conservativehome--2020-08-12--Allowing illegal migrant boats to cross the Channel is false compassion

The media narrative , as so often , has portrayed the story as toughness versus tenderness .
Those who are idealistic and caring are on the side of welcoming the beleaguered refugees crossing the Channel to Dover in precarious dinghies .
They are cheered on by the BBC and The Guardian .
Then we have those who sternly declare that the law must be upheld , our borders protected , national interest upheld .
Nigel Farage , the Brexit Party leader , was ahead of the “ mainstream media ” in highlighting the sharp increase in the numbers coming over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convenient stage villain .
The reality is a bit more complicated .
There is an important debate to be had about how many refugees we could and should take in .
Of course , this is a moral issue .
But it is also a practical one .
One of the arguments for ending free movement with the EU is that it should be easier to accept more refugees .
It would also help ease the financial costs if the ban on asylum seekers was lifted and they could live in spare bedrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some fail to back up “ virtue signalling ” rhetoric with action .
David Cameron announced , in September 2015 , the Syrian Vulnerable People ’ s Resettlement Scheme , with a target of 20,000 .
The Labour Party immediately complained it was too low – yet Labour ( and Lib Dem ) councils had a poor record of offering places for them .
Once we have decided how many to help , there is the question of which ones .
The monitoring group Open Doors estimates 260 million Christians around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see us offer more of them sanctuary .
Our special responsibility to Hong Kong is another priority that has been highlighted .
So far as the Syrians are concerned , should we be taking them from the overcrowded UN refugee camps – in a legal and ( relatively safe ) manner ?
Or should we just fill up the allocation by allowing those to stay who have jumped the queue and managed to make it here illegally ?
In the case of Syrians , for example , should we take them from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Or from Calais ?
Last year it is estimated that at least 1,885 migrants died in the Mediterranean .
Of course , it is impossible to know the full number .
The UNHCR have put it at six a day .
The greater the chance of being able to stay , the higher the numbers that will pay whatever they can to the criminal gangs of “ people traffickers ” and risk drowning to get to Europe .
Much the most effective method is to prevent the asylum seekers arriving in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports : “ Ministers are considering using 42m-long Border Force cutters to stop boats from reaching Britain ’ s territorial waters .
The French authorities would then be contacted to intercept them , with a focus on intelligence sharing .
“ The government has moved away from a more aggressive Australian-style “ push-back ” approach , which would have involved Royal Navy and Border Force vessels intercepting boats as they left French waters.
” Critics of the proposal include Jack Straw who warns that amidst the confrontation the dinghies could capsize and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources suggesting that it is impractical or disproportionate .
Logistical considerations are important .
If Border Force boats can do an effective job of escorting the asylum seekers back to France then I can see that might well be safer ( and a lower cost to the taxpayer ) than bringing in the vessels of the Royal Navy .
It is also reasonable to note that the Channel is smaller that the Indian Ocean and so rather than duplicating Australian arrangements it would be sensible to have our bespoke version .
But whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Australian approach has been completely vindicated and it would be right for us to follow it .
In 2013 , Tony Abbott , the new Australian Prime Minister , ensured that illegal boats heading for his country were towed to an offshore centre .
From there they were able to make a claim for asylum .
But if it was rejected they could return home but not to Australia .
Between 2008 to 2013 there were 877 asylum seekers who drowned en route to Australia .
Since then none have .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossings is appalling .
We are working to make this route unviable and arresting the criminals facilitating these crossings and making sure they are brought to justice.
” Naturally many on the Left will vilify her for taking a strong line – while most people will recognise that controlling who comes into our country is pretty basic to national security .
So taking the necessary action is a patriotic duty .
But it is also a moral duty .
Allowing illegal crossings and rewarding those who survive them with residency is false compassion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practice , Patel can save many lives and ensure that whatever sanctuary we can offer , is granted fairly to genuine cases in the greatest need .

The media narrative, as so often, has portrayed the story as toughness versus tenderness. Those who are idealistic and caring are on the side of welcoming the beleaguered refugees crossing the Channel to Dover in precarious dinghies. They are cheered on by the BBC and The Guardian. Then we have those who sternly declare that the law must be upheld, our borders protected, national interest upheld. Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party leader, was ahead of the “mainstream media” in highlighting the sharp increase in the numbers coming over this summer. Thus he is a convenient stage villain.
The reality is a bit more complicated. There is an important debate to be had about how many refugees we could and should take in. Of course, this is a moral issue. But it is also a practical one. One of the arguments for ending free movement with the EU is that it should be easier to accept more refugees. It would also help ease the financial costs if the ban on asylum seekers was lifted and they could live in spare bedrooms rather than only self contained accommodation.
Some fail to back up “virtue signalling” rhetoric with action. David Cameron announced, in September 2015, the Syrian Vulnerable People’s Resettlement Scheme, with a target of 20,000. The Labour Party immediately complained it was too low – yet Labour (and Lib Dem) councils had a poor record of offering places for them.
Once we have decided how many to help, there is the question of which ones. The monitoring group Open Doors estimates 260 million Christians around the world face persecution. I would like to see us offer more of them sanctuary. Our special responsibility to Hong Kong is another priority that has been highlighted.
So far as the Syrians are concerned, should we be taking them from the overcrowded UN refugee camps – in a legal and (relatively safe) manner? Or should we just fill up the allocation by allowing those to stay who have jumped the queue and managed to make it here illegally? In the case of Syrians, for example, should we take them from the camps in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon? Or from Calais?
Last year it is estimated that at least 1,885 migrants died in the Mediterranean. Of course, it is impossible to know the full number. The UNHCR have put it at six a day. The greater the chance of being able to stay, the higher the numbers that will pay whatever they can to the criminal gangs of “people traffickers” and risk drowning to get to Europe.
Much the most effective method is to prevent the asylum seekers arriving in England in the first place. The Times reports:
“Ministers are considering using 42m-long Border Force cutters to stop boats from reaching Britain’s territorial waters. The French authorities would then be contacted to intercept them, with a focus on intelligence sharing.
“The government has moved away from a more aggressive Australian-style “push-back” approach, which would have involved Royal Navy and Border Force vessels intercepting boats as they left French waters.”
Critics of the proposal include Jack Straw who warns that amidst the confrontation the dinghies could capsize and its occupants drown. Then we have unnamed sources suggesting that it is impractical or disproportionate. Logistical considerations are important. If Border Force boats can do an effective job of escorting the asylum seekers back to France then I can see that might well be safer (and a lower cost to the taxpayer) than bringing in the vessels of the Royal Navy. It is also reasonable to note that the Channel is smaller that the Indian Ocean and so rather than duplicating Australian arrangements it would be sensible to have our bespoke version.
But whatever the operational details, the broad thrust of the Australian approach has been completely vindicated and it would be right for us to follow it. In 2013, Tony Abbott, the new Australian Prime Minister, ensured that illegal boats heading for his country were towed to an offshore centre. From there they were able to make a claim for asylum. But if it was rejected they could return home but not to Australia. Between 2008 to 2013 there were 877 asylum seekers who drowned en route to Australia. Since then none have.
Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, says:
“The number of illegal small boat crossings is appalling. We are working to make this route unviable and arresting the criminals facilitating these crossings and making sure they are brought to justice.”
Naturally many on the Left will vilify her for taking a strong line – while most people will recognise that controlling who comes into our country is pretty basic to national security. So taking the necessary action is a patriotic duty. But it is also a moral duty. Allowing illegal crossings and rewarding those who survive them with residency is false compassion. By firmly putting a halt to the practice, Patel can save many lives and ensure that whatever sanctuary we can offer, is granted fairly to genuine cases in the greatest need.


conservativehome--2020-08-12--Darren Grimes: Johnson must face down the teaching unions with Thatcher-like resolve

