conservativehome--2020-04-27--Barry Lewis: Local government will never return to business as usual

Cllr Barry Lewis is the Leader of Derbyshire County Council .
Since the first glimmers that Coronavirus might be something we want to take notice of , back in later December 2019 , few could have predicted just how much this virus would change the world .
One area that will never be the same again is local government ; it has been seismic – anyone in any part of the country will not have failed to notice just how quickly councils have swung into action to support communities , reconfigure services , and even provide whole new services in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister has come under fire for not attending the first five COBR meetings that were called to discuss the virus since January .
The fact that COBR was called as early as it was , and chaired by key Cabinet Ministers , whist in the full heat of Brexit , was remarkable .
I can not imagine that the PM was not at least fully cognisant of the situation at a time when even health officials said the risk was low .
In Derbyshire , we discussed it at the top level in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12th January , where I introduced it as a topic and it was added as a standing agenda item from our next one on 29th January .
I ’ m pretty sure my cabinet and Officer colleagues thought I had a screw loose at the time but one thing I had learned following the moorland fires earlier last year , the Whaley Bridge dam incident in August , the devastating floods of November , and the damaging storms of earlier this year , preparedness becomes second nature .
Derbyshire then saw the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
Since then , as cases nationally and locally were ticking upwards , we have been feeling the lockdown as an inevitability .
This came as a consequence of talking and thinking at a high level .
Our preparations had been ratcheting up ever since and so when we took the leap into this new reality we felt ready , perhaps readier than many .
One consequence of the changes we had put in place since 2017 at Derbyshire was transforming procurement , streamlining and centralising these processes .
This has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t perhaps been as acute as those in other local authority areas .
That ’ s not to say we ’ re immune from the issues , or haven ’ t had , or will have , pressure points – it ’ s just that we ’ ve been sighted on the issue for longer , and we ’ ve better able to prepare to ensure we have stocks for our 23 care homes and home carers .
It means too that we ’ re more responsive to opportunities to procure our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forum ( LRF ) preparedness efforts .
Government moved in an unprecedented way : pumping more than £330 billion into providing relief , grants , and creating an unprecedented scheme for furloughing staff , and , of course , with government backing , the NHS , this normally cumbersome beast moved at pace in an astonishing way , building new Nightingale Hospitals and radically creating capacity .
Generally , in Derbyshire , by being early to discuss , by taking prudent action and service reform since 2017 , to modernise our organisation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a penny if needed .
And boy did we need to .
We even started creating our Covid-19 Community Response Unit ( CRU ) days before government announced we needed to create hubs to deal with vulnerable and shielded residents in our communities .
We created a million pound fund to provide relief to residents , businesses and self-employed , and we donated £100,000 to Foundation Derbyshire to ensure Foodbanks in Derbyshire had the resources they needed to meet this crisis .
Plus additional resources to Fareshare and direct support to Derbyshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven days we created a whole new countywide service , the CRU , which required working with over 280 organisations , including districts , boroughs , CVS organisations and businesses .
Procuring warehouse space , redeploying and training countless people , such as librarians , into new roles , dealt with thousands of enquiries , ensured thousands of vulnerable people had access to help , and delivered hundreds of food parcels , prescriptions , other necessities and mobilised to support hundreds of shielded individuals across Derbyshire .
In doing so we have safeguarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precarious by utilising their services in new ways .
Unprecedented and rapid partnership working on a scale not seen before .
Hospital discharge is something we ’ ve done well in Derbyshire for some time now .
However , in recent weeks the mobilisation of a large-scale hospital discharge scheme to cope with stepping down Covid-19 cases , by returning patients to community care , has increased capacity massively .
Here is something that we must capture post Covid-19 , a potential silver bullet .
My thanks to the thousands of people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from elected members of any political flavour , to all the dedicated officers and staff , some of whom have worked nearly 24/7 to pull all this together .
The skills , resilience and energy they have shown has been amazing .
And to all those in the voluntary , community , and independent sector , in many businesses and all those other individuals and volunteers that have come together with us to help residents in this , a bleak hour for our nation , you have my sincerest thanks for being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal circumstances these processes , usually so entrenched in local government risk averse practice , would have taken weeks or months of planning , thinking about , reporting , thinking some more , a consultation or two , a cabinet paper then an implementation programme , internal auditing and risk assessing before finally being rolled out in some distant timeframe that meant you probably forgot much of what the original purpose of the new service was for .
Recently , not only have we proved it can be done quickly but that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can measure it ’ s success and benefits readily whilst reassuring government and taxpayers that their money is being well-spent and looked after .
There are other things as well : mileage done by officers and councillors have dropped dramatically , whilst face-to-face meetings of all sizes are routinely conducted by Skype , or Zoom or MS Teams .
Proving that we can conduct business using these technologies and not emit countless tons of CO2 .
We may through this demonstrate we need far fewer buildings to use as offices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtual Town Hall .
Local government , when we come out of the other side of this , needs to capture this sort of pace and make it more the norm – not the exception .
We know we can do it and have a confident ‘ can-do ’ business-like approach that is familiar in commerce ; not one wrapped in overly cautious , bureaucratic , risk-averse practice .
If nothing else we should be walking into a brave new world , alongside colleagues in the NHS who have done the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver fast , highly responsive , value-for-money services at pace and scale .
To get over the impacts of this pandemic , to save money , and to revitalise the economy – and to be better able to cope with such shocks in the future we will need to think and behave differently anyway .

