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Still too much top down: stakeholders queuing up to demand consultation

A month ago, we published a Briefing Paper entitled Exit from Lockdown: the case for consultation. In it, we made the case for decision-makers at both central and local levels to engage and consult on issues which affect millions of people.

It acknowledged the difficulties; the need for speed, the challenging trade-offs, and the inevitable winners and losers. But it also highlighted the dangers of losing support as Governments and Councils struggle to revive the economy whilst maintaining public health protections. We were not necessarily recommending lengthy formal consultations – though there are issues for which that would be perfectly justified – and feasible. Instead, we recommend a more consultative approach. Stop taking decisions without having a dialogue with those most likely to be impacted.

So this is written with the mainstream news full of tales of frustrated stakeholders:-

  • The aviation industry furious that its views on the proposed quarantine arrangements were not being properly heard; the Union representing Border Force upset that front-line staff only received the details with 72 hours to go…
  • The TUC still smarting after being given barely a day to look at proposed new regulations for social distancing at workplaces
  • Teachers still unhappy that they had not been consulted before Government announced its 1st June re-opening day for schools in England.
  • The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) have denied being actively consulted by the Government on important legislative amendments
  • General Practitioners furious that Lockdown rules were relaxed for shielded patients without any notice…or dialogue.
  • Hospital Trusts given inadequate notice of compulsory masks for all staff, and unhappy they were not consulted before the Minister’s surprise announcements in England
  • City Mayors demanding more involvement in planning for possible local lockdown.

 

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