“ As Conservatives , we believe absolutely in equality of opportunity – the idea that every child , in every part of the country , should have a fair chance .
It is not only the most important thing we can do to unleash the UK ’ s potential , but is at the heart of creating a fair and just society.
” That ’ s page 13 of the Conservative Party ’ s winning manifesto last year ; a manifesto that secured Boris Johnson an 80 seat majority , saw seats that had always been red change with chameleon-like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , banished Jeremy Corbyn to the dustbin of history and ensured we could , finally , heal the divide and Get Brexit Done .
That , my friends , will have all been for nothing if the Prime Minister does not face down the teaching unions with Margaret Thatcher-like resolve .
With warnings of Covid-19 growing inequalities between our richest kids and our poorest kids , Johnson will be rejected by the aspirational working class that voted for him in large numbers , whose hard slog is made easier in large part by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a better lot for their sons and daughters .
The National Education Union , in providing its half a million members with a “ checklist ” of 200 safety demands for the reopening of our schools , has proven itself to be more concerned with being a thorn in the side of the Conservative Party over being the guardians of children ’ s interests .
One item on the list asks the Government to answer : “ Does the timetable include sufficient creative subjects , and space for dialogue and sustained thinking ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrageous than to play politics with the future of our kids .
While Keir Starmer stands idly by as unions attempt to wreck the future of our children , raising questions about just how tough he would be in the top job , the Prime Minister can stand strong knowing that he has the public on his side if he decides to take on the unions .
YouGov found that 57 per cent of Brits agree that schools should open after the summer , with only 25 per cent believing they should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sweden , in a document titled Covid-19 in schoolchildren : A comparison between Finland and Sweden , compares two similar countries with very different approaches to lockdown : Finland was conventional in its closure of schools , Sweden famously much bolder in its refusal to countenance such an illiberal approach to its economy and society .
The report concludes that the closure of schools had no measured effect on the number of cases of Covid-19 among children : “ Children are not a major risk group of the Covid-19 disease.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday morning , Russel Viner , a member of the UK ’ s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and President of the Royal College of Peadiatrics told BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme that “ reopening schools is one of the least risky things we can do.
” He then told Times Radio that there ’ s “ at least five studies from around the world ” that would suggest “ there ’ s very , very little transmission of this virus in schools.
” How many times have you heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is following the science , they ’ re absolutely mad for “ the science ” !
If that ’ s presently the case there will be absolutely no wiggle room for it not to return our schools to normal without a moment ’ s hesitation and resist following Labour in kowtowing to union pressure .
While our kids have been banished from our schools , I was delighted to learn of the Invicta Academy , that has delivered virtual lessons in English , Maths and Key-Stages 1-4 via Zoom in the likes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The message from the entrepreneurial and community-minded founders of the project to the obstructive teaching unions is clear : if you try and delay the reopening of our schools , we will find a way to ensure our nation ’ s kids don ’ t suffer .
The problem is that it isn ’ t kids in Surrey or Oxfordshire that will suffer the most .
According to the UCL Institute of Education , our kids on average understood 2.5 hours of schoolwork per day during lockdown .
This , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children in the South East doing more than four hours of offline schoolwork a day , compared with only nine per cent in the North East .
Perhaps unsurprisingly , 31 per cent of private schools were delivering four or more hours of live online lessons a day , with state schools at a paltry six per cent .
The Prime Minister must be the champion of those who suffer disproportionately from our educational divide and disadvantage that his government ’ s response to Covid-19 has widened further .
If , or when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would be utterly ruinous for the British economy , employment and wider society , our schools simply must keep the doors open from next month .

“As Conservatives, we believe absolutely in equality of opportunity – the idea that every child, in every part of the country, should have a fair chance. It is not only the most important thing we can do to unleash the UK’s potential, but is at the heart of creating a fair and just society.”
That’s page 13 of the Conservative Party’s winning manifesto last year; a manifesto that secured Boris Johnson an 80 seat majority, saw seats that had always been red change with chameleon-like ease to boast a shade of blue, banished Jeremy Corbyn to the dustbin of history and ensured we could, finally, heal the divide and Get Brexit Done.
That, my friends, will have all been for nothing if the Prime Minister does not face down the teaching unions with Margaret Thatcher-like resolve. With warnings of Covid-19 growing inequalities between our richest kids and our poorest kids, Johnson will be rejected by the aspirational working class that voted for him in large numbers, whose hard slog is made easier in large part by an understanding that they’re ensuring a better lot for their sons and daughters.
The National Education Union, in providing its half a million members with a “checklist” of 200 safety demands for the reopening of our schools, has proven itself to be more concerned with being a thorn in the side of the Conservative Party over being the guardians of children’s interests. One item on the list asks the Government to answer: “Does the timetable include sufficient creative subjects, and space for dialogue and sustained thinking?”. There can be nothing more outrageous than to play politics with the future of our kids.
While Keir Starmer stands idly by as unions attempt to wreck the future of our children, raising questions about just how tough he would be in the top job, the Prime Minister can stand strong knowing that he has the public on his side if he decides to take on the unions. YouGov found that 57 per cent of Brits agree that schools should open after the summer, with only 25 per cent believing they should not.
Evidence from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, in a document titled Covid-19 in schoolchildren: A comparison between Finland and Sweden, compares two similar countries with very different approaches to lockdown: Finland was conventional in its closure of schools, Sweden famously much bolder in its refusal to countenance such an illiberal approach to its economy and society. The report concludes that the closure of schools had no measured effect on the number of cases of Covid-19 among children: “Children are not a major risk group of the Covid-19 disease.”
In a further boost for science-based evidence, on Monday morning, Russel Viner, a member of the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and President of the Royal College of Paediatrics told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “reopening schools is one of the least risky things we can do.” He then told Times Radio that there’s “at least five studies from around the world” that would suggest “there’s very, very little transmission of this virus in schools.”
How many times have you heard this government boast of how heavily it is following the science, they’re absolutely mad for “the science”! If that’s presently the case there will be absolutely no wiggle room for it not to return our schools to normal without a moment’s hesitation and resist following Labour in kowtowing to union pressure.
While our kids have been banished from our schools, I was delighted to learn of the Invicta Academy, that has delivered virtual lessons in English, Maths and Key-Stages 1-4 via Zoom in the likes of London, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Lancashire (its parent academy being in Kent). The message from the entrepreneurial and community-minded founders of the project to the obstructive teaching unions is clear: if you try and delay the reopening of our schools, we will find a way to ensure our nation’s kids don’t suffer.
The problem is that it isn’t kids in Surrey or Oxfordshire that will suffer the most. According to the UCL Institute of Education, our kids on average understood 2.5 hours of schoolwork per day during lockdown. This, however, varies widely with 28 per cent of children in the South East doing more than four hours of offline schoolwork a day, compared with only nine per cent in the North East. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 31 per cent of private schools were delivering four or more hours of live online lessons a day, with state schools at a paltry six per cent.
The Prime Minister must be the champion of those who suffer disproportionately from our educational divide and disadvantage that his government’s response to Covid-19 has widened further. If, or when, it comes to future lockdowns, which would be utterly ruinous for the British economy, employment and wider society, our schools simply must keep the doors open from next month.


conservativehome--2020-08-12--Felicity Buchan: We need new homes that are safe

Felicity Buchan is the MP for Kensington .
There are two things that the vast majority of people would agree with : • As a country , we need more homes – well built and appropriate to their surroundings ; • We need to kickstart our economy .
A substantial programme of new housebuilding is the answer to both of those .
Through apprenticeships and traineeships , we can increase job opportunities in the construction sector to drive the economic recovery , while building hugely needed new homes .
This issue – of ensuring that everyone has a safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal for me .
As the MP for Kensington , which includes Grenfell Tower , I am acutely aware that each person should go to sleep at night in a safe and secure home .
Good housing has a profound impact on health , wellbeing , educational attainment , and economic success .
The prevalence of coronavirus in communities where overcrowding is common , is another wake-up call for the need for more housing .
We need to adopt a two-step approach : ensuring our existing housing stock is safe and fit for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am very supportive of the Government ’ s overhaul of our building safety regime with the Fire Safety Bill ( which had its Second Reading in April ) and the draft Building Safety Bill ( which was introduced to Parliament in July ) .
If there is to be any positive legacy from the Grenfell fire , it must be that a tragedy of this kind is never allowed to happen again and that our building and fire safety regime is state of the art .
But we also need to correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular of affordable housing .
Many people working in our vital services and many young people struggle to find an affordable home within a suitable distance from their employment , and this is certainly a significant issue in Kensington .
We have seen the Government commit to increasing the supply of affordable housing by allocating £12.2 billion for the Affordable Homes Programme for homes to be delivered from 2021/22 over the next five years .
In June 2020 , Government estimated this would deliver up to 180,000 new affordable homes .
We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable housing , including socially rented and intermediate ownership .
Clearly new housing needs to be sympathetic to its surroundings ; and I would strongly recommend a focus on developing brownfield sites , with developments of a height and massing in keeping with the local area .
As we respond to coronavirus , we must focus not just on saving lives , but on saving livelihoods .
Housebuilding is crucial to rebuilding a strong economy , and brings with it skills and employment opportunities .
Research from the Centre for Economics and Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculated that £4.8 billion would be added directly to the economy , and 86,000 jobs would be supported , if 90,000 affordable homes were built a year .
When indirect spending is added , this rises to £11.2 billion and 200,000 jobs .
Furthermore , the Government estimated in the Budget 2020 that its £12.2bn investment in affordable housing should generate an additional £38 billion in public and private investment , an enormous uplift .
Community organisations and businesses also have a role to play .
In December last year , I visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk of homelessness in Kensington , run by Evolve Housing and Support .
It was inspiring to see young people learning skills and receiving the support that can set them up for life .
A government-backed building programme also provides an opportunity to encourage investment in green , sustainable development .
As a member of the Conservative Environment Network , I have been particularly involved in lobbying the Government for a Green economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic .
The Green Home grant scheme is an excellent step in improving our existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build energy efficient new affordable housing developments .
Building new affordable homes is a rare example of a “ win win ” : providing the safe and secure new homes people need , while fuelling the recovery of the construction sector and the economy as a whole .
These homes can be a lasting positive legacy : well built , energy efficient , and sympathetic to their local areas .
Let ’ s combine these aims to make sure we build back better .

