A new leader is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the old one was the whole problem .

Almost a year to the day after Ruth Davidson dramatically decided to step down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, her successor has done the same.
Jackson Carlaw, who stepped in as interim leader before being effectively crowned in a lopsided leadership contest against Michelle Ballantyne in February, has decided that he is not the man to lead the Tories into the 2021 Scottish elections.
The immediate result is a great deal of confusion. As the Scottish Tories have two deputy leaders, at the time of writing not even the MSPs know who is stepping up as deputy leader.
More uncertain still is the question of who will succeed him. There is no obvious dauphin amongst the Scottish Parliament group, many of whom were only elected in 2016.
Adam Tomkins, one of Ruth Davidson’s most high-profile allies, is stepping down in 2021 (as is Davidson herself, at least at the time of writing) and in any event had perhaps blotted his copybook by toying with Murdo Fraser’s old idea of breaking away from the Conservative Party. (The band of Scottish Tories who believe in this plan didn’t field a candidate in February – will they this time?)
Twitter, meanwhile, is abuzz with speculation that Douglas Ross, the Member of Parliament for Moray, is about to throw his hat into the ring.
Ross, who was reportedly Davidson’s preferred successor before winning his Westminster seat, resigned from the Government in May rather than defend Dominic Cummings. This may give him some distance from the Government which may help him with Scottish voters who haven’t warmed to Boris Johnson. There is also precedent for an MP simultaneously sitting at Holyrood for a time – Alex Salmond did it between 2007 and 2010.
Unless they bring someone like Douglas Ross back from Westminster it’s hard to see who would be an improvement on Carlaw — Chris Deerin (@chrisdeerin) July 30, 2020
But would the man Downing Street sources branded ‘Mr Nobody‘, and who split with the UK close-knit leadership, be able to count on the support he’ll need from the UK Conservative machine?
All of which leads to the question of how the transition should be managed. With less than a year to go until what could be a make-or-break Holyrood poll the temptation to avoid a full contest will be strong.
But there is also a case to be made that the Party needs a fuller debate about where it is and how it got here. Carlaw’s resignation follows the planned departures of both Davidson and Tomkins and the stepping down in January of Eddie Barnes, the Tories’ long-serving ‘top spinner’.
The machine which delivered their stand-out 2016 result, of which Davidson was a necessary but not sufficient component, has been shedding parts for a while. A new leader is not the whole solution, any more than the old one was the whole problem.


conservativehome--2020-07-31--Iain Dale: My end of term report on the Cabinet. Part Two.