Cllr Barry Lewis is the Leader of Derbyshire County Council.
Since the first glimmers that Coronavirus might be something we want to take notice of, back in later December 2019, few could have predicted just how much this virus would change the world. One area that will never be the same again is local government; it has been seismic – anyone in any part of the country will not have failed to notice just how quickly councils have swung into action to support communities, reconfigure services, and even provide whole new services in a matter of days.
The Prime Minister has come under fire for not attending the first five COBR meetings that were called to discuss the virus since January. The fact that COBR was called as early as it was, and chaired by key Cabinet Ministers, whist in the full heat of Brexit, was remarkable. I cannot imagine that the PM was not at least fully cognisant of the situation at a time when even health officials said the risk was low.
In Derbyshire, we discussed it at the top level in a Cabinet and Corporate Management meeting on 12th January, where I introduced it as a topic and it was added as a standing agenda item from our next one on 29th January. I’m pretty sure my cabinet and Officer colleagues thought I had a screw loose at the time but one thing I had learned following the moorland fires earlier last year, the Whaley Bridge dam incident in August, the devastating floods of November, and the damaging storms of earlier this year, preparedness becomes second nature. Derbyshire then saw the first case of Covid-19 in the East Midlands in February.
Since then, as cases nationally and locally were ticking upwards, we have been feeling the lockdown as an inevitability. This came as a consequence of talking and thinking at a high level. Our preparations had been ratcheting up ever since and so when we took the leap into this new reality we felt ready, perhaps readier than many. One consequence of the changes we had put in place since 2017 at Derbyshire was transforming procurement, streamlining and centralising these processes. This has meant that our PPE issues haven’t perhaps been as acute as those in other local authority areas. That’s not to say we’re immune from the issues, or haven’t had, or will have, pressure points – it’s just that we’ve been sighted on the issue for longer, and we’ve better able to prepare to ensure we have stocks for our 23 care homes and home carers. It means too that we’re more responsive to opportunities to procure our own stocks alongside those of the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) preparedness efforts.
Government moved in an unprecedented way: pumping more than £330 billion into providing relief, grants, and creating an unprecedented scheme for furloughing staff, and, of course, with government backing, the NHS, this normally cumbersome beast moved at pace in an astonishing way, building new Nightingale Hospitals and radically creating capacity.
Generally, in Derbyshire, by being early to discuss, by taking prudent action and service reform since 2017, to modernise our organisation and services, we knew we could turn on a penny if needed. And boy did we need to. We even started creating our Covid-19 Community Response Unit (CRU) days before government announced we needed to create hubs to deal with vulnerable and shielded residents in our communities. We created a million pound fund to provide relief to residents, businesses and self-employed, and we donated £100,000 to Foundation Derbyshire to ensure Foodbanks in Derbyshire had the resources they needed to meet this crisis. Plus additional resources to Fareshare and direct support to Derbyshire Derbyshire foodbanks totalling another £53,000.
In seven days we created a whole new countywide service, the CRU, which required working with over 280 organisations, including districts, boroughs, CVS organisations and businesses. Procuring warehouse space, redeploying and training countless people, such as librarians, into new roles, dealt with thousands of enquiries, ensured thousands of vulnerable people had access to help, and delivered hundreds of food parcels, prescriptions, other necessities and mobilised to support hundreds of shielded individuals across Derbyshire. In doing so we have safeguarded jobs and businesses whose immediate situation looked precarious by utilising their services in new ways. Unprecedented and rapid partnership working on a scale not seen before.
Hospital discharge is something we’ve done well in Derbyshire for some time now. However, in recent weeks the mobilisation of a large-scale hospital discharge scheme to cope with stepping down Covid-19 cases, by returning patients to community care, has increased capacity massively. Here is something that we must capture post Covid-19, a potential silver bullet.
My thanks to the thousands of people, in all local authorities in Derbyshire, from elected members of any political flavour, to all the dedicated officers and staff, some of whom have worked nearly 24/7 to pull all this together. The skills, resilience and energy they have shown has been amazing. And to all those in the voluntary, community, and independent sector, in many businesses and all those other individuals and volunteers that have come together with us to help residents in this, a bleak hour for our nation, you have my sincerest thanks for being a shining light in that darkness.
Under normal circumstances these processes, usually so entrenched in local government risk averse practice, would have taken weeks or months of planning, thinking about, reporting, thinking some more, a consultation or two, a cabinet paper then an implementation programme, internal auditing and risk assessing before finally being rolled out in some distant timeframe that meant you probably forgot much of what the original purpose of the new service was for. Recently, not only have we proved it can be done quickly but that it can be done well and safely and that we can measure it’s success and benefits readily whilst reassuring government and taxpayers that their money is being well-spent and looked after.
There are other things as well: mileage done by officers and councillors have dropped dramatically, whilst face-to-face meetings of all sizes are routinely conducted by Skype, or Zoom or MS Teams. Proving that we can conduct business using these technologies and not emit countless tons of CO2. We may through this demonstrate we need far fewer buildings to use as offices and streamline council estates dramatically in favour of a virtual Town Hall.
Local government, when we come out of the other side of this, needs to capture this sort of pace and make it more the norm – not the exception. We know we can do it and have a confident ‘can-do’ business-like approach that is familiar in commerce; not one wrapped in overly cautious, bureaucratic, risk-averse practice. If nothing else we should be walking into a brave new world, alongside colleagues in the NHS who have done the same in many ways, where we can deliver fast, highly responsive, value-for-money services at pace and scale. To get over the impacts of this pandemic, to save money, and to revitalise the economy – and to be better able to cope with such shocks in the future we will need to think and behave differently anyway.


conservativehome--2020-04-27--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Health & Safety Executive – a

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Health & Safety Executive – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of an organisation which keeps Britain moving .
You would be joining the DVSA at an exciting time , with the opportunity to help shape the future of the agency and ensure its continued success .
This will mean supporting the executive team in developing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where technological transformation will significantly influence mobility .
The DVSA is now seeking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors to the Board who will embrace technological disruption , possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have a passion for harnessing the possibilities that digital transformation plays in driving greater customer insight and intimacy .
We seek a Non-Executive Director who will be expected to provide thought leadership in digital transformation and keep abreast of digital transformation trends and innovative approaches to operational excellence , as well as a Non-Executive Director who will have the necessary skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee.
” Time : Up to 36 days per annum .
“ The Board of Trustees is made up of 15 members .
Board members are guardians of the British Council ’ s purpose and strategy and are ultimately accountable for the organisation ’ s actions and performance .
The Board delegates responsibility for the management of the British Council to the Chief Executive .
The Board also agrees the British Council ’ s Corporate Plan and approves the British Council ’ s annual accounts .
The Board of Trustees meets seven times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times a year in addition .
More details about the governance and funding are available at [ link ] .
The British Council is registered as a charity in England and Scotland and is regulated by charity law .
It is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and works to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within the organisation.
” “ The Health and Safety Executive ( HSE ) is a Crown Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , injury and death across the UK .
DWP is seeking a Chair with a range of established skills and competences to help set HSE ’ s strategic direction to 2025 and beyond , drive regulatory excellence and oversee the organisation ’ s governance arrangements .
We are therefore looking for candidates who can bring experience from other national and/or international organisations with challenges on a similarly large scale to those facing HSE .
The Chair is expected to attend and preside over eight Board meetings a year , which take place at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merseyside or in the regions or devolved administrations and involve an overnight stay.
” “ The Institute was established as a Crown Non-Departmental Public Body , independent of Government and employer-led with a mandate set by Ministers .
The Institute is playing a vital role in continuing the apprenticeship and technical education reform process and works on behalf of employers to support the delivery of high quality apprenticeships and T Levels in England .
The Institute enables apprentices or learners to be confident that their apprenticeship or T Level is of high quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a career with a clear market value.
” “ Led by the Non-Executive Chair , the Crown Commercial Service ( CCS ) Board is responsible for the oversight of the operation of CCS , with emphasis on its strategic direction , management control , and corporate governance .
All Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to decisions covering the strategy for the organisation and the overall direction of the business , adding value by offering counsel , advice and challenge .
We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Technology and Digital Transformation Committee to support progression of our transformation journey… To complement our existing Board we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring recent experience in leading large scale digital transformation in either the private or public sector.
” “ The CCRC ’ s role is to investigate and review cases where it is alleged that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred in relation to conviction , sentence or both .
The CCRC is entrusted with the exercise of wide-ranging , and sometimes intrusive , statutory powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , legal and investigations advisers , casework and administrative staff .
Investigations are mainly carried out by CCRC staff but CCRC can require others , such as the police , to carry out investigations on its behalf… Commissioners may be called on to provide specialist advice depending on their background and expertise .
Commissioners may also be involved in the training of staff and of fellow Commissioners ; again , depending on the expertise they bring.
” “ As a non-executive director , you will play an active role on the board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 .
”

