conservativehome--2020-08-28--Iain Dale: Davey is the new LibDem leader. But only 57 per cent of his party’s members could be both

Iain Dale: Davey is the new LibDem leader. But only 57 per cent of his party’s members could be bothered to vote.

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith .
So we now have two party leaders who we have to call Sir .
( Can it really be long before we all have to imagine the words , ‘ Arise , Sir Ian Blackford ’ ? )
After an interminable leadership campaign , the Liberal Democrats announced yesterday that Ed Davey has been elected their new leader , walloping Layla Moran by 43,000 votes to only 25,000 .
It ’ s interesting to note that while 88 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest , only 57 per cent of LibDems could be bothered to vote for either Davey or Moran .
Make of that what you will .
I wonder how much is down to the constant ‘ wokery ’ they both invoked , especially on Trans issues .
It was announced this week that both Sally Collier , the Chief Executive of Ofqual , and Jonathan Slater , the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education , are leaving their posts .
Given the exams fiasco , this is to be welcomed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who presided over it have had to take the consequences of the crass incompetence displayed by both their departments .
But hold on a cotton-pickin ’ minute .
If officials are despatched in such a summary manner , should not the same apply to their political masters too ?
It is reported ( but not confirmed ) that Gavin Williamson offered his resignation to the Prime Minister , but that it was refused .
Nick Gibb says he thought seriously about resigning but concluded that it would be the wrong thing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it pains me to say it , especially in this forum , but they must know they are dead men walking .
Presumably they are only still in their jobs because of the importance of what is to happen next week , when pupils go back to school .
Once that is over ( whether it goes smoothly or not ) the best thing would be for them to be replaced PDQ , rather than wait for an expected January reshuffle .
It ’ s not fair on the Education Department to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it for another four or five months .
The Government ’ s policy on facemasks in schools has not , shall we say , exactly been as clear as it might have been , but can we get one thing straight ?
An adjustment of policy is not a U-turn .
This media obsession with them is getting out of hand .
When scientific , medical and WHO advice seems to be changing almost weekly on the issue of facemasks , can it be any surprise that the Government ’ s position changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her announcement a few days before the Westminster government did , but the London media seems to forget that Scottish schools returned ten days ago .
If the phrase U-turn is to be used to characterise a reversal of government policy , let ’ s use it when it really is a proper reverse ferret .
This is not one of those occasions .
This evening , I ’ m appearing on Radio 4 ’ s Any Questions which , let ’ s face it , is a funny think to do when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday .
I only found out recently that the bulk of listeners to the show listen to the Saturday lunchtime repeat rather than on a Friday evening .
It ’ s a show in which there ’ s a tremendous opportunity to make a complete arse of yourself .
I ’ ve been on it about a dozen times before and so far I don ’ t think I have , but there ’ s always a first time .
You genuinely don ’ t know the questions in advance , but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you can ’ t predict at least three of the subject areas .
However , this week it ’ s a little more challenging given there haven ’ t been any really dominant news stories .
In related news , my own version of Any Questions is returning to the LBC airwaves on Wednesday 9 September .
Cross Question also features four panellists , but they take questions/calls from LBC listeners and we also live stream it on video .
It ’ s a little less formal than Any Questions , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since he took over the presenting reins from Jonathan Dimbleby .
We had to pause Cross Question in March , since we couldn ’ t have four guests in the studio .
For the foreseeable future , we ’ re going to have two guests in the studio and two on giant video screens .
Hopefully , it will work !

Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and the For the Many podcast with Jacqui Smith.
So we now have two party leaders who we have to call Sir. (Can it really be long before we all have to imagine the words, ‘Arise, Sir Ian Blackford’?)
After an interminable leadership campaign, the Liberal Democrats announced yesterday that Ed Davey has been elected their new leader, walloping Layla Moran by 43,000 votes to only 25,000.
It’s interesting to note that while 88 per cent of Conservative members voted in the 2019 leadership contest, only 57 per cent of LibDems could be bothered to vote for either Davey or Moran. Make of that what you will. I wonder how much is down to the constant ‘wokery’ they both invoked, especially on Trans issues.
– – – – – – – – – –
It was announced this week that both Sally Collier, the Chief Executive of Ofqual, and Jonathan Slater, the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education, are leaving their posts. Given the exams fiasco, this is to be welcomed, and the moves are an acknowledgement that those who presided over it have had to take the consequences of the crass incompetence displayed by both their departments.
But hold on a cotton-pickin’ minute. If officials are despatched in such a summary manner, should not the same apply to their political masters too?
It is reported (but not confirmed) that Gavin Williamson offered his resignation to the Prime Minister, but that it was refused. Nick Gibb says he thought seriously about resigning but concluded that it would be the wrong thing to do.
I like both of them, and it pains me to say it, especially in this forum, but they must know they are dead men walking. Presumably they are only still in their jobs because of the importance of what is to happen next week, when pupils go back to school.
Once that is over (whether it goes smoothly or not) the best thing would be for them to be replaced PDQ, rather than wait for an expected January reshuffle. It’s not fair on the Education Department to have two lame duck ministers presiding over it for another four or five months.
– – – – – – – – – –
The Government’s policy on facemasks in schools has not, shall we say, exactly been as clear as it might have been, but can we get one thing straight? An adjustment of policy is not a U-turn.
This media obsession with them is getting out of hand. When scientific, medical and WHO advice seems to be changing almost weekly on the issue of facemasks, can it be any surprise that the Government’s position changes too?
Yes, Nicola Sturgeon made her announcement a few days before the Westminster government did, but the London media seems to forget that Scottish schools returned ten days ago. If the phrase U-turn is to be used to characterise a reversal of government policy, let’s use it when it really is a proper reverse ferret. This is not one of those occasions.
– – – – – – – – – –
This evening, I’m appearing on Radio 4’s Any Questions which, let’s face it, is a funny think to do when you’re supposed to be on holiday.
I only found out recently that the bulk of listeners to the show listen to the Saturday lunchtime repeat rather than on a Friday evening. It’s a show in which there’s a tremendous opportunity to make a complete arse of yourself. I’ve been on it about a dozen times before and so far I don’t think I have, but there’s always a first time.
You genuinely don’t know the questions in advance, but have to be a bit of a dunce if you can’t predict at least three of the subject areas. However, this week it’s a little more challenging given there haven’t been any really dominant news stories.
– – – – – – – – – –
In related news, my own version of Any Questions is returning to the LBC airwaves on Wednesday 9 September. Cross Question also features four panellists, but they take questions/calls from LBC listeners and we also live stream it on video.
It’s a little less formal than Any Questions, although Chris Mason has introduced much more informality since he took over the presenting reins from Jonathan Dimbleby. We had to pause Cross Question in March, since we couldn’t have four guests in the studio. For the foreseeable future, we’re going to have two guests in the studio and two on giant video screens. Hopefully, it will work!


conservativehome--2020-08-28--Peter Craske: Community pride in Bexley is stronger than ever

