This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/mar/19/uk-coronavirus-live-boris-johnson-london-lockdown-williamson-refuses-to-rule-out-government-putting-london-in-lockdown-by-weekend

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
UK coronavirus live: No 10 says possible new rules for Londoners won't involve bans on travel or leaving home UK coronavirus live: No 10 says possible new rules for Londoners won't involve bans on travel or leaving home
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the latest coronavirus developments in the UKRolling coverage of the latest coronavirus developments in the UK
Landlords in Scotland will not be able to evict tenants for six months, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced today. The Department for Work and Pensions is expected to announce later today that it is suspending welfare conditionality rules, including for universal credit, to ensure that benefit payments are not interrupted and to ease pressure on job centres.
Sturgeon said the prime minister, Boris Johnson, already announced that landlords would not be able to evict tenants for a three-month period, but Scotland would be extending those provisions to six months. She said housing tribunals were currently not sitting. All face-to-face jobcentre interviews with claimants will be suspended, as will the requirement that job-seekers demonstrate that they have spend up to 35 hours a week looking for work, as the DWP moves to adapt the benefit system to cope with the economic impact of coronavirus.
Tens of thousands of people will be expected to enter the benefit system over the next few days as businesses lay off workers because of virus-related shut downs in sectors such as hospitality and retail.
Under current rules claimants are required to sign up to a range of stringent requirements as a condition of receiving benefits. Failure to adhere to the rules results in financial sanctions, including having benefits withdrawn for at least four weeks and in some cases up to six months,
The measures, which come days after the DWP announced that face to face assessments for disability benefits were to be put on hold for three months, is to ensure claimants do not feel obliged to travel into job centres because they fear they will lose their benefits if they do not attend.
The Guardian has seen evidence that local job centres have already been abandoning benefit conditionality requirements ahead of a national announcement, possibly because of pressure on staffing at local job centres.
In Liverpool, some universal credit claimants received a message on their online journal yesterday saying work search requirements were temporarily suspended.
The City regulator has told insurers that it expects them to treat customers fairly and consider payments on claims they might normally reject.
The Financial Conduct Authority said that the coronavirus had changed customers’ behaviour and that insurance firms needed to take this into account.
Christopher Woolard, interim chief executive of the FCA said: “We expect insurance firms to recognise this and treat their customers fairly, recognising the circumstances customers may find themselves in.
“We would not expect to see a customer’s ability to claim affected by circumstances over which they have little control.”
With government advice suggesting that people should work from home and avoid crowded spaces, the FCA said that people may be using their properties and cars differently from when they bought insurance.
Typically, home and motor insurers will ask questions about use when a policy is bought and base premiums on this.
Car insurance customers will be asked to indicate whether their vehicle is used socially or for work, while home insurance customers will be asked about their working practices.
The FCA said that insurers should consider claims even if for customers who had indicated that they would not be using their car or home for work.
“We expect motor and home insurers not to reject claims because of a consumer’s understandable temporary change in how they use their vehicle and their home address, in response to government advice and the emerging coronavirus situation,” the FCA said.
John Lewis and Waitrose have become the latest retailers to announce limits on the purchase of some items amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Waitrose, which is part of John Lewis Partnership, has announced a three-item limit on certain products and a limit of two packets of toilet roll.
It comes after rivals Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Asda and Morrisons all announced similar measures to ease stockpiling pressures.
The retail group said it is also launching a protected shopping period for the elderly and vulnerable at Waitrose, which will be each store’s first opening hour from Friday.
Waitrose cafes and rotisseries will be temporarily shut to help stores cope with increased demand in other areas.
John Lewis Partnership said 2,100 members of staff from the department store business are helping to work at Waitrose stores on deliveries.
The company also launched a 1 million community support fund to be distributed by Waitrose shops to local communities.
And this is what Peter Dowd, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said on behalf of Labour about the need for employment support after the House of Commons UQ that saw a Treasury minister face fierce criticism from Tories about the fact that the government has not yet said what it will do to help people losing work. (See 11.48am.) Dowd said:
Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the Labour leadership contest, has put forward his own plans to protect people who will lose work because of coronavirus. He wants a national income guarantee scheme, featuring a Danish-style wage subsidy initiative, making government loans to business conditional on jobs being protected, trebling the value of statutory sick pay and increasing the value of benefits.
Landlords in Scotland will not be able to evict tenants for six months for rent arrears, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced today.
Sturgeon said the prime minister, Boris Johnson, already announced that landlords would not be able to evict tenants for a three-month period, but Scotland would be extending those provisions to six months, though local housing activists have warned this does not go far enough. She said housing tribunals were currently not sitting.