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.
– – – – – – – – – –
Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency – Non-Executive Directors
“This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of an organisation which keeps Britain moving. You would be joining the DVSA at an exciting time, with the opportunity to help shape the future of the agency and ensure its continued success. This will mean supporting the executive team in developing the organisation to be equipped for a future where technological transformation will significantly influence mobility. The DVSA is now seeking to appoint two Non-Executive Directors to the Board who will embrace technological disruption, possess an entrepreneurial spirit and have a passion for harnessing the possibilities that digital transformation plays in driving greater customer insight and intimacy. We seek a Non-Executive Director who will be expected to provide thought leadership in digital transformation and keep abreast of digital transformation trends and innovative approaches to operational excellence, as well as a Non-Executive Director who will have the necessary skills required to chair the audit and risk committee.”
Time: Up to 36 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,000.
Closes: 28 April
– – – – – – – – – –
British Council – Board Trustee
“The Board of Trustees is made up of 15 members. Board members are guardians of the British Council’s purpose and strategy and are ultimately accountable for the organisation’s actions and performance. The Board delegates responsibility for the management of the British Council to the Chief Executive. The Board also agrees the British Council’s Corporate Plan and approves the British Council’s annual accounts. The Board of Trustees meets seven times a year with its committees meeting four times a year in addition. More details about the governance and funding are available at [link]. The British Council is registered as a charity in England and Scotland and is regulated by charity law. It is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and works to reflect the diversity of UK society at every level within the organisation.”
Time: 18 days per annum.
Remuneration: “Reasonable expenses”.
Closes: 08 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Health & Safety Executive – Chair
“The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a Crown Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It is responsible for the prevention of workplace illness, injury and death across the UK. DWP is seeking a Chair with a range of established skills and competences to help set HSE’s strategic direction to 2025 and beyond, drive regulatory excellence and oversee the organisation’s governance arrangements. We are therefore looking for candidates who can bring experience from other national and/or international organisations with challenges on a similarly large scale to those facing HSE. The Chair is expected to attend and preside over eight Board meetings a year, which take place at HSE’s headquarters in Bootle, Merseyside or in the regions or devolved administrations and involve an overnight stay.”
Time: 3 days per week.
Remuneration: £84,000 per annum.
Closes: 10 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education – Non-Executive Board Member
“The Institute was established as a Crown Non-Departmental Public Body, independent of Government and employer-led with a mandate set by Ministers. The Institute is playing a vital role in continuing the apprenticeship and technical education reform process and works on behalf of employers to support the delivery of high quality apprenticeships and T Levels in England. The Institute enables apprentices or learners to be confident that their apprenticeship or T Level is of high quality, respected and will help them to build a career with a clear market value.”
Time: 2 days per month on average
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 15 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Crown Commercial Service – Non-Executive Directors
“Led by the Non-Executive Chair, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Board is responsible for the oversight of the operation of CCS, with emphasis on its strategic direction, management control, and corporate governance. All Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to decisions covering the strategy for the organisation and the overall direction of the business, adding value by offering counsel, advice and challenge. We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Technology and Digital Transformation Committee to support progression of our transformation journey… To complement our existing Board we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring recent experience in leading large scale digital transformation in either the private or public sector.”
Time: Approx 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Criminal Cases Review Commission – Commissioners
“The CCRC’s role is to investigate and review cases where it is alleged that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred in relation to conviction, sentence or both. The CCRC is entrusted with the exercise of wide-ranging, and sometimes intrusive, statutory powers. Commissioners are supported by senior managers, legal and investigations advisers, casework and administrative staff. Investigations are mainly carried out by CCRC staff but CCRC can require others, such as the police, to carry out investigations on its behalf… Commissioners may be called on to provide specialist advice depending on their background and expertise. Commissioners may also be involved in the training of staff and of fellow Commissioners; again, depending on the expertise they bring.”
Time: Min. 52 days per annum.
Remuneration: £358 per diem.
Closes: 18 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Student Loans Company Board – Non-Executive Directors
“As a non-executive director, you will play an active role on the board of SLC, supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company’s portfolio of priorities, overcome challenges and exploit opportunities, including the continued growth of its customer base, delivery of recommendations from the Tailored Review (Annex 3) and implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education. A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to the Company are commensurate with and focussed on its delivery obligations. The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government’s major assets: the Student Loan book. This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to monetise that asset for the benefit of the exchequer and taxpayers (£3.6bn raised to date). There may be other opportunities to realise the value, in the widest sense, of the SLC’s data in the future.”
Time: Two days per month.
Remuneration: £12,000, up to £17,000.
Closes: 19 May


conservativehome--2020-04-27--Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: Sunak induces sleep, but in his hair a few more streaks of grey appe

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: Sunak induces sleep, but in his hair a few more streaks of grey appear

Rishi Sunak could be marketed as a cure for insomnia .
In years to come , people will say , “ I was having awful trouble getting to sleep and then I took a Sunak Statement , and within a minute or two it knocked me right out.
” The Chancellor ’ s calm , deep voice dispels the restless anxieties which keep us awake however tired we may be .
“ I will take care of it all , I am today launching a new microloans scheme , I understand how it works , you need not worry yourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sunak , rest your weary post-prandial head , you are working from home , you should make yourself comfortable , you can slumber in peace without anyone seeing you.
” To Anneliese Dodds , the new Shadow Chancellor , fell the tricky task of keeping us awake , or , as she put it , of pointing to problems in the constructive spirit which is now Opposition policy .
She was a vast improvement on her pious , self-regarding , ineffably silly predecessor John McDonnell .
Dodds struck a note of genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had talked to “ small business owners who ’ ve put their heart and soul into their firms ” , and have now “ got less than two weeks ’ cash left ” .
How much cash have you got left ?
There ’ s a question to keep you awake at night .
But soon we were back to Sunak , gracefully thanking her “ for the constructive dialogue ” , assuring us that the brand new Bounce Back Loan will be available from Monday , promising us that our system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generous anywhere in the world ” .
Even when he promised to “ one by one fire up the engines of our vast UK economy ” , no note of danger darkened the mood .
One felt oneself entering a dream world where taking off like a rocket is the most natural , normal , comforting thing , for Captain Sunak knows how to fire up those engines .
Dodds was in the Chamber , but most of the other questioners appeared by videolink , looking like captives in their own studiously unpretentious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penetrate the Chancellor ’ s defences in a way that might have been possible in the Chamber .
This felt like a polite exchange of compliments rather than proper parliamentary scrutiny .
To Sir Graham Brady ( Con , Altrincham and Sale West ) , the Chairman of the 1922 Committee , Sunak said , “ I think he makes very interesting suggestions.
” He gave versions of this reply to almost everyone , regardless of what they asked .
“ Leave it to me ” was the gist of it , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-possession , that it was impossible to object ; impossible , almost , to stay awake .
And yet , as we examined this slim young statesman , it struck us that in his dark hair , a few more streaks of grey have appeared .