Felicity Buchan is the MP for Kensington.
There are two things that the vast majority of people would agree with:
As a country, we need more homes – well built and appropriate to their surroundings;
We need to kickstart our economy.
A substantial programme of new housebuilding is the answer to both of those. Through apprenticeships and traineeships, we can increase job opportunities in the construction sector to drive the economic recovery, while building hugely needed new homes.
This issue – of ensuring that everyone has a safe, secure home they can afford – is personal for me. As the MP for Kensington, which includes Grenfell Tower, I am acutely aware that each person should go to sleep at night in a safe and secure home. Good housing has a profound impact on health, wellbeing, educational attainment, and economic success. The prevalence of coronavirus in communities where overcrowding is common, is another wake-up call for the need for more housing. We need to adopt a two-step approach: ensuring our existing housing stock is safe and fit for purpose, while building more housing.
I am very supportive of the Government’s overhaul of our building safety regime with the Fire Safety Bill (which had its Second Reading in April) and the draft Building Safety Bill (which was introduced to Parliament in July). If there is to be any positive legacy from the Grenfell fire, it must be that a tragedy of this kind is never allowed to happen again and that our building and fire safety regime is state of the art.
But we also need to correct the fundamental shortage of housing, in particular of affordable housing. Many people working in our vital services and many young people struggle to find an affordable home within a suitable distance from their employment, and this is certainly a significant issue in Kensington.
We have seen the Government commit to increasing the supply of affordable housing by allocating £12.2 billion for the Affordable Homes Programme for homes to be delivered from 2021/22 over the next five years. In June 2020, Government estimated this would deliver up to 180,000 new affordable homes.
We need a range of tenures in our new affordable housing, including socially rented and intermediate ownership. Clearly new housing needs to be sympathetic to its surroundings; and I would strongly recommend a focus on developing brownfield sites, with developments of a height and massing in keeping with the local area.
As we respond to coronavirus, we must focus not just on saving lives, but on saving livelihoods. Housebuilding is crucial to rebuilding a strong economy, and brings with it skills and employment opportunities. Research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research and the National Housing Federation had calculated that £4.8 billion would be added directly to the economy, and 86,000 jobs would be supported, if 90,000 affordable homes were built a year. When indirect spending is added, this rises to £11.2 billion and 200,000 jobs. Furthermore, the Government estimated in the Budget 2020 that its £12.2bn investment in affordable housing should generate an additional £38 billion in public and private investment, an enormous uplift.
Community organisations and businesses also have a role to play. In December last year, I visited a housing association scheme for young people at risk of homelessness in Kensington, run by Evolve Housing and Support. It was inspiring to see young people learning skills and receiving the support that can set them up for life.
A government-backed building programme also provides an opportunity to encourage investment in green, sustainable development. As a member of the Conservative Environment Network, I have been particularly involved in lobbying the Government for a Green economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The Green Home grant scheme is an excellent step in improving our existing housing stock; we also need to build energy efficient new affordable housing developments.
Building new affordable homes is a rare example of a “win win”: providing the safe and secure new homes people need, while fuelling the recovery of the construction sector and the economy as a whole. These homes can be a lasting positive legacy: well built, energy efficient, and sympathetic to their local areas.
Let’s combine these aims to make sure we build back better.


conservativehome--2020-08-12--What would President Biden and Vice President Harris mean for the Special Relationship?

Ben Roback is Head of Trade and International Policy at Cicero Group .
Contrary to some of the analysis of late , Joe Biden is by no means a shoo-in for the presidency in November .
Nationally , polls are tightening and at the same point with 84 days to go in 2016 , Hillary Clinton ’ s lead in the Five Thirty Eight polling average was 6.6 per cent .
The Biden campaign will begin to face accusations of losing momentum if Donald Trump continues to chip away at his lead .
On that basis , it makes sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the narrative by announcing Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate .
If the Biden-Harris ticket is victorious in November , the White House will look like a very different place to the current occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue .
Biden is no Brexiteer like Trump .
Biden and his old boss , President Obama , fell into line with David Cameron when they effectively backed the Remain campaign by declaring an independent UK would be at the “ back of the queue ” when it came to negotiating a US trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 , Biden was in Dublin and remarked “ We ’ d have preferred a different outcome ” .
Nevertheless , the political imperative of the Special Relationship means there is no chance that Biden would abandon the UK on day one of his presidency .
On the contrary , one would expect a presidential visit to London , Edinburgh , Belfast and Dublin within the first six months of President Biden ’ s tenure .
It is the final two stops of that likely trip that provide the most interesting topics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct links to the UK .
Donald Trump is an Anglophile and reveres his Scottish heritage .
Biden ’ s proximity lies in Ireland .
His great grandfather , James Finnegan , emigrated from County Louth as a child , in 1850 .
In advance of his 2016 visit to Ireland , Biden said : “ James Joyce wrote , ‘ When I die , Dublin will be written on my heart .
Well , Northeast Pennsylvania will be written on my heart .
But Ireland will be written on my soul.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have grounds for optimism that the Special Relationship is in safe hands no matter the election outcome .
Biden would almost certainly cool some of the Trump White House ’ s more aggressive trade policies such as obstructing the work of the World Trade Organization .
But Biden ’ s 40 years of political experience means he knows which way the wind is blowing on trade .
He will want to ensure any deal is seen to protect US jobs and domestic production , while maximising export potential .
What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly announced running mate , has said she would oppose any trade deals that don ’ t include high labour and environmental standards .
She opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2016 citing insufficient protection for US workers .
That rings alarm bells for those hoping the UK could ascend to the CPTPP – assuming the United States would do the same – therefore subverting the need for a bilateral US-UK FTA .
Furthermore , Harris has little experience of the Special Relationship to speak of .
On the foreign policy section of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners ” Japan , India , Mexico , and Korea .
The UK is conspicuous in its absence for a potential future Vice President of the US Where Washington and Westminster could align In four clear instances we see Washington and Westminster aligning under the prospective leadership of Biden and Johnson respectively .
First , the Trump campaign and Republican Party are trying to paint Biden as a puppet of China .
Consequently , he is being pushed into a more hawkish corner .
That will mean alignment with an increasingly Sino-scepetic Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese President Xi Jinping but since then has made an aggressively anti-China stance a key plank of his presidency .
Having banned Huawei from our 5G infrastructure , Downing Street looks set to be largely in lockstep with Washington regardless of the outcome in November .
Second , Johnson ’ s government has shown little interest in entertaining Trump ’ s more excessive foreign policy ideals .
The Trump administration has done its best to erode the World Trade Organization , considering it too kind to China .
Conversely , Johnson has nominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both Fox and his successor at DIT , Liz Truss , extol the virtues of global trade and the rules-based international order that governs it .
The British government aspires to be an invisible link in the chain that connects trading nations .
In that regard , Biden would be supportive .
Third , environmental policy is one area in which Johnson and Trump do not see eye to eye .
The stark divergence in approach has become an awkward rift between the two allies .
The UK was a key supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump removed the US .
As the Chair of the COP26 summit in Glasgow , Downing Street would undoubtedly favour a US President who considers climate change one of the world ’ s biggest and most pressing priorities .
That only applies to Biden .
Lastly , Iran .
As Foreign Secretary , Johnson failed in his attempt to persuade the Trump administration to stay in the Iran nuclear deal .
Biden would rejoin it in a heartbeat , having been a part of the Obama administration who orchestrated it in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Relationship will endure irrespective of the winner in November .
Built on a shared understanding and common values , the relationship transcends presidents and prime ministers .
On China , the US and UK look set to form an even closer alliance alongside their Five Eyes allies .
That is something both Trump and Biden appear to agree on .