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith .
Last week , I awarded my end of term marks for half the Cabinet .
Here are my marks for the second half… A calming voice on the media , Buckland comes over as the voice of reason in a world often dominated by unreason .
One of the few former Remainers left in government , he has been totally loyal to the Prime Minister and embarked on an important programme of reform in the justice and prison systems .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacked after the election , but she kept her job…and is now tipped for the sack again .
If she negotiates a host of free trade agreements before the end of the year , it would render her unsackable .
Japan and New Zealand look to be the first ones , which could be announced in the autumn .
A surprise appointment when Amber Rudd resigned , Coffey is a solid performer and simply got on with the job of trying to ensure the benefits system meets the demands of the Covid crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Universal Credit system , where people couldn ’ t access the website or phone lines and neutered it as an issue .
Number Ten are said to be unhappy with one or two comments in interviews but she lives to fight another day .
George Eustice ’ s great advantage is that he is actually a farmer himself and , in this job , that helps .
He chaired quite a few of the Covid press conferences without either putting a foot wrong or saying anything very meaningful .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up his charisma factor a tad if he is to be able to sell a post Brexit message of optimism for the farming and food sectors .
Robert Jenrick – Secretary of State for Housing , Communities and Local Government Given the two big scandals he ’ s faced over the last few months , no-one could accuse the Cabinet ’ s youngest member of lacking resilience .
He ’ s knuckled down and got on with his job , although his effectiveness within Cabinet has to be questioned given what he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us south of the border , Jack has also failed to fill the charisma gap in Scottish politics left by Ruth Davidson .
So has Jackson Carlaw – who has now resigned .
Jack needs to be getting out there to sell a positive pro-union message , but seem to be finding it difficult to do so .
Tiggerish and a total enthusiast for politics , Hart has been busy selling the Conservative message in Wales , in a way his Scottish counterparts find more difficult , possibly because of the way the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start in the job , Dowden , commonly considered one of the cleverest people in politics , has come into his own in recent weeks .
His statement on Huawei in the House was a master lesson in how to deliver a difficult message and answer questions from MPs fluently and convincingly .
Baroness Evans – Leader of the House of Lords A warm and empathetic character , Natalie Evans is a much unde-rused asset by the government .
She doesn ’ t do enough media , and I say that because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ human ’ very well .
A popular figure in the Lords she has kept their Lordships onside during some hairy moment .
Still a Secretary of State despite her department being abolished .
Since her appointment at the election , she hasn ’ t had much of a public profile , but has hopefully brought some renewed rigour to a department that sorely needed it .
The question is : Will the Prime Minister deliver on his promise to find a new cabinet job for her when her department is subsumed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now to the ministers attending Cabinet .
By the way , it is a travesty that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Leader of the House aren ’ t full members of the Cabinet .
There was a time when Leader of the House was considered one of the top five jobs in Cabinet .
If controlling spending was the criteria to judge a Chief Secretary by , Steve Barclay would rate a Z , but as we all know , it ’ s not his fault .
He could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Brexit Secretary , but he ’ s got on with the job , and used his previous experience of being a Treasury Minister to good effect .
He does a good job in media interviews , albeit possibly a little bit too much on message .
He ’ s got a good sense of humour and should use it more .
Jacob Rees-Mogg – Leader of the House of Commons Seems to have been neutered since his election campaign gaffe .
He used to be ubiquitous in the media but has now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever seen speaking publicly on the floor of the House of Commons .
One of the few characters in the cabinet ; for Number Ten , he seems to have become rather too much of a character .
Has to try harder than her predecessors to gain the respect of the legal profession .
There ’ s a bit of misogyny here , and has had to contend with the fact that there were better qualified candidates for this hugely important job .
She ’ s made a quiet start , but possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much , given the independent nature of the role .
A popular figure with many on the government benches , he ’ s come under fire over several controversial decisions , not least to withdraw the whip from Julian Lewis , while allowing the likes of Rob Roberts in Delyn to keep it .
The Lewis affair was completely mishandled , although the jury is out on how much it was down to Spencer or how much the key decisions were taken in Number Ten .

