Month: April 2021

UK not deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities, says report

The UK no longer has a system rigged against people from ethnic minorities, a review has found.

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities published their report: The report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities yesterday.

The Commission, chaired by education consultant and ex-charity boss Dr Tony Sewell, was set up last summer following the death of George Floyd and the subsequent rise of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued the following statement: “The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities was launched to conduct a detailed, data-led examination of inequality across the entire population, and to set out a positive agenda for change.

“I want to thank Dr Tony Sewell and each of the commissioners for generously giving their time to lead this important piece of work. It is now right that the Government considers their recommendations in detail, and assesses the implications for future government policy.

“The entirety of government remains fully committed to building a fairer Britain and taking the action needed to address disparities wherever they exist.”

Commenting on the report published yesterday by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Gray said: “Institutional and structural racism exists in the UK, in both the labour market and wider society.  

“Black and Minority Ethnic workers are far more likely than White workers to be in low-paid, insecure jobs – such as temporary and agency jobs or zero hours contracts. And Black and Minority Ethnic workers have been far more likely to be exposed to Covid infection and far more likely to die – because they are far more likely to be in frontline roles. 

“This is institutional racism. And it traps too many Black and Minority Ethnic workers in poverty, insecurity and low pay.  

“We hoped that the Commission would recommend action to stamp out insecure work and make employers act to close their ethnicity pay gaps. 

“Instead, the Commission has chosen to deny the experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic workers and be complacent about the UK’s progress towards being an anti-racist society.  

“The TUC calls on politicians of all parties to stand with Black and Minority Ethnic workers and commit to ending institutional racism in the UK labour market and society – starting with bringing in mandatory ethnicity pay gap action plans and banning zero hours contracts.”    

Commenting on the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: The Report, Dr Hodon Abdi, co-chair of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, said: “We are disappointed in the findings of this report in relation to health.

“Last month, the Workforce Race Equality Standard report was published and its stark findings demonstrated the difference of experience between ethnic minority staff and their white counterparts.

“The findings of the WRES, while shocking, revealed that NHS health workers from ethnic minority backgrounds find it harder to progress in their career, are less likely to be appointed in roles they are shortlisted for, and were more likely to suffer bullying, harassment and abuse from both patients and from other staff, than their white colleagues.

“The report presented the reality that many of our colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds face. The report was a positive starting point to begin a discussion and it presented an opportunity for health organisations to acknowledge the severity of the problem in the NHS and begin to actively tackle them with tangible solutions.

“Sadly, the CRED report seems to have ignored the findings of the WRES. We, however, are committed to addressing all equality, equity and race issues and will continue to provide proactive solutions to real problems our members and ED staff face.”

Dr David Chung, co-chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee, said: “The NHS staff survey 2020, published earlier this month, found that ethnic minority staff were more likely to be deployed onto covid wards and our own survey found that ethnic minority staff were less likely to be risk assessed, less likely to have access to appropriate PPE, and were less likely to have PPE fitted.

“The CRED report suggests a very different story and fails to recognise what is in plain sight. That, within the NHS systemic and structural racism is prevalent: across recruitment; pay; career progression and opportunity; and the experience of bullying, harassment, or abuse.

“We must be honest about racism and not gloss over the issues. We must take a proactive approach in tackling these issues and we must better support and protect staff from ethnic minority backgrounds and act to make the NHS a more equal and accepting workplace.

“If we fail to acknowledge racism within the NHS, we could fail to recognise any racism towards patients. There is a link between structural racism and health inequalities and we must admit that so we can begin to address it.

“In the College’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, we are fully committed to recognising and addressing all issues around equity, equality and race. Racism and disparities are unacceptable in our College, they are unacceptable in Emergency Medicine, and they are unacceptable in the NHS.”

TUC workplace survey reveals widespread COVID-secure failures

  • Survey of more than 2,100 workplace safety representatives reveals employer failures on risk assessments, social distancing and PPE during the pandemic
  • More than a quarter of safety reps were not aware of a risk assessment in their workplace in the last two years – despite a legal requirement to consult them
  • University of Greenwich report uncovers lack of health and safety structures in UK workplaces
  • Government must improve enforcement to keep all workers safe as economy re-opens, says TUC

The TUC’s 2020/21 survey of more than 2,100 workplace safety representatives, published on Monday, reveals that many employers are failing to follow Covid-secure rules and keep workers safe.

Safety representatives are trained worker experts, with protected legal rights under the Health and Safety at Work Act.  They are often on the frontline of safety enforcement in workplaces across the public and private sector. Employers must consult safety representatives on their risk assessments and Covid-secure action plans.

But the TUC’s biennial survey has found that, in many cases, employers are failing to follow Covid-secure rules – and this is putting workers at risk of infection and avoidable illness.

