conservativehome--2020-05-20--Blood tests at airports, robot microbe killers, and attendants in PPE: How Covid-19 will affect the

Blood tests at airports, robot microbe killers, and attendants in PPE: How Covid-19 will affect the future of travel

With summer emerging , many around the world are wondering when they will next get to travel .
“ Not soon ” seems to be the answer , though .
Indeed , many tourism experts and stakeholders are immensely sceptical about the industry , thanks to Covid-19 .
Even optimistic assessments suggest the sector will be out of action until 2021 .
So what exactly can Brits expect to see ?
Just as 9/11 had a big impact on airport security , so will Covid-19 on hygiene measures .
Already , many airports have taken steps to curb the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to two metre distancing at all times , hand sanitisers being widely distributed and people encouraged to use electronic check-in kiosks , so as to avoid human interaction .
More advanced airports have used “ thermal detection screening ” to look for the disease ( although this does not work when people are asymptomatic ) .
Hong Kong International Airport is testing a fully-body disinfectant device , which sanitises users within 40 seconds , using sprays that kill bacteria and viruses on skin and clothing .
In addition , the airport is using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premises , and kill microbes by zapping them with ultraviolet light .
There are suggestions that such measures could get much stricter , with flight attendants wearing Personal Protective Equipment and blood tests for passengers .
Even more futuristic predictions suggest there could be such a thing as “ immunity passports ” , allowing some people to travel where they like – as long as they have Covid-19 antibodies .
What does this mean for travellers ?
Given the extent to which airports are likely to be changed , the question is whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – especially if they are subjected to invasive screening .
It is contingent on several factors… Hopeful analysts suggest that fares will continue to stay low , as airlines are keen to get other customers back on board .
Others say the complete opposite ; that the disruption will massively hike up costs .
One reason for this is that major events tend to force struggling airlines to consolidate .
Before 9/11 there were nine major US airlines , for instance , but they eventually became Delta , United , American and Southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving prices down – so when companies merge it can translate into bigger expenses for the consumer .
Another aspect that could increase prices is a reduction in business travel .
With so many companies adapting to Zoom conferencing and other working from home methods , they may not be so keen to resume working abroad .
Many such organisations are involved in bulk-buying seats on planes , which in turn leads to cheaper flights for everyone else .
Without them , costs are likely to rise .
All of this will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats on flights – decreasing their business – while they have to invest heavily in new safety measures .
This , paired with presumably high insurance costs in the future , will no doubt make travelling too expensive for a lot of people .
There ’ s another reason why people will or won ’ t want to go abroad .
Quite simply , are they willing to take the risk ?
Perhaps it ’ ll be the case that some countries are more , or less , risk averse than others in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with younger citizens , who have a lower probability of becoming seriously ill , will fly around much more – going on “ bucket list ” adventures , to make the most out of the freedoms they once took for granted .
All remains to be seen .
But it seems less likely that travellers will take weekend breaks .
With the likelihood of enhanced airport measures , potential increases in fares and many countries imposing a 14-day quarantine period ( the UK doing this recently – with talk of fines of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules ) , the effort will not be worth it .
Is there any hope of a holiday ?
In the meantime , it seems that domestic travel will shoot up .
According to CabinBookers , 90 per cent of Brits want to go on holiday in the UK when lockdown ends .
There are reports that farmers have been looking to diversify their land for such purposes .
Many Britons have also been excited by the prospect of the UK not imposing quarantine plans on France , even booking holidays accordingly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly afterwards .
Oliver Dowden has said the details were not yet confirmed , adding that exemptions were mostly “ to keep the economy going.
” Grant Shapps has also told MPs that final details of the quarantine scheme will be confirmed next month , Britons should probably not get their hopes up until then .
But it ’ s difficult not to when other countries have been allowing movement across regions .
New Zealand and Australia , for instance , have installed what ’ s known as a “ trans-Tasman travel bubble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ travel bubbles ” too .
The European Union wants to see similar movement around other nations , and Italy is positive ; businesses in Santorini have installed perspex screens around sun loungers to promote social distancing among travellers .
All of this ultimately depends on how badly each region has been affected by the crisis .
While the future looks rather depressing for travel , it ’ s not obvious if Covid-19 will change it to the extent that 9/11 did .
In the short-term , everyone will face much more heightened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only last for the next few years – depending on if a vaccine is found , and/or how much of the global population becomes infected .
Considering the amount of concern climate change has sparked over the last few years , these months ( and probably years ) off travelling may spark big changes overall .
Scientists will be able to demonstrate how much air travel cuts carbon emissions .
These have already reduced by 17 per cent , as a result of Covid-19 , and people might want to keep that down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainty across time is that the desire for travel is always there .
Following SARS , Ebola and terrorist attacks , the industry has always rebounded .
When , not if , is the question whose answer no one truly knows…