Rishi Sunak could be marketed as a cure for insomnia. In years to come, people will say, “I was having awful trouble getting to sleep and then I took a Sunak Statement, and within a minute or two it knocked me right out.”
The Chancellor’s calm, deep voice dispels the restless anxieties which keep us awake however tired we may be. “I will take care of it all, I am today launching a new microloans scheme, I understand how it works, you need not worry yourselves about the detail, leave it all to Sunak, rest your weary post-prandial head, you are working from home, you should make yourself comfortable, you can slumber in peace without anyone seeing you.”
To Anneliese Dodds, the new Shadow Chancellor, fell the tricky task of keeping us awake, or, as she put it, of pointing to problems in the constructive spirit which is now Opposition policy.
She was a vast improvement on her pious, self-regarding, ineffably silly predecessor John McDonnell. Dodds struck a note of genuine moral concern as she related that she had talked to “small business owners who’ve put their heart and soul into their firms”, and have now “got less than two weeks’ cash left”.
How much cash have you got left? There’s a question to keep you awake at night.
But soon we were back to Sunak, gracefully thanking her “for the constructive dialogue”, assuring us that the brand new Bounce Back Loan will be available from Monday, promising us that our system is “one of the most comprehensive and generous anywhere in the world”.
Even when he promised to “one by one fire up the engines of our vast UK economy”, no note of danger darkened the mood. One felt oneself entering a dream world where taking off like a rocket is the most natural, normal, comforting thing, for Captain Sunak knows how to fire up those engines.
Dodds was in the Chamber, but most of the other questioners appeared by videolink, looking like captives in their own studiously unpretentious homes.
None of them managed to penetrate the Chancellor’s defences in a way that might have been possible in the Chamber. This felt like a polite exchange of compliments rather than proper parliamentary scrutiny.
To Sir Graham Brady (Con, Altrincham and Sale West), the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sunak said, “I think he makes very interesting suggestions.”
He gave versions of this reply to almost everyone, regardless of what they asked. “Leave it to me” was the gist of it, but said so tactfully, with such modest self-possession, that it was impossible to object; impossible, almost, to stay awake.
And yet, as we examined this slim young statesman, it struck us that in his dark hair, a few more streaks of grey have appeared.


conservativehome--2020-04-27--WATCH: The Chancellor announces a new small business 100 per cent loan scheme

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces “ a new micro-loan scheme ” for small businesses providing “ 25 % of their turnover @ @ @ @ @ £50,000 ” He adds the government will “ guarantee to the lender 100 % of @ @ @ @ @ //t.co/rPzU6NE3fu pic.twitter.com/AWlSPAgEUe

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces “a new micro-loan scheme” for small businesses providing “25% of their turnover up to a maximum of £50,000”
He adds the government will “guarantee to the lender 100% of the loan”https://t.co/rPzU6NE3fu pic.twitter.com/AWlSPAgEUe
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) April 27, 2020


conservativehome--2020-04-28--James Frayne: The Coronavirus will radically recharge our national debate about fairness and justic

James Frayne is Director of Public First and author of Meet the People , a guide to moving public opinion .
At some point in the not-too-distant future , informally or formally , the country will undertake a comprehensive Fairness Audit of the Coronavirus crisis .
People will ask whether certain groups suffered disproportionately – through no fault of their own – and whether privileged groups in some way dodged hardship or abused their position .
Trevor Phillips is already looking at the impact of the pandemic on BAME communities .
It ’ s easy to overstate the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
How often does public opinion change fundamentally and rapidly ?
Rarely .
But given this crisis is likely to cost tens of thousands of lives and the livelihoods of many more , this Fairness Audit will surely change British politics for the foreseeable future .
What will this Fairness Audit show ?
Time will tell but , amongst many , certainly five things .
Firstly , most importantly , that BAME communities , and less affluent communities more generally ( there ’ s some overlap here , but not total ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both health and financial terms .
Deaths will be higher and physical health costs higher ; redundancies and cancelled work contracts will be more prevalent , as will rental disputes and problems with failures of national and local welfare and care .
Secondly , it ’ ll show that , while neighbourhood ties might have been strengthened across the country , these won ’ t have been enough in many communities to prevent tragic cases of neglect .
Furthermore , while we seem to have a good sense of the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re yet to hear the full story from care homes and other care-giving institutions .
As a society , we will unlikely be able to collectively pat ourselves on the back .
Thirdly , thinking about the economy , we ’ re also likely to find that those on PAYE were protected in ways that struggling business owners and the self-employed were not .
The Government moved fast to protect those in steady employment , but has understandably been grappling with the more complex nature of self-employment and business ownership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a given year .
It ’ s hard not to imagine that very large numbers of small and medium sized businesses will go bust in the coming weeks .
Many of these will be small businesses like hair salons , run by people that struggle week to week .
Fourthly , we ’ re likely to hear that significant numbers of businesses furloughed staff ( or made redundancies in the recovery period ) while protecting executive pay and / or bonuses .
There have been some high profile stories of celebrities criticised for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of these stories are unfair ; individuals can ’ t be expected to run their entire life savings down to pay staff wages .
It ’ s harder to defend those large businesses that have leadership teams protecting their own pay ( regardless of how that is defined ) , while forcing pay cuts on others .
Fifthly , clearly , we ’ re also likely to hear that large numbers of massive businesses have made vast profits during the crisis – while never dealing with historic accusations that they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations they have avoided tax unfairly .
You can see this unfolding for some as a slow-moving car crash .
Of course , we ’ ve lived with inequality for many years .
And , of course , many politicians have been pointing this out .
But the Coronavirus pandemic changes the context beyond recognition .
Rightly or wrongly , in the past the mass of the public did not believe inequality was the direct result of unfairness .
As I ’ ve written here many times , fairness is one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of working class and lower middle class voters that make up the bulk of the electorate .
It would be too much to suggest they have always thought people get what they deserve ; but it ’ s certainly true to say these voters think hard work mostly pays .
As they look at the country post-Corona , the mass of the public will see how people were treated and / or affected differently during a crisis they had no control over – and couldn ’ t possibly be blamed for .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place will have the full weight of the English working class and lower middle class behind it .
However , such is the scale of the crisis , while they will be open to arguments that stress not just the unfairness of the effects of the pandemic , in turn , they ’ ll be open to arguments about the unfairness of the system that either created it or , perhaps more accurately , didn ’ t alleviate it .
The mass of the public will demand answers to questions that previously had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dwarfed by other questions .
Why the postcode lottery in healthcare ?
Why the decline in social care ?
Why is executive pay so high and often de-coupled from performance ?
Why aren ’ t private landlords held to higher standards ?
Why are open spaces and parks declining in our towns and cities ?
The list goes on .
Every generation of Conservative politicians and Conservative activists throws up those that call for a “ One Nation ” approach .
This has rarely been defined well .
In the context of Corona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public – that no one should be left behind , and no one should be able to abuse their position for their own gain .
The Conservatives will have to create a new approach that emphasises these objectives .
Creating a fair society is going to be the primary challenge for the Party and the country in the next political phase .
It ’ s easy to think that all this naturally encourages what we might consider traditionally left-leaning answers .
Only if you believe the public accepts a classic right-left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they don ’ t .
The public are generally supremely relaxed about methods , they just want political parties to be answering the right questions and displaying the right motives .
The challenge is to take ruthless action to create a fair society , the rest is open to debate .