Cllr Peter Craske is the Cabinet Member for Places on Bexley Council .
This has been a hard time for everyone , but in Bexley one of the most positive things has been seeing our community come together , even more than we usually do .
In the first week of lockdown , our volunteer bureau asked for help , and within a few days over 600 residents signed up .
I was one of them , and I spent two months as part of a group of people delivering hot food to vulnerable residents across the Borough .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seeing lots of friends or family regularly , or just being able to say hello to their neighbours , this has been a very difficult time , suddenly faced with being on their own all the time .
Our daily visits became of huge importance for them , someone to talk to for one thing , but also it gave them comfort that , even if no-one else could drop food or goods over , they would get a hot meal everyday .
If they needed anything , whether that was essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report that back to the central hub and it would be dropped round .
That Hub was also supported by another group of volunteers as well as brilliant Council staff who played a key role in getting essential supplies and food to those who needed it .
For a Conservative borough , like Bexley , community spirit has always been the bedrock of what makes our borough tick , and every day thousands of people volunteer in all sorts of ways , from running charities to organising Scout or Brownie packs .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought this to the forefront , and we have lots of new volunteers helping out .
One example has been the reaction to the frankly upsetting amounts of litter that has been dropped in parks , even though there are plenty of bins to use .
It has been an issue across the country of course – think of the scenes at Bournemouth Beach – but here , while a few people moaned about it on social media while , of course , never actually doing anything to help , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in the first week of it being launched , 130 residents signed up , to help pick up litter .
They were astonished at the sheer volumes of litter a small minority of people were dropping and even though our parks have plenty of bins and we doubled the number of crews emptying them and picking up litter from the ground , they could see that despite our commitment it was proving an immense challenge – and they wanted to help .
This is both fantastic and unsurprising .
When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years ago , we were unsure how it would go , but we now have over 350 people taking part and making a difference .
Pride in our Borough and standing together as a community has always been a fundamental part of what makes Bexley such a great place , and one of the reasons why 75 per cent of residents recommend it to others as a place to live .
Naturally not everyone agrees with this .
Bexley ’ s Labour Councillors , fresh from a fourth landslide defeat , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state to do everything all the time , opposed the creation of these types of schemes .
At a recent Council meeting , one Labour councillor actually condemned volunteering projects like this as a “ cheapskate charter.
” But , as with everything else they do , Labour ’ s sneering attitude remains firmly in the minority .
The real spirit of our Borough , which is encapsulated in our “ Do it For Bexley ” message , is seen by everyone who rolls up their sleeves , getting on with life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Cllr Peter Craske is the Cabinet Member for Places on Bexley Council.
This has been a hard time for everyone, but in Bexley one of the most positive things has been seeing our community come together, even more than we usually do. In the first week of lockdown, our volunteer bureau asked for help, and within a few days over 600 residents signed up.
I was one of them, and I spent two months as part of a group of people delivering hot food to vulnerable residents across the Borough.
For those residents, living alone but used to seeing lots of friends or family regularly, or just being able to say hello to their neighbours, this has been a very difficult time, suddenly faced with being on their own all the time.
Our daily visits became of huge importance for them, someone to talk to for one thing, but also it gave them comfort that, even if no-one else could drop food or goods over, they would get a hot meal everyday. If they needed anything, whether that was essential supplies or medicines collected, we could report that back to the central hub and it would be dropped round. That Hub was also supported by another group of volunteers as well as brilliant Council staff who played a key role in getting essential supplies and food to those who needed it.
For a Conservative borough, like Bexley, community spirit has always been the bedrock of what makes our borough tick, and every day thousands of people volunteer in all sorts of ways, from running charities to organising Scout or Brownie packs. It is just that this crisis has really brought this to the forefront, and we have lots of new volunteers helping out.
One example has been the reaction to the frankly upsetting amounts of litter that has been dropped in parks, even though there are plenty of bins to use. It has been an issue across the country of course – think of the scenes at Bournemouth Beach – but here, while a few people moaned about it on social media while, of course, never actually doing anything to help, we’ve set up a new Parks Volunteer Service, and in the first week of it being launched, 130 residents signed up, to help pick up litter.
They were astonished at the sheer volumes of litter a small minority of people were dropping and even though our parks have plenty of bins and we doubled the number of crews emptying them and picking up litter from the ground, they could see that despite our commitment it was proving an immense challenge – and they wanted to help.
This is both fantastic and unsurprising.
When we set up our Community Litter Picking scheme three years ago, we were unsure how it would go, but we now have over 350 people taking part and making a difference.
Pride in our Borough and standing together as a community has always been a fundamental part of what makes Bexley such a great place, and one of the reasons why 75 per cent of residents recommend it to others as a place to live.
Naturally not everyone agrees with this. Bexley’s Labour Councillors, fresh from a fourth landslide defeat, and who believe it is the role of the state to do everything all the time, opposed the creation of these types of schemes. At a recent Council meeting, one Labour councillor actually condemned volunteering projects like this as a “cheapskate charter.”
But, as with everything else they do, Labour’s sneering attitude remains firmly in the minority.
The real spirit of our Borough, which is encapsulated in our “Do it For Bexley” message, is seen by everyone who rolls up their sleeves, getting on with life, making the community better for everyone.


conservativehome--2020-08-29--Televised press briefings are an ill-conceived American transplant that Britain should reject

Yesterday ’ s Times reported that Sky News and BBC News , the country ’ s two major 24-hour news channels , have refused to commit to broadcasting the Government ’ s new , televised press briefings every day .
The broadcasters are apparently sensitive of appearing to be giving excessive airtime to what amounts to a massive spinning exercise , and therefore say they will only commit to showing the footage ‘ on merit ’ .
Really the only thing surprising about this is that someone in Downing Street might have thought it wouldn ’ t be the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main channels to cede so much broadcast real estate so cheaply .
But even with this sensible attitude in place , it seems inevitable that daily televised press conferences will have the same baleful impact on British politics as their US inspiration has had across the water .
In lean times it gives Government spinners something else to bend the business of governing out of shape around , and when a crisis hits it risks devolving into a poisonous stand-off , with reporters competing to ‘ look tough for the cameras ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , the auguries for this initiative aren ’ t good .
Months of daily Covid-19 press briefings have provided ample demonstration of how these set pieces distort ministers ’ priorities – recall the desperate scramble to appear to hit Matt Hancock ’ s ‘ 100,000 tests a day ’ target .
But with the Prime Minister apparently determined to press ahead with this , are we doomed to see it become a permanent feature of British politics ?
It certainly could .
As Daniel Finkelstein writes : “ Once you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which press secretary is going to be the one who shuts it ?
” The pressure in favour of the cameras is certainly strong .
It is very unfashionable these days to suggest that the business of an institution like the lobby is better conducted behind closed doors .
It ’ s much the same with Parliament : it isn ’ t obvious that televising the Chamber has improved the quality of what goes on inside it , but Heaven help the hero who tries to turn those cameras off again .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the end we can expect the broadcasters to throw their weight any change which increases their importance and gives them more material , as they have with that other unhappy American transplant , televised election debates .
But the example of debates also shows us how tricky it can be to import such rituals from one system to another .
Whilst the format has lurched on through every general election since 2010 , the reality of British multi-party politics has meant that there was no smooth standardisation of the three-leaders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Cameron , Theresa May , and even Boris Johnson have managed to fight effective rearguard actions against the format .
So the day may yet come when a future press secretary closes the door on the press briefings once again .
As it should be .

Yesterday’s Times reported that Sky News and BBC News, the country’s two major 24-hour news channels, have refused to commit to broadcasting the Government’s new, televised press briefings every day.
The broadcasters are apparently sensitive of appearing to be giving excessive airtime to what amounts to a massive spinning exercise, and therefore say they will only commit to showing the footage ‘on merit’.
Really the only thing surprising about this is that someone in Downing Street might have thought it wouldn’t be the case. It would be extremely obliging of the main channels to cede so much broadcast real estate so cheaply.
But even with this sensible attitude in place, it seems inevitable that daily televised press conferences will have the same baleful impact on British politics as their US inspiration has had across the water. In lean times it gives Government spinners something else to bend the business of governing out of shape around, and when a crisis hits it risks devolving into a poisonous stand-off, with reporters competing to ‘look tough for the cameras’.
Even without the unpromising example of America, the auguries for this initiative aren’t good. Months of daily Covid-19 press briefings have provided ample demonstration of how these set pieces distort ministers’ priorities – recall the desperate scramble to appear to hit Matt Hancock’s ‘100,000 tests a day’ target.
But with the Prime Minister apparently determined to press ahead with this, are we doomed to see it become a permanent feature of British politics? It certainly could. As Daniel Finkelstein writes: “Once you’ve opened the door to the cameras, which press secretary is going to be the one who shuts it?”
The pressure in favour of the cameras is certainly strong. It is very unfashionable these days to suggest that the business of an institution like the lobby is better conducted behind closed doors. It’s much the same with Parliament: it isn’t obvious that televising the Chamber has improved the quality of what goes on inside it, but Heaven help the hero who tries to turn those cameras off again.
And for all their apparent even handedness now, in the end we can expect the broadcasters to throw their weight any change which increases their importance and gives them more material, as they have with that other unhappy American transplant, televised election debates.
But the example of debates also shows us how tricky it can be to import such rituals from one system to another. Whilst the format has lurched on through every general election since 2010, the reality of British multi-party politics has meant that there was no smooth standardisation of the three-leaders, three-debate format of that first contest. David Cameron, Theresa May, and even Boris Johnson have managed to fight effective rearguard actions against the format.
So the day may yet come when a future press secretary closes the door on the press briefings once again. As it should be.


conservativehome--2020-08-29--David Gauke: We’re urged to return to the office – but Ministers must face the fact that the world o

David Gauke: We’re urged to return to the office – but Ministers must face the fact that the world of work is changing.

