Month: June 2020

New research reveals most valuable football memorabilia

Football fans could be sitting on a secret treasure trove after a new study named the most valuable collectables of all time.

With English football restarting this Wednesday, new research has identified exactly which football-related keepsakes have the most value in 2020. From classic replica shirts to sticker albums and other football memorabilia, fans could be sitting on a goldmine without knowing it.

New research from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk has identified exactly which football-related keepsakes have the most value in 2020.

Authentic and vintage shirts can sell for hundreds of pounds online, with footie fans eager to spend a small fortune to collect the memorabilia.

A David Beckham Manchester United home strip from their treble-winning 1999 season is worth £199.99.

Sporting memorabilia has always been a popular pastime for Brits to collect and invest in, with retro football shirts being particularly popular. The 1979-80 season Liverpool Home shirt fetches £499 online, and the Arsenal 1991-92 Away shirt worth £425.

The prices of other rare items, including medals, sticker albums and programmes, have also shot up and they can sell for hundreds. The complete Panini France 98 World Cup sticker album is now worth well above its cost price at £200.

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Football is one of the UK’s favourite sports and with the Premier League season restarting, the whole country will be tuning back in.

“The upcoming matches are to be played behind closed doors, so there’ll be no new programmes to collect, but Brits may have some of the most sought-after programmes from the last few decades hiding in storage.

“FA Cup Final programmes are always high value, as well as programmes that were printed for a player’s, or manager’s, first or last match.

“It’s especially interesting to see which items the public may have hidden at home already. The team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk even have a replica World Cup Brazuca football from the 2014 World Cup in their shed, and we’ve found it to be worth £190.

“It’s no surprise that TV shows like Antiques Road Show and Storage Hunters are popular, because Brits dream of finding something of value in the cellar or attic.”

To see the full study of the most valuable football memorabilia which can make Brits a profit, please visit here.

Appointees should be able to collect benefits on behalf of claimants – but safeguards must be in place, say Holyrood Committee

Holyrood’s Social Security Committee has backed a Bill which would allow adult benefit claimants who consent to nominate an appointee to claim benefits on their behalf. However MSPs have warned that suitable safeguards must be put in place to limit fraud and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

The Committee has recommended the Bill be amended to include safeguarding principles that underpin the detail of how the appointee system will work and protect it from abuse. They have urged the Scottish Government to bring forward detailed guidance which should also be statutory.

The Committee published its Stage 1 report in response to the Social Security Administration and Tribunal Membership (Scotland) Bill which makes changes to the Social Security Act of 2018.

They have also backed a change which would allow health professionals, other than doctors, to verify that a claimant is terminally ill meaning their disability benefit claim would be fast-tracked.

Bob Doris MSP, Convener of the Social Security Committee, said: “The Committee welcomes this legislation and strongly supports the general principles of this Bill including allowing anyone in receipt of benefits to appoint someone to collect benefits on their behalf. 

“However, submissions to the Committee from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the Law Society of Scotland outlined that without suitable safeguards in the legislation, the appointee system would not be compliant with human rights legislation and could be open to abuse.

“The Scottish Government’s principal safeguard is that consent must be given. However, the legislation should go further and build in additional safeguards such as the ability to challenge appointee decisions, undertake periodic reviews and resolve disputes.

“We are also keen to see amendments brought forward at Stage 2 which would ensure there is a duty to inform people of their eligibility for all top up benefits including the Scottish Child Payment.”

Scottish Hockey: League season 2019/20 is now completed

Following the suspension of hockey due to the unprecedented situations presented by the Covid-19 virus, Scottish Hockey can confirm that the 2019/20 league season is now completed for Scottish Hockey’s Premiership, National, Championship and Regional leagues.

Scottish Hockey’s Management Committee considered all options to complete the 2019/20 season in full on the pitch, as well as partial completion of the season, in detail, and reached the unanimous decision, endorsed by the Scottish Hockey Board, that it is sadly now not possible to complete all the remaining fixtures on the pitch.

The 2019/20 cup and plate competitions are also now completed.