James Frayne is Director of Public First and author of Meet the People, a guide to moving public opinion.
At some point in the not-too-distant future, informally or formally, the country will undertake a comprehensive Fairness Audit of the Coronavirus crisis.
People will ask whether certain groups suffered disproportionately – through no fault of their own – and whether privileged groups in some way dodged hardship or abused their position. Trevor Phillips is already looking at the impact of the pandemic on BAME communities.
It’s easy to overstate the impact of even very significant events on the political world. How often does public opinion change fundamentally and rapidly? Rarely. But given this crisis is likely to cost tens of thousands of lives and the livelihoods of many more, this Fairness Audit will surely change British politics for the foreseeable future.
What will this Fairness Audit show? Time will tell but, amongst many, certainly five things.
Firstly, most importantly, that BAME communities, and less affluent communities more generally (there’s some overlap here, but not total), bore the brunt of the pain in both health and financial terms. Deaths will be higher and physical health costs higher; redundancies and cancelled work contracts will be more prevalent, as will rental disputes and problems with failures of national and local welfare and care.
Secondly, it’ll show that, while neighbourhood ties might have been strengthened across the country, these won’t have been enough in many communities to prevent tragic cases of neglect. Furthermore, while we seem to have a good sense of the number of people who have died in hospitals, we’re yet to hear the full story from care homes and other care-giving institutions. As a society, we will unlikely be able to collectively pat ourselves on the back.
Thirdly, thinking about the economy, we’re also likely to find that those on PAYE were protected in ways that struggling business owners and the self-employed were not. The Government moved fast to protect those in steady employment, but has understandably been grappling with the more complex nature of self-employment and business ownership, where salaries and dividends vary wildly in a given year. It’s hard not to imagine that very large numbers of small and medium sized businesses will go bust in the coming weeks. Many of these will be small businesses like hair salons, run by people that struggle week to week.
Fourthly, we’re likely to hear that significant numbers of businesses furloughed staff (or made redundancies in the recovery period) while protecting executive pay and / or bonuses. There have been some high profile stories of celebrities criticised for furloughing while sitting on great personal wealth. Some of these stories are unfair; individuals can’t be expected to run their entire life savings down to pay staff wages. It’s harder to defend those large businesses that have leadership teams protecting their own pay (regardless of how that is defined), while forcing pay cuts on others.
Fifthly, clearly, we’re also likely to hear that large numbers of massive businesses have made vast profits during the crisis – while never dealing with historic accusations that they have treated staff and suppliers poorly, or accusations they have avoided tax unfairly. You can see this unfolding for some as a slow-moving car crash.
Of course, we’ve lived with inequality for many years. And, of course, many politicians have been pointing this out. But the Coronavirus pandemic changes the context beyond recognition. Rightly or wrongly, in the past the mass of the public did not believe inequality was the direct result of unfairness. As I’ve written here many times, fairness is one of the great drivers of opinion amongst the mass of working class and lower middle class voters that make up the bulk of the electorate. It would be too much to suggest they have always thought people get what they deserve; but it’s certainly true to say these voters think hard work mostly pays.
As they look at the country post-Corona, the mass of the public will see how people were treated and / or affected differently during a crisis they had no control over – and couldn’t possibly be blamed for. As such, the Fairness Audit that takes place will have the full weight of the English working class and lower middle class behind it. However, such is the scale of the crisis, while they will be open to arguments that stress not just the unfairness of the effects of the pandemic, in turn, they’ll be open to arguments about the unfairness of the system that either created it or, perhaps more accurately, didn’t alleviate it.
The mass of the public will demand answers to questions that previously had relatively limited appeal, or which were dwarfed by other questions. Why the postcode lottery in healthcare? Why the decline in social care? Why is executive pay so high and often de-coupled from performance? Why aren’t private landlords held to higher standards? Why are open spaces and parks declining in our towns and cities? The list goes on.
Every generation of Conservative politicians and Conservative activists throws up those that call for a “One Nation” approach. This has rarely been defined well. In the context of Corona, it can finally mean something real to the public – that no one should be left behind, and no one should be able to abuse their position for their own gain. The Conservatives will have to create a new approach that emphasises these objectives. Creating a fair society is going to be the primary challenge for the Party and the country in the next political phase.
It’s easy to think that all this naturally encourages what we might consider traditionally left-leaning answers. Only if you believe the public accepts a classic right-left dichotomy. In truth, of course, they don’t. The public are generally supremely relaxed about methods, they just want political parties to be answering the right questions and displaying the right motives. The challenge is to take ruthless action to create a fair society, the rest is open to debate.


conservativehome--2020-04-28--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Health & Safety Executive – a


Coronavirus Count

UK cumulative total of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 21,092 ( Up from 20,732 ) .
Latest daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 2,730 ( Down from 4,463 ) .
Latest daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 360 ( Down from 413 ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS IN HOSPITAL From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
“ The risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high ” – From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
GOVERNMENT RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS ( SELF-DISTANCING ) See here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE CORONAVIRUS BILL WILL DO See here .
Published on Wednesday March 18 HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
• Always wash your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and flu .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 111 ( if available 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 7.00 on Tuesday April 28th . )

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


conservativehome--2020-04-28--Rebecca Lowe: Truss’s policy speech on trans was an astonishing victory for common sense – and child

Rebecca Lowe: Truss’s policy speech on trans was an astonishing victory for common sense – and children’s rights