With summer emerging, many around the world are wondering when they will next get to travel.
“Not soon” seems to be the answer, though.
Indeed, many tourism experts and stakeholders are immensely sceptical about the industry, thanks to Covid-19.
Even optimistic assessments suggest the sector will be out of action until 2021.
So what exactly can Brits expect to see?
Enhanced screening
Just as 9/11 had a big impact on airport security, so will Covid-19 on hygiene measures.
Already, many airports have taken steps to curb the spread of the disease, such as one to two metre distancing at all times, hand sanitisers being widely distributed and people encouraged to use electronic check-in kiosks, so as to avoid human interaction.
More advanced airports have used “thermal detection screening” to look for the disease (although this does not work when people are asymptomatic).
Hong Kong International Airport is testing a fully-body disinfectant device, which sanitises users within 40 seconds, using sprays that kill bacteria and viruses on skin and clothing.
In addition, the airport is using autonomous cleaning robots – which trawl its premises, and kill microbes by zapping them with ultraviolet light.
There are suggestions that such measures could get much stricter, with flight attendants wearing Personal Protective Equipment and blood tests for passengers.
Even more futuristic predictions suggest there could be such a thing as “immunity passports”, allowing some people to travel where they like – as long as they have Covid-19 antibodies.
What does this mean for travellers?
Given the extent to which airports are likely to be changed, the question is whether passengers will want the hassle of flying – especially if they are subjected to invasive screening.
It is contingent on several factors…
The economic impact of Coronavirus
Hopeful analysts suggest that fares will continue to stay low, as airlines are keen to get other customers back on board.
Others say the complete opposite; that the disruption will massively hike up costs.
One reason for this is that major events tend to force struggling airlines to consolidate.
Before 9/11 there were nine major US airlines, for instance, but they eventually became Delta, United, American and Southwest.
Competition is a big part of driving prices down – so when companies merge it can translate into bigger expenses for the consumer.
Another aspect that could increase prices is a reduction in business travel.
With so many companies adapting to Zoom conferencing and other working from home methods, they may not be so keen to resume working abroad.
Many such organisations are involved in bulk-buying seats on planes, which in turn leads to cheaper flights for everyone else.
Without them, costs are likely to rise.
All of this will be exacerbated by airlines need to space out seats on flights – decreasing their business – while they have to invest heavily in new safety measures.
This, paired with presumably high insurance costs in the future, will no doubt make travelling too expensive for a lot of people.
Risk factors
There’s another reason why people will or won’t want to go abroad.
Quite simply, are they willing to take the risk?
Perhaps it’ll be the case that some countries are more, or less, risk averse than others in their attitude to Covid-19.
Maybe regions with younger citizens, who have a lower probability of becoming seriously ill, will fly around much more – going on “bucket list” adventures, to make the most out of the freedoms they once took for granted.
All remains to be seen.
But it seems less likely that travellers will take weekend breaks.
With the likelihood of enhanced airport measures, potential increases in fares and many countries imposing a 14-day quarantine period (the UK doing this recently – with talk of fines of up to £10,000 for those who break the rules), the effort will not be worth it.
Is there any hope of a holiday?
In the meantime, it seems that domestic travel will shoot up.
According to CabinBookers, 90 per cent of Brits want to go on holiday in the UK when lockdown ends.
There are reports that farmers have been looking to diversify their land for such purposes.
Many Britons have also been excited by the prospect of the UK not imposing quarantine plans on France, even booking holidays accordingly.
Although this idea appeared to be scuppered shortly afterwards.
Oliver Dowden has said the details were not yet confirmed, adding that exemptions were mostly “to keep the economy going.”
Grant Shapps has also told MPs that final details of the quarantine scheme will be confirmed next month, Britons should probably not get their hopes up until then.
But it’s difficult not to when other countries have been allowing movement across regions.
New Zealand and Australia, for instance, have installed what’s known as a “trans-Tasman travel bubble”, and Baltic states have had “travel bubbles” too.
The European Union wants to see similar movement around other nations, and Italy is positive; businesses in Santorini have installed perspex screens around sun loungers to promote social distancing among travellers.
All of this ultimately depends on how badly each region has been affected by the crisis.
Long-term prospects for travel
While the future looks rather depressing for travel, it’s not obvious if Covid-19 will change it to the extent that 9/11 did.
In the short-term, everyone will face much more heightened checks at airports.
But these may only last for the next few years – depending on if a vaccine is found, and/or how much of the global population becomes infected.
Considering the amount of concern climate change has sparked over the last few years, these months (and probably years) off travelling may spark big changes overall.
Scientists will be able to demonstrate how much air travel cuts carbon emissions.
These have already reduced by 17 per cent, as a result of Covid-19, and people might want to keep that down going forward.
Perhaps the only real certainty across time is that the desire for travel is always there.
Following SARS, Ebola and terrorist attacks, the industry has always rebounded.
When, not if, is the question whose answer no one truly knows…


Coronavirus Count

Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 248,818 ( Up from 246,406 ) .
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 35,341 ( Up from 34,796 ) .
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 2,412 ( Down from 2,684 ) .
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 545 ( Down from 160 ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS BY DATE REPORTED From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to the UK has been raised to high ” – From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD : THE UK GOVERNMENT ’ S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY See here .
New as of Monday May 11 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SELF-DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS ON WHAT AND HOW THEY CAN CLAIM See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS , TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW See here .
Published on Saturday March 28 .
HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
• Always wash your hands when you get home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ( not your hands ) when you cough or sneeze .
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell .
The symptoms of coronavirus are : However , these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness .
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do .
Use this service if : • You think you might have coronavirus .
• In the last 14 days you ’ ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers .
• You ’ ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus .
• In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours .
• In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your area ) or 0845 46 47 .
• Do not go to a GP surgery , pharmacy or hospital .
• What the coronavirus is , how it ’ s spread and how to avoid catching it – Government NHS website overview .
• Stay at home advice and how to manage self-isolation .
( All information taken from Government sources .
Updated as of 17.45 on Tuesday May 19th . )

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


conservativehome--2020-05-20--Robert Halfon: The non-Conservatives who are urging a return to schools for our children’s sake

Robert Halfon is MP for Harlow , a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman , Chair of the Education Select Committee and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists .
Vulnerable children not being educated need to be considered , too .
Of all the arguments about schools re-opening in a cautious , phased and deliberative manner – as the Government intends – there is one that stands out the most to me : the fate of our most disadvantaged children .
Some of the national figures show that , despite the remarkable efforts of many teachers and support staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school closures .
55 per cent of teachers from the most disadvantaged schools believe that the average pupil in their class is learning for less than one hour a day .
Two thirds of children have not taken part in online lessons during the coronavirus lockdown .
An estimated 60,000 children in the UK lack any internet connectivity at home , while 700,000 are in homes lacking any laptop , desktop or tablet .
Close to 90 per cent of vulnerable children are not in school during COVID-19 .
This is why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has suggested that schools should be opened in a phased manner and has pointed to evidence from 62 hospital nursery schools which have remained open , none of which have reported transmission of the virus : Elsewhere , the Chief of Mental Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital , Lee Hudson wrote : “ As much as they try , all parents – including my wife and I – can not educate as well as schools .
Whilst for a short period that might have small influence for some , for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The negative effects of adverse social determinants of health in children , in particular education , is well established .
Children carry the effects on their physical and mental health throughout their lives , and as such childhood and adolescence are key windows for many life outcomes Right now , that gap is almost certainly widening with effects for many years to come… “ …We find ourselves as individuals and as a society having to make decisions without exact certainty on what the best thing is for children .
On balance , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to school for children , and that goes for mine too.
” This view has also been supported by former Labour Education Secretaries Lord Blunkett and Alan Johnson .
Blunkett told BBC Radio 4 : So by no means is it a ‘ Tory ’ -only belief to start opening up our schools .
But , it should be the mission of a Conservative Government to ensure that our most vulnerable children do not get left behind .
Please Jacob , don ’ t make this the Euthanasia Parliament : An open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The arguments for and against a return to Parliament have had a fair wind in the pages of Conservative Home and I hope the Editor will indulge me just a few lines on this subject .
For the record , I do believe Parliament should return .
If we are asking schools ( see above ) and other workers to go back in a phased way , so Parliament should , too .
But , if there are MPs who are sick , shielding , or self isolating , surely it is right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and participate in committees also virtually via Zoom and Microsoft Teams ?
How can it be just to stop those Parliamentarians from doing their duty by Parliament for a number of weeks , until things are back to normal ?
Is it really morally just to say in effect to MPs , because you are not Tarzan-like and able to swing through the Chamber , beating your chest shouting to your constituents , ‘ Look I am here !
’ that you are effectively euthanised from the Commons .
MPs who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just old horses to be sent to the knackers yard .
So Jacob , be fair .
Let us have the hybrid Parliament until the very worst of the pandemic is over .
Encourage MPs to return , absolutely .
Go back to the traditions , once we are COVID-free .
But don ’ t ignore those affected by coronavirus , who want to be legislators , when the technology makes this possible .
Please be generous-spirited .
The Overseas Aid Budget should be part diverted to combat the Coronavirus Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently comes in at about £14.1 billion .
Given the pandemic , is it really conceivable that it should continue to be spent in the same way ?
With scarce financial muscle , why not divert a significant proportion of the aid budget to dealing with the coronavirus , whether it be developing a global vaccine , laboratory research , testing , resilience or any other infrastructure that is needed to combat this dreadful disease ?
At a time of national emergency , it seems right to use some of the Overseas Aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty of Government must be to protect its citizens .