There will be no winners awarded for season 2019/20, and no automatic promotion or relegation, however with the majority of leagues completing over 60% of matches there is clearly a wish for the endeavour of clubs to be recognised. Therefore, teams have been given a placing based on their performance up until hockey was suspended.

The final league rankings (attached) for the 2019/20 season have been determined using average points per match, based on the matches completed prior to competitions being suspended.

Scotland’s European representatives, based on these rankings, will be Grange (EHL); Western Wildcats (Men’s EuroHockey Trophy); Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University (both Women’s EuroHockey Challenge 1).

Three guiding principles were established as part of our decision making process: health and safety; fairness; and practicality.

From the outset of the process we aimed to ensure that no team is negatively impacted by the current circumstances, and as such, there will be no teams automatically relegated or promoted this season.

League Season 2020/21

We are currently considering the most suitable approach for season 2020/21. The Board of Scottish Hockey recognises that the Management Committee was not established to operate in these unprecedented times and so it has been determined that the powers of the Management Committee be suspended at present and that a task force be created, that includes members of the Board and the Management Committee, to consider our approach for season 2020/21.

It is intended that the task force will consult with member clubs with a view to building a route map, aligned to Scottish Government guidance, for the season ahead.

The timeline for this task force is as follows:

19 June: task force appointed

10 July: consultation with clubs

24 July: decision

We will release our working scenarios document outlining the process of how the decisions regarding season 2019/20 were made along with the task force appointments. 

Season completion – FAQ 

What does completion mean?

The current suspension of hockey will continue and no further games will be played in the 2019/20 season.

Why can’t the remaining games be played ahead of the next season?

As part of the decision-making process, all options to complete the 2019/20 season in full, as well as partial completion of the season, were considered.

Due to the level of uncertainty around facilities; social distancing; teams’ access to players; universities; and government restrictions, it is not possible to confirm with certainty when hockey will resume. This break in continuity also means that any restart would not be a fair reflection of the teams who began the 2019-20 campaign.

Next season will start afresh when it is safe and possible to do so.

What is Scottish Hockey’s decision regarding league winners, promotion and relegation?

There is no automatic promotion or relegation in season 2019/20. There will be no winners awarded for season 2019/20. However, with the majority of leagues completing over 60% of matches there is clearly a wish for the endeavour of clubs to be recognised. Therefore, teams have been given a placing based on their performance up until hockey was suspended. Placings were calculated by using average points per game to determine the final positions within the league, see further details below.

It was determined that to relegate any team without fulfilling all fixtures would be unfair. Therefore, in season 2019/20 there will be no relegations.

How were placings worked out?

All games played before the suspension (00:01 on 14 March 2020) were included in calculating league standings. Placings were calculated by using average points per game to determine the final positions within the league.

The points per game average for each team was calculated by dividing the number of games played by the total points gained. In the event that two teams were equal after establishing their points per game average, goal difference was used to rank the teams.

Why was points per game average used?

Due to the uneven number of games played within leagues it was determined that the fairest calculation was the points per game average as this aligned with our principle of fairness, and ensures that no team was disadvantaged/advantaged as a result of less/more games played.

Why are the standings in Men’s National League 2 and Men’s National league 3 different than what is shown on the Scottish Hockey website?

Prior to the announcement that all hockey would be suspended there were two forfeited games due to be played on the 14th March. It was decided to exclude these games from the average points per game calculation as they were due to be played after the suspension, which begun on 14th March.

Who will represent Scotland in European competitions next season?

Scotland’s European representatives for next season have been determined by the 2019/20 points per game placings. This was unanimously approved in a vote by the Management Committee who felt teams competing in the 2019/20 season are a more accurate reflection of competitive standards than that of team positions from the previous season.

From the men’s Premiership, Grange and Western Wildcats will compete in Europe. In the women’s Premiership, Clydesdale Western and Edinburgh University will play in Europe.

Are the cup and plate competitions still going to be played?

No further cup or plate games will take place in season 2019/20 and no winners will be awarded. 

Will clubs be offered a refund or credit for the 2019/20 season?

Yes, all teams involved in our leagues will be offered 40% credit for their entry fee of next season’s competitions, or have the opportunity to allocate that money to support Scottish Hockey youth teams in 2021. 