Ben Roback is Head of Trade and International Policy at Cicero Group.
Contrary to some of the analysis of late, Joe Biden is by no means a shoo-in for the presidency in November. Nationally, polls are tightening and at the same point with 84 days to go in 2016, Hillary Clinton’s lead in the Five Thirty Eight polling average was 6.6 per cent. The Biden campaign will begin to face accusations of losing momentum if Donald Trump continues to chip away at his lead. On that basis, it makes sense that Biden has sought to wrestle back the narrative by announcing Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. If the Biden-Harris ticket is victorious in November, the White House will look like a very different place to the current occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Biden on Britain and Brexit
Biden is no Brexiteer like Trump. Biden and his old boss, President Obama, fell into line with David Cameron when they effectively backed the Remain campaign by declaring an independent UK would be at the “back of the queue” when it came to negotiating a US trade deal. The day after the EU referendum in 2016, Biden was in Dublin and remarked “We’d have preferred a different outcome”.
Nevertheless, the political imperative of the Special Relationship means there is no chance that Biden would abandon the UK on day one of his presidency. On the contrary, one would expect a presidential visit to London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin within the first six months of President Biden’s tenure. It is the final two stops of that likely trip that provide the most interesting topics for discussion.
Both presidential candidates have direct links to the UK. Donald Trump is an Anglophile and reveres his Scottish heritage. Biden’s proximity lies in Ireland. His great grandfather, James Finnegan, emigrated from County Louth as a child, in 1850. In advance of his 2016 visit to Ireland, Biden said: “James Joyce wrote, ‘When I die, Dublin will be written on my heart. Well, Northeast Pennsylvania will be written on my heart. But Ireland will be written on my soul.’” On a purely personal basis therefore, we have grounds for optimism that the Special Relationship is in safe hands no matter the election outcome.
Negotiating a US-UK FTA in a Biden presidency
Biden would almost certainly cool some of the Trump White House’s more aggressive trade policies such as obstructing the work of the World Trade Organization. But Biden’s 40 years of political experience means he knows which way the wind is blowing on trade. He will want to ensure any deal is seen to protect US jobs and domestic production, while maximising export potential.
What is more, Harris, Biden’s newly announced running mate, has said she would oppose any trade deals that don’t include high labour and environmental standards. She opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2016 citing insufficient protection for US workers.
That rings alarm bells for those hoping the UK could ascend to the CPTPP – assuming the United States would do the same – therefore subverting the need for a bilateral US-UK FTA. Furthermore, Harris has little experience of the Special Relationship to speak of. On the foreign policy section of her website, she lists as “key partners” Japan, India, Mexico, and Korea. The UK is conspicuous in its absence for a potential future Vice President of the US
Where Washington and Westminster could align
In four clear instances we see Washington and Westminster aligning under the prospective leadership of Biden and Johnson respectively.
First, the Trump campaign and Republican Party are trying to paint Biden as a puppet of China. Consequently, he is being pushed into a more hawkish corner. That will mean alignment with an increasingly Sino-scepetic Downing Street and Parliament. Trump initially courted Chinese President Xi Jinping but since then has made an aggressively anti-China stance a key plank of his presidency. Having banned Huawei from our 5G infrastructure, Downing Street looks set to be largely in lockstep with Washington regardless of the outcome in November.
Second, Johnson’s government has shown little interest in entertaining Trump’s more excessive foreign policy ideals. The Trump administration has done its best to erode the World Trade Organization, considering it too kind to China. Conversely, Johnson has nominated Liam Fox to be its next Director-General. Both Fox and his successor at DIT, Liz Truss, extol the virtues of global trade and the rules-based international order that governs it. The British government aspires to be an invisible link in the chain that connects trading nations. In that regard, Biden would be supportive.
Third, environmental policy is one area in which Johnson and Trump do not see eye to eye. The stark divergence in approach has become an awkward rift between the two allies. The UK was a key supporter of the Paris Climate Accord from which Trump removed the US. As the Chair of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Downing Street would undoubtedly favour a US President who considers climate change one of the world’s biggest and most pressing priorities. That only applies to Biden.
Lastly, Iran. As Foreign Secretary, Johnson failed in his attempt to persuade the Trump administration to stay in the Iran nuclear deal. Biden would rejoin it in a heartbeat, having been a part of the Obama administration who orchestrated it in the first place.
In summary, the Special Relationship will endure irrespective of the winner in November. Built on a shared understanding and common values, the relationship transcends presidents and prime ministers. On China, the US and UK look set to form an even closer alliance alongside their Five Eyes allies. That is something both Trump and Biden appear to agree on.


conservativehome--2020-08-13--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Civil Service Commissioners – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ The Commissioners form the Board of the Civil Service Commission and bring a range of experience of the private , public and voluntary sectors .
They bring an independent perspective to ensure a high performing Civil Service is well placed to meet the challenges of the future .
We are looking to build a diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawn from a range of backgrounds .
Taking account of the backgrounds of the Commissioners whose term of office expired recently and those who will be standing down in the next period , we would ideally appoint at least four Commissioners who have considerable private sector experience.
” Home Office – Her Majesty ’ s Inspectorate of Constabulary and of Fire & Rescue Authorities “ HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services ( HMICFRS ) is an independent body that inspects and reports to the public on the efficiency and effectiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fire and rescue authorities in England and national law enforcement agencies .
It aims to ensure that the public and their elected representatives can hold inspected organisations to account by monitoring trends , challenging practice and identifying areas for improvement , and making performance information accessible .
The principal role of HMICFRS is undertaking the all-force inspections of policing in England and Wales , and of all fire & rescue authorities in England ; providing the public with a clear , consistent and independent view of the quality of services in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee ( JNCC ) Framework Document provides the legal , administrative and financial framework within which the Joint Committee operates and the specific functions of the Committee and the Chair .
As Chair you will be responsible to the Defra Secretary of State for the leadership , direction and effectiveness of JNCC in line with strategies and plans agreed with Defra and the Devolved Administrations .
You will be the primary contact with Ministers for the Committee .
You will provide visible leadership and vision for JNCC , setting strategic and operational direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Joint Committee , holding the executive to account.
” “ Environmental Standards Scotland will be established , initially , on a non-statutory basis from January 2021 .
It will transition to a statutory , independent body over the course of 2021 .
The Board will initially comprise of the Chair and two other members .
Once Environmental Standards Scotland becomes established as a statutory organisation , further board appointments are expected .
Members of the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland will shape how the Board performs its role , including by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; selecting environmental concerns for initial review and for detailed investigation ; resolving these through agreement with public authorities , where possible ; and , highlighting any significant issues to Ministers.
” Time : 8-10 days per month initially , ~4 per month thereafter .
“ This role is therefore an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the success of the BFI and the wider British film/screen industry , and who has a track record of board leadership , to support the next chapter of British film and the continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected Board Chair will be expected to work alongside the recently appointed CEO in shaping and delivering an emerging vision for the sectors ’ recovery from Covid-19 , and long-term success thereafter .
To do so , the selected Board Chair must have achieved leadership stature in the film industry , business , a major charitable or cultural institution , or government.
” Time : Up to two days per month .
“ The Secretary of State for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund .
Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups to ensure the National Lottery Community Fund reflects the diverse society it serves .
The Fund is currently supporting communities across the UK to adjust to and recover from the coronavirus crisis .
It is also a time when the Fund has gone through a period of investment and development , making it well placed to deliver our ambitious plans to achieve the Fund ’ s purpose : supporting people and communities thrive .
The Fund has many of the building blocks in place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public life .
Our contribution is as varied as it is vital.
” Time : Up to two days per week .
“ Her Majesty ’ s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service is supported by an inspectorate : Her Majesty ’ s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate ( HMCPSI ) .
The inspectorate provides independently assessed evidence about the operation , efficiency , and effectiveness of the public prosecutors ( the Crown Prosecution Service ( CPS ) and the Serious Fraud Office ( SFO ) ) .
The purpose of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow the public prosecutors to be held to account and to improve , thereby strengthening the public ’ s trust in the prosecution process .
Her Majesty ’ s Chief Inspector and the inspectorate may inspect other prosecuting authorities by invitation.
” “ The Commissioner operates as a corporation sole , sponsored by the Department for Education and is appointed by the Secretary of State for Education .
The Commissioner ’ s primary function is promoting and protecting the rights of children in England .
The legislative basis for the office of Children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 2004 .
This establishes the independence of the office and the six year tenure of the post holder .
The legislation relating to the Children ’ s Commissioner is permissive , allowing significant flexibility for the Commissioner to determine how best to carry out his or her primary function of promoting and protecting children ’ s rights .
The Commissioner is not an Ombudsman and , in general , can not conduct investigations into the case of an individual child .
”