You ’ ve probably read about the speech Liz Truss gave last week , setting out her priorities as Minister for Women and Equalities .
Maybe not .
If it weren ’ t for Covid-19 , you definitely would have done : it was astonishing .
One justification for continuing to write and think about things aside from Covid is that other people certainly are .
In her speech , Truss made clear that she and her team are persisting with matters related to their brief , even though much has , understandably , been delayed .
This is reassuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous Radical columns – there ’ s an alternative power-base that ’ s very much continuing its influential work .
This power-base is a lobby that writes sex/gender policy for public bodies ; that receives funding for partisan projects at top-end universities ; that threatens anyone speaking out against it , with accusations of hate crime and worse .
It ’ s a lobby that assumed – until Truss ’ s speech – that not only was it going to continue setting the agenda , and receiving state support to do so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflect its demands .
Its proponents did not reckon on Liz Truss .
The first surprise of Truss ’ s speech – that the Government would seemingly not be advancing legislative change to allow trans women access to biological women ’ s spaces – wasn ’ t truly a surprise .
The consultation on ‘ proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act ’ closed in 2018 , yet there ’ s been no suggestion that those changes , which would introduce ‘ self-ID ’ , were happening .
Indeed , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ indefinitely delayed ” .
Truss ’ s reference to the “ protection of single-sex spaces ” as “ extremely important ” , implies that “ indefinitely ” has , on her watch , become ‘ permanently ’ .
Truss ’ s following promise – to ensure “ transgender adults are free to live their lives as they wish without fear of persecution , while maintaining the proper checks and balances in the system ” – reflects the position held by socially-liberal opponents of self-ID , like us at Radical .
This position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human beings , with recognition of important truths about sex-based difference .
These truths ground opposition to self-ID for two main reasons .
The first stems from a concern for privacy , particularly regarding personal bodily matters – and recognition that members of the two sexes have different needs , here .
The second stems from a concern for security , and particularly relates to the fact that biological women are , on average , physically smaller and weaker than men .
Neither of these reasons gives justification for hatred of anyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ) law , grounding the single-sex provision outlined in the Equality Act .
You might be surprised to learn this point of law about single-sex provision – as the aforementioned lobby has been working flat-out , behind the scenes , to persuade you it ’ s not the case .
Of course , believing , for instance , that trans women have no right to access to women ’ s single-sex spaces doesn ’ t mean trans women ’ s particular needs should be ignored ; but , rather , that their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of biological women .
We shall discuss how public policy should respond to this in further columns .
Let ’ s turn to the second surprise of the Truss speech – and this was a serious surprise .
First , some context .
The issue that distresses me most is the harm being done to children , in the name of kindness and respect .
At Radical , we believe that if an adult wishes to seek medical intervention to make their body resemble that of a member of the opposite sex , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in the case of children , these interventions are always wrong .
The number of children referred to the Gender Identity Development Service ( GIDS ) – the UK service treating under-18s who “ experience difficulties in the development of their gender identity ” – has famously rocketed .
GIDS medical interventions fall into two categories : a ) the prescription of hormone blockers , currently from age 11 ; b ) the prescription of cross-sex hormones , currently from age 16 .
Much has been written about the life-changing physical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and an ongoing judicial review has been brought against GIDS by a nurse , a parent , and a former patient .
Here , the organisation Transgender Trend discusses hormone blockers : they note GIDS has treated “ over 1000 ” children with these “ experimental ” drugs , and summarise academic literature on side-effects , ranging from bone-thinning , to altered “ reproductive and sexual development ” and “ development of both brain structure and function ” .
For now , it ’ s sufficient to accept there ’ s too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these apparently ‘ reversible ’ treatments can have on children .
Even if we did know , however , that would not justify their prescription .
Truss stated : “ I believe strongly that adults should have the freedom to lead their lives as they see fit , but I think it ’ s very important that while people are still developing their decision-making capabilities that we protect them from making those irreversible decisions.
” This is a brave statement , for which Truss deserves support from all who care about the safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which she will witness the wrath of that alternative power-base .
But there is a further inherent step to take .
The problem is not just that these decisions are irreversible , or even harmful – it is that a child is incapable of making such a serious decision , in a sufficiently reliable manner .
Not only is their decision-making capacity under-developed , they are particularly susceptible to influence .
Yet , the carrying out of these treatments is dependent on the child ’ s belief that what they need is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that belief is a necessary condition for treatment .
It ’ s also wrong , therefore , to think that a parent could take on their child ’ s responsibility , here , by consenting to this treatment for them ( although that ’ s what ’ s currently being taken to happen , often after the parent is subject to emotional blackmail from the power-base ) .
In other words , any parental consent given , in this kind of case , would be in order to meet a need for treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of someone – a child – whose beliefs are inadequate for the purpose .
This analysis may seem patronising , and even invoke a need for reassessment of the age of majority , but it seems clear that the only solution is for the option of such treatment to be taken off the table .
One more thing .
I saw someone Tweet in response to Truss ’ s speech : “ But what are you suggesting we do ?
Send doctors to jail ?
” .
This Tweet , however intended , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke recently with a former GIDS employee , they told me their personal justification for having provided these services to children was that provision ’ s legal , and there ’ s demand for it .
To my mind – and seemingly Truss ’ s – it ’ s clear that this provision should be made illegal .
But , until then , there are serious moral questions for all adults involved .
Children simply can not be taken as driving this ‘ demand ’ , and neither can their parents .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is to be complicit in the instrumentalisation of children on the altar of an immoral political project .

Rebecca Lowe is the former director of FREER, and a former assistant editor of ConservativeHome. She is co-founder of Radical.
You’ve probably read about the speech Liz Truss gave last week, setting out her priorities as Minister for Women and Equalities.
Maybe not. If it weren’t for Covid-19, you definitely would have done: it was astonishing.
One justification for continuing to write and think about things aside from Covid is that other people certainly are.
In her speech, Truss made clear that she and her team are persisting with matters related to their brief, even though much has, understandably, been delayed.
This is reassuring not least because – as emphasised in previous Radical columns – there’s an alternative power-base that’s very much continuing its influential work.
This power-base is a lobby that writes sex/gender policy for public bodies; that receives funding for partisan projects at top-end universities; that threatens anyone speaking out against it, with accusations of hate crime and worse.
It’s a lobby that assumed – until Truss’s speech – that not only was it going to continue setting the agenda, and receiving state support to do so, but that the law would be changed to reflect its demands. Its proponents did not reckon on Liz Truss.
The first surprise of Truss’s speech – that the Government would seemingly not be advancing legislative change to allow trans women access to biological women’s spaces – wasn’t truly a surprise.
The consultation on ‘proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act’ closed in 2018, yet there’s been no suggestion that those changes, which would introduce ‘self-ID’, were happening.
Indeed, it was recently reported that they’d been “indefinitely delayed”.
Truss’s reference to the “protection of single-sex spaces” as “extremely important”, implies that “indefinitely” has, on her watch, become ‘permanently’.
Truss’s following promise – to ensure “transgender adults are free to live their lives as they wish without fear of persecution, while maintaining the proper checks and balances in the system” – reflects the position held by socially-liberal opponents of self-ID, like us at Radical.
This position combines commitment to equal respect for all human beings, with recognition of important truths about sex-based difference.
These truths ground opposition to self-ID for two main reasons.
The first stems from a concern for privacy, particularly regarding personal bodily matters – and recognition that members of the two sexes have different needs, here.
The second stems from a concern for security, and particularly relates to the fact that biological women are, on average, physically smaller and weaker than men.
Neither of these reasons gives justification for hatred of anyone. Moreover, they reflect UK (and other) law, grounding the single-sex provision outlined in the Equality Act.
You might be surprised to learn this point of law about single-sex provision – as the aforementioned lobby has been working flat-out, behind the scenes, to persuade you it’s not the case.
Of course, believing, for instance, that trans women have no right to access to women’s single-sex spaces doesn’t mean trans women’s particular needs should be ignored; but, rather, that their needs don’t obliterate the needs of biological women.
We shall discuss how public policy should respond to this in further columns.
Let’s turn to the second surprise of the Truss speech – and this was a serious surprise.
First, some context. The issue that distresses me most is the harm being done to children, in the name of kindness and respect.
At Radical, we believe that if an adult wishes to seek medical intervention to make their body resemble that of a member of the opposite sex, they should be free to. But that in the case of children, these interventions are always wrong.
The number of children referred to the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) – the UK service treating under-18s who “experience difficulties in the development of their gender identity” – has famously rocketed.
GIDS medical interventions fall into two categories: a) the prescription of hormone blockers, currently from age 11; b) the prescription of cross-sex hormones, currently from age 16.
Much has been written about the life-changing physical and mental damage these interventions can cause children, and an ongoing judicial review has been brought against GIDS by a nurse, a parent, and a former patient.
Here, the organisation Transgender Trend discusses hormone blockers: they note GIDS has treated “over 1000” children with these “experimental” drugs, and summarise academic literature on side-effects, ranging from bone-thinning, to altered “reproductive and sexual development” and “development of both brain structure and function”.
For now, it’s sufficient to accept there’s too little evidence to know the long-term effects these apparently ‘reversible’ treatments can have on children.
Even if we did know, however, that would not justify their prescription. Truss stated:
“I believe strongly that adults should have the freedom to lead their lives as they see fit, but I think it’s very important that while people are still developing their decision-making capabilities that we protect them from making those irreversible decisions.”
This is a brave statement, for which Truss deserves support from all who care about the safety and wellbeing of children – and, for which she will witness the wrath of that alternative power-base.
But there is a further inherent step to take.
The problem is not just that these decisions are irreversible, or even harmful – it is that a child is incapable of making such a serious decision, in a sufficiently reliable manner.
Not only is their decision-making capacity under-developed, they are particularly susceptible to influence.
Yet, the carrying out of these treatments is dependent on the child’s belief that what they need is for their puberty to be prevented; that belief is a necessary condition for treatment.
It’s also wrong, therefore, to think that a parent could take on their child’s responsibility, here, by consenting to this treatment for them (although that’s what’s currently being taken to happen, often after the parent is subject to emotional blackmail from the power-base).
In other words, any parental consent given, in this kind of case, would be in order to meet a need for treatment that’s predicated on the belief of someone – a child – whose beliefs are inadequate for the purpose.
This analysis may seem patronising, and even invoke a need for reassessment of the age of majority, but it seems clear that the only solution is for the option of such treatment to be taken off the table.
One more thing. I saw someone Tweet in response to Truss’s speech: “But what are you suggesting we do? Send doctors to jail?”. This Tweet, however intended, is no jokey riposte.
When I spoke recently with a former GIDS employee, they told me their personal justification for having provided these services to children was that provision’s legal, and there’s demand for it.
To my mind – and seemingly Truss’s – it’s clear that this provision should be made illegal. But, until then, there are serious moral questions for all adults involved.
Children simply cannot be taken as driving this ‘demand’, and neither can their parents.
To provide these services not only causes harm, it is to be complicit in the instrumentalisation of children on the altar of an immoral political project.