What does this mean for youth competitions?

Recently Scottish Hockey announced that all domestic youth competitions planned for the period up until the end of August have been cancelled.

This includes the U12, U14 and U16 festivals in May and June. The U16 National Club Cup and the U14 Inter Districts. 

Are cards and suspensions carried over to next season?

Yes, any individual who received a match ban that was not served in season 2019/20 will have their ban carried over to the first games of next season.

Any yellow cards that were given in 2019/20 season will stand and as per the discipline code, any individual who accumulates four yellow cards in the same competition within any 12 month period will receive a suspension. 

When will next season start?

We will be guided by the Scottish Government and public health authorities in making any decision to resume hockey. We will consult with clubs to establish their readiness to restart formal competitions and any specific barriers they may face. 

What is the format of next year’s competitions?

Scottish Hockey will be consulting with our clubs on the structures for organised competitions next year. The consultation documents will be sent to our clubs by 10 July. 

How many teams will get relegated from each league in season 2020/21?

We need to wait for league structures to be finalised before we confirm this. We plan to work to the principal that every team that wins their league will have a chance to be promoted either automatically or through a playoff, and at least every side that finishes bottom of a league will either be relegated or face a relegation playoff. If there is a significant change to the structures in 2020-2021 there may be a requirement for further relegation. This will be communicated in advance of any league starting.

Who will be on the task force?

The Scottish Hockey Board will appoint the task force and its members will be circulated with the initial consultation.

What happens if our team wants to play in a lower league?

When the structures are confirmed for the upcoming seasons, clubs will submit their entry forms. If a team wishes to play in a lower league, then they should speak to the Competitions and Events Manager who can advise.

I want more information

If you have any further questions, or any feedback, please contact competitions@scottish-hockey.org.uk

Care home testing must increase, say Scottish Tories

SNP Ministers must step up their efforts and get on top of testing care home staff and residents in NHS Lothian.

2,665 care home staff and 2,460 care home residents have been tested cumulatively since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, up to the 7th June.

This is despite SNP Health Secretary Jeane Freeman promising last month that every care home worker would be routinely tested.

The Scottish Conservatives challenged SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on the matter at First Minister’s Questions where Nicola Sturgeon revealed only a fifth of care home staff had been routinely tested across the country.

Table 5 – Number of Tests – Care Home Staff and Residents
             
Number of Tests
Week Commencing 1 June Cumulative total to 7 June
NHS Board Staff Residents Staff Residents
Ayrshire and Arran                67                  30                689              579
Borders                22                  13                343              193
Dumfries & Galloway                  4                    7                  75              159
Fife             178                  30                763              372
Forth Valley             876               565            2,176           1,858
Grampian             115               167            1,709           1,668
Greater Glasgow & Clyde                17               678                920           5,709
Highland                47                  40                258              265
Lanarkshire                43               119                586              956
Lothian             566               327            2,665           2,460
Orkney                  6                    5                  20                 15
Shetland                  8                    9                  74                 52
Tayside             264               139                876              741
Western Isles                30                    4                  41                 22
Scotland          2,243            2,133          11,195        15,049

Scottish Government statistics reveal that across Scotland’s 14 health boards, only 18,110 care home staff have been tested out of an estimated 50,000 across the country – NHS Border said it didn’t have the capacity to run care home tests.

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has repeatedly raised concerns over the level of testing in care homes since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month it was revealed that over 900 hospital patients were discharged to care homes with being tested for Covid-19.

The Scottish Conservatives are calling for all for SNP Ministers to set a deadline for when all care home staff will be routinely tested.

Miles Briggs, who is the Conservative health spokesperson, said: “There has simply not been enough testing carried out in care homes since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had disastrous consequences.

“SNP Ministers have been repeatedly told that testing is crucial for reducing the spread of Covid-19, but have slow to implement testing in care homes.

“In Edinburgh and the Lothians there have only been 2,665 tests carried out on care home staff, no where near as many as are necessary.

“Nicola Sturgeon and SNP Ministers must set a firm deadline as to when all care home staff will be tested.”