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith.
Last week, I awarded my end of term marks for half the Cabinet. Here are my marks for the second half…
Robert Buckland – Secretary of State for Justice
B +
A calming voice on the media, Buckland comes over as the voice of reason in a world often dominated by unreason. One of the few former Remainers left in government, he has been totally loyal to the Prime Minister and embarked on an important programme of reform in the justice and prison systems.
Liz Truss – Secretary of State for International Trade
B –
A survivor, Truss was tipped to be sacked after the election, but she kept her job…and is now tipped for the sack again. If she negotiates a host of free trade agreements before the end of the year, it would render her unsackable. Japan and New Zealand look to be the first ones, which could be announced in the autumn.
Therese Coffey – Secretary of State for Work & Pensions
C +
A surprise appointment when Amber Rudd resigned, Coffey is a solid performer and simply got on with the job of trying to ensure the benefits system meets the demands of the Covid crisis. She sorted the initial creaks in the Universal Credit system, where people couldn’t access the website or phone lines and neutered it as an issue. Number Ten are said to be unhappy with one or two comments in interviews but she lives to fight another day.
George Eustice – Secretary of State for DEFRA
B –
George Eustice’s great advantage is that he is actually a farmer himself and, in this job, that helps. He chaired quite a few of the Covid press conferences without either putting a foot wrong or saying anything very meaningful. One of the greyer figures in cabinet he needs to up his charisma factor a tad if he is to be able to sell a post Brexit message of optimism for the farming and food sectors.
Robert Jenrick – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
C
Given the two big scandals he’s faced over the last few months, no-one could accuse the Cabinet’s youngest member of lacking resilience. He’s knuckled down and got on with his job, although his effectiveness within Cabinet has to be questioned given what he’s gone through.
Alistair Jack – Secretary of State for Scotland
C
Largely anonymous to us south of the border, Jack has also failed to fill the charisma gap in Scottish politics left by Ruth Davidson. So has Jackson Carlaw – who has now resigned. Jack needs to be getting out there to sell a positive pro-union message, but seem to be finding it difficult to do so.
Simon Hart – Secretary of State for Wales
B
Tiggerish and a total enthusiast for politics, Hart has been busy selling the Conservative message in Wales, in a way his Scottish counterparts find more difficult, possibly because of the way the Scottish media works.
Oliver Dowden – Secretary of State for Digital. Culture, Media & Sport
B
After an awkward start in the job, Dowden, commonly considered one of the cleverest people in politics, has come into his own in recent weeks. His statement on Huawei in the House was a master lesson in how to deliver a difficult message and answer questions from MPs fluently and convincingly.
Baroness Evans – Leader of the House of Lords
B
A warm and empathetic character, Natalie Evans is a much unde-rused asset by the government. She doesn’t do enough media, and I say that because she’s good at it and does ‘human’ very well. A popular figure in the Lords she has kept their Lordships onside during some hairy moment.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan – Secretary of State for International Development
C +
Still a Secretary of State despite her department being abolished. Since her appointment at the election, she hasn’t had much of a public profile, but has hopefully brought some renewed rigour to a department that sorely needed it. The question is: Will the Prime Minister deliver on his promise to find a new cabinet job for her when her department is subsumed into the Foreign Office in September?
– – –
And now to the ministers attending Cabinet. By the way, it is a travesty that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Leader of the House aren’t full members of the Cabinet. There was a time when Leader of the House was considered one of the top five jobs in Cabinet.
Steve Barclay – Chief Secretary to the Treasury
B
If controlling spending was the criteria to judge a Chief Secretary by, Steve Barclay would rate a Z, but as we all know, it’s not his fault. He could have been very hacked off about his apparent demotion from Brexit Secretary, but he’s got on with the job, and used his previous experience of being a Treasury Minister to good effect. He does a good job in media interviews, albeit possibly a little bit too much on message. He’s got a good sense of humour and should use it more.
Jacob Rees-Mogg – Leader of the House of Commons
C+
Seems to have been neutered since his election campaign gaffe. He used to be ubiquitous in the media but has now completely disappeared from view and is only ever seen speaking publicly on the floor of the House of Commons. One of the few characters in the cabinet; for Number Ten, he seems to have become rather too much of a character.
Suella Braverman – Attorney General
C+
Has to try harder than her predecessors to gain the respect of the legal profession. There’s a bit of misogyny here, and has had to contend with the fact that there were better qualified candidates for this hugely important job. She’s made a quiet start, but possibly got involved in party politics a tad too much, given the independent nature of the role.
Mark Spencer – Chief Whip
B –
A popular figure with many on the government benches, he’s come under fire over several controversial decisions, not least to withdraw the whip from Julian Lewis, while allowing the likes of Rob Roberts in Delyn to keep it. The Lewis affair was completely mishandled, although the jury is out on how much it was down to Spencer or how much the key decisions were taken in Number Ten.


conservativehome--2020-07-31--Michelle Lowe: Local government has an important role in helping us beat obesity

Michelle Lowe contested Coventry South at the General Election last year and is the former Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing & Health at Sevenoaks District Council .
Governments for decades have planned to fight obesity and help the nation lose weight with schemes from the sugar tax to the Prime Ministers new plans to ban junk food advertising before 9pm , calorie counts on restaurant menus and GP ’ s prescribing Weight Watchers .
These measures will probably make a difference , but in my experience as Deputy Leader of Sevenoaks District Council overseeing a health-in-all-policies approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface .
Most overweight people know the causes are poor diet and lack of exercise .
They also know that eating better and exercising more will not only help them lose weight but will make them healthier – yet they do not take the difficult path to shed the extra pounds .
To help them the government needs to understand the reasons why people choose unhealthy lifestyles and tackle the causes as well as the symptoms .
Obesity is linked to mental ill-health .
People who feel anxious and/or depressed are unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if deep down they would like to .
Tackling mental ill-health , something that may have been made worse by lockdown , will help to fight obesity .
As well as prescribing Weight Watchers it might also be worth prescribing specialist , holistic weight loss schemes that also includes counselling , exercise and practical advice about debt .
You are probably wondering what debt has to do with obesity .
In my experience quite a lot .
Debt can lead to mental ill-health , which is linked to obesity , but it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running out of electricity may choose not to cook a dinner and risk the kids not eating it – and buy them a filling bag of chips instead .
People on lower incomes are less likely to buy fresh fruit and vegetables unless they live near a supermarket as they can ’ t risk it going rotten before it is eaten – buying crisps is a better bet .
Lifestyle also has a lot to do with obesity .
People working fulltime do not always have time to cook healthy meals – it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together quickly that the whole family will eat .
There are some people that don ’ t know how to make a healthy meal as we have lost a lot of practical skills such as these over the generations .
Busy people may not have time or the energy for extra exercise over and above what they do during the day , which means active travel needs to be incorporated into their daily routine .
This is where local government comes in .
Local government is great at social prescribing .
At its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and population and can work with other agencies and charities to put together social prescribing programmes that meet local peoples ’ needs .
Mental health support and debt advice needs to be included in some weight loss programmes , in order to tackle the symptoms as well as the causes , and local councils should understand how this mix will work for their locality .
Councils can encourage people to take on allotments which will help them understand food better .
It is a healthy outdoor activity in its own right – that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be linked to educating children and their parents through schools and other outlets about how to make fast , healthy , cost-effective meals .
Councils are also the leisure authority and can link leisure centres , local tennis courts and other activities into social prescribing activities .
They are also the planning authority and if they plan well can make sure walkways and cycling paths , secure places to lock bikes are included in new developments – and incorporated in existing ones where possible .
They can also control the types of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensing , and I also believe there is a bigger role for Environmental health in promoting healthier choices on menus when they inspect restaurants .
Taking a holistic approach to obesity and its causes with central government , local government , schools and the NHS working together to identify the causes and solutions in particular localities will yield longer term , sustainable results .