David Gauke is a former Justice Secretary , and was an independent candidate in South-West Hertfordshire at the recent general election .
Some months ago , I made the observation on this site that there was a danger that the Government ’ s then message – ‘ stay at home ’ – might work too well .
Given that the Government is launching a campaign to get us back in our offices , it looks as if they have reached the same conclusion .
By international standards , far fewer of us have returned to our place of work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depend upon the custom of office-workers are suffering terribly .
In the view of the Government , as we inch back to some kind of normality , now is the time for us to start to go back to the office .
This is understandable .
For some people , working from home is a miserable experience and bad for their mental health .
Creating an environment where people have the opportunity to go to work is to be welcomed .
But there are five reasons why I would urge a degree of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and perhaps most fundamentally , it is not obvious why a return to work will not increase the infection rate .
The UK has seen a lower return to work than other countries but it has also seen a smaller increase in infections ( so far ) .
Cramming people into trains and then into offices will increase social interaction and , therefore , the opportunity for the virus to spread .
Given that the Prime Minister , Health Secretary , Cabinet Secretary , Chief Medical Officer and half of Whitehall appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I do not think this concern can be dismissed .
Other activities , such as getting the schools back , are more important than getting those who can work from home to work in the office .
So , in the event of a second wave , any messages about getting back to work will need to be reversed .
We must not forget that what really drives behaviour is the perception of the health risks .
Of course , the Government can help inform the public of the real risks but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to the office if they think it is safe .
So my second point is that demonstrating we have the virus under control – with an effective test , trace and isolate system that identifies and suppresses local outbreaks – will count a lot more than exhortations to get into the office .
Third , the decision of where someone works is principally one to be worked out between employer and employee .
Some employers are keen to get their staff back ; some employees are desperate to return to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case and , as Matt Hancock has said in the context of the Department of Health , his concern is that his staff can do the job .
His experience , and the experience of many employers , is that they can .
We do not live in a command economy and the man or woman in Whitehall ( or Godalming or Hitchin or wherever it is they might live and , currently , work ) , doesn ’ t necessarily know best .
It is particularly unhelpful if Ministers give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in the direction of being made redundant .
This is neither true nor helpful to businesses who have sought to reassure their employees .
What appears to be driving the Government ’ s message is concern about businesses located in city centres .
Although entirely understandable , my fourth point is that we also have to face the reality that the world of work is changing .
We are likely to see a structural change with people spending more time at home ( and spending more money close to home ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trying to push-back against a long term change in consumer preferences will only preserve economic inefficiencies .
More people are going to mix working in the office with working from home and our retail and hospitality sectors are going to have to adjust .
And , finally , giving the impression that the Government thinks that the very many people who want to work from home are lazy and unpatriotic does not strike me as obviously good politics .
The row over the Last Night of the Proms has probably come as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government .
Speaking as a metropolitan , liberal , remoaner type , attempts at cancelling the lyrics of Rule Britannia !
and Land of Hope and Glory results in me getting in touch with my inner Nigel Farage ( to be fair , we are not in regular contact ) .
It is hard to believe that anyone really takes offence at the lyrics , but rather that a patriotic celebration of this country should not even be permitted .
It is an attitude that infuriates large numbers of people , feeds into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the disadvantaged .
As an event , it is not to everybody ’ s taste .
I can see why people might find the whole occasion anachronistic , absurd and a bit naff , but surely that is the essence of good Saturday evening telly ?
After all , the same could be said of Eurovision and Strictly .
If the Last Night of the Proms is too jingoistic for your tastes , the solution is to watch something else .
Don ’ t spoil the innocent fun for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have always been a bit of a pessimist as to whether a deal would be reached and , after an apparently acrimonious round of talks earlier this month , the odds of No Deal are increasing .
Both before and after the 2016 referendum , plenty of advocates for Brexit made the case that we would get a very good deal that would mean we would have control over our own laws and excellent access to EU markets .
It was argued that anyone who doubted that failed to appreciate how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the large trading deficit we run with the EU .
When such an offer was not forthcoming , this was blamed on the failure of the May Government to play hardball or the ‘ Remainer Parliament ’ of 2017-19 .
Now those impediments have been swept aside and we have a Government that would be prepared to end the transition period without a deal , the EU will presumably accept our demands .
The counter-argument has always been that the EU has certain interests it will be determined to protect , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and considers itself to be better able to withstand the disruption of no deal .
Consequently , the threat to walk away was never the bargaining chip some people believed .
In the next few weeks , as the negotiations come to a head , we will find out which interpretation of the EU ’ s motives and actions – and the efficacy of particular negotiating strategies – will have turned out to be correct .
Will the EU cave or not ?
This won ’ t necessarily tell us whether Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it will mean that the promises and predictions of politicians and commentators over the last four years or more can be scrutinised in a more informed way .
If we get very good access to EU markets and complete regulatory autonomy , I for one will have to admit that I got it wrong .
If we do not get that , others are going to have to eat some humble pie .

David Gauke is a former Justice Secretary, and was an independent candidate in South-West Hertfordshire at the recent general election.
Some months ago, I made the observation on this site that there was a danger that the Government’s then message – ‘stay at home’ – might work too well. Given that the Government is launching a campaign to get us back in our offices, it looks as if they have reached the same conclusion. By international standards, far fewer of us have returned to our place of work and, as a consequence, businesses that depend upon the custom of office-workers are suffering terribly. In the view of the Government, as we inch back to some kind of normality, now is the time for us to start to go back to the office.
This is understandable. For some people, working from home is a miserable experience and bad for their mental health. Creating an environment where people have the opportunity to go to work is to be welcomed. But there are five reasons why I would urge a degree of caution in the messaging.
First, and perhaps most fundamentally, it is not obvious why a return to work will not increase the infection rate. The UK has seen a lower return to work than other countries but it has also seen a smaller increase in infections (so far). Cramming people into trains and then into offices will increase social interaction and, therefore, the opportunity for the virus to spread. Given that the Prime Minister, Health Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, Chief Medical Officer and half of Whitehall appear to have caught the virus in the office, I do not think this concern can be dismissed.
Other activities, such as getting the schools back, are more important than getting those who can work from home to work in the office. So, in the event of a second wave, any messages about getting back to work will need to be reversed.
We must not forget that what really drives behaviour is the perception of the health risks. Of course, the Government can help inform the public of the real risks but, fundamentally, people will be happier to return to the office if they think it is safe. So my second point is that demonstrating we have the virus under control – with an effective test, trace and isolate system that identifies and suppresses local outbreaks – will count a lot more than exhortations to get into the office.
Third, the decision of where someone works is principally one to be worked out between employer and employee. Some employers are keen to get their staff back; some employees are desperate to return to the office. But that is not always the case and, as Matt Hancock has said in the context of the Department of Health, his concern is that his staff can do the job. His experience, and the experience of many employers, is that they can.
We do not live in a command economy and the man or woman in Whitehall (or Godalming or Hitchin or wherever it is they might live and, currently, work), doesn’t necessarily know best. It is particularly unhelpful if Ministers give the impression that working from home is a step in the direction of being made redundant. This is neither true nor helpful to businesses who have sought to reassure their employees.
What appears to be driving the Government’s message is concern about businesses located in city centres. Although entirely understandable, my fourth point is that we also have to face the reality that the world of work is changing. We are likely to see a structural change with people spending more time at home (and spending more money close to home) and spending less time and money in cities. Trying to push-back against a long term change in consumer preferences will only preserve economic inefficiencies. More people are going to mix working in the office with working from home and our retail and hospitality sectors are going to have to adjust.
And, finally, giving the impression that the Government thinks that the very many people who want to work from home are lazy and unpatriotic does not strike me as obviously good politics.
– – – – – – – – – –
The row over the Last Night of the Proms has probably come as a bit of a relief to the Government. Speaking as a metropolitan, liberal, remoaner type, attempts at cancelling the lyrics of Rule Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory results in me getting in touch with my inner Nigel Farage (to be fair, we are not in regular contact).
It is hard to believe that anyone really takes offence at the lyrics, but rather that a patriotic celebration of this country should not even be permitted. It is an attitude that infuriates large numbers of people, feeds into a cultural backlash and does nothing to help the disadvantaged.
As an event, it is not to everybody’s taste. I can see why people might find the whole occasion anachronistic, absurd and a bit naff, but surely that is the essence of good Saturday evening telly? After all, the same could be said of Eurovision and Strictly.
If the Last Night of the Proms is too jingoistic for your tastes, the solution is to watch something else. Don’t spoil the innocent fun for the rest of us.
– – – – – – – – – –
Brexit has rumbled on. I have always been a bit of a pessimist as to whether a deal would be reached and, after an apparently acrimonious round of talks earlier this month, the odds of No Deal are increasing.
Both before and after the 2016 referendum, plenty of advocates for Brexit made the case that we would get a very good deal that would mean we would have control over our own laws and excellent access to EU markets. It was argued that anyone who doubted that failed to appreciate how we held all the negotiating cards, especially given the large trading deficit we run with the EU.
When such an offer was not forthcoming, this was blamed on the failure of the May Government to play hardball or the ‘Remainer Parliament’ of 2017-19. Now those impediments have been swept aside and we have a Government that would be prepared to end the transition period without a deal, the EU will presumably accept our demands.
The counter-argument has always been that the EU has certain interests it will be determined to protect, such as the integrity of the Single Market, and considers itself to be better able to withstand the disruption of no deal. Consequently, the threat to walk away was never the bargaining chip some people believed.
In the next few weeks, as the negotiations come to a head, we will find out which interpretation of the EU’s motives and actions – and the efficacy of particular negotiating strategies – will have turned out to be correct. Will the EU cave or not?
This won’t necessarily tell us whether Brexit is a good idea or not, but it will mean that the promises and predictions of politicians and commentators over the last four years or more can be scrutinised in a more informed way. If we get very good access to EU markets and complete regulatory autonomy, I for one will have to admit that I got it wrong. If we do not get that, others are going to have to eat some humble pie.