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.
– – – – – – – – – –
Civil Service Commission – Commissioners
“The Commissioners form the Board of the Civil Service Commission and bring a range of experience of the private, public and voluntary sectors. They bring an independent perspective to ensure a high performing Civil Service is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.
We are looking to build a diverse Board, with members whose experience is drawn from a range of backgrounds. Taking account of the backgrounds of the Commissioners whose term of office expired recently and those who will be standing down in the next period, we would ideally appoint at least four Commissioners who have considerable private sector experience.”
Time: 40 days a year on average
Remuneration: £400 per day
Closes: 14 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and of Fire & Rescue Authorities
“HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is an independent body that inspects and reports to the public on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces in England and Wales, fire and rescue authorities in England and national law enforcement agencies. It aims to ensure that the public and their elected representatives can hold inspected organisations to account by monitoring trends, challenging practice and identifying areas for improvement, and making performance information accessible. The principal role of HMICFRS is undertaking the all-force inspections of policing in England and Wales, and of all fire & rescue authorities in England; providing the public with a clear, consistent and independent view of the quality of services in their local area.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: £175,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 August
– – – – – – – – – –
Joint Nature Conservation Committee – Chair
“Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Framework Document provides the legal, administrative and financial framework within which the Joint Committee operates and the specific functions of the Committee and the Chair. As Chair you will be responsible to the Defra Secretary of State for the leadership, direction and effectiveness of JNCC in line with strategies and plans agreed with Defra and the Devolved Administrations. You will be the primary contact with Ministers for the Committee. You will provide visible leadership and vision for JNCC, setting strategic and operational direction, ensuring good governance and, together with the Joint Committee, holding the executive to account.”
Time: 2.5 days per week.
Remuneration: £40,059 per annum.
Closes: 03 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Environmental Standards Scotland – Chair/Members
“Environmental Standards Scotland will be established, initially, on a non-statutory basis from January 2021. It will transition to a statutory, independent body over the course of 2021. The Board will initially comprise of the Chair and two other members. Once Environmental Standards Scotland becomes established as a statutory organisation, further board appointments are expected. Members of the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland will shape how the Board performs its role, including by exercising judgement on what information to monitor; selecting environmental concerns for initial review and for detailed investigation; resolving these through agreement with public authorities, where possible; and, highlighting any significant issues to Ministers.”
Time: 8-10 days per month initially, ~4 per month thereafter.
Remuneration: £300/£200 per diem.
Closes: 03 September
– – – – – – – – – –
British Film Institute (BFI) – Chair
“This role is therefore an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the success of the BFI and the wider British film/screen industry, and who has a track record of board leadership, to support the next chapter of British film and the continued success of the screen sectors. The selected Board Chair will be expected to work alongside the recently appointed CEO in shaping and delivering an emerging vision for the sectors’ recovery from Covid-19, and long-term success thereafter. To do so, the selected Board Chair must have achieved leadership stature in the film industry, business, a major charitable or cultural institution, or government.”
Time: Up to two days per month.
Remuneration: Expenses.
Closes: 05 September
– – – – – – – – – –
National Lottery Community Fund – Chair of the Board
“The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to be Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund. Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups to ensure the National Lottery Community Fund reflects the diverse society it serves. The Fund is currently supporting communities across the UK to adjust to and recover from the coronavirus crisis. It is also a time when the Fund has gone through a period of investment and development, making it well placed to deliver our ambitious plans to achieve the Fund’s purpose: supporting people and communities thrive. The Fund has many of the building blocks in place to add even greater value to civil society and public life. Our contribution is as varied as it is vital.”
Time: Up to two days per week.
Remuneration: £40,000 per annum plus expenses.
Closes: 07 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate – Chief Inspector
“Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service is supported by an inspectorate: Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI). The inspectorate provides independently assessed evidence about the operation, efficiency, and effectiveness of the public prosecutors (the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO)). The purpose of this is to provide the evidence needed to allow the public prosecutors to be held to account and to improve, thereby strengthening the public’s trust in the prosecution process. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector and the inspectorate may inspect other prosecuting authorities by invitation.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: £125,000 per annum.
Closes: 14 September
– – – – – – – – – –
Department for Education – Children’s Commissioner for England
“The Commissioner operates as a corporation sole, sponsored by the Department for Education and is appointed by the Secretary of State for Education. The Commissioner’s primary function is promoting and protecting the rights of children in England. The legislative basis for the office of Children’s Commissioner is in Part 1 and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 2004. This establishes the independence of the office and the six year tenure of the post holder. The legislation relating to the Children’s Commissioner is permissive, allowing significant flexibility for the Commissioner to determine how best to carry out his or her primary function of promoting and protecting children’s rights. The Commissioner is not an Ombudsman and, in general, cannot conduct investigations into the case of an individual child.”
Time: Full time.
Remuneration: £120-130,000 per annum.
Closes: 18 September


conservativehome--2020-08-13--“Relight the economy, return to work and reopen schools”. The message from Sunak that the nation nee

“Relight the economy, return to work and reopen schools”. The message from Sunak that the nation needed to hear.

Yesterday , incredibly troubling figures revealed the extent to which Coronavirus has damaged the UK economy .
It has gone into a recession , having suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June .
In that quarter , the economy shrank by 20.4 per cent compared with the first three months of the year .
The news , though drastic , should not have come as a huge surprise .
Throughout the Coronavirus crisis , there were stark warnings about the economic horrors being stored up – the job losses , the taxes to be paid and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom had already borne the brunt of 2008 ’ s financial crisis .
The trouble was that anyone who relayed concerns about the effects of the measures taken on the economy was liable to be accused of selfishness – “ oh , you care about money not lives ?
” , was very much the verdict delivered on those who spoke out – with lockdown posed as the only moral choice .
Overall there seemed to be a mindset of : “ We ’ ll worry about the economy later ” .
Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do the Conservatives react to the economic news ?
I rather think Sunak hit the right note when he announced his “ three Rs ” plan to The Sun .
It stands for “ relight economy , return to work and re-open schools ” .
After all , without a vaccine , and the recession here , what else is there to do ?
My personal hunch – partly inspired by the large number of pageviews ConserativeHome gets for articles about Sweden – is that this is what the silent majority has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government to be much bolder in speeding up the economic recovery .
Sunak ’ s “ Eat Out to Help Out ” scheme has been one welcome initiative .
It was used more than 10.5 million times in its first week ; .
It is a fantastic ( albeit expensive ) way of helping get things back to some type of normality .
But it ’ s the public information campaigns that need a rethink , hence why this new one is needed ( even if it might not be as catchy ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message was the right one to give in the dark days of the pandemic in this country .
With hospitalisations and deaths falling , and infections generally on a decline , almost the very opposite message , but one equally urgent , should be pressed home .
Some of the messaging needs to be especially targeted at younger generations , many of whom are still scared of this virus , despite themselves being at low risk .
This became obvious to me when I went to my gym on Monday night .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , it was almost empty , with about five – at most – exercising .
Before the virus struck , it would have been packed with fit twenty and thirtysomethings , especially on that night .
Based on that recent showing , the days of gyms are sadly numbered .
Regulations could be further eased .
Some of the measures extended to bars – al fresco dining , for instance – have been great for business .
But it has often been remarked that British nightlife is restricted , with closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent trip to Soho I noticed everything closing up while the streets were still full of young people wanting to continue the night .
It seemed a waste of economic opportunity .
Lastly , there ’ s the art sector .
Sadler ’ s Well is one of the greatest venues for dance in the world .
This week it sadly announced that around 26 per cent of its staff are facing redundancy .
As my mother , a huge fan of Sadler ’ s Wells , pointed out – what will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic has this effect on great theatres such as this one ?
Unfortunately the newspapers seem more intent on fearmongering about second waves rather than demanding to know why these venues in this country can not now reopen as long as sensible precautions are taken .
In saying all this , I do not believe the Government acted incorrectly in March in imposing lockdown .
It acted on the information available and the advice given to it .
Lockdown seemed the right choice back then .
But times and risks change .
Granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should now be even bolder in the steps it takes to get life back to normal , which is why it ’ s so refreshing to hear Sunak ’ s message .
However , the first test being the opening of schools .
If we can not resume things for children who are the least at any risk from this virus , what hope is there for the rest of us ?
Now that people have the economic reality staring them in the face , they know there are tough choices to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t mean deciding whether to prioritise bars or schools in the reopening of the country ; it means trying to get much more of society back out again , even if things can not be risk free .
After all , we can not stay home forever .

Yesterday, incredibly troubling figures revealed the extent to which Coronavirus has damaged the UK economy. It has gone into a recession, having suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June. In that quarter, the economy shrank by 20.4 per cent compared with the first three months of the year.
The news, though drastic, should not have come as a huge surprise. Throughout the Coronavirus crisis, there were stark warnings about the economic horrors being stored up – the job losses, the taxes to be paid and the impact on the young, many of whom had already borne the brunt of 2008’s financial crisis.
The trouble was that anyone who relayed concerns about the effects of the measures taken on the economy was liable to be accused of selfishness – “oh, you care about money not lives?”, was very much the verdict delivered on those who spoke out – with lockdown posed as the only moral choice. Overall there seemed to be a mindset of: “We’ll worry about the economy later”. Well, “later” is here.
How do the Conservatives react to the economic news? I rather think Sunak hit the right note when he announced his “three Rs” plan to The Sun. It stands for “relight economy, return to work and re-open schools”. After all, without a vaccine, and the recession here, what else is there to do?
My personal hunch – partly inspired by the large number of pageviews ConserativeHome gets for articles about Sweden – is that this is what the silent majority has been calling for. It wants the Government to be much bolder in speeding up the economic recovery.
Sunak’s “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme has been one welcome initiative. It was used more than 10.5 million times in its first week;. It is a fantastic (albeit expensive) way of helping get things back to some type of normality.
But it’s the public information campaigns that need a rethink, hence why this new one is needed (even if it might not be as catchy). The “stay at home” message was the right one to give in the dark days of the pandemic in this country. With hospitalisations and deaths falling, and infections generally on a decline, almost the very opposite message, but one equally urgent, should be pressed home.
Some of the messaging needs to be especially targeted at younger generations, many of whom are still scared of this virus, despite themselves being at low risk. This became obvious to me when I went to my gym on Monday night. Even allowing for the steps taken to ensure social distancing, it was almost empty, with about five – at most – exercising.
Before the virus struck, it would have been packed with fit twenty and thirtysomethings, especially on that night. Based on that recent showing, the days of gyms are sadly numbered.
Regulations could be further eased. Some of the measures extended to bars – al fresco dining, for instance – have been great for business. But it has often been remarked that British nightlife is restricted, with closing times being much too early. On a recent trip to Soho I noticed everything closing up while the streets were still full of young people wanting to continue the night. It seemed a waste of economic opportunity.
Lastly, there’s the art sector. Sadler’s Well is one of the greatest venues for dance in the world. This week it sadly announced that around 26 per cent of its staff are facing redundancy. As my mother, a huge fan of Sadler’s Wells, pointed out – what will there be to return to if the pandemic has this effect on great theatres such as this one? Unfortunately the newspapers seem more intent on fearmongering about second waves rather than demanding to know why these venues in this country cannot now reopen as long as sensible precautions are taken.
In saying all this, I do not believe the Government acted incorrectly in March in imposing lockdown. It acted on the information available and the advice given to it. Lockdown seemed the right choice back then. But times and risks change. Granted the Government has eased lockdown, but it should now be even bolder in the steps it takes to get life back to normal, which is why it’s so refreshing to hear Sunak’s message.
However, the first test being the opening of schools. If we cannot resume things for children who are the least at any risk from this virus, what hope is there for the rest of us?
Now that people have the economic reality staring them in the face, they know there are tough choices to be made. And that doesn’t mean deciding whether to prioritise bars or schools in the reopening of the country; it means trying to get much more of society back out again, even if things cannot be risk free. After all, we cannot stay home forever.