Michelle Lowe contested Coventry South at the General Election last year and is the former Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing & Health at Sevenoaks District Council.
Governments for decades have planned to fight obesity and help the nation lose weight with schemes from the sugar tax to the Prime Ministers new plans to ban junk food advertising before 9pm, calorie counts on restaurant menus and GP’s prescribing Weight Watchers. These measures will probably make a difference, but in my experience as Deputy Leader of Sevenoaks District Council overseeing a health-in-all-policies approach to tackle obesity, this will only scratch the surface.
Most overweight people know the causes are poor diet and lack of exercise. They also know that eating better and exercising more will not only help them lose weight but will make them healthier – yet they do not take the difficult path to shed the extra pounds. To help them the government needs to understand the reasons why people choose unhealthy lifestyles and tackle the causes as well as the symptoms.
Obesity is linked to mental ill-health. People who feel anxious and/or depressed are unlikely to feel motivated to lose weight even if deep down they would like to. Tackling mental ill-health, something that may have been made worse by lockdown, will help to fight obesity. As well as prescribing Weight Watchers it might also be worth prescribing specialist, holistic weight loss schemes that also includes counselling, exercise and practical advice about debt.
You are probably wondering what debt has to do with obesity. In my experience quite a lot. Debt can lead to mental ill-health, which is linked to obesity, but it can also be linked to choices. People running out of electricity may choose not to cook a dinner and risk the kids not eating it – and buy them a filling bag of chips instead. People on lower incomes are less likely to buy fresh fruit and vegetables unless they live near a supermarket as they can’t risk it going rotten before it is eaten – buying crisps is a better bet.
Lifestyle also has a lot to do with obesity. People working fulltime do not always have time to cook healthy meals – it is often easier to throw unhealthy meals together quickly that the whole family will eat. There are some people that don’t know how to make a healthy meal as we have lost a lot of practical skills such as these over the generations. Busy people may not have time or the energy for extra exercise over and above what they do during the day, which means active travel needs to be incorporated into their daily routine. This is where local government comes in.
Local government is great at social prescribing. At its best, it understands its local area and population and can work with other agencies and charities to put together social prescribing programmes that meet local peoples’ needs. Mental health support and debt advice needs to be included in some weight loss programmes, in order to tackle the symptoms as well as the causes, and local councils should understand how this mix will work for their locality.
Councils can encourage people to take on allotments which will help them understand food better. It is a healthy outdoor activity in its own right – that can lead to healthier eating. This can be linked to educating children and their parents through schools and other outlets about how to make fast, healthy, cost-effective meals.
Councils are also the leisure authority and can link leisure centres, local tennis courts and other activities into social prescribing activities. They are also the planning authority and if they plan well can make sure walkways and cycling paths, secure places to lock bikes are included in new developments – and incorporated in existing ones where possible. They can also control the types of food outlets and vans through planning and licensing, and I also believe there is a bigger role for Environmental health in promoting healthier choices on menus when they inspect restaurants.
Taking a holistic approach to obesity and its causes with central government, local government, schools and the NHS working together to identify the causes and solutions in particular localities will yield longer term, sustainable results.