Robert Halfon is MP for Harlow, a former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman, Chair of the Education Select Committee and President of Conservative Workers and Trade Unionists.
Vulnerable children not being educated need to be considered, too.
Of all the arguments about schools re-opening in a cautious, phased and deliberative manner – as the Government intends – there is one that stands out the most to me: the fate of our most disadvantaged children.
Some of the national figures show that, despite the remarkable efforts of many teachers and support staff, the disadvantage gap may widen considerably during school closures.
55 per cent of teachers from the most disadvantaged schools believe that the average pupil in their class is learning for less than one hour a day. Two thirds of children have not taken part in online lessons during the coronavirus lockdown.
An estimated 60,000 children in the UK lack any internet connectivity at home, while 700,000 are in homes lacking any laptop, desktop or tablet. Close to 90 per cent of vulnerable children are not in school during COVID-19.
This is why the Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield, has suggested that schools should be opened in a phased manner and has pointed to evidence from 62 hospital nursery schools which have remained open, none of which have reported transmission of the virus:
“We know there are thousands of vulnerable children who need to be in school… The decision to bring back children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 first is sensible, as these are the year groups who need to be in school most urgently… We cannot afford to wait for a vaccine, which may never arrive, before children are back in school. It’s time to stop squabbling and agree a staggered, safe return that is accompanied by rigorous testing of teachers, children and families.”
Elsewhere, the Chief of Mental Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Lee Hudson wrote:
“As much as they try, all parents – including my wife and I – cannot educate as well as schools. Whilst for a short period that might have small influence for some, for many children this is potentially a disaster. The negative effects of adverse social determinants of health in children, in particular education, is well established. Children carry the effects on their physical and mental health throughout their lives, and as such childhood and adolescence are key windows for many life outcomes Right now, that gap is almost certainly widening with effects for many years to come… “…We find ourselves as individuals and as a society having to make decisions without exact certainty on what the best thing is for children. On balance, in my view, that is a structured return to school for children, and that goes for mine too.”
This view has also been supported by former Labour Education Secretaries Lord Blunkett and Alan Johnson. Blunkett told BBC Radio 4:
“It’s about how we can work together to make it work as safely as possible. Anyone who works against that, in my view, is working against the interests of children… “…It’s only one in seven of the most vulnerable children who are actually getting educated…some children are actually getting nothing.”
So by no means is it a ‘Tory’-only belief to start opening up our schools. But, it should be the mission of a Conservative Government to ensure that our most vulnerable children do not get left behind.
Please Jacob, don’t make this the Euthanasia Parliament: An open letter to the Leader of the House
“Dear Jacob,
The arguments for and against a return to Parliament have had a fair wind in the pages of Conservative Home and I hope the Editor will indulge me just a few lines on this subject.
For the record, I do believe Parliament should return. If we are asking schools (see above) and other workers to go back in a phased way, so Parliament should, too.
But, if there are MPs who are sick, shielding, or self isolating, surely it is right to let them continue to vote online, and participate in committees also virtually via Zoom and Microsoft Teams?
How can it be just to stop those Parliamentarians from doing their duty by Parliament for a number of weeks, until things are back to normal?
Is it really morally just to say in effect to MPs, because you are not Tarzan-like and able to swing through the Chamber, beating your chest shouting to your constituents, ‘Look I am here!’ that you are effectively euthanised from the Commons. MPs who are disrupted by this awful pandemic are not just old horses to be sent to the knackers yard.
So Jacob, be fair. Let us have the hybrid Parliament until the very worst of the pandemic is over. Encourage MPs to return, absolutely. Go back to the traditions, once we are COVID-free. But don’t ignore those affected by coronavirus, who want to be legislators, when the technology makes this possible. Please be generous-spirited.
Yours sincerely,
Robert”
The Overseas Aid Budget should be part diverted to combat the Coronavirus
Here’s a thought: our Overseas Aid Budget currently comes in at about £14.1 billion. Given the pandemic, is it really conceivable that it should continue to be spent in the same way?
With scarce financial muscle, why not divert a significant proportion of the aid budget to dealing with the coronavirus, whether it be developing a global vaccine, laboratory research, testing, resilience or any other infrastructure that is needed to combat this dreadful disease?
At a time of national emergency, it seems right to use some of the Overseas Aid Budget in this way. The first duty of Government must be to protect its citizens.


conservativehome--2020-05-20--Luke Evans: The virus – and why the litigation nightmare that haunts our servicemen now also threate

Luke Evans: The virus – and why the litigation nightmare that haunts our servicemen now also threatens our doctors

Dr Luke Evans is a member of the Health Select Committee , and is MP for Bosworth .
One of the great privileges of being a Member of Parliament is that it gives you a platform to campaign for important causes which you believe are otherwise flying under the radar of Government ’ s attention .
Over the years there have been important examples of backbench MPs taking on issues – none more so than in the shape of Johnny Mercer who has perhaps become the poster child , arguably in more ways than one , of being the embodiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending servicemen at risk of being prosecuted for historical allegations has been inspirational to many a backbencher .
Of course Johnny was relatively unusual because , being a former army officer , he understood the pressures servicemen were put under in the theatre of battle .
He rightly wanted to highlight that there is a different burden of expectation for a soldier following orders in conflict than there is under normal circumstances .
At the height of his campaign he wrote in a letter to then Prime Minister Theresa May “ As you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servicemen and women is a matter that is personally offensive to me .
Many are my friends ; and I am from their tribe.
” Johnny ’ s campaign is something that resonates with me right now .
My tribe is medics , and whilst I ’ m more at home with a stethoscope than a rifle , it ’ s very easy to draw parallels with a scenario that is rapidly unfolding for doctors during this Coronavirus crisis .
Healthcare professions , when it comes down to it mainly manage risk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do bypass surgery ; the surgeon earns their worth by knowing when to put the knife to the skin .
In GP land , a doctor uses their skills to decide if your headache is caused by stress due to work or family life , or actually down to an underlying brain tumour .
Taking a history or symptoms , doing an examination and possibly ordering tests are all used to help manage that risk .
Of course , just like anyone in any other walk of life , doctors can make mistakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literally be a matter of life and death .
To that end all medical professions have medicolegal insurance .
In recent years the bills associated with indemnity have skyrocketed , for GPs often into five figures , and so much so that last year the government introduced state backed indemnity .
Litigation in the medical world was a problem long before Covid .
It ’ s a problem which has led to doctors practicing “ defensive medicine ” .
The principle that “ if I get this wrong I may get struck off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most practitioner ’ s minds .
So if you present with your stress headache for a third , fourth or fifth time then you ask the question when should you scan ?
How far are you going to go to prove it isn ’ t cancer ?
How far are you going to go to risk your career ?
But what about those who make incredibly difficult decisions due to circumstances they find themselves in ?
Will they fall prey to lawyers looking for their next no win no fee victory ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much so that they are petitioning government to adopt emergency laws and , during recent Health Select Committee proceeedings , I questioned the Chair of the Healthcare Providers , Chris Hopson , and asked him whether those who lead our hospitals and NHS trusts are equally concerned ?
He confirmed that they are .
Medical claims often take years to surface and with the benefit of hindsight how will they be reviewed ?
Will a patient whose clot on the lung was missed because he was diagnosed with Covid during a phone consultation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courts ’ approach be because he wasn ’ t diagnosed in ‘ normal times ’ ?
Defensive medicine is a concept which may intellectually go against years of training and logic , but it keeps us legally protected .
The worry is that defensive medicine just doesn ’ t work in the wartime setting of the Coronavirus , and doctors could easily find themselves fighting the same battles that Johnny has fought so valiantly on behalf of servicemen .
Right now , doctors can ’ t behave in the way that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t and the patient just happens to be right , what happens when the medical negligence lawyer comes calling ?
Some doctors are already writing on notes that diagnoses are being made under “ Covid-19 conditions ” in the vague hope it might act as some protection , no one knows if that will mitigate a legal action , yet in the present climate what other choice is there ?
No doctor should ever be above the law but there has to be a recognition that , for now , the practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a call to relax current laws .
Nor is this a call to say this is one doctor trying to protect his kind .
Far from it .
It matters to us all ; patients , tax payers and society as this legal stuff costs .
A lot .
It is the realisation that NHS ’ s total liabilities for clinical negligence claims , paid from NHS funds before Covid were estimated at £83.4 billion , and will have risen substantially since then .
Doctors need greater clarity and government needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a medic has been unable to accurately diagnose due to the altogether understandable limitations brought about by coronavirus ?
Without that recognition , doctors will be become the medical equivalent of servicemen at risk of prosecution for historic allegations .
And in the words of Johnny Mercer that is a matter that is personally offensive to me .
Many are my friends ; and I am from their tribe .