conservativehome--2020-08-30--Algorithm or no algorithm, the UK needs houses. Fast.

Since it was published on this site last Monday , there has been a huge amount of interest in Neil O ’ Brien ’ s column , which documented flaws in the Government ’ s housing White Paper .
In his piece , O ’ Brien criticised an algorithm that will be used to decide how many houses should be built in different parts of the UK .
Algorithms aren ’ t exactly in the nation ’ s good books anyway , given the confusion over recent A Level results .
But members of the public will be even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could mean .
Lichfields , a planning consultancy , has predicted its practical impact ( something people usually only discover the hard way ) , with some astonishing findings .
As O ’ Brien says of the consultancy ’ s analysis : “ in the rest of England the formula takes the numbers down in labour-run urban areas , while taking them dramatically up in shire and suburban areas which tend to be conservative controlled.
” Furthermore , the algorithm suggests a “ lower number than their recent rate of delivery ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the entire North East , Nottingham and Manchester .
These effects are hardly a winning formula , and there are already signs of Tory resistance .
Indeed , The Times reports that in his video conference with 17 Tory MPs from the greater London area on Wednesday , Boris Johnson was warned that the algorithm risks “ destroying suburbia ” and “ creating the slums of the future ” , and that reforms will cause “ real harm to the Conservative vote ” .
As we ’ ve seen this year – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on free school meals after Marcus Rashford wrote a letter to MPs – this Government is not immune to having to massively rehaul its policies , and it seems unlikely the algorithm will be accepted , based on the statistics in O ’ Brien ’ s article .
Even so , there is no shying away from the fact the country urgently needs hundreds of thousands more houses built , whether it ’ s an algorithm that designates their location or not .
It is interesting to note the objections in the aforementioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about areas becoming built up , and MPs concerned about losses to the Conservative vote .
The latter is inevitable , anyway , if the Government does not help my generation ( millennials ) , and those below it , for whom buying a home looks about as probable as winning the X Factor .
One interesting question in all this – which no algorithm can predict – is how Covid-19 is going to change the housing landscape .
Clearly many have left cities in favour of space and country air .
Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen , but boosting figures in shire and suburban areas may not be such a bad thing , as is the algorithm ’ s south-centric model of growth in Britain ( where , in truth , much of demand is focussed ) .
As a 31-year-old renting in London ( who has somewhat given up on the prospect of home ownership ) , the Government reforms were the first thing I ’ d seen to show that MPs actually care about fixing this problem ; one that is giving people my own age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether we will ever have families , to wondering how old we will be when we stop sharing with X amount of strangers .
Of course , any flawed algorithm must be untangled and corrected .
But let ’ s hope that Johnson ’ s video conference isn ’ t a taste of kicking the can further down the road .
Whatever solution the Government takes to fix the housing crisis will not be perfect .
But the worst will be to do nothing at all .
As a government source reportedly said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to step away from .
We ’ ve got a duty to do this for the next generation.
” Indeed .

Since it was published on this site last Monday, there has been a huge amount of interest in Neil O’Brien’s column, which documented flaws in the Government’s housing White Paper. In his piece, O’Brien criticised an algorithm that will be used to decide how many houses should be built in different parts of the UK.
Algorithms aren’t exactly in the nation’s good books anyway, given the confusion over recent A Level results. But members of the public will be even more wary upon understanding what this latest one could mean. Lichfields, a planning consultancy, has predicted its practical impact (something people usually only discover the hard way), with some astonishing findings.
As O’Brien says of the consultancy’s analysis: “in the rest of England the formula takes the numbers down in labour-run urban areas, while taking them dramatically up in shire and suburban areas which tend to be conservative controlled.”
Furthermore, the algorithm suggests a “lower number than their recent rate of delivery” for some areas, including Sheffield, Bradford, the entire North East, Nottingham and Manchester. These effects are hardly a winning formula, and there are already signs of Tory resistance.
Indeed, The Times reports that in his video conference with 17 Tory MPs from the greater London area on Wednesday, Boris Johnson was warned that the algorithm risks “destroying suburbia” and “creating the slums of the future”, and that reforms will cause “real harm to the Conservative vote”.
As we’ve seen this year – from difficulties with Huawei to Johnson u-turning on free school meals after Marcus Rashford wrote a letter to MPs – this Government is not immune to having to massively rehaul its policies, and it seems unlikely the algorithm will be accepted, based on the statistics in O’Brien’s article.
Even so, there is no shying away from the fact the country urgently needs hundreds of thousands more houses built, whether it’s an algorithm that designates their location or not. It is interesting to note the objections in the aforementioned video conference, where there were fears about areas becoming built up, and MPs concerned about losses to the Conservative vote. The latter is inevitable, anyway, if the Government does not help my generation (millennials), and those below it, for whom buying a home looks about as probable as winning the X Factor.
One interesting question in all this – which no algorithm can predict – is how Covid-19 is going to change the housing landscape. Clearly many have left cities in favour of space and country air. Whether this change is permanent remains to be seen, but boosting figures in shire and suburban areas may not be such a bad thing, as is the algorithm’s south-centric model of growth in Britain (where, in truth, much of demand is focussed).
As a 31-year-old renting in London (who has somewhat given up on the prospect of home ownership), the Government reforms were the first thing I’d seen to show that MPs actually care about fixing this problem; one that is giving people my own age real anxiety about the future, from whether we will ever have families, to wondering how old we will be when we stop sharing with X amount of strangers.
Of course, any flawed algorithm must be untangled and corrected. But let’s hope that Johnson’s video conference isn’t a taste of kicking the can further down the road. Whatever solution the Government takes to fix the housing crisis will not be perfect. But the worst will be to do nothing at all.
As a government source reportedly said: “This is not something we’re going to step away from. We’ve got a duty to do this for the next generation.” Indeed.


conservativehome--2020-08-31--Howard Flight: From rising demand for out of town housing, to increases in savings, the Covid trends

Howard Flight: From rising demand for out of town housing, to increases in savings, the Covid trends to look out for.