conservativehome--2020-07-31--WATCH: Starmer backs restrictions but criticises “poor communications”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the government made `` the right decision '' to tighten restrictions in parts of @ @ @ @ @ warns communications on the local rules were `` extremely poor '' https : //t.co/n1JBe33voY pic.twitter.com/mN766aTa8D

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says the government made "the right decision" to tighten restrictions in parts of northern England
But, he warns communications on the local rules were "extremely poor"https://t.co/n1JBe33voY pic.twitter.com/mN766aTa8D
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 31, 2020


conservativehome--2020-07-31--“We must be focused and we cannot be complacent.” The Prime Minister’s statement – full text

Two weeks ago , I updated you from this podium on the progress we had made as a country against coronavirus .
And in many ways that progress continues .
The number of patients admitted to hospitals is still falling , and now stands at just over 100 each day .
In April there were more than 3,000 coronavirus patients in mechanical ventilation beds , but now the latest figure is 87 .
The number of deaths continues to fall .
That is obviously encouraging .
But I have also consistently warned that this virus could come back and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decisive action as required .
I am afraid that in parts of Asia and Latin America the virus is now gathering pace .
And our European friends are also struggling to keep the virus under control .
As we see these rises around the world , we can not fool ourselves that we are exempt .
We must be willing to react to the first signs of trouble .
Today , the weekly survey by the Office for National Statistics reports that the prevalence of the virus in the community in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time since May .
Around 1 in 1,500 now have the virus , compared to 1 in 1,800 on 15 July and 1 in 2,000 on 2 July .
The ONS also estimate there are now 4,900 new infections every day , up from around 3,000 per day on 14 July and 2,000 per day at the end of June .
We can ’ t afford to ignore this evidence .
It ’ s vital to stress that we are in a far better position to keep the virus under control now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic – because we know so much more about the virus and have so many more tools at our disposal to deal with it .
We have a contact tracing system up and running which has led to over 184,000 people isolating who may otherwise have spread the virus and is capable of tracing thousands of contacts every day .
We have secured supplies of billions of items of PPE to withstand new demands on hospitals and care homes .
And of course we have new treatments , like dexamethasone and remdesivir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortality rates .
But as I say , we can not be complacent .
I can not – I won ’ t stand by and allow the virus to cause more pain and heartache in this country .
Last night the Health Secretary announced new restrictions on household contact in the North West – specifically Greater Manchester , and parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire .
These are targeted measures on social contact between households , which the data tells us is driving the current increase in cases .
Businesses and workplaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know how it is hard to have restrictions like this imposed on seeing your family and your friends .
But we have to act rapidly in order to protect those we love .
And we know this sort of intervention works – measures taken in Leicester and Luton have suppressed the virus , allowing us to relax measures .
Even as we act locally , it is also my responsibility to look again at the measures we have in place nationally in light of the data we are seeing about incidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional – that it relies on continued progress against the virus , and that we would not hesitate to put on the brakes if required .
With those numbers creeping up , our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control .
On Saturday 1 August , you ’ ll remember , we had hoped to reopen in England a number of higher risk settings that had remained closed .
Today , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least a fortnight .
That means that , until 15 August at the earliest : • Pilots of larger crowds in sports venues and conference centres will not take place .
• Wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted , but ceremonies can continue to take place , in line with COVID-Secure guidelines .
I know that the steps we are taking will be a heavy blow to many people – to everyone whose wedding plans have been disrupted , or who now can not celebrate Eid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am really , really sorry about that .
But we simply can not take the risk .
We will of course study the data carefully and move forward with our intention to open up as soon as we possibly can .
Two weeks ago , I also said that from tomorrow the government would give employers more discretion over how employees can work safely – whether by continuing to work from home or attending a Covid Secure workplace .
We know that employers have gone to huge lengths to make workplaces safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said we would pause shielding nationally from 1 August – based on clinical advice , that national pause will proceed as planned , and our medical experts will be explaining more about that decision later and about shielding later today .
Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus .
But we must keep our discipline , we must be focused and we can not be complacent .
I have asked the Home Secretary to work with the police and others to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are properly enforced .
That means local authorities acting to close down premises and cancel events which are not following Covid Secure guidance .
And it means a greater police presence to ensure face coverings are being worn where this is required by law .
We will also extend the requirement to wear a face covering to other indoor settings where you are likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet , such as museums , galleries , cinemas and places of worship .
We now recommend face coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this will become enforceable in law from 8 August .
At this stage , we are not changing the rules on social contact nationally .
I don ’ t want to tell people to spend less time with their friends .
But unless people follow the rules and behave safely , we may need to go further .
Two weeks ago , I said we would hope for the best but plan for the worst .
And of course we continue to hope for the best .
The way to get there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all follow the rules , wash our hands , cover our faces , keep our distance – and get a test if we have symptoms , so that NHS Test and Trace can keep the virus under control .
This is how we will avoid a return to full national lockdown .
I know we are going succeed and I know we are going to beat this – if each and every one of us plays our part .
”