Dr Luke Evans is a member of the Health Select Committee, and is MP for Bosworth.
One of the great privileges of being a Member of Parliament is that it gives you a platform to campaign for important causes which you believe are otherwise flying under the radar of Government’s attention.
Over the years there have been important examples of backbench MPs taking on issues – none more so than in the shape of Johnny Mercer who has perhaps become the poster child, arguably in more ways than one, of being the embodiment of a campaigning MP.
His work defending servicemen at risk of being prosecuted for historical allegations has been inspirational to many a backbencher.
Of course Johnny was relatively unusual because, being a former army officer, he understood the pressures servicemen were put under in the theatre of battle. He rightly wanted to highlight that there is a different burden of expectation for a soldier following orders in conflict than there is under normal circumstances.
At the height of his campaign he wrote in a letter to then Prime Minister Theresa May “As you know, the historical prosecution of our servicemen and women is a matter that is personally offensive to me. Many are my friends; and I am from their tribe.”
Johnny’s campaign is something that resonates with me right now. My tribe is medics, and whilst I’m more at home with a stethoscope than a rifle, it’s very easy to draw parallels with a scenario that is rapidly unfolding for doctors during this Coronavirus crisis.
Healthcare professions, when it comes down to it mainly manage risk.
You can train a technician how to do bypass surgery; the surgeon earns their worth by knowing when to put the knife to the skin. In GP land, a doctor uses their skills to decide if your headache is caused by stress due to work or family life, or actually down to an underlying brain tumour.
Taking a history or symptoms, doing an examination and possibly ordering tests are all used to help manage that risk.
Of course, just like anyone in any other walk of life, doctors can make mistakes – only when we do these can literally be a matter of life and death. To that end all medical professions have medicolegal insurance. In recent years the bills associated with indemnity have skyrocketed, for GPs often into five figures, and so much so that last year the government introduced state backed indemnity.
Litigation in the medical world was a problem long before Covid.
It’s a problem which has led to doctors practicing “defensive medicine”. The principle that “if I get this wrong I may get struck off” sits firmly at the front of most practitioner’s minds.
So if you present with your stress headache for a third, fourth or fifth time then you ask the question when should you scan? How far are you going to go to prove it isn’t cancer? How far are you going to go to risk your career?
But what about those who make incredibly difficult decisions due to circumstances they find themselves in? Will they fall prey to lawyers looking for their next no win no fee victory?
The Medical Defence Union are concerned – so much so that they are petitioning government to adopt emergency laws and, during recent Health Select Committee proceeedings, I questioned the Chair of the Healthcare Providers, Chris Hopson, and asked him whether those who lead our hospitals and NHS trusts are equally concerned? He confirmed that they are.
Medical claims often take years to surface and with the benefit of hindsight how will they be reviewed? Will a patient whose clot on the lung was missed because he was diagnosed with Covid during a phone consultation be victorious in court? What will the courts’ approach be because he wasn’t diagnosed in ‘normal times’?
Defensive medicine is a concept which may intellectually go against years of training and logic, but it keeps us legally protected. The worry is that defensive medicine just doesn’t work in the wartime setting of the Coronavirus, and doctors could easily find themselves fighting the same battles that Johnny has fought so valiantly on behalf of servicemen.
Right now, doctors can’t behave in the way that we normally would, and if we don’t and the patient just happens to be right, what happens when the medical negligence lawyer comes calling?
Some doctors are already writing on notes that diagnoses are being made under “Covid-19 conditions” in the vague hope it might act as some protection, no one knows if that will mitigate a legal action, yet in the present climate what other choice is there?
No doctor should ever be above the law but there has to be a recognition that, for now, the practice of medicine is not normal. This is not a call to relax current laws. Nor is this a call to say this is one doctor trying to protect his kind. Far from it. It matters to us all; patients, tax payers and society as this legal stuff costs. A lot.
It is the realisation that NHS’s total liabilities for clinical negligence claims, paid from NHS funds before Covid were estimated at £83.4 billion, and will have risen substantially since then.
Doctors need greater clarity and government needs to provide it. What will happen when a medic has been unable to accurately diagnose due to the altogether understandable limitations brought about by coronavirus?
Without that recognition, doctors will be become the medical equivalent of servicemen at risk of prosecution for historic allegations. And in the words of Johnny Mercer that is a matter that is personally offensive to me. Many are my friends; and I am from their tribe.


conservativehome--2020-05-20--Local authorities do not have the power to stop academies reopening