 

Stagecoach launches new smartphone “busy bus” indicator to help customers plan journeys

  • App will use data and artificial intelligence to help customers socially distance
  • Traffic light indicator will give easy guide to quieter services on bus networks
  • Part of a range of extra safety measures to help customers travel with confidence

Stagecoach, Britain’s biggest bus and coach operator, is launching a new smartphone “busy bus” indicator to help customers plan their journeys as services increase across the country.

The new feature on the Stagecoach bus app will use extensive data and artificial intelligence to provide a traffic light indicator to help customers choose quieter services and maintain social distancing.

The app is now being rolled out to iOS and android users and is planned to be fully in place by 18 June via the app store and Google Play platforms. The “busy bus” tracker will provide a regularly updated guide to how busy individual bus services are in networks across the UK.

It is part of a comprehensive package of safety measures in place to help people travel in confidence as the economy and daily life reopens at different speeds across England, Scotland and Wales.

Each service in the live map on the app will be colour coded, with quieter buses showing in a green bus icon indicating ‘not too busy’, through to amber ‘quite busy’ and dark amber ‘very busy’.

Customers can also see where their bus is on the map and when it will be arriving, providing all the information they need at their fingertips.

Stagecoach’s app already has the UK’s most advanced real time bus tracker and this latest development will help people to confidently and easily plan when they want to travel.

The new feature is the latest addition in an extensive range of measures by Stagecoach to help customers feel confident in using buses as they continue to provide a vital link to work, retail and leisure facilities.

Stagecoach is continuing to increase capacity on bus services to support social distancing. Strict cleaning regimes continue for all buses, which includes at least a daily clean of all buses with an anti-viral sanitiser. Contactless payment is also available on all buses.

The latest UK government advice states that everybody travelling on public transport from 15 June must wear a face covering. Stagecoach’s guide on how to travel safely and comfortably can be found at stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus.

Carla Stockton-Jones, Interim Managing Director UK for Stagecoach, said: “We are pleased to be welcoming more people back onto our buses as things start to open up around the country.

“We have already put a range of extra measures in place to make sure our customers feel confident in using our services, including strict cleaning regimes and social distancing measures, which we know are the biggest priorities for travellers. The launch of our new busy bus indicator is an extra step to give people an easy, at a glance guide on the best times to travel and to plan their journeys to avoid busier times.

“Buses continue to play a vital role in connecting people with work and leisure facilities. At a time when people across the country are starting to be reunited with friends and family, this investment in new technology will help to ensure that people can be completely prepared and confident in using our services.”

The Stagecoach app is available on both the UK Bus iOS and Android platforms.

For more information about Stagecoach, visit stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus.

Action needed to help renters

UK government urged to strengthen social security system.

Scotland’s Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has written to the UK Government calling for urgent action to support housing tenants affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mr Stewart identifies five key areas in which the benefits system and support for people who rent their home should be urgently strengthened.

The Housing Minister urges the UK government to:

• lift Local Housing Allowance rates further to make more homes affordable to renters
• suspend the removal of the spare room subsidy
• suspend the benefit cap
• suspend the shared accommodation rate for under-35s
• extend the backdating of benefits for those who might not have realised they were eligible and relax the criteria under which backdating is allowable

The Scottish Government took action in the first emergency COVID-19 legislation to protect tenants from eviction for at least six months. Recently it made an additional £5 million available in discretionary housing payments to support those renting, increasing this fund to £16 million – this is further to that made available to fully mitigate the bedroom tax.

FULL TEXT OF LETTER

The Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9AJ

Dear Ms Coffey

I am writing to urge further consideration of the need to strengthen the social security system for renters affected by COVID-19.

In this unprecedented crisis, the Scottish Government and local authorities swiftly took a range of steps to protect renters from eviction through extended notice periods and extension of mandatory grounds. We have also moved to provide additional financial support within our devolved powers and budgets.

In order to support tenants during the crisis, we have increased the amount available for other discretionary housing payments (DHPs) by £5 million to almost £16 million. This takes our overall investment in DHPs in 2020/21 to more than £76 million. We took these steps to support those for whom the UK welfare state is not providing the safety net it should.