Lord Flight is Chairman of Flight & Partners Recovery Fund and is a former Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury .
I expect the UK to emerge from this Covid-related economic and health shakeup with permanent major changes of behaviour .
These should in turn impact on the values and relative prices of goods and services .
The first most obvious area is housing , house prices and where you live .
The discovery with modern communication and technology that people can work at least three days a week from home without their output suffering looks set to release a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly in London and the home counties .
As a friend recently commented to me , it is a pleasure to be living most of the time in the country ; it adds two hours a day to his free time and £500 per month ( effectively tax free ) to his disposable income .
This implies , longer term , upward price pressure on out of town housing and downward relative pressure on city centre properties .
Also surely the correct economic policy for the rail operators would be to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network ?
This economic crisis has already unleashed a significant increase in the savings rate – in the home counties plus £2,000 pa per person and rising .
The main reason looks to be fear of unemployment , but there is also , clearly , a risk of interest costs rising substantially at some stage in the not too distant future .
A relatively permanent increase in the savings rate implies bad news for the service sector .
Higher savings are likely to be made across the young , middle aged and older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is helping to finance the young .
Savings should logically be the largest amongst the middle aged part of the population .
We are likely to see the young as the key inventors ; the middle aged as the investors , and the older part of the population financing the young and predominately financing new investment .
A trend which is not yet apparent is the relative performance of Greater London versus the “ Rest ” .
House price and interest rate developments leave London relatively less affluent and the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a greater interest in education by both the young and their parents – particularly amongst the rising immigrant community who have been performing extremely well academically .
This should be good for the economy .
The Conservative Government has had a rough time , at least half of this , their own fault .
As the General Election witnessed , and I believe is still the case , the electorate is not interested in Communism .
What it wants , particularly , is what is perceived as “ fairness ” .
Fairness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government ’ s education blunders have witnessed , young students , their parents , teachers and many Conservative members of Parliament have been driven by the wish to see fairness as amongst the young effected .
As Liz Truss , the Secretary of State for International Trade , has commented , fairness is the main case for free trade .
After joining the EU , we fell behind our allies in terms of trade ; now we have the chance to change this .
We are in a series of negotiations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand to strike new , fair free trade agreements and lower tariffs for our exporters .
Talks with all four are progressing well .
Round Four of the US negotiations starts soon .
From Japan we have consensus on the major elements of a deal that will go beyond the agreement the EU has with the country .
We aim to have agreement in principal by the end of August .
Round two of talks with Australia start in mid September and the second round of discussions with New Zealand start a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important step towards accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement which will hitch Britain to one of the fastest growing parts of the world .
CPTPP reduces tariffs on 95 per cent of goods between members and also sets high standards in areas like digital trade and data .
Membership will help put Britain at the centre of a network of free trade agreements where parties treat each other fairly , play by the rules , and help make us a hub for businesses trading with the @ @ @ @ @

Lord Flight is Chairman of Flight & Partners Recovery Fund and is a former Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
I expect the UK to emerge from this Covid-related economic and health shakeup with permanent major changes of behaviour. These should in turn impact on the values and relative prices of goods and services.
The first most obvious area is housing, house prices and where you live. The discovery with modern communication and technology that people can work at least three days a week from home without their output suffering looks set to release a large “working from home” revolution, particularly in London and the home counties.
As a friend recently commented to me, it is a pleasure to be living most of the time in the country; it adds two hours a day to his free time and £500 per month (effectively tax free) to his disposable income.
This implies, longer term, upward price pressure on out of town housing and downward relative pressure on city centre properties. Also surely the correct economic policy for the rail operators would be to reduce fares to encourage greater usage of the network?
This economic crisis has already unleashed a significant increase in the savings rate – in the home counties plus £2,000 pa per person and rising. The main reason looks to be fear of unemployment, but there is also, clearly, a risk of interest costs rising substantially at some stage in the not too distant future.
A relatively permanent increase in the savings rate implies bad news for the service sector. Higher savings are likely to be made across the young, middle aged and older sections of the community where the latter is helping to finance the young.
Savings should logically be the largest amongst the middle aged part of the population. We are likely to see the young as the key inventors; the middle aged as the investors, and the older part of the population financing the young and predominately financing new investment.
A trend which is not yet apparent is the relative performance of Greater London versus the “Rest”. House price and interest rate developments leave London relatively less affluent and the rest of the country better off.
An apparent trend is a greater interest in education by both the young and their parents – particularly amongst the rising immigrant community who have been performing extremely well academically. This should be good for the economy.
The Conservative Government has had a rough time, at least half of this, their own fault. As the General Election witnessed, and I believe is still the case, the electorate is not interested in Communism. What it wants, particularly, is what is perceived as “fairness”.
Fairness is not just financial fairness. As the Government’s education blunders have witnessed, young students, their parents, teachers and many Conservative members of Parliament have been driven by the wish to see fairness as amongst the young effected.
As Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, has commented, fairness is the main case for free trade. After joining the EU, we fell behind our allies in terms of trade; now we have the chance to change this.
We are in a series of negotiations with the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand to strike new, fair free trade agreements and lower tariffs for our exporters. Talks with all four are progressing well. Round Four of the US negotiations starts soon.
From Japan we have consensus on the major elements of a deal that will go beyond the agreement the EU has with the country. We aim to have agreement in principal by the end of August. Round two of talks with Australia start in mid September and the second round of discussions with New Zealand start a month later.
These deals are an important step towards accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement which will hitch Britain to one of the fastest growing parts of the world.
CPTPP reduces tariffs on 95 per cent of goods between members and also sets high standards in areas like digital trade and data. Membership will help put Britain at the centre of a network of free trade agreements where parties treat each other fairly, play by the rules, and help make us a hub for businesses trading with the rest of the world.


conservativehome--2020-08-31--Our survey. Johnson’s approval ratings for managing Covid-19 fall below 50 per cent

In March of this year , 92 per cent of ConservativeHome panel members said that they believed that Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ .
His rating then slipped to 84 per cent in April ; to 72 per @ @ @ @ @ 59 per cent in July – and now to 48 per cent .
What ’ @ @ @ @ @ a satisfaction rate of lower than half ?
Dissatisfaction with policy mess-ups , such as @ @ @ @ @ changing social distancing rules ?
The schools results fiasco ?
Maybe the most simple explanation @ @ @ @ @ ?
Your guess is as good as ours .
At 46 per cent , the @ @ @ @ @ little different .
It follows 92 per cent , 82 per cent and 71 per @ @ @ @ @ s positive rating is 82 per cent – the same in effect as his 81 @ @ @ @ @

In March of this year, 92 per cent of ConservativeHome panel members said that they believed that Boris Johnson was dealing with Covid-19 well.
His rating then slipped to 84 per cent in April; to 72 per cent in June, to 59 per cent in July – and now to 48 per cent.
What’s driving this fall to a satisfaction rate of lower than half? Dissatisfaction with policy mess-ups, such as Coronavirus App? Bewilderment at changing social distancing rules? The schools results fiasco? Maybe the most simple explanation of all – voter fatigue?
Your guess is as good as ours. At 46 per cent, the overall Government satisfaction rate is little different.
It follows 92 per cent, 82 per cent and 71 per cent. Rishi Sunak’s positive rating is 82 per cent – the same in effect as his 81 per cent last month.


conservativehome--2020-08-31--Richard Holden: The Government must hold firm and stay on course as the Commons returns this week

In Edmundbyers they came en masse – well , en masse for a small village .
It was the 30th or so stop out of 50 on my constituency summer surgery tour of the communities of North West Durham .
Fifteen or so constituents were gathered , questions and comments at the ready , on village green .
As at other stops , some came to raise specific local issues .
Some came to mention national policy .
Many just came to meet their MP ; put a face to the name , or to get the measure of someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the paper , who they elected last year .
And , of course , many constituents just wanted to get a couple of things off their chest .
The interactions reminded me of visiting The Grey Horse , Consett for my “ ask the candidate ” session back in November .
That “ ask the candidate ” was an interesting event because I came under very heavy questioning from the start .
What I learnt from the interrogation I got then , aside from a couple of Labour activists who ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toughness wasn ’ t really directed at me ; I was just the person stood there who was taking years of pent up frustration .
A deep frustration that came from years of resentment , not with me or even the Conservative Party , but with politics generally ; at not having had any opportunity to speak to and question their elected representatives , or those seeking election , before .
This was rammed home time and again on my summer tour and , perhaps more tellingly still , when I attended a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those present , including by a Parish Councillor who ’ d been on for the best part of half a century , that no previous MP had ever reached out them , let alone attended one of their council meetings .
In many of the villages I visited in the last fortnight people said things like “ I ’ ve never seen or heard of my councillor , never mind my MP in my village before.
” Speaking to so many people in my constituency over the summer has reminded me of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from those they elected to represent them over many years , but also the impact an active local MP or councillor can make to people ’ s feeling of dislocation .
That initial reaction , as I found at The Grey Horse , is just that – a reaction .
It ’ s the first thing that happens when presented with someone who you ’ re then able to ask a question of .
What it isn ’ t is a response to you or a guide in any way to how people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel .
I learnt several weeks after my grilling at The Grey Horse that people had been impressed by my clarity , honesty and the fact that I ’ d turned up in a heavily Labour part of my constituency without a massive entourage ; that I had stood my ground and given as good , if not better , than I ’ d got .
In fact , a good number of those present had their vote tipped in my direction on the strength of that session when compared with the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their constituencies at the end of the summer recess and head back to Parliament , it will serve us well to remember the difference between the initial reaction and the response , especially to those who seek to discern what the public want from polling them .
There is frustration out there at everything relating to the global Coronavirus pandemic .
There is an acknowledgment that the support the Government has provided to the economy has been substantial and will need to be paid for .
There is still , rightly , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , but also a desire that we don ’ t let it unnecessarily continue to impinge on our lives more than is necessary .
The next few months in politics in the run up to Christmas and though the new year are going to be challenging .
There are major issues on the table .
Our future relationship with the EU negotiations , which are likely to go down to the wire .
There are also multiple complex international trade negotiations with Japan , the US , Australia and others .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our Chancellor .
And a Fisheries Bill that ’ ll set out our post-EU fishing regime as well as other contentious legislation .
These will all be set in the context of the ongoing impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic on jobs and the economy .
Internationally , the situation with China and Russia is increasingly charged .
The United States faces what is set to be a potentially both bruising and close Presidential election .
Even normally calm Japan , an increasingly crucial international partner and ally , is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departure of their respected Prime Minister .
As all these things play-out , we Conservatives must not get distracted too by the initial reaction because things will be choppy .
We ’ re in a political battle for the long-term future of our country .
What ’ s important is the leadership we show as we look to where we want the country to be in the years ahead .
In early 2016 , who ’ d have imagined we ’ d be where we are now ?
In fact , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d have imagined we ’ d be where we are now ?
What we ’ re crafting together in Parliament is a response to the question at the next general election : “ who do you want to be governing the country for the next four or five years ?
” to the people in The Grey Horse in Consett and on the village green at Edmundbyers .
There are many staging posts as we slowly make our way there , and through the first anniversary of the general election .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adage that a week is a long time in politics will be seen again to be all too true , but we ’ ve got to hold firm to delivering a very clear response to the only question that matters – one that will be answered way down the line in the ballot box .