Bury , Liverpool , and Hartlepool councils have announced that they will not be reopening their primary schools on June 1st – even on the limited basis the Government has called for .
However , in an article on this site yesterday , Mark Lehain pointed out that most pupils in England attend academies and free schools – these operate independently of local authorities .
I ’ m afraid the problem is that while academies dominate among secondary schools , the primary schools are more likely to be “ maintained ” – and still caught within municipal empires .
Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .
Hartlepool has 12 .
This still leaves the difficulty of the intransigence to the powerful teaching unions to overcome .
The great harm that they are able to cause does show there is unfinished business in education reform .
The practice of the public sector collecting trade union membership subscriptions via payroll ( the “ check-off ” ) system should be completely ended – for teachers and others .
It gives the impression that there is official approval – or even a requirement – for union membership .
Teachers pay and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis – such anachronisms as pay scales and a “ School Teachers ’ Review Body ” to negotiate national arrangements should be swept away .
So it would be welcome if more schools converted to become academies and that heads and governors of all schools were granted greater independence .
But we can already see that the changes introduced by Michael Gove , when he was Education Secretary , are making a tangible difference over where the decision making takes place .
Further claims of local authorities going bust have appeared in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis tears £10bn hole in finances , ” was the alarmist headline in The Times .
It continued : “ Many authorities are openly discussing the prospect of issuing a 114 notice , effectively signalling their bankruptcy , as they reel from the financial impact of Covid-19 .
Among the councils thought to be the worst hit are those in the Yorkshire and Humber region .
They have discussed making a joint declaration that they have run out of money after running up additional bills of more than £600m .
At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issuing a 114 notice , following the example of Northamptonshire county council in 2018 .
This would force them to impose severe spending restrictions with cuts to services such as parks , libraries and museums.
” It is certainly true that the financial pressure is real .
As I have written earlier , it is delusional for councils to expect to be “ fully compensated ” for such items as a fall in revenue for parking fines .
Savings will have to be found – the scope for which is vast .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of council finances .
Councils are under a legal obligation to set balanced budgets .
They are not allowed to run deficits – unlike the arrangement with the NHS , for instance .
However , we don ’ t usually talk of an NHS Trust being “ bankrupt ” if it runs a deficit in a particular year .
Northamptonshire was failing to maintain a balanced budget , and so central Government intervened .
A Section 114 order bans all new expenditure , with the exception of safeguarding vulnerable people and statutory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council is failing to balance its budget .
If after 14 days it hasn ’ t managed to sort matters out , then central Government gets involved , sending in its own team .
An unfortunate position to be in , but “ bankrupt ” ?
In Northamptonshire , staff continued to be paid , services continued to be provided – some grip was brought in on the mismanagement and wasteful spending .
Last year came the news that Northamptonshire had underspent by £4.5 million .
A victory for ConservativeHome .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us declaring : “ Let ’ s make it easier , faster and cheaper for restaurants , bars and shops to make use of the pavement .
In public squares above a certain size or pedestrianised high streets above a certain width , there could even be a blanket permission to make use of the public highway up to a certain depth.
” “ Ministers are even considering a “ blanket permission ” for restaurants and cafes to make use of public squares or pedestrianised streets above a certain width for stalls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to eat on their premises again and where the furniture would not block routes for disabled people .
The move comes after Nicholas Boys Smith , who has advised Mr Jenrick on improving the design of buildings , warned that businesses currently faced significant red tape , and a cost of up to £300 , to seek permission to place tables in front of their premises.
” This was an issue I took up when I was a councillor in Hammersmith and Fulham .
There was duplication as a cafe owner needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning permission to put a table on the pavement .
Of course , no special permission should be needed provided the pavement had sufficient width ( say six feet ) deemed necessary to avoid obstruction .
Incidentally imposing those charges didn ’ t even help the Council financially – the salaries of the Tables and Chairs Officers were higher than the fees they collected in .
Many Conservatives are worried that the aftermath of the virus will be increased state control and diminished individual freedom .
Emergency restrictions have had a habit previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has passed – for instance food rationing was continued for years after the Second World War ended .
Perhaps so .
But there may also be counter examples where pressure to lift unnecessary burdens increases…

School choice
Bury, Liverpool, and Hartlepool councils have announced that they will not be reopening their primary schools on June 1st – even on the limited basis the Government has called for. However, in an article on this site yesterday, Mark Lehain pointed out that most pupils in England attend academies and free schools – these operate independently of local authorities. I’m afraid the problem is that while academies dominate among secondary schools, the primary schools are more likely to be “maintained” – and still caught within municipal empires.
Liverpool has ten primary academies. Bury has 15. Hartlepool has 12.
This still leaves the difficulty of the intransigence to the powerful teaching unions to overcome. The great harm that they are able to cause does show there is unfinished business in education reform. The practice of the public sector collecting trade union membership subscriptions via payroll (the “check-off”) system should be completely ended – for teachers and others. It gives the impression that there is official approval – or even a requirement – for union membership. Teachers pay and conditions should be negotiated on an individual basis – such anachronisms as pay scales and a “School Teachers’ Review Body” to negotiate national arrangements should be swept away.
So it would be welcome if more schools converted to become academies and that heads and governors of all schools were granted greater independence. But we can already see that the changes introduced by Michael Gove, when he was Education Secretary, are making a tangible difference over where the decision making takes place.
Will councils go bust?
Further claims of local authorities going bust have appeared in the media. “Councils threaten bankruptcy as coronavirus crisis tears £10bn hole in finances,” was the alarmist headline in The Times. It continued:
“Many authorities are openly discussing the prospect of issuing a 114 notice, effectively signalling their bankruptcy, as they reel from the financial impact of Covid-19. Among the councils thought to be the worst hit are those in the Yorkshire and Humber region. They have discussed making a joint declaration that they have run out of money after running up additional bills of more than £600m. At least another 17 local authorities are also considering issuing a 114 notice, following the example of Northamptonshire county council in 2018. This would force them to impose severe spending restrictions with cuts to services such as parks, libraries and museums.”
It is certainly true that the financial pressure is real. As I have written earlier, it is delusional for councils to expect to be “fully compensated” for such items as a fall in revenue for parking fines. Savings will have to be found – the scope for which is vast.
But talk of bankruptcy is to misunderstand the nature of council finances. Councils are under a legal obligation to set balanced budgets. They are not allowed to run deficits – unlike the arrangement with the NHS, for instance. However, we don’t usually talk of an NHS Trust being “bankrupt” if it runs a deficit in a particular year. Northamptonshire was failing to maintain a balanced budget, and so central Government intervened. A Section 114 order bans all new expenditure, with the exception of safeguarding vulnerable people and statutory services: it is used if a Council is failing to balance its budget. If after 14 days it hasn’t managed to sort matters out, then central Government gets involved, sending in its own team. An unfortunate position to be in, but “bankrupt”? In Northamptonshire, staff continued to be paid, services continued to be provided – some grip was brought in on the mismanagement and wasteful spending. Last year came the news that Northamptonshire had underspent by £4.5 million.
Al fresco eating
A victory for ConservativeHome. Earlier this month, Nicholas Boys Smith wrote for us declaring:
“Let’s make it easier, faster and cheaper for restaurants, bars and shops to make use of the pavement. In public squares above a certain size or pedestrianised high streets above a certain width, there could even be a blanket permission to make use of the public highway up to a certain depth.”
The Sunday Telegraph reports:
“Ministers are even considering a “blanket permission” for restaurants and cafes to make use of public squares or pedestrianised streets above a certain width for stalls, or chairs and tables once customers are allowed to eat on their premises again and where the furniture would not block routes for disabled people. The move comes after Nicholas Boys Smith, who has advised Mr Jenrick on improving the design of buildings, warned that businesses currently faced significant red tape, and a cost of up to £300, to seek permission to place tables in front of their premises.”
This was an issue I took up when I was a councillor in Hammersmith and Fulham. There was duplication as a cafe owner needed to pay both for a license and planning permission to put a table on the pavement. Of course, no special permission should be needed provided the pavement had sufficient width (say six feet) deemed necessary to avoid obstruction. Incidentally imposing those charges didn’t even help the Council financially – the salaries of the Tables and Chairs Officers were higher than the fees they collected in.
Many Conservatives are worried that the aftermath of the virus will be increased state control and diminished individual freedom. Emergency restrictions have had a habit previously of remaining in place after the emergency has passed – for instance food rationing was continued for years after the Second World War ended. Perhaps so. But there may also be counter examples where pressure to lift unnecessary burdens increases…


conservativehome--2020-05-20--Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson stymies Starmer the Just by accusing him of being negative, dis

