News brief - 22/06/20 View this email in your browser
Govt leaving the most vulnerable behind in Covid-19 response
This week's news has underlined fears that the most vulnerable are not being sufficiently protected during the Coronavirus crisis.
BAME populations were given cold comfort by the announcement of a racial inequalities inquiry that would be established by a No.10 aide known for being outspoken in her scepticism of institutional racism.
Munira Mirza, who is in charge of recruiting a Commission to investigate race inequality, has previously described such inquiries as encouraging a “culture of grievance” among the BAME community.
The decision to appoint Mirza was described by Labour's David Lammy as an attempt by Boris Johnson to "wage a culture war", while Diane Abbot said the news meant the Commision was "dead on arrival".
Further, Johnson's motivation to uphold his recent u-turn on charging migrant workers to use the NHS has been put into question by new research showing non-EU NHS and social care workers are still being forced to pay £400 to access State healthcare.
Other vulnerable workers are also being left out in the cold, unions have warned. TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady, called on the government to continue supporting workers forced to stay at home due to existing health conditions that make them particularly susceptible to the Coronavirus. The Labour Party had previously warned that those diagnosed with conditions after the June 10 deadline for furlough scheme applications are no longer eligible for the support they need to shield themselves appropriately.
Elsewhere, the Labour Party has spoken out against the government's deprioritisation of the social care sector. Shadow Health Secretary, Liz Kendall, has criticised the difference in approach to NHS workers and social care workers, calling for PPE, testing and mental health support to be made available to those in social care. Further, she urged her opposite, Matt Hancock, to prioritise social care reforms the government promised would be passed this year. The Health Secretary has admitted they may be pushed back due to the pandemic.
The uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus and the government's response to it seems to have boosted recruitment to and engagement with trade unions. In last week's free IER seminar on the education sector - which can now be viewed for free on our website - Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU, said hundreds of school workers have volunteered to become trade union representatives since lockdown began. Further, Unison has reported massive increases in recruitment during May, especially among education and social care workers.
See all the IER's Coronavirus analysis in one place
FREE online event - book now
Register now
WATCH: Education - health and psychological wellbeing during Coronavirus
IER at ARISE festival
No Turning Back: Your Rights, Your Unions & Resisting the Tory Agenda
Monday 29 June, 7pm-8.30pm
IER wil be represented at this meeting, held as part of Arise: A Festival of Labour's Left.
Speakers include: Laura Pidcock, IER Chair Lord John Hendy QC, and BFAWU General Secretary Sarah Woolley
Register now
Racism inquiry “dead on arrival”, opposition says
The inquiry will be set up by a known sceptic of institutional racism.
Read the full report
Shielded workers ‘may lose govt support’
TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady, has called on the government to support the most vulnerable workers to stay at home.
Read the full report
Migrants still paying surcharge Prime Minister promised to scrap
Those applying for new visas are still being charged £400 to use the NHS.
Read the full report
Social care deprioritised, opposition warns
Social care has not been made the priority it should be during the Coronavirus crisis and is at risk of being ignored once more, Labour has said.
Read the full report
Only one-third of employers plan to retain staff after furlough, survey finds
Half of employers say they will cut staff within the first few months of furlough ending.
Read the full report
Unison numbers show first signs of union membership surge
Rises in trade union membership have been especially stark among education and social care workers.
Read the full report
IER and Covid-19
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.
IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.
Copyright © 2020 Institute of Employment Rights, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or signed up at an IER event.
Our mailing address is:
Institute of Employment Rights4th Floor Jack Jones House1 IslingtonLiverpool, Merseyside L3 8EG United Kingdom
Add us to your address book
Unsubscribe by using the instructions at the bottom of this email or by contacting sarah at ier.org.uk
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.gn.apc.org/pipermail/ier-elist/attachments/20200622/76157144/attachment-0001.html>