conservativehome--2020-08-13--Hugo Owen: Create beautiful hospitals

Hugo Owen: Create beautiful hospitals

Hugo Owen is a researcher at Create Streets .
Prior to that he worked for a volume house builder .
The Health and Social Care Secretary , Matt Hancock , has made it clear that the largest hospital building programme in a generation will be a key part of the post-COVID infrastructure investment .
The Government intends to invest £2.8 billion in the construction of six large new hospitals , to be delivered by 2025 .
What should they look like ?
This is not a dilettante question .
Increasingly robust data on environmental psychology , patient wellbeing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are calming and green , restful and beautiful inside and out , are better for patients ( they recover more quickly in beautiful and green surroundings ) , better for people who work in hospitals ( people work more effectively in places they find beautiful ) and even better for civic pride – which is good for all of us .
The importance of what hospitals look like inside and out is something we ’ ve instinctively known for millennia across all different cultures and climates .
From the early Islamic hospitals such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the healing temples ( Asclepeions ) in Ancient Greece , their moral mission and social significance was encapsulated in expressions of architectural beauty .
During the twentieth century , however , this principle was gradually abandoned .
Instead of proclaiming their high moral purpose to their surroundings , hospitals ’ measurable functionality and cost became an architectural feature in itself , transforming the hospital as a building type .
Not only did this profoundly affect the aesthetic nature of the buildings , it also negatively affected the quality of care – despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In striving for readily provable efficacy , we forgot that humans are not machines .
We threw out the baby with the bathwater .
As one of the pioneers of the study of hospital ’ s effect on their patients ’ health , Professor Roger Ulrich , put it : ‘ This desire for functional efficiency , together with the pathogenic conception of disease and health , has helped to produce healthcare facilities with environments starkly institutional , stressful , and detrimental to care quality.
’ Somehow , somewhere , we have lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to create public buildings of beauty and moral worth .
Rather than the two jostling for superiority , as it had done to create , for example , the ‘ cure porch ’ in America , modern hospital design , like modern architecture , denounced the ideal altogether .
Evidence from one architect for the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission last year highlighted the extent of the problem : “ I was working on a Private Finance Initiative project ten years ago , and we were told by the contractor to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheaper , because there was real sensitivity about anything in the NHS looking expensive.
” Not only are we the richest society to ever live , but we are the most advanced in our understanding about what environments we react best too .
Nevertheless , we choose to turn our back on beauty , scared by the very concept of the word .
The hospital building programme surfaces this debate once again .
Do we really want to follow on from where the PFI programme left off ?
You only need to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for your answer .
Create Streets ’ recent research note , Why we should build beautiful hospitals , argues for a complete rethink of how we design and create hospitals , remembering that patients are humans not ‘ machines for getting better ’ and drawing upon both the past and the latest research for answers to the future .
How can we create places that patients , staff , and communities can cherish and in which they can flourish ?
The evidence suggests some key themes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients and staff can see and use .
Hospitals with ready access to green space ( think beautiful internal courtyards ) alleviate stress , improve job satisfaction and improve recovery times .
For example , a carefully controlled study found that gallbladder surgery patients assigned to a room with a window view of a garden or natural setting had shorter postoperative hospital stays as compared to patients in similar rooms with windows facing a brick building wall .
Despite this , concepts such as Horatio ’ s Garden still remain one-offs rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to look as far as Singapore to see how it should be done .
The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore integrates greenery into design at a monumental level .
It has 15 onsite gardens with over 700 species of native plant .
Secondly we should create hospital with large windows , not just piped air .
One doctor working in Charing Cross Hospital ( built in 1973 ) told us : “ There were some days when I felt physically unwell just from being in the hot stuffy doctors ’ room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and horrible smells.
” The advances in artificial ventilation models means that windows are no longer irreplaceable .
Yet a range of studies now show that large windows and high ceilings are normally more successful at lowering infection rates and levels of harmful bacteria , than expensively and artificially ventilated rooms – one study found a differential of 28 per cent .
And that ’ s not to mention the wider benefits .
Research by the Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences at the University of Milan found that patients with bipolar disorder assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had hospital stays nearly four days shorter than those with west-facing rooms .
Hospital should have variety in a pattern .
Too many modern hospital layouts are bland and sterile .
Not only are all the rooms the same but the corridors that lead to them and the doorways that give entrance to them are normally undifferentiated .
The sensory and aesthetic experiences of patients are not held to be crucial to their treatment for or recovery from illness .
However , the evidence suggests that this is a mistake .
Studies suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients to focus increasingly on their own worries , fears or pain .
We should also create calmer and quieter environments .
In the UK , 40 per cent of hospital patients are bothered by noise at night , according to in-patient surveys .
This is far too high and provably bad for them .
I could go on .
If we design places with human scale , coherence , and complexity with variety in a pattern , and some symmetry , we are designing places that most people prefer and find more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us , and for neighbourhoods than huge anonymous boxes .
This should not be a top down approach however .
Throughout , public engagement , citizen involvement in scheme selection and data on local preferences should underpin the process to avoid some of the major errors of the last 50 years in public sector procurement .
2020 has retaught us of the importance of where we live and spend our time in sickness and in health .
It is right that the government is parsimonious with public money .
It is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is possible to be penny wise and pound foolish .
Many public sector procurement processes over-emphasise short term cost and under-emphasise lifetime costs .
Few if any none properly factor in the long-term financial benefits of creating beautiful restful environments in which patients and staff can thrive and in which a local community can take pride .
This should change .

