Does it know it’s Christmas?

So Boris Johnson has reminded everyone: “The virus doesn’t know it’s Christmas.”

You don’t say Boris, you don’t say...

If the virus is not going to suspend its spread for the winter season, with flu on the way: why are we suddenly allowed bubbling of three households of any number?

Are you perhaps suggesting that not allowing households to mix was a mistake?

Is someone whining they can’t see their extended friends and family at Christmas?

Is this the number of households your mates want to bring together?

We’ve gone through Eid with this virus, we’ve been through Diwali, we’re coming up to Hannakkah, but the virus rules are only being suspended for Christmas.

The lockdown is plaguing everyone at the moment, not just the Christian faith, perhaps you think Christians are extra specially stupid.

Silly Christian, viruses don’t believe in Jesus.

Bringing down the neighbourhood

Wandering round the neighbourhood I overheard two white women talking.

All I caught was: “I don’t like that Japanese couple living next door.”

Great.

Just what you need to hear in winter.

Two women casting racial aspersions on an innocent set of neighbours.

Admittedly I didn’t hear the whole thing.

Perhaps they’d actually done something bad.

But I didn’t hear any comment on why they weren’t liked, so I suspect this delightful pair are just prejudiced.

Oh the joys of local lockdown.

Johnny Mercer comments on the current Overseas Operations Bill

Johnny Mercer, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State and Minister for Defence People and Veterans has responded to enquiries about the Overseas Operations Bill currently going through the House of Lords to say:

“The UK remains committed to upholding international humanitarian and human rights law, including the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT). The UK does not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture for any purpose, and we remain committed to maintaining our leading role in the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. None of the measures in the Bill will erode the law or prevent the MOD from being held to account.

We will continue to take offences such as war crimes and torture extremely seriously. The Bill does not prevent investigations from taking place and prosecutors will continue to have discretion on whether to prosecute for criminal offences - including torture and war crimes - following an investigation, on the basis of the evidence and the circumstances of the case, and whether a prosecution would be in the public interest. We have included the "triple lock" of criminal measures in the Bill in order to give service personnel and veterans greater certainty that the unique pressures placed on them during overseas operations will be taken into account when decisions are being made about whether to prosecute for alleged historical offences. But it is important to note that the Bill does not act as a pardon, amnesty or statute of limitations, and any allegations of criminal offences will continue to be investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.”

The Bill has still yet to be ratified in its current form.

The Overseas Operations Bill continues its reading in the Lords

The Overseas Operations Bill is at its second reading in the House of Lords, at this point there is nothing the British public can do to stop its passing.

It hasn't reached the Committee stages yet, so it still isn't ratified in its original form.

In its original form it is alleged it provides a level of immunity for torture and war crimes, though Ben Wallace, the defence secretary denies that it will contravene the aims of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Liberty is very critical of this bill and have been following its passage through the houses very closely, as are many MPs now.

Labour came out strongly against the bill in its third reading in the House of Commons.

Everything now rests in the hands of the unelected second chamber.

Remember, remember

As the strictest lockdown starts in England again and the terrorist threat rises, there are still some celebrations for the 5th of November.

The Houses of Parliament still stand as America waits to see who will be entering the White House.

The American election is a huge international political event, but it is concerning that it eclipsed so much other news coverage.

We very rarely focus so closely on the Indian or French elections. 

Letter sent to Government over child food poverty

More than 50 public health directors, sector experts and healthcare professionals sent a letter  to Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock calling on Government to allocate additional funding to the Healthy Start scheme, which supports low-income families. 

The letter urges government to increase the value of the voucher to £4.25 a week. 

The value of Healthy Start vouchers has not increased since 2009.  

The letter addresses one of three key recommendations from the National Food Strategy and footballer Marcus Rashford’s #EndChildFoodPoverty campaign, alongside expansion of Free School Meals and holiday food provision. 

It is also part of Marcus Rashford’s petition, which more than 1 million people have signed to date. 

The Healthy Start scheme provides pregnant women and low-income families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with children under four with free vitamins and food vouchers to purchase vegetables, fruit, pulses and milk. 

The letter urges the government to act as well as businesses. 

The letter asks to put £115 million/year of additional funding towards improving the Healthy Start scheme by implementing the recommendations proposed in Part One of the National Food Strategy:  

• Increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to £4.25 per week
• Expand the scheme to every pregnant woman and household with children under four in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefits 
• Fund a communications campaign costing £5 million 

“£3.10 is not a lot, it’s better than nothing of course, but a higher value would make a difference. If we had £4.25 a week from Healthy Start we could buy milk which would help, and more fruit and veg. It’s enough for a week, but only for one child and I have three.” Carolina, Southwark Healthy Start recipient

For the original article on this issue click here.