News and announcements today as emphasis changes on public transport use.

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-53440144

Sections below on each of the following subjects
TUC: PM's call to return to work carries 'risk of contagion'
How many people are travelling to work?
Ministers trying to wean people off 'stay at home'
What's the risk on public transport?
Johnson: Human interaction needed for business
Is Johnson passing the buck to employers?
Johnson: Come back to office if safe


TUC: PM's call to return to work carries 'risk of contagion'

There are concerns that London's underground system could rapidly become overcrowded as people return to workImage caption: There are concerns that London's underground system could rapidly become overcrowded as people return to work

Kevin Rowan, of the Trades Union Congress, has told the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) there are still "major challenges" to getting employees back into the workplace - as Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushed for a "significant return to normality".

Mr Rowan said many employers were still "not doing the right thing" in terms of managing health and safety, citing concern over factories in Leicester and elsewhere.

He told BBC News the prime minister's announcement that staff should look, where possible, to return to the workplace from 1 August was "still relatively short term".

"We're going to see, I think, a real increase in risk of contagion if we see lots of people going back to work quickly."

Mr Rowan also expressed concerns over the opening up of public transport and the "confusion" around the availability of childcare going forward.

"The government want to send this message of hope [but] there aren't the safe systems of operating across the economy that match that ambition."


How many people are travelling to work?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the guidance on working is being updated so that instead of telling people to work from home, the government will ask employers to decide (with necessary precautions).

So, what do the figures show on how many people are coming to work?

Approximately 48% of working adults were travelling to work during the first week of July, up from 44% in mid-June, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS^» (Office for National Statistics - website)).

Of those working from home, 71% said it was because their employer had asked them to do so. 50% said they were following government guidance, and 35% said it was because their workplace had been shut down.

According to a poll of 1,000 office workers conducted by Portland Communications, only 21% have returned to their desks while 58% expect to be back at work by September and 81% by December.

In London only 68% of office workers expect to be back at work in December.

Currently, around 23% of the workforce are still furloughed, but 71% of those workers expect to return to their old job.


Ministers trying to wean people off 'stay at home'

Jessica Parker
BBC political correspondent
I’ve heard from opposition sources that, in a cross-party call this morning, the prime minister discussed the need for public “confidence”.

We’ve talked before about how effective the "stay at home" message was.

Ministers have been trying for some time to wean people off it – to make those who may be anxious about venturing out, less so.

Perhaps an issue with communications here though is that "stay at home" was so clear.

The rules were simple. While a more complicated message at this stage is inevitable - it’s perhaps harder to land.


What's the risk on public transport?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said anyone can now use public transport at any time in England.

So, what are the risks of getting Covid-19 on trains, buses and planes?

A lot of the potential risk of infection on trains and buses depends on how crowded they are and how far away you can keep from other people at stops, stations and on board.

Face coverings are now mandatory on public transport in England and operators have introduced a number of other safety measures.

Network Rail, which owns Britain's rail infrastructure, has been carrying out "deep cleans" and making changes in stations so people can maintain social distancing.

And Transport for London has installed hand sanitisers at all tube, rail and bus stations and has also introduced a rigorous cleaning schedule.

Meanwhile, Arriva Buses has only been accepting contactless payment and will no longer give change for cash payments.


Johnson: Human interaction needed for business
The next report returns to comments made by the chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who said on Thursday there was no reason to change advice about returning to the workplace.

Boris Johnson says: "The government certainly has a view about whether it is safe [to return] and it is safe, provided employers have taken the steps they need to take.

"But whether people should go into work or need to go into work is not something the government can decide. It is up to employers with their employees to decide."

He adds the public has learned "all sorts of lessons over the last few months about Zoom, muting and unmuting our colleagues... it is a miracle.

"But in the end human interaction, face to face conversations are important and businesses have told me that."


Is Johnson passing the buck to employers?

Jessica Parker
BBC political correspondent
Nudge, nudge, nudge. Boris Johnson emphasises that anybody can use public transport.

And he says that from 1 August, the advice on working from home will change.

