The last week has shown us that COVID-19 has not gone away – some considered thoughts for @ConHome on why the future of office life is already here (1/5) conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
We are going to be living with the virus for some time – we need to be able to get on with our lives while also keeping COVID-19 under control (2/5) conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
Most office workers can’t go back to the office full time until we have a vaccine or treatment and, even then, the workplace paradigm has shifted - an office-remote working hybrid is the new normal (3/5) conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
This will affect businesses in cities, particularly those which service commuters. One way of minimising the impact on jobs is by using our immigration policy more effectively when the EU transition period ends (4/5) conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
14% of the retail, hotels, restaurants workforce are international migrants, with about half a million EU nationals employed here. Let’s use our extra control over migration to protect the domestic labour market (5/5) conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
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The Commons will tomorrow be asked to vote on ‘draft Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021’
Sounds fairly innocuous, no?
These are actually the Regulations to bring in compulsory vaccination - not just for care staff…
…but based on preliminary intentions I am aware of in @DHSCgovuk, this will also mandate vaccination for those eg carrying out deliveries/servicing the boilers at such care homes…
Now, I’m sympathetic to ensuring frontline care workers protect their vulnerable patients, but…
…dramatically widening the scope of this to cover more than frontline care staff is troubling. I’m pro-vaccine, but where does this end?
Especially when these Regulations, raising hugely important questions, are trying to be snuck through the Commons with only 90 minutes debate
If you manage to avoid a ping by the NHS Covid app, or legally instructed by Test & Trace to self-isolate, enjoy a summer that’s as close to normal as can be.
However, it’s only a number of weeks until the autumn arrives and the inevitable, seasonal, rise in respiratory diseases
Unlike last winter, we have very effective vaccines, the vast majority of the adult population will be fully vaccinated & booster jabs will be there if needed – so no more Covid restrictions, right?
After all, we were told the removal of restrictions would be “irreversible”…
With the Labour benches empty, it’s up to MPs on my side of the House to hold Govt to account.
Here’s why I will be voting against the renewal of Covid restrictions, including information that leads us to conclude it’s unlikely 19 July will see restrictions end 👇
The explanatory memo accompanying these regulations - approved by @dhscgovuk - shows that the 1st dose vaccinations Govt wants to get done ASAP won’t take place until August, so people not protected until 2/3 weeks after that.
That implies a further delay way beyond 19 July 👇
PM has said that 19 July is a ‘terminus’ date…
…but, as the clip in my previous tweet & this image shows, the explanatory memo says the purpose of the delay past 21 June is to collect more data to see if the tests are met
It’s clear that a further delay is entirely possible
We have a rapid rollout of effective vaccines and are heading into summer. If, even at this point, the Govt won’t release restrictions, this points to restrictions in the autumn and winter, when respiratory diseases increase and the NHS is always under more pressure…1/8
…Indeed, that’s what one unnamed Minister fears might happen on the cover of today’s Sunday Telegraph.
This would be devastating for business confidence, people’s livelihoods and wellbeing..2/8
Delaying 21 June will send a clear message to employers and workers that, when Covid cases increase this (and every) autumn and winter, they cannot rely on Govt to keep our society open.
Catastrophic for many businesses currently on life support..3/8
🤔The limit on funeral attendees has been lifted over a month earlier than planned. Why stop there?
👉 Social distancing should be completely scrapped from 21 June so businesses can plan to fully reopen & ensure that we are truly on the “one way road to freedom” the PM promised
💉 The Covid Recovery Group position is clear and based on science & data: we can safely unlock domestic restrictions faster than the roadmap
📊 The data we see now proves we’re right
👉 The ONS said last week that even reopening schools didn’t lead to a spike in infections