Hugo Owen is a researcher at Create Streets. Prior to that he worked for a volume house builder.
The Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, has made it clear that the largest hospital building programme in a generation will be a key part of the post-COVID infrastructure investment. The Government intends to invest £2.8 billion in the construction of six large new hospitals, to be delivered by 2025. What should they look like?
This is not a dilettante question. Increasingly robust data on environmental psychology, patient wellbeing, and public health, demonstrates that hospitals which are calming and green, restful and beautiful inside and out, are better for patients (they recover more quickly in beautiful and green surroundings), better for people who work in hospitals (people work more effectively in places they find beautiful) and even better for civic pride – which is good for all of us.
The importance of what hospitals look like inside and out is something we’ve instinctively known for millennia across all different cultures and climates. From the early Islamic hospitals such as the Qawaloon complex in Cairo to the healing temples (Asclepeions) in Ancient Greece, their moral mission and social significance was encapsulated in expressions of architectural beauty.
During the twentieth century, however, this principle was gradually abandoned. Instead of proclaiming their high moral purpose to their surroundings, hospitals’ measurable functionality and cost became an architectural feature in itself, transforming the hospital as a building type.
Not only did this profoundly affect the aesthetic nature of the buildings, it also negatively affected the quality of care – despite the wider advances made in scientific healthcare. In striving for readily provable efficacy, we forgot that humans are not machines. We threw out the baby with the bathwater. As one of the pioneers of the study of hospital’s effect on their patients’ health, Professor Roger Ulrich, put it: ‘This desire for functional efficiency, together with the pathogenic conception of disease and health, has helped to produce healthcare facilities with environments starkly institutional, stressful, and detrimental to care quality.’
Somehow, somewhere, we have lost not just the ability but even the desire to create public buildings of beauty and moral worth. Rather than the two jostling for superiority, as it had done to create, for example, the ‘cure porch’ in America, modern hospital design, like modern architecture, denounced the ideal altogether. Evidence from one architect for the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission last year highlighted the extent of the problem: “I was working on a Private Finance Initiative project ten years ago, and we were told by the contractor to put in a more expensive material that looked cheaper, because there was real sensitivity about anything in the NHS looking expensive.”
Not only are we the richest society to ever live, but we are the most advanced in our understanding about what environments we react best too. Nevertheless, we choose to turn our back on beauty, scared by the very concept of the word.
The hospital building programme surfaces this debate once again. Do we really want to follow on from where the PFI programme left off? You only need to look as far as the Royal London Hospital or the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for your answer.
Create Streets’ recent research note, Why we should build beautiful hospitals, argues for a complete rethink of how we design and create hospitals, remembering that patients are humans not ‘machines for getting better’ and drawing upon both the past and the latest research for answers to the future. How can we create places that patients, staff, and communities can cherish and in which they can flourish? The evidence suggests some key themes.
Firstly, we should create gardens that patients and staff can see and use. Hospitals with ready access to green space (think beautiful internal courtyards) alleviate stress, improve job satisfaction and improve recovery times. For example, a carefully controlled study found that gallbladder surgery patients assigned to a room with a window view of a garden or natural setting had shorter postoperative hospital stays as compared to patients in similar rooms with windows facing a brick building wall. Despite this, concepts such as Horatio’s Garden still remain one-offs rather than mainstays in the UK. You only have to look as far as Singapore to see how it should be done. The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore integrates greenery into design at a monumental level. It has 15 onsite gardens with over 700 species of native plant.
Secondly we should create hospital with large windows, not just piped air. One doctor working in Charing Cross Hospital (built in 1973) told us:
“There were some days when I felt physically unwell just from being in the hot stuffy doctors’ room with no window, no air, and horrible smells.”
The advances in artificial ventilation models means that windows are no longer irreplaceable. Yet a range of studies now show that large windows and high ceilings are normally more successful at lowering infection rates and levels of harmful bacteria, than expensively and artificially ventilated rooms – one study found a differential of 28 per cent. And that’s not to mention the wider benefits. Research by the Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences at the University of Milan found that patients with bipolar disorder assigned to brighter, east-facing rooms with morning sunlight had hospital stays nearly four days shorter than those with west-facing rooms.
Hospital should have variety in a pattern. Too many modern hospital layouts are bland and sterile. Not only are all the rooms the same but the corridors that lead to them and the doorways that give entrance to them are normally undifferentiated. The sensory and aesthetic experiences of patients are not held to be crucial to their treatment for or recovery from illness. However, the evidence suggests that this is a mistake. Studies suggest that environments that lack positive distractions causes patients to focus increasingly on their own worries, fears or pain.
We should also create calmer and quieter environments. In the UK, 40 per cent of hospital patients are bothered by noise at night, according to in-patient surveys. This is far too high and provably bad for them.
I could go on. If we design places with human scale, coherence, and complexity with variety in a pattern, and some symmetry, we are designing places that most people prefer and find more settling. That is better for all of us, and for neighbourhoods than huge anonymous boxes. This should not be a top down approach however. Throughout, public engagement, citizen involvement in scheme selection and data on local preferences should underpin the process to avoid some of the major errors of the last 50 years in public sector procurement.
2020 has retaught us of the importance of where we live and spend our time in sickness and in health.
It is right that the government is parsimonious with public money. It is the tax-payers’, not theirs. Nevertheless, it is possible to be penny wise and pound foolish. Many public sector procurement processes over-emphasise short term cost and under-emphasise lifetime costs. Few if any none properly factor in the long-term financial benefits of creating beautiful restful environments in which patients and staff can thrive and in which a local community can take pride. This should change.


conservativehome--2020-08-13--Henry Hill: Nationalists forced into u-turn on exam results as party divisions deepen

The Scottish Government had a poll tax moment this week as school pupils led a furious backlash against its proposals for mediating this year ’ s school exam results , prompting a complete u-turn .
Now John Swinney , the Education Minister and one of Nicola Sturgeon ’ s key allies , is facing calls to resign – although with the Scottish Greens supporting the Government he ’ s safe from any no-confidence vote .
The row erupted over the decision of the Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA ) to adjust down the self-assessed results handed out by teachers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous performance of the school , it led to bright pupils from disadvantaged areas being marked down on the basis of their postcode .
This went down about as well as you ’ d expect – a sort of anti-matter version of the usual blondes-jumping-with-joy results-day story .
Pupils staged a protest and the opposition parties piled in .
The SNP finally caved , but only after spending a week trying to defend the decision and attacking teachers ’ self-assessed grades as ‘ not credible ’ .
Whilst the Scottish Government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows that the SNP aren ’ t immune to the corrosive effects of an extended period in office on political judgement .
The SQA ’ s decision was very probably good policy – the unmoderated results are implausibly high – but maintaining the integrity of the system creates concrete , photogenic losers and only abstract winners .
The question is whether or not Sturgeon ’ s complete capitulation can limit the fallout , or if this is going to dog the Nationalists ’ fortunes in the run-up to next year ’ s Holyrood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ election campaign are the still-deepening divisions within the movement , as the two wings of the separatist movement continue to come apart .
This week the party ’ s national secretary is in the firing line over sudden changes to their internal rules over candidate selections , according to the Daily Record .
Under the proposed new arrangements , SNP Members of Parliament can ’ t stand for Holyrood without resigning their Westminster seat and raising £10,000 towards the resulting by-election campaign .
This is widely seen as being an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high-profile Nationalist MP and ally of Alex Salmond , from moving to Holyrood next year .
She had been preparing to fight Angus Robertson , the former Moray MP and Sturgeon loyalist , to be SNP candidate for Edinburgh Central .
Another MP , Alyn Smith , has meanwhile been criticised for suggesting that the number of ‘ equalities ’ posts on the party ’ s executive be slimmed down in order to re-focus on independence , the Sun reports .
On top of all this , a documentary about Salmond ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next week !
The Prime Minister has put himself front and centre of the fight for the Union as he heads up to Scotland on holiday .
He has reportedly ordered ministers to make regular visits north as part of a campaign to make the UK Government more visible in Scotland .
According to the Daily Telegraph , this is much-needed .
Scottish ministers have apparently been getting the political credit for many of the economic and jobs-protecting interventions made by Rishi Sunak and the Treasury – the mirror of the usual trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the failings of devolved government .
Boris Johnson is still taking a very muscular approach , though , having apparently blocked a proposal from Michael Gove to give Sturgeon a seat in the Cabinet .
Suffice to say this is quite correct : the First Minister has no role in reserved policy , and including the devolved governments in it would be another step towards a confederal UK .
Alok Sharma , the Business Secretary , also refused to be grilled by MSPs over the Government ’ s proposals for protecting the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused the Scottish Government of deliberately sinking a deal on the same in order to stoke grievance .
• We can stand up to nationalism ’ s false promises – Douglas Ross MP , Daily Telegraph • The hypocrisy of ‘ devocrats ’ like Sturgeon imperils the UK economy – Matt Smith , CapX • That SNP reputation for competence is now in tatters – Euan McColm , The Scotsman • The foundations of Scotland ’ s democracy have crumbled and you should worry – Robin McAlpine , Source • The UK is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight back – William Hague , Daily Telegraph • The consequences of the new border down the Irish Sea – Owen Polley , CapX • Why this education disaster must be Swinney ’ s last – Richard Leonard MSP , The Scotsman

SNP u-turn on exam results after backlash…
The Scottish Government had a poll tax moment this week as school pupils led a furious backlash against its proposals for mediating this year’s school exam results, prompting a complete u-turn.
Now John Swinney, the Education Minister and one of Nicola Sturgeon’s key allies, is facing calls to resign – although with the Scottish Greens supporting the Government he’s safe from any no-confidence vote.
The row erupted over the decision of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to adjust down the self-assessed results handed out by teachers. As they did this in line with the previous performance of the school, it led to bright pupils from disadvantaged areas being marked down on the basis of their postcode.
This went down about as well as you’d expect – a sort of anti-matter version of the usual blondes-jumping-with-joy results-day story. Pupils staged a protest and the opposition parties piled in. The SNP finally caved, but only after spending a week trying to defend the decision and attacking teachers’ self-assessed grades as ‘not credible’.
Whilst the Scottish Government’s rankings remain stubbornly high, this shows that the SNP aren’t immune to the corrosive effects of an extended period in office on political judgement. The SQA’s decision was very probably good policy – the unmoderated results are implausibly high – but maintaining the integrity of the system creates concrete, photogenic losers and only abstract winners.
The question is whether or not Sturgeon’s complete capitulation can limit the fallout, or if this is going to dog the Nationalists’ fortunes in the run-up to next year’s Holyrood elections.
…as the Party’s internal divisions deepen
Another threat to the Nationalists’ election campaign are the still-deepening divisions within the movement, as the two wings of the separatist movement continue to come apart.
This week the party’s national secretary is in the firing line over sudden changes to their internal rules over candidate selections, according to the Daily Record.
Under the proposed new arrangements, SNP Members of Parliament can’t stand for Holyrood without resigning their Westminster seat and raising £10,000 towards the resulting by-election campaign.
This is widely seen as being an effort to thwart the bid by Joanna Cherry, a high-profile Nationalist MP and ally of Alex Salmond, from moving to Holyrood next year. She had been preparing to fight Angus Robertson, the former Moray MP and Sturgeon loyalist, to be SNP candidate for Edinburgh Central.
Another MP, Alyn Smith, has meanwhile been criticised for suggesting that the number of ‘equalities’ posts on the party’s executive be slimmed down in order to re-focus on independence, the Sun reports.
On top of all this, a documentary about Salmond’s trial is due to be broadcast next week!
Johnson launches ‘plea for the Union’
The Prime Minister has put himself front and centre of the fight for the Union as he heads up to Scotland on holiday. He has reportedly ordered ministers to make regular visits north as part of a campaign to make the UK Government more visible in Scotland.
According to the Daily Telegraph, this is much-needed. Scottish ministers have apparently been getting the political credit for many of the economic and jobs-protecting interventions made by Rishi Sunak and the Treasury – the mirror of the usual trend wherein ‘Westminster’ is blamed for the failings of devolved government.
Boris Johnson is still taking a very muscular approach, though, having apparently blocked a proposal from Michael Gove to give Sturgeon a seat in the Cabinet. Suffice to say this is quite correct: the First Minister has no role in reserved policy, and including the devolved governments in it would be another step towards a confederal UK.
Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, also refused to be grilled by MSPs over the Government’s proposals for protecting the British common market post-Brexit, and David Mundell accused the Scottish Government of deliberately sinking a deal on the same in order to stoke grievance.
Op-eds:


conservativehome--2020-08-14--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Civil Service Commissioners – and more


conservativehome--2020-08-14--Williamson’s fight against grade inflation will be long and painful

From the moment the Government decided that this year ’ s school exams would not take place , it had set itself a horribly complicated challenge fraught with political danger .
Even with the benefit of hindsight , it is difficult to see what the ‘ right ’ answer is .
Trying to hand out grades based on cancelled exams is like trying to issue medals for a cancelled Olympics .
No matter how clever the maths is , people are going to be unhappy .
Few people , if any , seem to have grasped in advance the scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Williamson and his team have caught a lucky break in that the SNP administration in Edinburgh ran spectacularly aground on this same reef right in front of them .
Cue some frantic tacking , with ministers unveiling a ( nother ) ‘ triple lock ’ , with pupils able to choose between their awarded grades , the results of their mock exams , or to sit the actual exams in the autumn .
On the face of it , this is an improvement on Nicola Sturgeon ’ s response , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week defending the Scottish Qualifications Authority ’ s decision to adjust grades based on a school ’ s past performance ( essentially dooming bright children from disadvantaged areas ) before capitulating completely and simply accepting the implausibly rosy estimates offered by teachers in full .
But it ’ s far from perfect .
There are allegations that the system used for estimating grades favours private schools , with their smaller cohorts .
Then there ’ s the mind-boggling fact that because individual schools are being graded on a curve , a successful appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a knock-on effect on every other pupil at that school .
The potential for political toxicity is enormous .
At its worst , this story could become a sort of antimatter version of the usual blondes-jumping-for-joy stories that usually accompany results day .
As the Scottish Nationalists have discovered , defending the overall integrity of the system creates lots of concrete losers whilst abstracting the gains – the ultimate losing formula .
And whereas the Scottish Government could at least bring a guillotine down on the issue by capitulating , the Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to have to wait a week to even find out what the appeals process is – it hasn ’ t been designed yet – and it will be overseen not by a single qualifications body but by several exam boards .
Then we potentially have to repeat the whole saga for GCSEs .
Given that these exams were cancelled months ago , it isn ’ t unfair to suggest ( although acknowledging that nobody really seems to have grasped how big a problem this would be ) that the Department for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by now .
When the dust finally settles , this will join the flailing effort to get schools open on the long , long list of failures of the state to be picked over post-pandemic .
But from where we are now , what can Williamson do ?
On the one hand , the current arrangements seem to hold so much potential political pain that some adjustments ( or u-turns , as you prefer ) seem likely .
Yet the Education Secretary has come out very hard against grade inflation , which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and simply swallow predicted grades wholesale .
Ofqual has claimed that without a standard benchmark different schools have been applying different standards , with a minority submitting ‘ vastly inflated ’ predictions .
According to the regulator : “ A rare few centres put in implausibly high judgments , including one which submitted all A* and A grades for students in two subjects , where previously there had been normal distribution.
” This is precisely what happened in Scotland , where SQA were responding to predicted grades which suggested a year-on-year improvement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When Sturgeon said this wasn ’ t ‘ credible ’ , she was correct .
There are more or less charitable interpretations for why predicted grades are so high .
Sam Freeman suggests it is because “ teachers ’ are assessing their view of capability and exams assess actual performance ” , so teachers are offering what they think is the upper bound of the grades their pupils will accept – a position which itself demands some form of moderation .
A more cynical view , which underpins the neglected cause of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what usually happens when the ‘ Blob ’ is left to mark its own homework , which is why much of the education establishment is so bitterly opposed to such exams in the first place .
For this reason , Ministers will likely be unmoved by those calling for the return of coursework and the AS Level , which might have provided a broader evidence base from which to respond to a once-in-several-generations pandemic but otherwise simply increase the year-on-year opportunities for educators to put their thumb on the scales .
Simultaneously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall integrity of the results system proved beyond the wit of the Scottish Government .
We ’ ll now find out if Westminster possesses the skill , or the will , to do any better .

From the moment the Government decided that this year’s school exams would not take place, it had set itself a horribly complicated challenge fraught with political danger.
Even with the benefit of hindsight, it is difficult to see what the ‘right’ answer is. Trying to hand out grades based on cancelled exams is like trying to issue medals for a cancelled Olympics. No matter how clever the maths is, people are going to be unhappy.
Few people, if any, seem to have grasped in advance the scale of the problem. If anything, Gavin Williamson and his team have caught a lucky break in that the SNP administration in Edinburgh ran spectacularly aground on this same reef right in front of them.
Cue some frantic tacking, with ministers unveiling a(nother) ‘triple lock’, with pupils able to choose between their awarded grades, the results of their mock exams, or to sit the actual exams in the autumn.
On the face of it, this is an improvement on Nicola Sturgeon’s response, which was to spend the best part of a week defending the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s decision to adjust grades based on a school’s past performance (essentially dooming bright children from disadvantaged areas) before capitulating completely and simply accepting the implausibly rosy estimates offered by teachers in full.
But it’s far from perfect. There are allegations that the system used for estimating grades favours private schools, with their smaller cohorts. Then there’s the mind-boggling fact that because individual schools are being graded on a curve, a successful appeal against poor grades by one pupil has a knock-on effect on every other pupil at that school.
(It really is almost impossible to overstate how insane that last part is.)
The potential for political toxicity is enormous. At its worst, this story could become a sort of antimatter version of the usual blondes-jumping-for-joy stories that usually accompany results day. As the Scottish Nationalists have discovered, defending the overall integrity of the system creates lots of concrete losers whilst abstracting the gains – the ultimate losing formula.
And whereas the Scottish Government could at least bring a guillotine down on the issue by capitulating, the Prime Minister may not have such luck. Pupils are going to have to wait a week to even find out what the appeals process is – it hasn’t been designed yet – and it will be overseen not by a single qualifications body but by several exam boards. Then we potentially have to repeat the whole saga for GCSEs.
Given that these exams were cancelled months ago, it isn’t unfair to suggest (although acknowledging that nobody really seems to have grasped how big a problem this would be) that the Department for Education should have worked out a plan by now. When the dust finally settles, this will join the flailing effort to get schools open on the long, long list of failures of the state to be picked over post-pandemic.
But from where we are now, what can Williamson do? On the one hand, the current arrangements seem to hold so much potential political pain that some adjustments (or u-turns, as you prefer) seem likely.
Yet the Education Secretary has come out very hard against grade inflation, which would make it extremely difficult to copy Sturgeon and simply swallow predicted grades wholesale. Ofqual has claimed that without a standard benchmark different schools have been applying different standards, with a minority submitting ‘vastly inflated’ predictions. According to the regulator: “A rare few centres put in implausibly high judgments, including one which submitted all A* and A grades for students in two subjects, where previously there had been normal distribution.”
This is precisely what happened in Scotland, where SQA were responding to predicted grades which suggested a year-on-year improvement in Scottish school performance of 20 per cent. When Sturgeon said this wasn’t ‘credible’, she was correct.
There are more or less charitable interpretations for why predicted grades are so high. Sam Freeman suggests it is because “teachers’ are assessing their view of capability and exams assess actual performance”, so teachers are offering what they think is the upper bound of the grades their pupils will accept – a position which itself demands some form of moderation.
A more cynical view, which underpins the neglected cause of Conservative education reform, is that this is what usually happens when the ‘Blob’ is left to mark its own homework, which is why much of the education establishment is so bitterly opposed to such exams in the first place. For this reason, Ministers will likely be unmoved by those calling for the return of coursework and the AS Level, which might have provided a broader evidence base from which to respond to a once-in-several-generations pandemic but otherwise simply increase the year-on-year opportunities for educators to put their thumb on the scales.
Simultaneously doing right by individual school-leavers whilst defending the overall integrity of the results system proved beyond the wit of the Scottish Government. We’ll now find out if Westminster possesses the skill, or the will, to do any better.