Richard Holden is MP for North West Durham.
The Baa, Edmundbyers, Co Durham
In Edmundbyers they came en masse – well, en masse for a small village. It was the 30th or so stop out of 50 on my constituency summer surgery tour of the communities of North West Durham. Fifteen or so constituents were gathered, questions and comments at the ready, on village green.
As at other stops, some came to raise specific local issues. Some came to mention national policy. Many just came to meet their MP; put a face to the name, or to get the measure of someone they sometimes see on local telly or in the paper, who they elected last year. And, of course, many constituents just wanted to get a couple of things off their chest.
The interactions reminded me of visiting The Grey Horse, Consett for my “ask the candidate” session back in November. That “ask the candidate” was an interesting event because I came under very heavy questioning from the start.
What I learnt from the interrogation I got then, aside from a couple of Labour activists who’d been sent along, was that the toughness wasn’t really directed at me; I was just the person stood there who was taking years of pent up frustration. A deep frustration that came from years of resentment, not with me or even the Conservative Party, but with politics generally; at not having had any opportunity to speak to and question their elected representatives, or those seeking election, before.
This was rammed home time and again on my summer tour and, perhaps more tellingly still, when I attended a parish council meeting and was informed by those present, including by a Parish Councillor who’d been on for the best part of half a century, that no previous MP had ever reached out them, let alone attended one of their council meetings.
In many of the villages I visited in the last fortnight people said things like “I’ve never seen or heard of my councillor, never mind my MP in my village before.” Speaking to so many people in my constituency over the summer has reminded me of the deep sense of detachment many have felt from those they elected to represent them over many years, but also the impact an active local MP or councillor can make to people’s feeling of dislocation.
That initial reaction, as I found at The Grey Horse, is just that – a reaction. It’s the first thing that happens when presented with someone who you’re then able to ask a question of. What it isn’t is a response to you or a guide in any way to how people might vote or how they necessarily really feel.
I learnt several weeks after my grilling at The Grey Horse that people had been impressed by my clarity, honesty and the fact that I’d turned up in a heavily Labour part of my constituency without a massive entourage; that I had stood my ground and given as good, if not better, than I’d got. In fact, a good number of those present had their vote tipped in my direction on the strength of that session when compared with the other candidates they saw.
As MPs leave their constituencies at the end of the summer recess and head back to Parliament, it will serve us well to remember the difference between the initial reaction and the response, especially to those who seek to discern what the public want from polling them.
There is frustration out there at everything relating to the global Coronavirus pandemic. There is an acknowledgment that the support the Government has provided to the economy has been substantial and will need to be paid for. There is still, rightly, a lot of fear out there about the virus, but also a desire that we don’t let it unnecessarily continue to impinge on our lives more than is necessary.
The next few months in politics in the run up to Christmas and though the new year are going to be challenging. There are major issues on the table. Our future relationship with the EU negotiations, which are likely to go down to the wire. There are also multiple complex international trade negotiations with Japan, the US, Australia and others.
There’ll be a very difficult budget for our Chancellor. And a Fisheries Bill that’ll set out our post-EU fishing regime as well as other contentious legislation. These will all be set in the context of the ongoing impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic on jobs and the economy.
Internationally, the situation with China and Russia is increasingly charged. The United States faces what is set to be a potentially both bruising and close Presidential election. Even normally calm Japan, an increasingly crucial international partner and ally, is in the midst of a change, following the departure of their respected Prime Minister.
As all these things play-out, we Conservatives must not get distracted too by the initial reaction because things will be choppy. We’re in a political battle for the long-term future of our country. What’s important is the leadership we show as we look to where we want the country to be in the years ahead. In early 2016, who’d have imagined we’d be where we are now? In fact, at the general election eight months ago who’d have imagined we’d be where we are now?
What we’re crafting together in Parliament is a response to the question at the next general election: “who do you want to be governing the country for the next four or five years?” to the people in The Grey Horse in Consett and on the village green at Edmundbyers. There are many staging posts as we slowly make our way there, and through the first anniversary of the general election.
In the tumult of the next few months, the adage that a week is a long time in politics will be seen again to be all too true, but we’ve got to hold firm to delivering a very clear response to the only question that matters – one that will be answered way down the line in the ballot box.


conservativehome--2020-08-31--Judy Terry: Banks must be part of the high street revival

Judy Terry is a marketing professional and a former local councillor in Suffolk .
With High Streets under ever-increasing pressure , for customers to lose personal access to their banks , with their professional advice and services , as well as cash machines , will be the death knell for many businesses , especially those largely reliant on cash transactions in smaller towns .
Not everyone banks online ; according to the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) 7.5 per cent of people have never even used the internet .
Almost daily , we are alerted to the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
Everyone is vulnerable , however careful and technologically literate they are .
Having access to a human being to discuss issues , whether a loan , mortgage , or to maximise the return on any savings , is a huge benefit .
It is not the same doing it online without assurance of ‘ best value ’ !
Being able to speak to someone in person builds trust – and loyalty , sharing information about suspected fraud , is essential , yet customers trying to make contact by phone can potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even longer , before getting a response .
Report online or use the App , we ’ re told , or give up !
If you try to visit your bank branch , expect to queue for ever , or find it shut .
This is not good enough .
Despite the Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA ) working with banks to ‘ prioritise customers and their needs ’ , the pandemic is threatening a further 274 bank closures across the country , whilst also reducing opening times , leaving customers unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are still used for some transactions ) , pay bills , or withdraw cash .
Even mobile units , introduced after previous closures , have disappeared .
Post Offices have already left hundreds of High Streets , causing considerable inconvenience to local residents , not least those attempting to return goods bought online , wanting assistance renewing a passport , paying road fund tax , or using banking services .
Losing banks and post offices is not just an inconvenience , but means thousands of people having to travel to other locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas where broadband is not just slow , but sometimes inaccessible or intermittent .
So , isn ’ t it time for banks , building societies , and post offices , to agree a simple plan , working in partnership to restore accessible customer service to meet community need ?
There is no reason , surely , why the finance sector couldn ’ t share premises .
It could be an opportunity to use some of the commercial properties which local councils have acquired as ‘ investments ’ in recent years and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public buildings , which often have large empty reception areas , and even libraries , are used , making them more user-friendly and efficient for broader communities .
A simple business plan could target specific locations , identified in consultation with local authorities and business organisations ; with each partner allocated sites and contributing a set annual amount to a central fund to cover staff and accommodation costs .
Department stores are suffering from a decline in footfall , so bringing banks and post offices into vacant space would be a huge advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nail bars , smartening up these tired institutions , crammed with everything from cosmetics and clothing to kitchenware and furniture , without giving any thought how to attract buyers .
Instead of opening 9.00-5.30 , add some flexibility ( opening and closing later a couple of days a week ) with special events , launching new products , and even introducing wine bars , rather than the tatty coffee bars which are currently commonplace .
Retail is in a rut because it failed to respond to the online challenge , pursuing the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands for something different and more exciting .
In the 1960s it was fashion designers like Mary Quant , and interior design gurus like Terence Conran who revolutionised the shopping experience , making it exciting after the post-war decline ; we need similar creativity to deliver a revival today .
Local authorities and Business Improvement Districts ( BID ) could work with landlords to utilise prominent but redundant retail units , showcasing new talent , with competitions to select the best ideas and products .
The UK has some of the most innovative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and film production ; their knowledge and skills could be put to use in the High Street , with space to attract custom , including children playing online games , and even helping the less technically inclined to build their confidence , making it fun .
BIDs could also encourage young musical and theatrical talent to put on shows in public spaces for a couple of hours each month , welcoming people to stay longer into the evening after work .
Introducing monthly Art markets for paintings , photography , pottery etc.. promoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular , drawing people in for a new experience , meeting others who share their enjoyment .
Such change means that people will want to return to live in town centres , with tree-lined pedestrian areas filled with plant boxes allowing them to give up their cars to walk or cycle , helping the environment .
It will also encourage those at risk of losing their jobs in the current crisis and choosing self-employment , to set up their own businesses , utilising their unique skills .
They are key to building the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , banks must be part of the town centre revival , having a physical presence .
If they don ’ t participate , they will regret it because they will not only lose customers but miss major future investment opportunities !
Rivals will be waiting in the wings to grab them .