Businesses are to be given more “discretion” on whether staff should come back to work.

It reflects deep concerns about the economy - not just that some people can’t easily work from home or may, in some cases, be less productive, but also that businesses who rely on the passing trade from office workers are struggling.

However, Johnson may face questions over whether he’s passing the buck to employers who now need to make some tough decisions.

And what about the statement of his own chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday - that there was “absolutely no reason” to change the advice on work from home?


Johnson: Come back to office if safe

Moving on to questions from the press, the BBC's Vicki Young asks the PM about the guidance for businesses and whether it is confusing.

Johnson says: "It is not for government to decide how employers should run their companies.

"What we are saying now is if employers think it would be better and more productive for employees to come to office, and they can work in a safe way, there should be discussions between employers and employees and people should make a decisions."

But he does say if people are productive at home, which many companies are seeing, they can stay there.

[Robin Summerhill]

So farnthis week we have had:

Ministers disagreeing with each other by their actions in public over whether or not to wear face masks in shops

A decree that we all have to wear face maks in shops when the rolling average daily deaths are in the 70s, when it wasn't apparantly needed when that rolling average was 800+ back in April

Graylng losing a rigged election and Dom the Traveller throwing his dummy out of the pram again as a result

Mop Head (and no doubt Dom the Traveller) deciding they know better than the Chief Medical officer over a return to work

Everybody who still thinks this lot still has any credibility will be invited to a meeting to be held in a phone box near Hyde Park Corner...

[TaplowGreen]

So farnthis week we have had:


A decree that we all have to wear face maks in shops when the rolling average daily deaths are in the 70s, when it wasn't apparantly needed when that rolling average was 800+ back in April


Mop Head (and no doubt Dom the Traveller) deciding they know better than the Chief Medical officer over a return to work

Everybody who still thinks this lot still has any credibility will be invited to a meeting to be held in a phone box near Hyde Park Corner...

Do you understand that advice changes (for example about wearing masks) based on the best information available at the time, and as more is discovered about an evolving situation? Would you rather the Government stuck with outdated advice in an effort to save face?

This type of attitude is one of the reasons why the daily Press Conferences became so pointless.

I don't believe there is a disjoint about a "return to work" between the PM and the CMO, they differ on whether a mass return to the office environment is appropriate - the majority of people I know have been working throughout.

[Robin Summerhill]

Do you understand that advice changes (for example about wearing masks) based on the best information available at the time, and as more is discovered about an evolving situation? Would you rather the Government stuck with outdated advice in an effort to save face?

This type of attitude is one of the reasons why the daily Press Conferences became so pointless.

I don't believe there is a disjoint about a "return to work" between the PM and the CMO, they differ on whether a mass return to the office environment is appropriate - the majority of people I know have been working throughout.

Oh I fully understand that advice can change when new facts come to light – I’ve even done it myself.

But I happened to be talking to somebody at the Royal United Hospital at Bath yesterday. On asking what the situation was on the ground I was told that yesterday there were only 5 patients with the disease in there, compared to around 200 at the peak. The healthcare trust covers an area with a population of c.220,000.

I’m not sure which saying to use in illustration. “Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted” doesn’t seem appropriate, because the metaphorical horse has already wandered back into the field of its own accord. “Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut” would probably be better.

I’m sorry that you thought the press conferences were pointless. Do you think that politicians sound better if they’re not challenged? Politicians certainly do...

As regards the difference between the government and the CMO over returning to work, I suggest you re-run this evening’s radio 4 PM programme from the start, because that difference was explained quite well.

Now tell me I’m wrong about losing a rigged election too...

[bobm]

Do all trains heading west now stop at Pilning to drop off passengers making non essential journeys before the train reaches Wales?

[Lee]

Do all trains heading west now stop at Pilning to drop off passengers making non essential journeys before the train reaches Wales?

They must be trying to avoid a second wave.

[IndustryInsider]

As we know, usage has been gently trickling upwards over the past couple of
months, but I think today has seem the first increase of any note, from my observations at least. 