“Good afternoon,
Two weeks ago, I updated you from this podium on the progress we had made as a country against coronavirus.
And in many ways that progress continues.
The number of patients admitted to hospitals is still falling, and now stands at just over 100 each day.
In April there were more than 3,000 coronavirus patients in mechanical ventilation beds, but now the latest figure is 87.
The number of deaths continues to fall. That is obviously encouraging.
But I have also consistently warned that this virus could come back and that we would not hesitate to take swift and decisive action as required.
I am afraid that in parts of Asia and Latin America the virus is now gathering pace. And our European friends are also struggling to keep the virus under control.
As we see these rises around the world, we cannot fool ourselves that we are exempt. We must be willing to react to the first signs of trouble.
Today, the weekly survey by the Office for National Statistics reports that the prevalence of the virus in the community in England is likely to be rising for the first time since May.
Around 1 in 1,500 now have the virus, compared to 1 in 1,800 on 15 July and 1 in 2,000 on 2 July. The ONS also estimate there are now 4,900 new infections every day, up from around 3,000 per day on 14 July and 2,000 per day at the end of June.
We can’t afford to ignore this evidence.
It’s vital to stress that we are in a far better position to keep the virus under control now than we were at the start of the pandemic – because we know so much more about the virus and have so many more tools at our disposal to deal with it.
Our testing capacity has increased 100-fold.
We have a contact tracing system up and running which has led to over 184,000 people isolating who may otherwise have spread the virus and is capable of tracing thousands of contacts every day.
We have secured supplies of billions of items of PPE to withstand new demands on hospitals and care homes.
And of course we have new treatments, like dexamethasone and remdesivir, to shorten recovery times and reduce mortality rates.
But as I say, we cannot be complacent. I cannot – I won’t stand by and allow the virus to cause more pain and heartache in this country.
Last night the Health Secretary announced new restrictions on household contact in the North West – specifically Greater Manchester, and parts of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
These are targeted measures on social contact between households, which the data tells us is driving the current increase in cases. Businesses and workplaces should continue as before in those areas.
I know how it is hard to have restrictions like this imposed on seeing your family and your friends. But we have to act rapidly in order to protect those we love.
And we know this sort of intervention works – measures taken in Leicester and Luton have suppressed the virus, allowing us to relax measures.
Even as we act locally, it is also my responsibility to look again at the measures we have in place nationally in light of the data we are seeing about incidence.
At every point I have said our plan to reopen society and the economy is conditional – that it relies on continued progress against the virus, and that we would not hesitate to put on the brakes if required.
With those numbers creeping up, our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep the virus under control.
On Saturday 1 August, you’ll remember, we had hoped to reopen in England a number of higher risk settings that had remained closed. Today, I am afraid we are postponing these changes for at least a fortnight.
That means that, until 15 August at the earliest:
Casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and remaining close contact services must remain closed.
Indoor performances will not resume.
Pilots of larger crowds in sports venues and conference centres will not take place.
Wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted, but ceremonies can continue to take place, in line with COVID-Secure guidelines.
I know that the steps we are taking will be a heavy blow to many people – to everyone whose wedding plans have been disrupted, or who now cannot celebrate Eid in the way they would wish, I am really, really sorry about that. But we simply cannot take the risk.
We will of course study the data carefully and move forward with our intention to open up as soon as we possibly can.
Two weeks ago, I also said that from tomorrow the government would give employers more discretion over how employees can work safely – whether by continuing to work from home or attending a Covid Secure workplace. We know that employers have gone to huge lengths to make workplaces safe, so that guidance remains unchanged.
We also said we would pause shielding nationally from 1 August – based on clinical advice, that national pause will proceed as planned, and our medical experts will be explaining more about that decision later and about shielding later today.
Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit to control the virus. But we must keep our discipline, we must be focused and we cannot be complacent.
I have asked the Home Secretary to work with the police and others to ensure the rules which are already in place are properly enforced.
That means local authorities acting to close down premises and cancel events which are not following Covid Secure guidance.
And it means a greater police presence to ensure face coverings are being worn where this is required by law.
We will also extend the requirement to wear a face covering to other indoor settings where you are likely to come into contact with people you do not normally meet, such as museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship.
We now recommend face coverings are worn in these settings, and this will become enforceable in law from 8 August.
At this stage, we are not changing the rules on social contact nationally. I don’t want to tell people to spend less time with their friends. But unless people follow the rules and behave safely, we may need to go further.
Two weeks ago, I said we would hope for the best but plan for the worst.
And of course we continue to hope for the best. The way to get there and to achieve that optimum outcome is if we all follow the rules, wash our hands, cover our faces, keep our distance – and get a test if we have symptoms, so that NHS Test and Trace can keep the virus under control.
This is how we will avoid a return to full national lockdown.
We’ve made huge progress together.
I know we are going succeed and I know we are going to beat this – if each and every one of us plays our part.”


