OK, I know that countries have very different ways of reporting deaths from Covid-19. But this table, from Worldometer (excluding a couple of micro-states), gives us some idea how the UK is doing in terms of Covid-19 deaths per million of population. Badly. We are second in the world for the rate of deaths, after […]
Op-eds
Who gains from Rishi Sunak’s Summer Economic Statement?
It is easy to criticise Rishi Sunak’s Summer Economic Statement for not doing enough. The Chancellor had a difficult task to assess what size of economic stimulus would be effective. His main aim was apparently to create jobs for those who had lost them or will be losing them soon. But the Statement.is very disappointing […]
Boris on Care: wrong words, right target
The corporate voice of the care sector is up in arms about the PM’s comments on care. Of course, his remarks about care homes, not following procedures were sly and clumsy, but he is right that the care sector should shoulder some of the blame for the virtual decimation of their aged residents. Clap for […]
I went to the pub…light the blue touchpaper and stand well back
Embed from Getty Images I figured that last weekend would be a bit crowded in pubs, so I reserved time in my (not-so)busy diary to visit the pub yesterday. Monday is the new Saturday. All went well. The pub I visited seem to have lots of measures in place, and well-trained staff. I enjoyed an […]
The herd and the unheard!
Embed from Getty Images There is a current running through this government. It is one of confusion. But, despite my best efforts to not impune motives, I am coming to the view that the current running through this government is one of callousness. Not always intentional, but incredible, too. Sometimes the callousness is because of […]
Looking back: How investing in our communities laid the foundations for tackling Covid-19 in York
Embed from Getty Images Just over a year ago I was appointed to the role of Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities in the new Lib Dem/Green partnership running City of York Council following the May elections of 2019. I’m hugely proud of the way our team in York rose to the challenge presented […]
Building back better
After Covid-19, we all must rise to the UN challenge to ‘build back better’. The impacts of the pandemic and the lockdown have accelerated changes that had been predicted would take decades to happen. We all have a new appreciation for housing, outdoor spaces, community services and the welfare state. The uncongested streets, cleaner air […]
Covid-19 and Brexit: a lethal combination
Deaths from coronavirus dominate the news, but behind the headlines other sources of mortality are taking their toll. This has been the case from shortly after the start of the lockdown, but is becoming more evident. If we look for instance at the figures for week ending 3rd April, there were 3475 deaths from covid-19 […]
Post shielding face masks for extremely disabled passengers
I have been shielding for months due to a medical condition listed as extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 but keeping in touch with work. Over the last few months, I’ve been updated with changing company policy and watching the Government updates closely. Workplace pay was revised in line with the Government’s change of advice for those […]
Ed Davey’s media blitz calling for Cummings to go
I have a friend who is not well. She had to spend lockdown away from her husband, who was working, being cared for by her parents. She didn’t see her husband until restrictions were lifted, even though he was round the corner. Another friend lost her husband. She’s had people at the end of a […]