We are also supporting private landlords by offering loans and encouraging them to take mortgage breaks where available, although we know this is limited for some. We continue to engage with landlords across the rented sector to ensure that they are coming to agreements with tenants on rent arrears and signposting tenants to the range of financial support available.

The Scottish Government remains committed to working collaboratively with the UK Government to ensure that the social and economic effects of COVID-19 are mitigated effectively and efficiently so that people do not face hardship or homelessness. We have set out the steps we would like you to take in various pieces of correspondence during the pandemic.

The benefits system is an essential lifeline for many people facing or experiencing homelessness throughout the UK. Housing elements of social security remain a crucial part of the support required by tenants facing financial difficulty or homelessness as a result of the pandemic and remain reserved to you.

The changes you have made to local housing allowance (LHA) rates are welcome, but fall short of what is needed to provide comprehensive support to people living in rented accommodation.

In addition to our previous calls to lift the benefit cap; to scrap or relax the restrictions around the removal of the spare room subsidy; to provide more information to local authorities to help signpost available support to tenants; and to support quicker payments for discretionary housing payments, I urge you to consider further action to support people who rent their homes.

This is an area where urgent intervention is required in light of emerging evidence of the inequity of support available between those who rent and those who hold a mortgage.

Recent research by the Resolution Foundation demonstrates this in stark terms, finding that mortgage holders entered the crisis with lower average housing costs relative to income and a bigger financial buffer than renters, a disparity reflected in the fact that renters were far more likely to be facing difficulty in meeting their housing costs than those with a mortgage.

This same research also found that the level of mortgage holders seeking and successfully securing a mortgage holiday is far higher (12%) than the number of private renters seeking and successfully securing rent reductions from their landlords (5%).

We know that many people will find themselves in financial difficulty for the first time from job loss or substantial income reductions. Given the scale at which this is occurring for households across the country, it is vital that the safety net of social security is accessible and sufficient to support people through this national crisis and a new approach to the housing element of social security is now needed.

• We know that low-income families will have no savings to cushion them from the financial impact of the pandemic. We urge you to suspend the removal of the spare room subsidy, particularly as a spare room becomes essential when larger families need space to isolate.

• To support those with high rents who are currently unable to source lower cost accommodation, we would ask you to suspend the benefit cap. This will help to reduce the risk of immediate and short term hardship for families who are unable to meet housing costs, and will help to ensure that the support you have made available through investment in LHA rates and the increase in the standard allowance rate of universal credit is not undermined.

• We have seen the benefit of restored LHA rates in Edinburgh, with several hundred properties now affordable to renters, but the majority of renters will still struggle to source affordable accommodation and people must be able to maintain tenancies beyond the immediate crisis. We urge you to lift LHA rates further, bearing in mind that the 30th percentile still represents a cut when compared to the 50th percentile that applied before UK Government welfare changes.

• The high number of individuals under the age of 35 who have moved in with their parents during this crisis highlights the need for better housing support for young people. Like many stakeholders in the Scottish housing sector, we believe there is a strong case for suspending the shared accommodation rate for under 35s, especially as many who have lost jobs during the crisis are likely to be younger people.

• Finally, we ask you to extend the backdating of benefits for those who might not have realised they were eligible and relax the criteria under which backdating is allowable.

The Resolution Foundation figures are concerning and the risk to households who rent their homes is immediate and pressing. We must work collectively to act now to support a group of people facing mounting rent arrears and financial difficulty they would not have if they were mortgage holders. You will be aware of similar calls from leading homelessness organisations who are hearing concerns from their clients.

I am happy to discuss any of the points raised in this letter and wish to further reaffirm the offers from Scottish ministers to work with you on any other actions you are considering in response to COVID-19. I hope that by working together our governments can provide the most effective form of support during this crisis and afterwards.

Kind regards

KEVIN STEWART
MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, HOUSING AND PLANNING

Police advice for business owners

Image may contain: one or more people and text

Advice for Business Owners

#COVID19 has had an unprecedented effect on public health and the way we now socially interact. This has had a significant impact on the commercial sector.We would like to share some general crime prevention advice that may help and assist you during what is an uncertain time for all businesses.