Usage still varies wildly of course, but I reckon many trains today were running at around a third and in some cases as much as a half of what you might expect on a summer Saturday.

A sense of normality returning...hopefully not too soon.

[Celestial]

As we know, usage has been gently trickling upwards over the past couple of
months, but I think today has seem the first increase of any note, from my observations at least. 

Usage still varies wildly of course, but I reckon many trains today were running at around a third and in some cases as much as a half of what you might expect on a summer Saturday.

A sense of normality returning...hopefully not too soon.

I suspect a lot of people had booked their summer holiday in the SW before the lockdown, so if the accommodation is open (which presumably it is) then they either go or lose their money. So it may be less discretional in the sense that there is no alternative if they don't have a car.

[bobm]

There have been two double decker buses on standby today to cope with the number of people trying to use the St Ives branch. 

[TaplowGreen]

There have been two double decker buses on standby today to cope with the number of people trying to use the St Ives branch. 

I'm sure social distancing and the wearing of masks on board will be rigorously enforced.....assuming that the locals don't get there first to dispatch the germ riddled tourists with pitchforks of course......

[IndustryInsider]

I'm sure social distancing and the wearing of masks on board will be rigorously enforced.....assuming that the locals don't get there first to dispatch the germ riddled tourists with pitchforks of course......

I can't speak for Cornwall (makes a change for your cheap shots to focus on them and not the folk of Swindon or Somerset) but face covering appears to be in the 80-90% bracket for most of the journeys I've observed towards the eastern end of the network over the last few weeks.  Higher in London where it's more like 90-95%. 

Sure, there's a few being used as a chin hammock, and a minority acting as if nothing has ever happened - but pretty impressive overall, I would say.  And that's without much 'rigorous enforcement', just guidance, advice and goodwill.

[TaplowGreen]

I'm sure social distancing and the wearing of masks on board will be rigorously enforced.....assuming that the locals don't get there first to dispatch the germ riddled tourists with pitchforks of course......

I can't speak for Cornwall (makes a change for your cheap shots to focus on them and not the folk of Swindon or Somerset) but face covering appears to be in the 80-90% bracket for most of the journeys I've observed towards the eastern end of the network over the last few weeks.  Higher in London where it's more like 90-95%. 

Sure, there's a few being used as a chin hammock, and a minority acting as if nothing has ever happened - but pretty impressive overall, I would say.  And that's without much 'rigorous enforcement', just guidance, advice and goodwill.

Bless you.

As someone born in Devon and having lived in both God's own County and Cornwall for many years, banter with each other about pitchforks, pointing at planes (and trains!), correct sequence of cream/jam etc are part of life, even when you move away!

As you say, you can't speak for Cornwall, but hopefully what you have witnessed re: masks is replicated Nationwide, I would be interested in how many socially distanced passengers you can get on a double decker bus though.......like one of those old puzzles!

[CyclingSid]

Travelling on SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) yesterday it was busy, but certainly not to normal summer Saturday level. Basingstoke to Winchester (Bournemouth train) was busy, Winchester to Portsmouth was quieter. Beach at Stokes Bay was busy but not to recent Bournemouth levels.

Gosport Ferry was only using one ferry.

Southsea beach was sensibly busy with people giving each other room on the prom. Two parts of the seafront road were closed to cars, presumably to tick a box and not cost too many votes.

Hayling Ferry was packed coming from Hayling (hourly service), but there were half a dozen of us going to Hayling. Left early because of local yobs throwing stones at ferry.

Havant to Guildford train  busy, Guildford to Reading probably more so (hourly service).

[TaplowGreen]

Posted this elsewhere too, but the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) yesterday stated that rail travel is at 18% of pre COVID levels, bus travel at 31% (outside London), road traffic at 84% - it'll be interesting to see to what degree those figures change over coming weeks/months.

[Lee]

Regarding TaplowGreen's how many socially distanced passengers you can fit on a bus question - As far as buses here in Brittany go, you can fit on almost full capacity...because social distancing has now been almost entirely abandoned, with only the very front rows out of use as a "buffer zone" for the driver.