Survey findings on Covid-19 and health and safety at work

  • Risk assessments: Morethan a quarter of safety representatives said they were not aware of a formal risk assessment being carried out in their workplace in the last two years, covering the period of the pandemic. One in ten (9%) said their employer had not carried out a risk assessment, while 17% said they did not know whether a risk assessment had taken place. Of those who said their employers had carried out a risk assessment, more than a fifth (23%) said they felt the risk assessments were inadequate.
  • Workplace outbreaks: More than three-quarters of safety representatives (83%) said employees had tested positive for Covid-19 in their workplace, while more than half (57%) said their workplaces had seen a “significant” number of cases.
  • Enforcement by the Health and Safety Executive: Less than one quarter (24%) of respondents said their workplace had been contacted by a Health and Safety Executive inspector, or other relevant safety inspectorate in the last 12 months. More than a fifth (22%) said their workplace had never been visited by an HSE inspector, as far as they were aware.
  • Social distancing: A quarter (25%) of representatives said their employer did not always implement physical distancing between colleagues through social distancing or physical barriers. Just over a fifth (22%) said their employer did not always implement appropriate physical distancing between employees and customers, clients or patients.
  • Personal protective equipment: More than a third (35%) said adequate PPE was not always provided.
  • Mental health concerns and stress: Almost two-thirds of safety representatives (65%) said they are dealing with an increased number of mental health concerns since the pandemic began. Three-quarters (76%) cited stress as a workplace hazard.

Comments from health and safety reps

  • Rebecca, safety rep in social care: “Managers refused to do risk assessments back in March [2020], but by summer they started to do it. I am proud that I fought hard for that, and for better PPE.”
  • Tom, safety rep in transport: “My employers have been slow to react to the pandemic and have not followed through with legal guidelines.”
  • Kate, safety rep in central government: “The biggest problem in my workplace has been a lack of requirement for the workforce to self-isolate until positive cases were confirmed and tracing contacts identified – potentially adding to further spread of cases of infection. Trade union Health and Safety reps prompted improvements to desk spacing to ensure social distancing, and provision of hand sanitiser at all entrances and exits.”
  • James, safety rep in an NHS hospital: “Covid-19 has raised stress and anxiety levels. People are anxious, depressed and despondent. Stress levels are really high. Staff are at breaking point.”

University of Greenwich report

Alongside the reps survey, the TUC is also publishing today (Monday) a report commissioned from the University of Greenwich, which shows an absence of health and safety compliance in UK workplaces.

The research found 1 in 4 managers working in the food and drinks industry – a sector that’s had several covid outbreaks – were unaware of a Covid risk assessment in their workplace.

The report also shows those in workplaces with union health and safety reps were significantly more likely to have sufficient PPE (73% versus 53% of those with no health and safety representative).

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Britain’s safety representatives are sounding the alarm. Too many workplaces are not Covid-secure. This is a big worry for people expecting to return to their workplace soon. And it should be a big priority for ministers too. We must have robust health and safety in place to reduce the risk of infections rising again when workplaces reopen.   

“Everyone has the right to be safe at work. The government must take safety representatives’ warnings seriously. Ministers must tell the Health and Safety Executive to crack down on bad bosses who risk workers’ safety. And they must provide funding to get more inspectors into workplaces to make sure employers follow the rules.

“Unionised workplaces are safer workplaces, and union safety representatives save lives. We send our thanks to the safety reps across the country for all they are doing to keep working people safe in the pandemic.”

Professor Sian Moore, the University of Greenwich report’s lead author, said: “Our research found a worrying lack of health and safety structures in British workplaces.  

“But we also identified the very real contribution to workplace safety made by union reps during the pandemic.

“Workplaces with union health and safety representatives were significantly more likely to report sufficient PPE.

“Employers are more likely to share risk assessments in workplaces with union recognition and health and safety representatives.

“This shows the important role union representatives play in keeping workers safe. But we also saw a climate of risk and fear in workplaces where unions are excluded or side-lined from risk assessments.”

It’s officially time for the annual Conifox egg hunt — let’s hop to it!

Family run, for family fun; Conifox Adventure Park are egg-cited to confirm their annual Easter egg hunt is set to take place between 2nd -18th April at their park situated 20 minutes from Edinburgh city centre.   

To mark the activity, there will be the chance to complete a fun activity sheet to hunt for clues around the entire adventure park, hand it over to our team in the ticket office and collect a yummy 130g filled Cadbury Egg.

There are also a few golden eggs hidden throughout… and children are invited to find them to win a 200g filled Cadbury Egg!  

New for 2021, kids will also be able to visit Baxter Bunny in his spacious Easter Garden, where he will be having sack races and egg & spoon races every 10 mins (under 12s only).