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson stymies Starmer the Just by accusing him of being negative, disingenuous and soft

Last week , Sir Keir Starmer was lethal.This week Boris Johnson made him furious .
What changed ?
Starmer ’ s questions became slightly too long , which made it easier for the Prime Minister to pick and choose which aspects of this vast subject to tackle .
And Johnson looked and sounded better than he did last week .
He had come to the Chamber determined to counter-attack , and did so immediately , by saying of Starmer , “ he doesn ’ t seem to have remembered ” .
An annoying jibe , for Starmer has an excellent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson had “ rather missed the point…I ’ m quoting the Government ’ s paper… ” But Starmer did this at excessive length .
He yielded to the temptation to produce more evidence of the contradictions in the Government ’ s position than was required .
Johnson , woundingly : “ He ’ s simply in ignorance of the facts.
” Starmer proceeded to suggest , again at excessive length , that no effective tracing system has been in place since 12th March : “ That ’ s a huge hole in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister ?
” Johnson said he had briefed Starmer on what was going on : “ I think his feigned ignorance really doesn ’ t come very well.
” Starmer the Just was being accused of bad faith .
Johnson also urged him to abandon “ his slightly negative tone ” .
These were wounding imputations .
Starmer was by now very angry .
He observed that 31,000 deaths is negative , so “ of course I ’ m going to ask about that ” .
But the faint imputation of negativity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the session .
He asked why NHS workers who have come from abroad have to pay “ the deeply unfair immigration health surcharge ” .
Johnson treated that question with respect : he conceded that NHS workers from abroad had saved his life .
But he concluded that “ with great respect…I do think that is the right way forward ” .
The Prime Minister had refused to be pushed round by Starmer .
One can not yet know whether the credit Johnson gets for being tough will outweigh the blame he gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to see how he intends to defeat the man who last week humiliated him .
Starmer , the new line goes , has a “ brilliant forensic mind ” – words used by Johnson today – but unfortunately he is also negative , disingenuous and soft .
At one point , the Speaker , Sir Lindsay Hoyle , uttered a fierce rebuke to Matt Hancock , the Health Secretary , for heckling Starmer – another way in which the Tories hope to neutralise the Leader of the Opposition .
If Starmer has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elaborate counter-measures as a compliment .
The Tories are taking him seriously , and the next time he takes them on , he should mock them for it .
We shall have to wait a fortnight , until after the Whitsun Recess , to see whether he can follow that counsel of perfection .

Last week, Sir Keir Starmer was lethal.This week Boris Johnson made him furious.
What changed? Starmer’s questions became slightly too long, which made it easier for the Prime Minister to pick and choose which aspects of this vast subject to tackle.
And Johnson looked and sounded better than he did last week. He had come to the Chamber determined to counter-attack, and did so immediately, by saying of Starmer, “he doesn’t seem to have remembered”.
An annoying jibe, for Starmer has an excellent memory. He in turn suggested that Johnson had “rather missed the point…I’m quoting the Government’s paper…”
But Starmer did this at excessive length. He yielded to the temptation to produce more evidence of the contradictions in the Government’s position than was required.
Johnson, woundingly: “He’s simply in ignorance of the facts.”
Starmer proceeded to suggest, again at excessive length, that no effective tracing system has been in place since 12th March: “That’s a huge hole in our defences, isn’t it, Prime Minister?”
Johnson said he had briefed Starmer on what was going on: “I think his feigned ignorance really doesn’t come very well.”
Starmer the Just was being accused of bad faith. Johnson also urged him to abandon “his slightly negative tone”.
These were wounding imputations. Starmer was by now very angry. He observed that 31,000 deaths is negative, so “of course I’m going to ask about that”.
But the faint imputation of negativity hung to him for the rest of the session. He asked why NHS workers who have come from abroad have to pay “the deeply unfair immigration health surcharge”.
Johnson treated that question with respect: he conceded that NHS workers from abroad had saved his life. But he concluded that “with great respect…I do think that is the right way forward”.
The Prime Minister had refused to be pushed round by Starmer. One cannot yet know whether the credit Johnson gets for being tough will outweigh the blame he gets for being hard-hearted.
But one could begin to see how he intends to defeat the man who last week humiliated him. Starmer, the new line goes, has a “brilliant forensic mind” – words used by Johnson today – but unfortunately he is also negative, disingenuous and soft.
At one point, the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, uttered a fierce rebuke to Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, for heckling Starmer – another way in which the Tories hope to neutralise the Leader of the Opposition.
If Starmer has any sense, he will treat these elaborate counter-measures as a compliment. The Tories are taking him seriously, and the next time he takes them on, he should mock them for it.
We shall have to wait a fortnight, until after the Whitsun Recess, to see whether he can follow that counsel of perfection.