conservativehome--2020-04-28--Tim Passmore: After the lockdown ends, the criminal justice system will face great challenges

Tim Passmore is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk .
Here in Suffolk , the Coronavirus pandemic continues to have a very profound effect on our daily lives .
I ’ ve never experienced anything like it and I completely empathise with the frustration many of us feel at this time of national emergency .
The many premature fatalities are a terrible tragedy for far too many individuals and families .
We know from what happened to the Prime Minister – now thankfully recovered , this awful disease can strike at anyone .
The long-term damage to our economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of individuals their future has become worrying and full of uncertainty .
We must not however , give up hope for a better future when the pandemic is over – remember such emergencies do not last forever .
Since the lockdown started I have been able to work from home and have only ventured out to do some shopping or deliver essential items .
The vast majority of people have been heeding the government ’ s requests and staying at home and our police force have not had too many situations requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Easter Bank Holiday just under a hundred penalty tickets had been issued across Suffolk for contravening the emergency public health legislation .
Overall , our police force is doing a great job in difficult circumstances – our absenteeism due to self-isolation has always been one of the lowest in the country and recorded crime levels have fallen overall by around 20 per cent .
That said , it disgusts me that a few uncivilised individuals feel it is acceptable to spit or cough at police officers and other essential front-line staff .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuted – there is no excuse for such appalling behaviour and I am particularly pleased our new MP for Ipswich , Tom Hunt , is pressing for stronger sentencing .
Living in a large rural county like Suffolk does provide some respite from the pandemic .
The fine weather has helped and my garden has never looked so tidy… It can not be easy if you live at the top of an inner city tower block , are a single parent with young children , or are cooped-up in a remote rural location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compromised by poor mobile signals or broadband connectivity .
Spare a thought for those too , living in fear of violent abuse , now existing in a form of hellish confinement because of the lockdown .
As PCC , I have responsibility for commissioning victims ’ services and I worry about the future capacity of our voluntary and charitable organisations , should demand for their expertise rise substantially later this year .
Their commitment and dedication to help rebuild shattered lives and assist victims come to terms with what has happened to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown eases , there may be a surge in cases of recorded crime and preparations must be made to tackle this extra demand and to clear the backlog of court cases and prosecutions .
The whole criminal justice system is already making recovery plans and as chairman of our local criminal justice board I have been impressed with the collective endeavour to meet the challenge and clear the backlog .
Public trust and confidence must be maintained and ensure the victims ’ needs remain at the centre of our work .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied has never been more apposite and I am totally committed to doing whatever I can to aid this recovery .
Difficult times can be turned to advantage .
I am not in anyway attempting to be uncaring or callous , but as Her Majesty The Queen said in her excellent broadcast , we will meet again and come back together , so we must be optimistic about our future .
It is a time to gather new thoughts and a fresh purpose and commit to working together across all communities .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is under control , the priority must be the economy .
To its great credit the government has committed vast sums of taxpayers ’ money to help mitigate the situation , which will help many individuals and businesses .
It is also in listening mode and making adjustments to the various schemes and initiatives on a daily basis – a very welcome stance .
However this debt has to be repaid and there will need to some serious action taken to rebuild the economy led by the private sector , since it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
We have to ensure that the younger generation and those of lower skill levels or incomes do not get left behind .
There is a very clear link between raised levels of deprivation and higher rates of crime .
A thriving economy is for everyone ’ s benefit and it will be a difficult recovery but by working together and supporting each other we can and must make that improvement – frankly there is no alternative .
When the pandemic is over , there will be a need to learn lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – but now is not the time for that analysis .
We will succeed and can invoke that well-known Churchill quote – “ Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence , is the key to unlocking our potential ” and “ Give us the tools and we will finish the job ” so let ’ s get on with it !

Tim Passmore is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk.
Here in Suffolk, the Coronavirus pandemic continues to have a very profound effect on our daily lives. I’ve never experienced anything like it and I completely empathise with the frustration many of us feel at this time of national emergency. The many premature fatalities are a terrible tragedy for far too many individuals and families. We know from what happened to the Prime Minister – now thankfully recovered, this awful disease can strike at anyone. The long-term damage to our economy could be extremely serious and for large numbers of individuals their future has become worrying and full of uncertainty. We must not however, give up hope for a better future when the pandemic is over – remember such emergencies do not last forever.
Since the lockdown started I have been able to work from home and have only ventured out to do some shopping or deliver essential items. The vast majority of people have been heeding the government’s requests and staying at home and our police force have not had too many situations requiring enforcement. By the end of the Easter Bank Holiday just under a hundred penalty tickets had been issued across Suffolk for contravening the emergency public health legislation.
Overall, our police force is doing a great job in difficult circumstances – our absenteeism due to self-isolation has always been one of the lowest in the country and recorded crime levels have fallen overall by around 20 per cent.
That said, it disgusts me that a few uncivilised individuals feel it is acceptable to spit or cough at police officers and other essential front-line staff. I am very pleased these offenders are being prosecuted – there is no excuse for such appalling behaviour and I am particularly pleased our new MP for Ipswich, Tom Hunt, is pressing for stronger sentencing.
Living in a large rural county like Suffolk does provide some respite from the pandemic. The fine weather has helped and my garden has never looked so tidy…
It cannot be easy if you live at the top of an inner city tower block, are a single parent with young children, or are cooped-up in a remote rural location where communication with the outside world is compromised by poor mobile signals or broadband connectivity. Spare a thought for those too, living in fear of violent abuse, now existing in a form of hellish confinement because of the lockdown.
As PCC, I have responsibility for commissioning victims’ services and I worry about the future capacity of our voluntary and charitable organisations, should demand for their expertise rise substantially later this year. Their commitment and dedication to help rebuild shattered lives and assist victims come to terms with what has happened to them will be even more significant.
When the lockdown eases, there may be a surge in cases of recorded crime and preparations must be made to tackle this extra demand and to clear the backlog of court cases and prosecutions.
The whole criminal justice system is already making recovery plans and as chairman of our local criminal justice board I have been impressed with the collective endeavour to meet the challenge and clear the backlog. Public trust and confidence must be maintained and ensure the victims’ needs remain at the centre of our work. The old adage of justice delayed is justice denied has never been more apposite and I am totally committed to doing whatever I can to aid this recovery.
Difficult times can be turned to advantage. I am not in anyway attempting to be uncaring or callous, but as Her Majesty The Queen said in her excellent broadcast, we will meet again and come back together, so we must be optimistic about our future. It is a time to gather new thoughts and a fresh purpose and commit to working together across all communities.
To secure that future, once the pandemic is under control, the priority must be the economy. To its great credit the government has committed vast sums of taxpayers’ money to help mitigate the situation, which will help many individuals and businesses. It is also in listening mode and making adjustments to the various schemes and initiatives on a daily basis – a very welcome stance.
However this debt has to be repaid and there will need to some serious action taken to rebuild the economy led by the private sector, since it is here the main wealth generation will take place. We have to ensure that the younger generation and those of lower skill levels or incomes do not get left behind. There is a very clear link between raised levels of deprivation and higher rates of crime. A thriving economy is for everyone’s benefit and it will be a difficult recovery but by working together and supporting each other we can and must make that improvement – frankly there is no alternative.
When the pandemic is over, there will be a need to learn lessons and make better provision for future emergencies – but now is not the time for that analysis. We will succeed and can invoke that well-known Churchill quote – “Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential” and “Give us the tools and we will finish the job” so let’s get on with it!