Judy Terry is a marketing professional and a former local councillor in Suffolk.
With High Streets under ever-increasing pressure, for customers to lose personal access to their banks, with their professional advice and services, as well as cash machines, will be the death knell for many businesses, especially those largely reliant on cash transactions in smaller towns.
Not everyone banks online; according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 7.5 per cent of people have never even used the internet. Almost daily, we are alerted to the potential for fraud, so security is a priority. Everyone is vulnerable, however careful and technologically literate they are.
Having access to a human being to discuss issues, whether a loan, mortgage, or to maximise the return on any savings, is a huge benefit. It is not the same doing it online without assurance of ‘best value’! Being able to speak to someone in person builds trust – and loyalty, sharing information about suspected fraud, is essential, yet customers trying to make contact by phone can potentially wait for up to an hour, or even longer, before getting a response. Report online or use the App, we’re told, or give up! If you try to visit your bank branch, expect to queue for ever, or find it shut. This is not good enough.
Despite the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) working with banks to ‘prioritise customers and their needs’, the pandemic is threatening a further 274 bank closures across the country, whilst also reducing opening times, leaving customers unable to pay in cheques (yes, they are still used for some transactions), pay bills, or withdraw cash. Even mobile units, introduced after previous closures, have disappeared.
Post Offices have already left hundreds of High Streets, causing considerable inconvenience to local residents, not least those attempting to return goods bought online, wanting assistance renewing a passport, paying road fund tax, or using banking services.
Losing banks and post offices is not just an inconvenience, but means thousands of people having to travel to other locations to access services, especially in rural areas where broadband is not just slow, but sometimes inaccessible or intermittent.
So, isn’t it time for banks, building societies, and post offices, to agree a simple plan, working in partnership to restore accessible customer service to meet community need? There is no reason, surely, why the finance sector couldn’t share premises. It could be an opportunity to use some of the commercial properties which local councils have acquired as ‘investments’ in recent years and now remain empty. Alternatively, rationalise how public buildings, which often have large empty reception areas, and even libraries, are used, making them more user-friendly and efficient for broader communities.
A simple business plan could target specific locations, identified in consultation with local authorities and business organisations; with each partner allocated sites and contributing a set annual amount to a central fund to cover staff and accommodation costs.
Department stores are suffering from a decline in footfall, so bringing banks and post offices into vacant space would be a huge advantage, alongside estate agents, hairdressers and nail bars, smartening up these tired institutions, crammed with everything from cosmetics and clothing to kitchenware and furniture, without giving any thought how to attract buyers. Instead of opening 9.00-5.30, add some flexibility (opening and closing later a couple of days a week) with special events, launching new products, and even introducing wine bars, rather than the tatty coffee bars which are currently commonplace.
Retail is in a rut because it failed to respond to the online challenge, pursuing the same boring model for generations, blinkered to demands for something different and more exciting. In the 1960s it was fashion designers like Mary Quant, and interior design gurus like Terence Conran who revolutionised the shopping experience, making it exciting after the post-war decline; we need similar creativity to deliver a revival today. Local authorities and Business Improvement Districts (BID) could work with landlords to utilise prominent but redundant retail units, showcasing new talent, with competitions to select the best ideas and products.
The UK has some of the most innovative people, developing world-beating technology for gaming and film production; their knowledge and skills could be put to use in the High Street, with space to attract custom, including children playing online games, and even helping the less technically inclined to build their confidence, making it fun.
BIDs could also encourage young musical and theatrical talent to put on shows in public spaces for a couple of hours each month, welcoming people to stay longer into the evening after work. Introducing monthly Art markets for paintings, photography, pottery etc.. promoting the creative industries, would also be popular, drawing people in for a new experience, meeting others who share their enjoyment.
Such change means that people will want to return to live in town centres, with tree-lined pedestrian areas filled with plant boxes allowing them to give up their cars to walk or cycle, helping the environment. It will also encourage those at risk of losing their jobs in the current crisis and choosing self-employment, to set up their own businesses, utilising their unique skills. They are key to building the next generation’s success.
So, banks must be part of the town centre revival, having a physical presence. If they don’t participate, they will regret it because they will not only lose customers but miss major future investment opportunities! Rivals will be waiting in the wings to grab them.


conservativehome--2020-08-31--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Children’s Commissioner for England – and

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Children’s Commissioner for England – 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 .
“ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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.
” “ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
“ This role is therefore an extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the success of the BFI and the wider British film/screen industry , and who has a track record of board leadership , to support the next chapter of British film and the continued success of the screen sectors .
The selected Board Chair will be expected to work alongside the recently appointed CEO in shaping and delivering an emerging vision for the sectors ’ recovery from Covid-19 , and long-term success thereafter .
To do so , the selected Board Chair must have achieved leadership stature in the film industry , business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or government.
” Time : Up to two days per month .
“ The Secretary of State for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to be Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund .
Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups to ensure the National Lottery Community Fund reflects the diverse society it serves .
The Fund is currently supporting communities across the UK to adjust to and recover from the coronavirus crisis .
It is also a time when the Fund has gone through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making it well placed to deliver our ambitious plans to achieve the Fund ’ s purpose : supporting people and communities thrive .
The Fund has many of the building blocks in place to add even greater value to civil society and public life .
Our contribution is as varied as it is vital.
” Time : Up to two days per week .
“ The Charity Commission has a clear purpose : to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society .
To help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud commitment to represent the public interest in charity , and meet the challenges we face , in the autumn of 2018 the Board set an ambitious five-year strategic plan… The Secretary of State for the Department of Digital , Culture , Media and Sport , the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP , wishes to appoint a Board member to the Charity Commission for England and Wales .
A vacancy for a Non-Executive Director will be created when one member completes their term in October 2020 .
This is a senior role requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills to support the Chair in providing strategic leadership and oversight of the Charity Commission .
” “ Her Majesty ’ s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service is supported by an inspectorate : Her Majesty ’ s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate ( HMCPSI ) .
The inspectorate provides independently assessed evidence about the operation , efficiency , and effectiveness of the public prosecutors ( the Crown Prosecution Service ( CPS ) and the Serious Fraud Office ( SFO ) ) .
The purpose of this is to provide the evidence needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held to account and to improve , thereby strengthening the public ’ s trust in the prosecution process .
Her Majesty ’ s Chief Inspector and the inspectorate may inspect other prosecuting authorities by invitation.
” “ The Forensic Science Regulator ensures that the provision of forensic science services across the criminal justice system is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards .
They are responsible for : identifying the requirement for new or improved quality standards ; leading on the development of new standards ; and where necessary , providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forensic science services can demonstrate compliance with common standards .
The successful candidate will ideally have a substantial background in operating at a senior level in a relevant field , encompassing at least one of the following : leadership in a forensic , or related , scientific discipline ; the development and application of quality standards in a scientific or technical environment ; the regulatory process involving scientific standards ; or the criminal justice system.
” “ The Commissioner operates as a corporation sole , sponsored by the Department for Education and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education .
The Commissioner ’ s primary function is promoting and protecting the rights of children in England .
The legislative basis for the office of Children ’ s Commissioner is in Part 1 and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 2004 .
This establishes the independence of the office and the six year tenure of the post holder .
The legislation relating to the Children ’ s Commissioner is permissive , allowing significant flexibility for the Commissioner to determine how best to carry out his or her primary function of promoting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner is not an Ombudsman and , in general , can not conduct investigations into the case of an individual child.
” “ We are seeking an inspirational leader with extensive business experience , international standing and a proven track record to lead Innovate UK as its Executive Chair .
The central priority of Innovate UK , under a new Executive Chair , will be to transition from a grant funding body to an agency focused on transforming the UK ’ s innovation capacity and capability , taking full advantage of its considerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chair will be expected to actively strengthen the organisation ’ s position within key markets , providing impactful thought leadership to the UK ’ s innovation system .
As the pivotal funding body for business R & D , especially for start-ups and SMEs across the country , the Executive Chair will be expected to develop and implement system wide strategies for investment that promote the UK as a global leader in R & D and technologies of the future.
” Remuneration : £180,000 per annum base , up to £37,500 performance-related .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-departmental public body under section 46 of the Police Act 1964 , now section 63 of the Police Act 1996 .
Under the remit of the Board , sits the Police Pensions Scheme Advisory Board and the Discipline Sub-Committee .
In addition to this , the Chair has responsibility of chairing the Police Consultative Forum ( PCF ) , a voluntary forum for employer and staff representative bodies that sits outside the statutory functions of the PABEW .
We are seeking a new Chair to lead the organisation forward in a time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has committed to considerable investment in the police workforce over the coming three years as part of the Police Uplift Programme which will increase officer numbers by 20,000 , the biggest police recruitment drive in decades.
” “ ACOBA provides independent advice on applications submitted under the Business Appointment Rules from former ministers , senior civil servants and other Crown servants .
In doing so it advises on the conditions that should apply to new appointments or employment after individuals have left Crown service .
It plays a vital role in ensuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sensibly and transparently… Members will : play a full and active part in ACOBA ’ s work , engaging in the collective consideration of applications ( usually by email ) ; taking account of the relevant factors and information ; and challenge where necessary the information or recommendations presented ; support the wider aims of the Chair in relation to policy and procedure ; attend and contribute to between 3 and 5 ACOBA meetings per year ( in London or virtually ) , and occasional attendance at casework related meetings arranged where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications and associated discussions , whilst operating within the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 2018 ; [ and ] agree an Annual Report .
”

