Behind the headlines with Simon Reevell

He hadn’t really thought it through because he probably didn’t have a problem with surgeons and theatre nurses covering their faces and he probably wouldn’t object to face coverings for staff dealing with contagious patients.

What he might have said was that people should use common sense when they consider whether they faces should be covered. I don’t want this to be a country where government dictates what we can wear and what we can’t but it is perfectly reasonable for people to be asked to compromise when necessary in the course of their employment or in relation to some public activity.

Immigration checks, jobs where face to face contact is important and when giving evidence in court are all examples of where compromise is necessary. But on other occasions it is up to all of us to decide how we dress. It’s the sort of basic freedom that we are all entitled to enjoy.

One of my recent visits was to the Stanley Training Project. They provide training for people who want to learn about working in catering. What is so special is that they work with young people who have not always had it easy at school or at home.

Part of what they do is to produce great lunches on a Wednesday lunchtime at the Options Centre on George Street. They also do outside catering so if you have an office function or something similar give them a thought.

Finally it is that time of the year again. Not the political conference season but Westminster Dog of the Year. Last season George got to the final and this year Harry is having a go. All the details are on my website or you can vote for Harry on the Kennel Club’s site. It is a bit of fun with an important message that having a pet is a real responsibility.