There are more egg-cellent prizes available for race winners and even the opportunity to have a socially distanced photo with Baxter himself in his very large Garden!  

James Gammell, Director of Conifox Adventure Park comments, “We are asking that everyone follows the government guidance in regard to travel from outside your local authority area.  

Numbers of visitors and time slots will be restricted each day to ensure we can maintain numbers for social distancing guidelines, so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable day.   

“We will have 2 sessions per day: 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. The park will close each day between 1pm-2pm for cleaning and additional equipment clean down will take place at 11am and 3pm.”  

There are also plenty more activities to be enjoyed around Conifox Adventure Park, including a 9-hole Footgolf course, Pedal Go-Karts, Off-Road Pedal Tractors, Kid’s Pedal Tractor Farm, Springers, Giant Jump Pillow, Trampolines, Swings, Balance Beams, Rope Bridge and so much more!  

While the Bistro will remain closed until further notice, our BBQ cabin will be serving breakfast rolls from 10am-11.30am and delicious food takeaway from 12pm. Under government guidelines there will be no indoor seating areas available, but there are plenty of picnic benches around the adventure park and outdoor spaces.  

All tickets purchased are non-transferable. Due to the limit on numbers and time slot allocations per day, the only exception will be if we are put into another Covid-19 lockdown. Any refunds given will be minus the booking fee.  

Tickets can be purchased for £13 per child at www.conifox.co.uk and include park entry, the egg hunt and Easter Garden access with activities! T&Cs apply: One golden egg per child.  

There is also the possibility to purchase tickets for access to the park without including any of the Easter activities.   

To find out more visit the Conifox Adventure Park Facebook page @conifoxadventurepark or www.conifox.co.uk.  

Letter: Building back together to help more cats

Dear Editor,

At Cats Protection we have much to be grateful for. This year has challenged us like never before but we have come through with greater focus and a renewed commitment to improving the welfare of cats and supporting better cat ownership.

As we mark the anniversary of the first lockdown measures, we want to learn from our shared successes and experiences and acknowledge what we have achieved together.

One year ago we launched Hands-Free Homing, a pioneering online adoption process that has become the new normal. Prospective owners pick a pet from our website and, after a chat with our adoption team, the cat is delivered to its new home. 

This programme has been a triumph, allowing us to successfully match more than 20,000 cats with their forever homes to provide much-needed companionship.

Additionally, the number of cats returned by their new owner has gone down by a third.

We do not underestimate this incredible achievement and the dedication of everyone involved in helping us reach this milestone.

It is just one example of how our team of colleagues, volunteers and supporters have risen to every challenge and proven how we can progress by embracing change. Thanks to their hard work, cats in need continue to receive our support, even in these most trying times.

I would like to thank everyone at Cats Protection who has contributed to our response to extraordinary circumstances and who continues to be part of our outstanding team.  

Yours faithfully,

JAMES YEATES

CEO, Cats Protection

Plan 21-24: Building a country that cares, made up of services that work

Yesterday saw the launch of Plan 21-24, the first of three plans that will together set out how Scotland will, by 2030, #KeepThePromise made by the Independent Care Review (writes FIONA DUNCAN).  

Plan 21-24 focuses what must be done during the period from 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2024. It provides key priorities and areas of focus for organisations to work to achieve the required change over the next three years.  

It is ambitious. It is bold. It will deliver transformational change.  

And it only exists because of the care experienced babies, infants, children, young people and families who campaigned for the Independent Care Review and then selflessly shared intimate and often painful experiences of the ‘care system’ in the hope of change. 

Change that would mean that children, young people and families were listened to, respected, involved and heard in every decision that affects them. Change that would support families to stay together and prioritise the safe loving relationships that are important to children and young people. Change that would make love the value that drives everything and that everything operates around.  

That change is here.  And this is Scotland’s plan to deliver it. 

Plan 21-24 is truly ground-breaking.

Hundreds of organisations committed to keep a single promise made to children and families in the knowledge that to do so would require them to change, to work together and in sequence – something that hasn’t been attempted to realise a collective vision anywhere else.   

But I have seen the level of commitment and enthusiasm from all those required to change, those who need change and those with the power to influence change and I am confident that Scotland will #KeepThePromise.   

Those  100+ organisations, including local and national government, national bodies and agencies, local and national organisations across public, third and private sectors and those with statutory responsibility for children and families directly engaged with The Promise Scotland team.

They submitted plans, reports and survey responses to outline what they would do to #KeepThePromise, the support they needed and what help they could offer.  Scotland is primed and ready to do the hard work required. 

The ordering of the Care Review’s conclusions have been translated into five priority areas of change: 

  • A good childhood 
  • Whole family support 
  • Supporting the workforce 
  • Planning
  • Building capacity 

Each priority area contains actions that will be achieved by 2024. 