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.
– – – – – – – – – –
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
– – – – – – – – – –
British Film Institute (BFI) – Chair
“This role is therefore an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the success of the BFI and the wider British film/screen industry, and who has a track record of board leadership, to support the next chapter of British film and the continued success of the screen sectors. The selected Board Chair will be expected to work alongside the recently appointed CEO in shaping and delivering an emerging vision for the sectors’ recovery from Covid-19, and long-term success thereafter. To do so, the selected Board Chair must have achieved leadership stature in the film industry, business, a major charitable or cultural institution, or government.”
Time: Up to two days per month.
Remuneration: Expenses.
Closes: 05 September
– – – – – – – – – –
National Lottery Community Fund – Chair of the Board
“The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to be Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund. Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups to ensure the National Lottery Community Fund reflects the diverse society it serves. The Fund is currently supporting communities across the UK to adjust to and recover from the coronavirus crisis. It is also a time when the Fund has gone through a period of investment and development, making it well placed to deliver our ambitious plans to achieve the Fund’s purpose: supporting people and communities thrive. The Fund has many of the building blocks in place to add even greater value to civil society and public life. Our contribution is as varied as it is vital.”
Time: Up to two days per week.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum plus expenses.
Closes: 07 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Charity Commission – Board Member
“The Charity Commission has a clear purpose: to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society. To help us meet that purpose, fulfil our proud commitment to represent the public interest in charity, and meet the challenges we face, in the autumn of 2018 the Board set an ambitious five-year strategic plan… The Secretary of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, wishes to appoint a Board member to the Charity Commission for England and Wales. A vacancy for a Non-Executive Director will be created when one member completes their term in October 2020. This is a senior role requiring someone with the necessary experience and non-executive skills to support the Chair in providing strategic leadership and oversight of the Charity Commission. ”
Time: Approx. 24 days per year.
Remuneration: £350 per diem plus expenses.
Closes: 13 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate – Chief Inspector
“Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service is supported by an inspectorate: Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). The inspectorate provides independently assessed evidence about the operation, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public prosecutors (the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)). The purpose of this is to provide the evidence needed to allow the public prosecutors to be held to account and to improve, thereby strengthening the public’s trust in the prosecution process. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector and the inspectorate may inspect other prosecuting authorities by invitation.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: £125,000 per annum.
Closes: 14 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Forensic Science Regulator
“The Forensic Science Regulator ensures that the provision of forensic science services across the criminal justice system is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards. They are responsible for: identifying the requirement for new or improved quality standards; leading on the development of new standards; and where necessary, providing advice and guidance so that providers of forensic science services can demonstrate compliance with common standards. The successful candidate will ideally have a substantial background in operating at a senior level in a relevant field, encompassing at least one of the following: leadership in a forensic, or related, scientific discipline; the development and application of quality standards in a scientific or technical environment; the regulatory process involving scientific standards; or the criminal justice system.”
Time: 3-4 days per week.
Remuneration: £96,000 per annum FTE.
Closes: 14 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Department for Education – Children’s Commissioner for England
“The Commissioner operates as a corporation sole, sponsored by the Department for Education and is appointed by the Secretary of State for Education. The Commissioner’s primary function is promoting and protecting the rights of children in England. The legislative basis for the office of Children’s Commissioner is in Part 1 and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 2004. This establishes the independence of the office and the six year tenure of the post holder. The legislation relating to the Children’s Commissioner is permissive, allowing significant flexibility for the Commissioner to determine how best to carry out his or her primary function of promoting and protecting children’s rights. The Commissioner is not an Ombudsman and, in general, cannot conduct investigations into the case of an individual child.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: £120-130,000 per annum.
Closes: 18 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Innovate UK – Chair
“We are seeking an inspirational leader with extensive business experience, international standing and a proven track record to lead Innovate UK as its Executive Chair. The central priority of Innovate UK, under a new Executive Chair, will be to transition from a grant funding body to an agency focused on transforming the UK’s innovation capacity and capability, taking full advantage of its considerable growth in budget. The new Executive Chair will be expected to actively strengthen the organisation’s position within key markets, providing impactful thought leadership to the UK’s innovation system. As the pivotal funding body for business R&D, especially for start-ups and SMEs across the country, the Executive Chair will be expected to develop and implement system wide strategies for investment that promote the UK as a global leader in R&D and technologies of the future.”
Time: Full time, ‘other arrangements considered’.
Remuneration: £180,000 per annum base, up to £37,500 performance-related.
Closes: 28 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Police Advisory Board for England and Wales – Chair
“The PABEW was established as a non-departmental public body under section 46 of the Police Act 1964, now section 63 of the Police Act 1996. Under the remit of the Board, sits the Police Pensions Scheme Advisory Board and the Discipline Sub-Committee. In addition to this, the Chair has responsibility of chairing the Police Consultative Forum (PCF), a voluntary forum for employer and staff representative bodies that sits outside the statutory functions of the PABEW. We are seeking a new Chair to lead the organisation forward in a time of considerable change for policing. The Government has committed to considerable investment in the police workforce over the coming three years as part of the Police Uplift Programme which will increase officer numbers by 20,000, the biggest police recruitment drive in decades.”
Time: Approx. 21 days per annum.
Remuneration: £437 per diem, plus expenses.
Closes: 28 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Advisory Committee on Business Appointments – Members
“ACOBA provides independent advice on applications submitted under the Business Appointment Rules from former ministers, senior civil servants and other Crown servants. In doing so it advises on the conditions that should apply to new appointments or employment after individuals have left Crown service. It plays a vital role in ensuring that the Business Appointment Rules are implemented fairly, sensibly and transparently… Members will: play a full and active part in ACOBA’s work, engaging in the collective consideration of applications (usually by email); taking account of the relevant factors and information; and challenge where necessary the information or recommendations presented; support the wider aims of the Chair in relation to policy and procedure; attend and contribute to between 3 and 5 ACOBA meetings per year (in London or virtually), and occasional attendance at casework related meetings arranged where necessary; ensure the confidentiality of individual applications and associated discussions, whilst operating within the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 2018; [and] agree an Annual Report.”
Time: 1-2 days per month.
Remuneration: £3,000 per annum, plus expenses.
Closes: 09 October