conservativehome--2020-08-01--Local lockdowns are dispiriting – but there are reasons to be hopeful about the battle against Coron

Local lockdowns are dispiriting – but there are reasons to be hopeful about the battle against Coronavirus

On Thursday evening , Matt Hancock posted a series of Tweets that sent the UK into disarray .
He wrote that the Government had “ seen an increasing rate of transmission in parts of Northern England ” and would subsequently not allow people from different households to meet indoors in Greater Manchester , Blackburn with Darwen , Burnley , Hyndburn , Pendle and Rossendale , starting from midnight .
Events moved quickly the next day , in which Boris Johnson elaborated on the decision that had been made .
At a 10 Downing Street press briefing , he announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the country would have to “ squeeze the brake pedal ” , as “ the prevalence of the virus in the community , in England , is likely to be rising for the first time since May ” .
Even more depressingly , Chris Whitty , England ’ s Chief Medical Officer , said that “ we have probably reached or neared the limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society ” .
Alongside the news that England has the highest excess mortality rate in Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the repeated warnings of a second wave , no doubt this has been one of the most disheartening weeks in the Covid-19 crisis so far for many Brits – particularly those living in the affected areas .
Indeed , in these times , it can be hard to feel optimistic about the battle against Coronavirus .
But there is a strange paradox to the detection of cases in the North – abrupt though Hancock ’ s announcement was – and the Government ’ s swift action .
Far from being a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvements that have been made in the UK ’ s testing regime .
Hence why it is now easy to spot cases .
At the beginning of the crisis , many will remember that the Government was routinely attacked for lack of tests .
When the Health Secretary promised to accelerate the testing regime by tens – and then hundreds of thousands – the target seemed preposterous .
But big strides were made ; 11,722,733 tests have been processed so far , with 206,656 processed today , and testing capacity at 338,585 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of new tests per thousand people , the UK rate is 2.27 ( as of July 30 .
Source : Our World in Data ) , Belgium is 1.30 ( as of July 29 ) , Denmark is 0.79 ( July 30 ) , France is 1.38 ( July 28 ) , New Zealand is 0.51 ( July 30 ) and Norway is 0.89 ( July 27 ) .
Now that our testing regime is better , there ’ s no doubt that the UK will have more localised lockdowns .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes more sophisticated , so will the way that the Government is able to apply its intelligence .
Another reason to feel hopeful is the progress made in developing a Covid-19 vaccine .
Last month , a team of scientists at Oxford University ’ s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group trialled one that induced a strong immune response in patients .
They have since worked with the UK-based global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca , with the help of a £84 million Government funding scheme , to accelerate its development .
The organisation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its large-scale clinical studies .
And that ’ s not all : the Government has signed up for 60 million doses of a potential Coronavirus vaccine , which is being developed by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline .
Of course , no one can argue that the Government has been perfect in this crisis – clearly the decision to discharge hospital patients into care homes was wrong , and people will be troubled by the excess mortality rate ( although there is some debate as to whether this accurately gives a snapshot of countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be easy to forget that hospital cases continue to decline ( even if cases are going up , it doesn ’ t mean hospitalisation ) , as have the number of deaths involving Coronavirus across all English regions .
At the same time , treatments and understanding of the virus continues to rise .
And let ’ s not forget the significant achievements throughout this crisis ; the speedy roll out of the Nightingale Hospital ; the shielding scheme to protect two million people ; the Government ’ s ability to increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 9,000 before the pandemic to 30,000 ; the emergency arts package , and of course Rish Sunak ’ s multiple schemes to keep the economy moving .
They were phenomenal logistical achievements that should give us faith about Britain ’ s ability to deal with what ’ s next .
The speed at which the nation has improved on testing is only going to bolster its decision-making further – and , indeed , these developments will be seen worldwide as all countries improve in this regard .
In short , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there are reasons to be hopeful about the future .