These actions cover a wide range of important areas such as; family therapy, support for children of young children, schools and exclusion, the importance of safe, loving relationships, youth justice, advocacy, independent living, values and the workforce, investment, information-sharing, data, legislation, children’s hearing system and inspection and regulation. 

But do not be mistaken – Plan 21-24 isn’t about building a new ‘system’. Rather, it is about building a country that cares, made up of services that work to meet the needs of children and families where and when they are needed. 

The system, the scaffolding around services, policy, budgets and legislation are secondary, and must shift to facilitate what children and families need and reflect what they have said matters at every level.  

The Promise Scotland is working towards a promise kept by 2030, and its own obsolescence.  It will drive the change needed and provide support, honesty and accountability.  But it is Scotland that will deliver change. 

It is Scotland that will #KeepThePromise. 

Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children 1st, Scotland’s national children’s charity said: “Scotland must be a country where all children are loved, cared for and respected.

“They should be able to live safely at home with their own families – where this isn’t possible the state must ensure they still get that care and respect in a safe and loving home. I am therefore delighted to welcome ‘The Plan’, the exciting next phase of the Independent Care Review that has been published today.

“The Plan outlines how over the next three years we will keep the Promise made to children and young people. Support for families to help them stay together must be simple to access and joined-up – we must end the siloed approach. Help must be offered much earlier, to prevent families falling into crisis.

“The impact of childhood trauma, and what works to aid recovery, must be understood by every professional. Most of all, children, young people and their families have a right to be heard and have a say in all the decisions that affect their lives.

“At Children 1st, we are committed to doing what is required of us to deliver The Plan. We will continue to work with government and local authority partners to deliver the transformation needed. We must make sure we have a system that always helps families stay together where possible, protects children’s rights and offers early practical and emotional help to all who need it.”

Hogmanay Heights

Edinburgh Castle to become student accommodation and will double as exclusive holiday lets

There has been a furious reaction to news that Edinburgh Castle has been sold – and will be converted into top of the range student accommodation.

The city council says the sale will do much to change the capital’s old-fashioned image but heritage groups say the sale of the castle is an act of barbarism

Glen Morangie, marketing director of Historic Environment Edinburgh, confirmed: “The decision was a no brainer. The building has been lying idle for over a year and it’s beginning to show it’s age.

“The city council has ambitious plans for the city centre so we have decided that now is the time to think outside the box and jump on the bandwagon. Make no mistake, this plan is a win, win.

“The building, which will be renamed Hogmanay Heights, will be converted into as many student flats as we can legally get away with – and as a major plus we have negotiated a deal with the city council to take over Princes Street Gardens.

“The gardens will be coverted into a huge drying space – which we’ll call The Back Green – to enable students to dry their laundry. This is to compensate for the lack of space in the flats – to be honest you won’t be able to swing a cat in them, but students don’t really care about that sort of thing. Laundry, I mean.”

Essential Edinburgh also has plans for Hogmanay Heights during the summer and winter breaks.

Mr Morangie continued: “We’ll send the students packing at end of term, give the flats a quick spruce up and let them out – at exhorbitant rates – to tourists. Visitors to Edinburgh are used to being ripped off so they’ll lap it up – it’s all part of the unique Edinburgh experience!”

Rupert Morningside-Merchiston, a ‘change champion’ consultant for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “There are exciting times ahead in the capital. After a year of pandemic misery this is just the tonic that the citizens of Edinburgh want and need – not that we’ve asked them, of course.

“Rest assured, the city centre will be transformed. The boring old fuddy-duddy stuff will be gone for ever – the trees, the flowers and the statues will be replaced with line after line of crisp clean laundry blowing in the breeze. Auld Reekie no more: and Edinburgh – sponsored by Persil – will lead the way once again.”

The Esplanade will become a massive bicycle shed, which causes a major problem for the organisers of Edinburgh’s world famous Tattoo.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s Pipe Major Ruaridh Bannockburn said: “Of course we’ll miss Edinburgh Castle but times are changing, everyone’s cutting back and shows of miltary might ain’t what they used to be.

“Oddly enough, our very first Tattoo was a small event staged at the Ross Bandstand back in 1949, and it seems that we must now go back to our roots and stage a drastically scaled down Tattoo once again.

“With Underbelly’s permission we will be performing ‘Twa’ Pipers Ana’, Ana’ in a phonebox near the Ross Bandstand this August. Buy your tickets now, but remember to bring your own seat – the prices Underbelly charge are eye-watering!”

Archie Brunstane-Bingham, chairman of the Old Town Preservation Society, was unavailable for comment. It’s understood he’s moved to Glasgow.