The impact on business will vary and will naturally be defined by your business location, size, customer base, products and services offered, criminality in the area, and your existing levels of security.

If your staff fall victim to an assault or witness violence in your premises:

  • Try to remain calm and think of your safety and that of others.
  • If the perpetrator has left the premises, record accurate descriptions, including any vehicles used, and report this to the police as soon as possible.
  • Trust your instincts and maximise distance between yourself, customers, colleagues and any aggressive parties.
  • Use panic alarms if it is appropriate to do so. If there is a panic alarm installed use it, but only when safe to do so.
  • Consider the use of body worn video technology to capture evidence and positive impact the behaviour of those involved in violence on your premises.
  • Closed Premises/Venues that have been temporarily shut:
  • Test your intruder alarm, ensure it is working and fully operational.
  • Identify any vulnerable areas and rectify this if required.
  • Ensure security gates, bollards and fire exit doors have been secured prior to closure of the premises.
  • Ensure service doors are closed and locked when not in use.
  • Make sure you have list of key holders who can be contacted in times of emergency and ensure your contact details for staff are up to date.
  • Consider moving high value items into secured stockrooms and/or out of view.
  • Ensure keys to the premises or other venues are not left inside and are instead with dedicated key holders.
  • Consider timer switches or ensure sufficient lighting is left on at the premises/surrounding area.
  • Ensure there are no combustible materials left in the proximity of the building such as packaging – consider the risk of fire.
  • Review your CCTV to confirm it is operational, provides good quality images, and is positioned to cover as much of the building’s public and private areas as possible.
  • Ensure that no cash or valuables are retained on the premises overnight and leave a note indicating this on the door or window of your premises. If having to retain cash on site then do so using a security accredited safe bolted or ‘ground anchored’ to the floor.
Physical Protective Measures:
  • Use security rated products where possible. You can find information on a variety of police approved crime prevention products at www.securedbydesign.com
  • External shutters and grilles are recommended but some buildings may be subject to local authority planning approval before installation.
  • Ensure all doors leading from public to staff, service, and loading areas are kept secure and monitored.
  • Consider installation of laminated glass or apply security film to existing glass to make your windows more resistant to physical attack.
  • An insurance rated safe should be bolted to the floor. Anti-tamper sensors can be fitted to set off an alarm if attacked.
  • Anti-ram security tested (retractable) bollards can be mounted externally to protect frontages but may require local authority planning approval.
  • Consider use of anti-theft alarms on most desirable household items.
  • Fogging devices that activate as a result of an intruder activation may also be beneficial – you can’t steal what you can’t see.
Large gatherings/Queuing:
  • Premises should be adequately staffed with prominent management present who can make decisions or be identifiable to emergency services.
  • Consider an allocation system or queuing to provide items that are provided on a limited basis – or possible keeping these off shop floor for collection.
  • “Meet and Greets” on main entrances provide reassurance, customer care and can be a subliminal message to any prospective thieves.
  • Where possible SIA licensed security officers should have a visible presence on the premises in strategic areas.
  • All prominent / desirable household item areas should have a member of staff regulating them and depending on your risk assessment, consideration given to deploying security (or trained staff) into these areas.
  • Reassurance to customers, some of whom may be anxious, is key to reduce anti-social behaviour. Ensure that all staff are fully briefed each day, on emergency procedures and working practices.
  • All staff should remain vigilant and report any violence or suspicious activity to the police.
  • Consider minimising the number of entry points to your building in concert with fire exits.
  • Ensure building perimeters are clear of any debris, dustbins, ladders or loose tools and equipment that could be used to assist or force entry.
  • Check that your emergency equipment/grab bags, first aid supplies and radio communication systems are well equipped, maintained, and fully operational.
  • Check and test your building security and emergency systems regularly.
For further advice contact your local police station, local Crime Prevention Officer at EdinburghPreventandIntervent@Scotland.pnn.police.uk, or visit our website at www.scotland.police.uk

‘A National Disgrace’: British Airways lambasted in Westminster report

British Airways’ treatment of staff ‘a national disgrace’, say MPs

UK-based airlines and other aviation employers should not proceed hastily with large scale redundancies and restructuring to employees’ terms and conditions until the Job Retention Scheme ends in October 2020 and they have had the opportunity to consider the Government’s plans to help the sector restart and recover, say MPs.

