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Councils face a "perfect storm" because of the coronavirus crisis and government inaction which could decimate local services; Labour is warning. Leader Sir Keir Starmer says local authorities will have a £10 billion "black hole" in their finances unless ministers' step in to plug the shortfall.
Many councils have struggled with the pressure on budgets caused by lockdown measures cutting off their income sources. At the same time, demand for support for the elderly, disabled, homeless, and other vulnerable groups is high and must be paid for while keeping normal services - such as bin collections - running.
The communities secretary promised at the outset that he would "do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to coronavirus." Around £1.6bn was initially pledged to help them stay afloat, and councils have been allowed to postpone business rates payments to the central government.
However, Councillor Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association's (LGA) resources board, warned just over a week ago that "further funding and financial flexibilities are now needed to help councils." He estimated the shortfall could reach at least a further £6bn this year. He added: that money is "vital if councils are to avoid taking measures, such as in-year cuts to local services, to cope with funding shortfalls and meet the legal duty to balance their budgets."
Source: Sky News, 1 July 2020
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Dr Ruth Sharrock from Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust reacted to new figures which show smokers under 30 are more than twice as likely to have stopped smoking because of COVID-19 than those over 50. This is despite older smokers being more likely to have health conditions which place them at greater risk from COVID-19, such as COPD and diabetes.
The charity, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the University College London (UCL), analysed 1370 smokers and recent ex-smokers as part of the YouGov COVID-19 Tracker. They found that 5% said they had quit smoking in response to COVID-19. However, among smokers aged under 30, 7% said they had stopped because of COVID-19 while only 3% of smokers over 50 quitted due to COVID-19.
Dr Ruth Sharrock is also the face of Don't Wait campaign launched by Fresh with the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care System Prevention Board. The campaign is a reminder of the many reasons to quit smoking such as reducing lung damage, and preventing weakened immune systems, cancer, heart attack, diabetes and stroke. Dr Sharrock said: "I think one issue is that some older smokers assume the damage has been done and it is too late for them. However - it is never too late to see the benefits that come from quitting smoking. I see some incredible success stories from patients who have been able to stop, despite considerable health issues already - they get a new lease of life, and all wish they had done it sooner. You should never give up on yourself – my advice is to give it another go and try until you succeed."
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh, said: "There has possibly never been a more important time to quit smoking than right now. The coronavirus pandemic is focusing everyone's minds on staying healthy and for people who smoke, quitting is an incredibly important step. We know that some people think it is too late to see any benefits from quitting smoking, but the fact is that there are health benefits to be gained from quitting at any age."
Source: Northumberland Gazette, 30 June 2020
See also: ASH press release - COVID-19 drives ‘astonishing’ quit rate among young smokers: Experts ask if trend will survive loosening lockdown
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A leaked paper said plugging the COVID-related deficit in one year would require a massive tax rise. Council group COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) believes a law change is needed to address crippling deficits and avoid massive tax rises.
The Scottish government has demanded extra borrowing powers from Westminster to meet the coronavirus crisis, but councils are also facing substantial financial pressures. Early estimates drawn up by Councils, which deliver vital front-line services, have flagged up £739m of "additional costs" from responding to coronavirus even after extra support from the government. A breakdown revealed £423m in "loss of income", £62m of "unique costs," £162m in "local government mobilisation" and £52m worth of savings that were not achieved.
Scottish Government Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has defended the funding made available to councils. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We have taken exceptional measures in every area of government as we deal with the challenges of COVID-19 - and that is particularly clear in our support for local services. ".... We will continue to work with COSLA and local authorities, as well as pressing the UK Government for urgent additional funding and flexibility for our partners in local government."
Source: Daily Record, 30 June 2020
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During a parliamentary question and answer session on Tuesday, 30 June, MPs asked the Minister of Police Bheki Cele, whether individuals will receive a criminal record for purchasing tobacco. The Minister responded that the courts have “confirmed that you cannot buy a cigarette; it is illegal.”
“…If people [buy or sell cigarettes], that is to commit a crime, so there must be a criminal record. You did it knowing fully well that you are not supposed to,” Cele added.
The minister said, however, that discussions are ongoing with the Minister of Justice to differentiate between those buying small amounts of tobacco for personal use and those involved in the organisation of illegal supply chains.
The ban on cigarette sales designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus has been one of the most contentious government lockdown regulations. Last week, the high court in Pretoria found that the ban was rational and in line with the government’s stated lockdown objectives to save lives.
Source: Business Live, 30 June 2020
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Philip Morris International has claimed that cigarettes may start becoming obsolete within a decade in some markets as smokers switch to alternative products. The maker of Marlboro and Chesterfield cigarettes has been saying it sees a “smoke-free future,” and now has started giving a timeline. Philip Morris has a lead in smoking alternatives with its IQOS heated tobacco device and gets almost a fifth of its revenue from non-combustible products.
While the company insists its smoking alternatives are less harmful than cigarettes, tobacco control advocates have expressed concern that heat-not-burn products expose consumers to toxins, and that PMI is targeting young people with its IQOS product to maintain its consumer base.
Philip Morris estimates that nearly 14 million consumers were IQOS users at the end of 2019. There are about 1.3 billion tobacco users globally, according to the World Health Organization.
Source: Bloomberg Quint, 30 June 2020
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PQ: Smoking: Coronavirus
Asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to launch a campaign to address nicotine addiction to deliver a better outcome for COVID-19 patients.
Answered by Lord Bethell
Public Health England (PHE) has updated online channels such as Smokefree and One You, to make them consistent with the wider COVID-19 advice on quitting smoking. Specific guidance for smokers and vapers has been published online at Smokefree.
PHE supports smokers with a range of free quitting tools, including a Personal Quit Plan, the Smokefree app, a Smokefree Quit Smoking Support Group on Facebook, and a 28-day email and SMS programme.
PHE also provides free printed and digital resources to local authorities, local stop smoking services and National Health Service providers to integrate with national marketing activity.
Source: Hansard, 30 June 2020
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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