On Thursday evening, Matt Hancock posted a series of Tweets that sent the UK into disarray. He wrote that the Government had “seen an increasing rate of transmission in parts of Northern England” and would subsequently not allow people from different households to meet indoors in Greater Manchester, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale, starting from midnight.
Events moved quickly the next day, in which Boris Johnson elaborated on the decision that had been made. At a 10 Downing Street press briefing, he announced that lockdown easing would be postponed in England and that the country would have to “squeeze the brake pedal”, as “the prevalence of the virus in the community, in England, is likely to be rising for the first time since May”.
Even more depressingly, Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, said that “we have probably reached or neared the limits of what we can do in terms of opening up society”.
Alongside the news that England has the highest excess mortality rate in Europe, the spikes being seen across Europe, and the repeated warnings of a second wave, no doubt this has been one of the most disheartening weeks in the Covid-19 crisis so far for many Brits – particularly those living in the affected areas.
Indeed, in these times, it can be hard to feel optimistic about the battle against Coronavirus. But there is a strange paradox to the detection of cases in the North – abrupt though Hancock’s announcement was – and the Government’s swift action.
Far from being a sign of decline, it emphasises the enormous improvements that have been made in the UK’s testing regime. Hence why it is now easy to spot cases.
At the beginning of the crisis, many will remember that the Government was routinely attacked for lack of tests. When the Health Secretary promised to accelerate the testing regime by tens – and then hundreds of thousands – the target seemed preposterous. But big strides were made; 11,722,733 tests have been processed so far, with 206,656 processed today, and testing capacity at 338,585.
To put this in context, by way of new tests per thousand people, the UK rate is 2.27 (as of July 30. Source: Our World in Data), Belgium is 1.30 (as of July 29), Denmark is 0.79 (July 30), France is 1.38 (July 28), New Zealand is 0.51 (July 30) and Norway is 0.89 (July 27).
Now that our testing regime is better, there’s no doubt that the UK will have more localised lockdowns. But as the testing, and data, becomes more sophisticated, so will the way that the Government is able to apply its intelligence.
Another reason to feel hopeful is the progress made in developing a Covid-19 vaccine. Last month, a team of scientists at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group trialled one that induced a strong immune response in patients. They have since worked with the UK-based global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, with the help of a £84 million Government funding scheme, to accelerate its development. The organisation has reported “good data so far” in its large-scale clinical studies.
And that’s not all: the Government has signed up for 60 million doses of a potential Coronavirus vaccine, which is being developed by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline.
Of course, no one can argue that the Government has been perfect in this crisis – clearly the decision to discharge hospital patients into care homes was wrong, and people will be troubled by the excess mortality rate (although there is some debate as to whether this accurately gives a snapshot of countries’ performances).
But it can be easy to forget that hospital cases continue to decline (even if cases are going up, it doesn’t mean hospitalisation), as have the number of deaths involving Coronavirus across all English regions. At the same time, treatments and understanding of the virus continues to rise.
And let’s not forget the significant achievements throughout this crisis; the speedy roll out of the Nightingale Hospital; the shielding scheme to protect two million people; the Government’s ability to increase the number of mechanical ventilators in the NHS from 9,000 before the pandemic to 30,000; the emergency arts package, and of course Rish Sunak’s multiple schemes to keep the economy moving.
They were phenomenal logistical achievements that should give us faith about Britain’s ability to deal with what’s next.
The speed at which the nation has improved on testing is only going to bolster its decision-making further – and, indeed, these developments will be seen worldwide as all countries improve in this regard.
In short, it may not feel like it this week, but there are reasons to be hopeful about the future.