In a report exploring the gravity of the crisis facing the UK’s aviation sector, the Transport Committee says fundamental decisions about people’s livelihoods should not be made prematurely.

Several aviation companies have announced redundancies, despite accessing the Government’s Job Retention Scheme designed to help businesses severely affected by the pandemic to retain employees and protect the economy.

The actions of British Airways and parent company, International Airlines Group, draw particular criticism. The committee’s view is that BA’s current consultation on staffing changes is a calculated attempt to take advantage of the pandemic to cut 12,000 jobs and to downgrade the terms and conditions of approximately 35,000 employees. The consultation is due to end on June 15th.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman MP, said: “The impact of coronavirus may sadly mean that the loss of some jobs in the aviation sector is justified. The behaviour of British Airways and its parent company, IAG, is not.

“It falls well below the standards expected from any employer, especially in light of the scale of taxpayer subsidy, at this time of national crisis. It is unacceptable that a company would seek to drive this level of change under the cover of a pandemic.

“We looked closely at BA’s plans to consult on at least 12000 redundancies and change the terms and conditions of the bulk of its employees. Many submitted written evidence to our inquiry and we thank them.

“As a committee, we have sought to examine this further and drive change using the means open to us through the House, asking Urgent Questions, seeking debates, introducing legislation and putting questions directly to the Prime Minister.

“We will continue to bring pressure where we can, including the airport slot allocation process. This wanton destruction of a loyal work force cannot appear to go without sanction – by Government, parliamentarians or paying passengers who may choose differently in future. We view it is as a national disgrace.”

The introduction of a 14 day blanket quarantine for travellers to the UK from other countries will damage the recovery of the sector and the wider economy, says the report.

Should the conditions allow in late June, the Committee calls for the quarantine policy to be abandoned when it is next reviewed and urges Government to introduce a more flexible and risk-based approach to border control, using alternatives such as targeted quarantines, ‘air bridges’ and temperature screening. In defending its decision, the Government should clearly set out the evidence it used to reach its decision.

Thousands of passengers who booked holidays and flights are still waiting on refunds from airlines and travel operators in accordance with their legal obligations, causing them additional stress and hardship.

The Government should consider whether protections for passengers can be built into the planned Airline Insolvency Bill.

MPs also recommend that the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority, responsible for enforcing current rules, conduct a speedy review of its powers to ensure it can enforce the rights of passengers in an effective and timely way.

Acknowledging the extraordinary pressures on providers, the Committee asks the Department for Transport to clarify why an extension to the legal deadlines for issuing refunds was not implemented in the UK.

Four months into the crisis, today’s report says the Government’s strategy should be more developed.

The Government’s Aviation Restart, Recovery and Engagement Unit is a welcome first step but the Government should bring forward a strategy for the aviation sector as soon as possible. To stimulate demand and protect businesses, the Committee recommended a temporary six month suspension of Air Passenger Duty payments and 12 month business rates relief for airlines and airports across the UK, as is currently the case in Scotland.

Chair of the Committee, Huw Merriman MP, added: “Few industries have been affected more by the coronavirus pandemic than aviation. Thousands of planes, and thousands of passengers, have been grounded, resulting in a 97% reduction in passenger flights compared to the previous year.

“This vital sector of the UK economy could lose more than £20 billion in revenue. Government must press on with a collaborative strategy for recovery.

“It is imperative that the UK Government finds a way to get aviation back on its feet. We don’t believe this fits with a blanket 14 day quarantine period for travellers to the UK.

“In today’s report, we recommend a more agile response. We also outline our support for a temporary suspension of Air Passenger Duty payments and support with business rates.

“Passenger confidence in airlines and travel operators, dented by unnecessarily difficult refund processes, must be rebuilt. We recommend the Government considers whether new protections for passengers should be introduced ahead of future pandemics or other extraordinary circumstances.”