conservativehome--2020-04-28--James Frayne: The Coronavirus will radically recharge our national debate about fairness and justice


conservativehome--2020-04-29--Many congratulations to Symonds and Johnson on the birth of their baby

Many congratulations to Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson on the birth of their son .
He is the first child @ @ @ @ @ Minister since Samantha and David Cameron ’ s youngest child , Florence , born at @ @ @ @ @ Truro in August 2010 .
Last night , journalists were mystified that no word came @ @ @ @ @ Johnson would take Prime Minister ’ s Questions today , and some wondered whether he @ @ @ @ @ new Leader of the Opposition , Sir Keir Starmer .
It turns out that Johnson @ @ @ @ @ for missing PMQs .
At a time of gloom and doom , Symonds and Johnson @ @ @ @ @ people ’ s faces ; have shown in the most heartening way that life goes @ @

Many congratulations to Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson on the birth of their son. He is the first child born to a sitting Prime Minister since Samantha and David Cameron’s youngest child, Florence, born at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro in August 2010.
Last night, journalists were mystified that no word came from Number Ten about whether Johnson would take Prime Minister’s Questions today, and some wondered whether he was trying to disconcert the new Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.
It turns out that Johnson had an altogether happier reason for missing PMQs. At a time of gloom and doom, Symonds and Johnson have brought a smile to people’s faces; have shown in the most heartening way that life goes on.


conservativehome--2020-04-29--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Chair of the Health & Safety Executive – a


conservativehome--2020-04-29--What’s the Government’s worst-case scenario for second and further waves? And when could the NHS cop

What’s the Government’s worst-case scenario for second and further waves? And when could the NHS cope with it?

Some claim that Ministers are the prisoners of SAGE – because of the former ’ s insistence that they are always guided by “ the science ” – but this site doesn ’ t share that view .
Ultimately , Boris Johnson and his team are accountable to voters , must maintain public consent for their policies , have a Parliamentary Party to deal with ( not to mention the rest of the Commons ) and are due to face an election in 2024 .
We view the Government ’ s five tests in that light and , without wanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw them essentially as a holding device , while Boris Johnson was still absent , that would enable Ministers to shift just a little closer to easing the lockdown .
“ Test One ( “ we must protect the NHS ’ s ability to cope ” and Test Five ( “ we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS ” ) are in essence the same .
Again , they ultimately require a political decision , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is hard to understand the fuss about the supposed change to that fifth test .
It was never simply the avoidance of “ a second peak ” .
If the number of recorded cases rises in the aftermath of a shutdown relaxation , as they will surely do , it follows that they will be higher than before that easing took place , and that there is therefore a second peak by definition .
So were the avoidance of a second peak a must for Ministers , the lockdown would presumably never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link to Dominic Raab ’ s statement of April 17 , when the tests were announced , shows that he said then what Ministers are saying now .
“ Fifth , and this is really crucial , we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS , ” the Foreign Secretary declared .
So the real question is not so much what the test says , but what it means .
That the Nightingale hospitals are largely empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue that this is actually a sign of success : that the NHS now has capacity to deal with the consequences of the virus that it didn ’ t have in March .
However , that doesn ’ t automatically mean that the health service is therefore ready to cope with a second and further waves , because we don ’ t how how large they would be .
Boris Johnson hinted on Monday that he would set out the Government ’ s thinking on the future of the lockdown later this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain what his advisers ’ range of expectations are for those waves , and on roughly what timetable the NHS would be able to cope with the worst-case scenarios .
Until that is clearer , the future won ’ t be – with all the uncertainty for the NHS , the economy and voters which that implies .

Some claim that Ministers are the prisoners of SAGE – because of the former’s insistence that they are always guided by “the science” – but this site doesn’t share that view. Ultimately, Boris Johnson and his team are accountable to voters, must maintain public consent for their policies, have a Parliamentary Party to deal with (not to mention the rest of the Commons) and are due to face an election in 2024.
We view the Government’s five tests in that light and, without wanting to be too world-weary about it, saw them essentially as a holding device, while Boris Johnson was still absent, that would enable Ministers to shift just a little closer to easing the lockdown.
“Test One (“we must protect the NHS’s ability to cope” and Test Five (“we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS”) are in essence the same. Again, they ultimately require a political decision,” we wrote.
This being so, it is hard to understand the fuss about the supposed change to that fifth test. It was never simply the avoidance of “a second peak”. If the number of recorded cases rises in the aftermath of a shutdown relaxation, as they will surely do, it follows that they will be higher than before that easing took place, and that there is therefore a second peak by definition.
So were the avoidance of a second peak a must for Ministers, the lockdown would presumably never be eased at all. But our link to Dominic Raab’s statement of April 17, when the tests were announced, shows that he said then what Ministers are saying now.
“Fifth, and this is really crucial, we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelm the NHS,” the Foreign Secretary declared. So the real question is not so much what the test says, but what it means.
That the Nightingale hospitals are largely empty has been well-reported. The Government will argue that this is actually a sign of success: that the NHS now has capacity to deal with the consequences of the virus that it didn’t have in March. However, that doesn’t automatically mean that the health service is therefore ready to cope with a second and further waves, because we don’t how how large they would be.
Boris Johnson hinted on Monday that he would set out the Government’s thinking on the future of the lockdown later this week. When he does, he needs to explain what his advisers’ range of expectations are for those waves, and on roughly what timetable the NHS would be able to cope with the worst-case scenarios. Until that is clearer, the future won’t be – with all the uncertainty for the NHS, the economy and voters which that implies.


Coronavirus Count

UK cumulative total of lab-confirmed cases : 157,149 ( Up from 152,840 ) .
UK cumulative total of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 21,092 ( Unchanged ) .
Latest daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 4,310 ( Up from 2,730 ) .
Latest daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths in hospital : 360 ( Unchanged ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS IN HOSPITAL From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ 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 .
GOVERNMENT RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE CORONAVIRUS BILL WILL DO See here .
Published on Wednesday March 18 HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
The symptoms of coronavirus are : However , these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illnesses that are much more common , such as cold and flu .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 111 out of hours .
• In Wales call 111 ( if available 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 7.00 on Wednesday April 29th . )