Tag: Nicky Morgan

Thousands give their views on how COVID-19 Pandemic should be remembered in the UK

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration is now considering all responses and final recommendations will be put to Government in Spring

  • Almost 5,000 people from across the UK took part in the consultation process
  • The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration is now considering all responses
  • Final recommendations to be put to Government in Spring

Thousands of people have given their views on how they want the COVID-19 pandemic to be remembered across the UK.

Last October, the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration launched a public consultation giving people across the UK the opportunity to say how they think the pandemic should be remembered, with possible suggestions including the adoption of a Remembrance Sunday-style symbol, dedicated memorials and reflective spaces.

During the consultation period, which ran until 5 December last year, almost 5,000 individuals from across the UK gave their views.

The Commission is considering these responses alongside the findings from the various consultation events held with groups and organisations across the UK. The Commission is now turning its focus to agreeing a final report to present to the UK Government in Spring.

The Commission on Covid Commemoration is also looking at issues such as how the pandemic should be taught to future generations and whether a commemorative website should be created to provide details of local memorials and commemorative spaces.

The Chair of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, Nicky Morgan, said: “It has been a privilege to see so many people coming forward with suggestions for how they think the COVID-19 pandemic should be commemorated and remembered across the UK. I am grateful to everyone who participated.

The pandemic was one of the most significant moments of our lifetime and will be remembered across the world for years to come, both because of the people we lost and because of the great sacrifices made by so many people to keep our country running.

We have heard a lot of different views expressed in the consultation and it is tremendously important that we take them all into account as we work on our recommendations for the government. It is vital that we get this process right and I am determined to make sure that we do.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin, said: “The Commission’s work on how the public wants to commemorate the pandemic is vitally important.

“I am grateful to all those who have taken the time to express their views and the Government is looking forward to receiving the final report from the Commission.”

Beyond Gender: Minister visits Leith-based youth group

Minister praises Beyond Gender’s ‘fantastic work’ 

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UK Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan MP (above) met with transgender young people in Edinburgh last week. Speaking to young people from Beyond Gender youth group – recently awarded Youth Group of the Year at the Equality Network’s LGBTI Awards – the Minister heard young people’s stories and learned more about the issues affecting their lives.

The Minister’s visit is timely, given that The Women and Equalities Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into equality for transgender (trans) people. LGBT Youth Scotland works with LGBT young people across Scotland, and supports two trans specific youth groups – one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.

LGBT Youth Scotland, Beyond Gender and Scottish Transgender Alliance all raised the importance of the Equal Recognition Campaign to reform the Gender Recognition Act, in particular the importance of legally recognising people who do not identify as men or women and lowering the age of gender recognition to 16 years old.

Fergus McMillan, Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland said: “We were delighted to welcome Nicky Morgan (Minister for Women & Equalities) to LGBT Youth Scotland to visit the Beyond Gender youth group. It was a great opportunity for young people to have their views heard directly by a Government Minister. Young people spoke about their experiences of education and health services: they asked for more teacher training in order that transgender young people feel safe and supported in their education; recognition of non-binary identities; and work to reduce the waiting lists for gender specialists. 

“Our research shows that 67% of transgender young people self-identified as having a mental health problem or condition due to experiencing prejudice and discrimination; 37% of transgender young people had left education as a direct result of homophobia, biphobia or transphobia; and less than half of transgender young people would be confident to report a hate crime. It is clear that more needs to be done – we hope the visit has been valuable in getting trangender young people’s stories heard and will go some way to improve the lives of transgender young people across the UK.” 

Nicky Morgan MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Beyond Gender youth group in Edinburgh.  The young people I met were truly inspirational, and it is clear that the organisation is doing fantastic work to tackle discrimination and raise awareness of the issues affecting LGBT young people.”

On young person from Beyond Gender youth group added: “It was nice to be heard by someone who has power to make changes and we hope that the minister acts on the issues we raised with her today. Beyond Gender is a lifeline for us – it’s a place you will always be accepted as yourself.  We want to live in a Scotland and UK where trans people are accepted and respected for who they are and can grow up safe and happy.”