The Committee’s inquiry is part of a wider look at the impact of coronavirus on UK transport. This first look at aviation did not examine the longer-term implications for air travel and MPs intend to return to this once the immediate crisis has subsided.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: “The travel industry’s handling of cancellations and refunds has left consumers out of pocket and trust in the sector at a record low – so the committee is right to call for the government to introduce measures to improve protections for travellers.

“Which? has been calling for airlines and holiday firms to comply with the law on customer refunds and for clarity around Refund Credit Notes since the sector was thrown into chaos earlier this year, so action is long overdue.

“The government must urgently set out how it will take these recommendations forward, to restore trust in the industry before it is permanently damaged and ensure customers receive the billions of pounds they are collectively owed in refunds.”

North & Leith leads the way in rejecting Michael Gove’s reckless statement

Edinburgh North & Leith leads the way as petition to delay Brexit negotiations until after the Coronavirus Outbreak has passed breaks the critical 100,000 threshold.

It might seem like a no-brainer to most that when negotiators cannot meet face to face and when civil servants across Europe are busy fighting the biggest threat health to health for 100 years that the “lesser” matter of negotiating a good trading deal with the EU should be set to one side until it can be given the serious attention that “one of the easiest in human history” clearly now requires if it is to be anything short of an economic catastrophe.

But with UK citizens supporting such a delay by almost 2:1 Boris Johnson’s government still ploughs on, apparently deaf and blind to the enormous damage which hammer an already weakened post-Covid UK economy.

Now a petition has reached the threshold which requires the Petitions Committee of the Westminster Parliament to give serious consideration to whether such a delay should be debated.  And an Edinburgh constituency, Edinburgh North & Leith has led the charge with more signatures than any other constituency in the UK.

If a delay is itself a no-brainer, then a debate to consider it should be automatic but Conservative  instransigence makes even that unlikely.  They don’t even want to talk about it.  That makes the  likelihood of a No Deal crash all the more likely. 

If the debate does go ahead, then it will, at least give Opposition politicians the opportunity to question why a government which is supposed to protect the country seems determined to inflict further chaos, unemployment and slash GDP by over 9% on a country which is already staggering after coronavirus. 

Signatures will continue to be collected despite reaching the critical threshold.  If you would like to add yours go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300412

European Movement in Scotland

Morrisons NEW ‘fakeaway’ boxes – high street meals at a fraction of the cost

Morrisons is adding to its food boxes line up with two new ‘fakeaway’ boxes containing Brits favourite meals from the high street.

Each box contains eight meals offering a variety of the nation’s favourite cuisines to satisfy those takeaway cravings but at a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay at a popular chain.

The boxes are priced at just £30 including next day delivery which works out at just £3.75 per meal.

The Market Kitchen Takeaway Favourites Box contains two Hot Peri Peri Chicken with Spicy Rice, two Garlic Peri Peri Chicken ith Spicy Rice, two Southern Fried Chicken and BBQ Sauce, and two Naked Burrito Bowls.

The Market Kitchen Street Food Menu Box contains two Chicken Katsu with Sticky Rice, two Chicken Pad Thai, two Satay Chicken and two Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curries.

These meals are all brand new to Morrisons and are only available via the food box service.

Hannah Munns, Head of Market Street at Morrisons said: “These new food boxes offer our customers the chance to still enjoy their favourite high-street eats at home.

“They’ve been created using authentic recipes and good ingredients. We hope they’ll go some way to satisfying our cravings for some of our favourite takeaways.” 

Launched at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to help feed the nation, Morrisons has now sold tens of thousands of food boxes delivered to customers’ doorsteps.

As the nation’s shopping habits continue to change, Morrisons has increased production to cater for all customers, not just those vulnerable and self-isolating.

The Market Kitchen Takeaway Favourites and Market Street Food Menu Boxes join ten others in Morrisons Food Box range including; the Vegan Essentials Food Box; British Food Box; and Family Meat Box.

In May, Morrisons also announced it was going to be delivering flowers in a box with a range of Bouquet Boxes costing just £20, including next day delivery.

For more information visit: https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/

#ItsMoreThanOurJob