Army of Covid marshals recruited for roles that could last until 2023 Numerous councils are advertising for jobs that do not begin until July, despite government plans to lift all restrictions on June 21 ByGordon Rayner, ASSOCIATE EDITOR ; Dominic Penna and Max Stephens27 April 2021 • 7:27pm A new army of Covid Marshals is being recruited for roles that could last until 2023 despite government plans to lift all remaining restrictions on June 21. Councils around the country are advertising jobs that do not begin until July - several days after the supposed freedom day. It comes as new figures show deaths from Covid are at their lowest level for more than six months, with deaths from all causes currently below average for this time of year. MPs have accused councils of wasting taxpayers’ money and failing to account for the transformative effect of the vaccine rollout. In total, one in nine of councils contacted by The Telegraph said they planned to carry on employing marshals beyond June 21. Hertfordshire County Council is among those advertising for marshals, offering a contract of up to £3 million to firms that can supply 60 marshals from July 1 until January 31 next year. The contract comes with a possible one-year extension, meaning marshals would still be patrolling until 2023. Advertisement Their duties will include aiding and encouraging "compliance" and helping the public and businesses understand "regulations and guidance". Councils prepare for new recruits Other councils recruiting marshals to work beyond June 21 include Sunderland City Council and Northumberland Council, while Darlington, Portsmouth, Cornwall and Carlisle councils have extended existing contracts for marshals beyond July. Several other councils contacted by The Telegraph said they were keeping the need for marshals under review and would recruit more if necessary. Funds for marshals come from central government grants, rather than from council taxes. Jim McManus, director of public health for Hertfordshire County Council, said: "We know that the virus is still circulating and will be for some time. We know from last year that numbers of infections can change rapidly, and Government are very clear that we should plan in case a third wave arises. It would be a dereliction of duty not to prepare for a third wave." Advertisement He stressed that hiring extra Covid marshals was "not indicative of any increases in restrictions from July 2021 onwards". More marshals ‘a waste of public money’ There was further evidence that life will remain far from normal after June 21 as the chairman of the Wimbledon tennis championships said crowds at the tournament, which begins on June 28, would be restricted to as little as 25 per cent of capacity. The Government says it remains on track to offer vaccinations to all adults by the end of July, making the decision to hire new Covid marshals even more baffling, MPs say. Mark Harper MP, Tory chairman of the Covid Recovery Group, said: "To start hiring people based on the situation we faced last year, before we had rolled out the vaccines, does seem to be a waste of public money. "It doesn’t reflect the fact that by the autumn we will have protected everybody through a successful vaccination programme." Figures released by the Office for National Statistics yesterday showed that 362 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending April 16 mentioned Covid on the death certificate, the lowest number since the week ending Oct 2. Advertisement For the sixth consecutive week, the total number of deaths in England and Wales was below the pre-pandemic average. Mr Harper added: "The Government has said it is going to make all of its decisions based on data, and all the data around coronavirus is very positive. "The Government’s stated position is that all legal restrictions will come to an end on June 21 and any decision to keep restrictions in place will need very strong evidence to support it." A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “As we move to the next stage on the roadmap, we must continue to ensure our communities are safe and everyone follows the latest public health guidance. “We have given councils an extra £400 million this year to manage local outbreaks, including recruiting COVID marshals, whilst also providing additional funding to help our high streets and town centres"
Any prick approaches me about Covid will be told to get to **** have they been a thing in the shires?
Just paid grasses that check that restaurants and bars aren't having lock ins or kids in groups hanging about in the park . The police were boasting that they don't need to patrol because members of the public snitch on their neighbours anyway . That's how the Stasi got away with so much in East Germany. You would think the "opposition " would question the Government why they are paying millions to develop vaccine passports and hiring covid marshals until 2023 if we are permanently coming out of lockdown in July 2021. Sir Rodney stays silent and fails on another open goal win .
I'd love a Marshall stack, a vintage Plexi maybe one 4x12 flat front and a 4x12 tilted front on top. Only problem with that is a) I don't have that much cash, they are fookin expensive, b) I live in a residential area and doubt the neighbours would appreciate the volume, c) there is only so much room in my imaginary man cave and d) not much point as I can just about scrape through Wild Thing I've got my eyes on a little AC15 Vox amp but that may have to wait a while as the genuine Gibson Les Paul needs getting first.
Back to normal by summer according to some. Looking increasingly unlikely. Just take your jab to protect others. The first vaccine in history that you take to protect others from the lie of asymptomatic transmission, the biggest con in history.
Anything with Van Kimler in it is ****ing pish. I've seen planks of wood with more in-depth acting abilities.
Top Secret was fun. Airplane meets WW2 meets National Lampoon. There is a bit where a bloke is the back end of a pantomime cow and a bull mistakes it for a real one and shags it and the bloke in the fake cow enjoys it because he is a bit of a poove. Hilarious.