conservativehome--2020-05-21--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Independent Reviewer of Prevent – 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 .
“ As a non-executive director , you will play an active role on the board of SLC , supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company ’ s portfolio of priorities , overcome challenges and exploit opportunities , including the continued growth of its customer base , delivery of recommendations from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education .
A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to the Company are commensurate with and focussed on its delivery obligations .
The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government ’ s major assets : the Student Loan book .
This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to monetise that asset for the benefit of the exchequer and taxpayers ( £3.6bn raised to date ) .
There may be other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the widest sense , of the SLC ’ s data in the future.
” “ The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner will be a visible leader and exemplar , establishing a strong network and creating a vision of future service provision for veterans in Northern Ireland which supports the realisation of the ambition shared across the United Kingdom to be the best place in the world to be a veteran .
The Commissioner must balance this strategic vision with managing short and long-term priorities , while remaining sensitive to the unique political and historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be influential with others and work constructively with senior stakeholders , from public sector organisations and the ex-service sector , to support improved outcomes through collaboration and negotiation.
” “ The Social Security Advisory Committee ( SSAC ) is an independent statutory advisory body , funded by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) .
It has the following statutory functions : to perform , on behalf of both the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Parliament , a mandatory scrutiny of most of the proposed secondary legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State , whether in response to a specific request from the UK Government or on its own initiative .
In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation , the Committee ’ s general advisory functions are deployed to : inform the Committee ’ s work , improving members ’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent advice to Ministers ; add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders ; and stimulate debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and amongst stakeholders.
” “ The Independent Review of Prevent will deliver on the Government ’ s commitment set out in the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and will critically examine and report on the Prevent strategy , as set out in CONTEST June 2018 .
We are seeking a highly talented individual of unquestionable independence , integrity and credibility , who can demonstrate his or her ability to exercise sound judgment and analysis at pace and under pressure , with close public and ministerial scrutiny .
This is high profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to appoint a credible and talented Independent Reviewer who is confident engaging with a wide range of interested parties , from civil society and community organisations , to Ministers and local practitioners.
” “ The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration provides independent scrutiny of the UK ’ s border and immigration functions , providing security , confidence and assurance as to their effectiveness and efficiency .
They report annually to the Home Secretary and their reports are placed before Parliament .
Leading a team of approximately 30 staff you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s approach to the Border , Immigration and Citizenship System .
Candidates will have experience of working successfully at a senior level , ideally within a regulation or enforcement arena .
Whatever your background , you will appreciate the importance and opportunity that this role presents .
Excellent communication skills , decisiveness , independence and unquestionable integrity will be essential.
” “ The Imperial War Museum ( IWM ) was founded in 1917 to record the story of the Great War .
Its remit was subsequently extended to cover the Second World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leading authority on conflict and its impact focusing on Britain , its former Empire and the Commonwealth , from the First World War to the present .
The IWM is a single institution with a single purpose , fulfilled in different ways at its different branches , both physical and virtual .
In addition to its headquarters building , IWM London , in Southwark , the Museum ’ s branches comprise the Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast in London , IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire , and IWM North in Trafford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stunning building by Daniel Libeskind .
The IWM has traditionally had a Trustee on its Board from each of the three branches of the armed forces , and is currently recruiting for two Trustees to represent the RAF and Navy branches.
” Time : Up to one day per month .

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.
– – – – – – – – – –
Student Loans Company Board – Non-Executive Directors
“As a non-executive director, you will play an active role on the board of SLC, supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company’s portfolio of priorities, overcome challenges and exploit opportunities, including the continued growth of its customer base, delivery of recommendations from the Tailored Review (Annex 3) and implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education. A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to the Company are commensurate with and focussed on its delivery obligations. The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government’s major assets: the Student Loan book. This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to monetise that asset for the benefit of the exchequer and taxpayers (£3.6bn raised to date). There may be other opportunities to realise the value, in the widest sense, of the SLC’s data in the future.”
Time: Two days per month.
Remuneration: £12,000, up to £17,000.
Closes: 19 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Northern Ireland Office – Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner
“The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner will be a visible leader and exemplar, establishing a strong network and creating a vision of future service provision for veterans in Northern Ireland which supports the realisation of the ambition shared across the United Kingdom to be the best place in the world to be a veteran. The Commissioner must balance this strategic vision with managing short and long-term priorities, while remaining sensitive to the unique political and historical context in Northern Ireland. The Commissioner will be influential with others and work constructively with senior stakeholders, from public sector organisations and the ex-service sector, to support improved outcomes through collaboration and negotiation.”
Time: Approx. 110 days per annum.
Remuneration: £306 per diem plus expenses.
Closes: 22 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Social Security Advisory Committee – Chair
“The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory advisory body, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It has the following statutory functions: to perform, on behalf of both the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Parliament, a mandatory scrutiny of most of the proposed secondary legislation that underpins the social welfare system; and to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State, whether in response to a specific request from the UK Government or on its own initiative. In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation, the Committee’s general advisory functions are deployed to: inform the Committee’s work, improving members’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent advice to Ministers; add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders; and stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.”
Time: Five days per month.
Remuneration: £22,000 per annum.
Closes: 01 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Independent Reviewer of Prevent
“The Independent Review of Prevent will deliver on the Government’s commitment set out in the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and will critically examine and report on the Prevent strategy, as set out in CONTEST June 2018. We are seeking a highly talented individual of unquestionable independence, integrity and credibility, who can demonstrate his or her ability to exercise sound judgment and analysis at pace and under pressure, with close public and ministerial scrutiny. This is high profile and public-facing role, so we are seeking to appoint a credible and talented Independent Reviewer who is confident engaging with a wide range of interested parties, from civil society and community organisations, to Ministers and local practitioners.”
Time: Five days per month.
Remuneration: £140,000 pro rata.
Closes: 01 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
“The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration provides independent scrutiny of the UK’s border and immigration functions, providing security, confidence and assurance as to their effectiveness and efficiency. They report annually to the Home Secretary and their reports are placed before Parliament. Leading a team of approximately 30 staff you will strive to continually improve the UK’s approach to the Border, Immigration and Citizenship System. Candidates will have experience of working successfully at a senior level, ideally within a regulation or enforcement arena. Whatever your background, you will appreciate the importance and opportunity that this role presents. Excellent communication skills, decisiveness, independence and unquestionable integrity will be essential.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: £130,000
Closes: 06 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Imperial War Museum – RAF Trustee and Navy Trustee
“The Imperial War Museum (IWM) was founded in 1917 to record the story of the Great War. Its remit was subsequently extended to cover the Second World War and today, IWM is the world’s leading authority on conflict and its impact focusing on Britain, its former Empire and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present. The IWM is a single institution with a single purpose, fulfilled in different ways at its different branches, both physical and virtual. In addition to its headquarters building, IWM London, in Southwark, the Museum’s branches comprise the Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast in London, IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire, and IWM North in Trafford, Greater Manchester which is housed in a stunning building by Daniel Libeskind. The IWM has traditionally had a Trustee on its Board from each of the three branches of the armed forces, and is currently recruiting for two Trustees to represent the RAF and Navy branches.”
Time: Up to one day per month.
Remuneration: Expenses reasonably incurred.
Closes: 12 June


conservativehome--2020-05-21--The middle way on free and fair trade (and the only practicable one)

Imagine a future for British farming in which the principle of free trade was maximised to the exclusion of all else – including all but the most basic safety standards , care for the quality of produce or the welfare of animals , the use of treatments harmful to the environment or any consideration for food security at all .
Consumers would gain from lower prices , in all likelihood , but our own producers would lose out – doubly , if other countries found ways of shutting doors to them while Britain was flinging our own open to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its head , and ponder the opposite – the elevation of protection to a supreme principle , garnished doubtless by an insistence that all importers of food meet British standards of human and animal welfare .
Producers who export would find themselves hit by counter-action from government abroad , but would win more from the domestic swings than they would lose on foreign roundabouts .
Insulated from competition , they would be exalted over the more numerous consumers – especially poorer ones , raising profound social justice questions .
You might say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had two tangles with protection , and did even worse from the first than the second – since the Party suffered its biggest-ever split in consequence , and didn ’ t form a majority government again for the best part of a quarter of a century .
You could add that free trade is , in general terms , the best outcome to aim for – because , like mercy for Shakespeare , “ it is twice blessed : It blesseth him that gives and him that takes ” .
But you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neither approach is sustainable , and not simply because of the overlap , less total than in Disraeli ’ s day but still substantial , between the Conservatives and the farming interest .
The fatal flaw in both takes lies in presuming at the start that people are simply either producers or consumers .
For they are sometimes both ( this site finds it hard to imagine a British farmer who consumes only his own produce ) , and always other things , such as members of families and communities and nations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t , as it were , paint in the black-and-white beloved of economic reductionists .
We view farming policy on a canvas that is painted in many colours .
One of these is green – almost literally .
What policy does to agriculture is what policy does to landscape .
Who is going to help to shape ours if farmers are cut out of the picture ?
We will spare our readers too much Constable and Vaughan Williams , Ruskin and Scruton .
But the idea of a green and pleasant land is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ c ” , please – and farmers will always be bound up with sustaining it .
Which is why , in the Government ’ s post-Brexit countryside policy , there is a stress on farmers as stewards of the environment .
And why the Agriculture Bill , recently considered in the Commons , sought to balance free trade with fair trade – as enshrined in Ministers ’ “ agriculture narrative ” .
On the one hand , this proclaims what a trade agreement with America could do for exports of British beef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more broadly ( though it is shy of using the term ) does for farming resilience .
On the other , it stresses that trade deals must be “ fair and reciprocal ” ( the statement also avoids the fair trade label ) , and says that British farmers won ’ t face “ unbalanced competition ” .
Mock if you will this artful squaring of the interests of the International Trade Department , which naturally leans to free trade , with those of the Environment Department , which go the other way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock over the Coronavirus , represent different institutional viewpoints .
Harold Macmillan ’ s “ Middle Way ” has fallen out of fashion – and since it leant leftwards on the economy , reflecting a period of emerging Big State thinking , rightly so .
But the concept has a lot to recommend it when it comes to farming policy .
For this will always contain tensions and trade-offs between prices , animal welfare , food standards , landscape enhancement , and so on .
If you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no further than Danny Kruger ’ s recent piece for UnHerd , in which the Devizes MP explains why he voted as he did on the Bill .
Kruger opposed Neil Parish ’ s amendments , which their mover made a case for on this site , while also not being in quite the same space as Liam Fox , who put a case against them here .
He is up for better labelling ( who isn ’ t ) , pressure on supermarkets , and bans plus tariffs if necessary .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will have a freedom to take action in all these areas which we didn ’ t have before .
The proponents of free trade are very front of house and the champions of protection rather less do .
Neither should gain a stranglehood on policy – or could , in anything like the real world that Ministers must deal with .

Imagine a future for British farming in which the principle of free trade was maximised to the exclusion of all else – including all but the most basic safety standards, care for the quality of produce or the welfare of animals, the use of treatments harmful to the environment or any consideration for food security at all.
Consumers would gain from lower prices, in all likelihood, but our own producers would lose out – doubly, if other countries found ways of shutting doors to them while Britain was flinging our own open to their competitors.
Now turn that vision on its head, and ponder the opposite – the elevation of protection to a supreme principle, garnished doubtless by an insistence that all importers of food meet British standards of human and animal welfare.
Producers who export would find themselves hit by counter-action from government abroad, but would win more from the domestic swings than they would lose on foreign roundabouts. Insulated from competition, they would be exalted over the more numerous consumers – especially poorer ones, raising profound social justice questions.
You might say, with justice, that the Conservative Party has had two tangles with protection, and did even worse from the first than the second – since the Party suffered its biggest-ever split in consequence, and didn’t form a majority government again for the best part of a quarter of a century.
You could add that free trade is, in general terms, the best outcome to aim for – because, like mercy for Shakespeare, “it is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes”.
But you will also come to see swiftly that neither approach is sustainable, and not simply because of the overlap, less total than in Disraeli’s day but still substantial, between the Conservatives and the farming interest.
The fatal flaw in both takes lies in presuming at the start that people are simply either producers or consumers. For they are sometimes both (this site finds it hard to imagine a British farmer who consumes only his own produce), and always other things, such as members of families and communities and nations.
And as citizens, we don’t, as it were, paint in the black-and-white beloved of economic reductionists. We view farming policy on a canvas that is painted in many colours.
One of these is green – almost literally. What policy does to agriculture is what policy does to landscape. Who is going to help to shape ours if farmers are cut out of the picture?
We will spare our readers too much Constable and Vaughan Williams, Ruskin and Scruton. But the idea of a green and pleasant land is a talismanic one for conservatives – small “c”, please – and farmers will always be bound up with sustaining it.
Which is why, in the Government’s post-Brexit countryside policy, there is a stress on farmers as stewards of the environment. And why the Agriculture Bill, recently considered in the Commons, sought to balance free trade with fair trade – as enshrined in Ministers’ “agriculture narrative”.
On the one hand, this proclaims what a trade agreement with America could do for exports of British beef and lamb, and what free trade more broadly (though it is shy of using the term) does for farming resilience.
On the other, it stresses that trade deals must be “fair and reciprocal” (the statement also avoids the fair trade label), and says that British farmers won’t face “unbalanced competition”.
Mock if you will this artful squaring of the interests of the International Trade Department, which naturally leans to free trade, with those of the Environment Department, which go the other way. Liz Truss and George Eustice, like Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock over the Coronavirus, represent different institutional viewpoints.
Harold Macmillan’s “Middle Way” has fallen out of fashion – and since it leant leftwards on the economy, reflecting a period of emerging Big State thinking, rightly so. But the concept has a lot to recommend it when it comes to farming policy.
For this will always contain tensions and trade-offs between prices, animal welfare, food standards, landscape enhancement, and so on.
If you want a Tory expression of it, look no further than Danny Kruger’s recent piece for UnHerd, in which the Devizes MP explains why he voted as he did on the Bill.
Kruger opposed Neil Parish’s amendments, which their mover made a case for on this site, while also not being in quite the same space as Liam Fox, who put a case against them here. He is up for better labelling (who isn’t), pressure on supermarkets, and bans plus tariffs if necessary.
One of the benefits of Brexit is that we will have a freedom to take action in all these areas which we didn’t have before. The proponents of free trade are very front of house and the champions of protection rather less do. Neither should gain a stranglehood on policy – or could, in anything like the real world that Ministers must deal with.


Coronavirus Count

Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 248,293 ( Down from 248,818 ) .
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 35,704 ( Up from 35,341 ) .
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 2,472 ( Up from 2,412 ) .
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 363 ( Down from 545 ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS BY DATE REPORTED From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to the UK has been raised to high ” – From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD : THE UK GOVERNMENT ’ S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY See here .
New as of Monday May 11 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SELF-DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS ON WHAT AND HOW THEY CAN CLAIM See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS , TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW See here .
Published on Saturday March 28 .
HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
• Always wash your hands when you get home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ( not your hands ) when you cough or sneeze .
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell .
The symptoms of coronavirus are : However , these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness .
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do .
Use this service if : • You think you might have coronavirus .
• In the last 14 days you ’ ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers .
• You ’ ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus .
• In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours .
• In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your area ) or 0845 46 47 .
• Do not go to a GP surgery , pharmacy or hospital .
• What the coronavirus is , how it ’ s spread and how to avoid catching it – Government NHS website overview .
• Stay at home advice and how to manage self-isolation .
( All information taken from Government sources .
Updated as of 17.45 on Tuesday May 19th . )