“Nobody should face evictions because of the crisis we’re living through,” Sturgeon said at first minister’s questions.“Nobody should face evictions because of the crisis we’re living through,” Sturgeon said at first minister’s questions.
She added that these measures apply to private sector and that the government would take action if any social landlord was contemplating eviction.She added that these measures apply to private sector and that the government would take action if any social landlord was contemplating eviction.
This post was updated to clarify the six months eviction ban is for rent arrears and that tenants could be evicted on other grounds.
In the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, has just said the government wants to ensure parliament keeps sitting through the coronavirus crisis. But it said it may have to revise the way it operated. And he thanked Labour for not pushing votes on the finance bill this week, which means MPs did not have to congregate in the division lobbies.In the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, has just said the government wants to ensure parliament keeps sitting through the coronavirus crisis. But it said it may have to revise the way it operated. And he thanked Labour for not pushing votes on the finance bill this week, which means MPs did not have to congregate in the division lobbies.
Unions are pressing the government to ensure that all supermarket and pharmacy employees are included in a list of key workers who will be permitted to still send their children to school after Boris Johnson ordered the closure of all of the education system in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.Unions are pressing the government to ensure that all supermarket and pharmacy employees are included in a list of key workers who will be permitted to still send their children to school after Boris Johnson ordered the closure of all of the education system in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.
It follows an announcement by Gavin Williamson that delivery drivers are expected to be listed as “key workers” but did not include tens of thousands of staff who work in supermarkets those who will be expected to still sell medicines to the public.It follows an announcement by Gavin Williamson that delivery drivers are expected to be listed as “key workers” but did not include tens of thousands of staff who work in supermarkets those who will be expected to still sell medicines to the public.
In a letter to the education secretary, Paddy Lillis, the head of the shopworkers union Usdaw, has asked today that those working in the retail supply chain and pharmacies are included. He said:In a letter to the education secretary, Paddy Lillis, the head of the shopworkers union Usdaw, has asked today that those working in the retail supply chain and pharmacies are included. He said:
Usdaw’s call has been backed by the TUC, whose deputy general secretary, Paul Nowak, said the government must work with unions if it is to identify the needs of crucial workers.Usdaw’s call has been backed by the TUC, whose deputy general secretary, Paul Nowak, said the government must work with unions if it is to identify the needs of crucial workers.
A further 24 people in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 170, Public Health Wales says.A further 24 people in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 170, Public Health Wales says.
The Welsh government says it will be rolling out coronavirus testing for frontline healthcare workers.The Welsh government says it will be rolling out coronavirus testing for frontline healthcare workers.
The Home Office demonstrated “institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness towards the issue of race” and some ministers still “do not accept the full extent of the injustice”, an independent inquiry into the Windrush scandal has found. Amelia Gentleman and Owen Bowcott have the full story here.The Home Office demonstrated “institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness towards the issue of race” and some ministers still “do not accept the full extent of the injustice”, an independent inquiry into the Windrush scandal has found. Amelia Gentleman and Owen Bowcott have the full story here.
Our Aamna Mohdin in Scotland is reporting that the number of deaths in the country has doubled since yesterday.Our Aamna Mohdin in Scotland is reporting that the number of deaths in the country has doubled since yesterday.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed there were six reported deaths in Scotland of people who tested positive for the coronavirus.The deaths in Scotland have doubled – from three to six – since yesterday.The number of cases rise by 39 taking the total of positive cases to 266.The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed there were six reported deaths in Scotland of people who tested positive for the coronavirus.The deaths in Scotland have doubled – from three to six – since yesterday.The number of cases rise by 39 taking the total of positive cases to 266.
Sturgeon also said the four nations are working together to come up with a workable definition of who is a key worker, but added there will be flexibility: “What is a key worker in a remote area in the highlands may not be a key worker in the city centre in Glasgow.”Sturgeon also said the four nations are working together to come up with a workable definition of who is a key worker, but added there will be flexibility: “What is a key worker in a remote area in the highlands may not be a key worker in the city centre in Glasgow.”
Police officers and all emergency services will be part of the definition of “key worker”.Police officers and all emergency services will be part of the definition of “key worker”.
Back in the press conference Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, says that although there are claims the virus could become more dangerous as it mutates, in practice viruses like this normally become less dangerous.Back in the press conference Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, says that although there are claims the virus could become more dangerous as it mutates, in practice viruses like this normally become less dangerous.
In their press conference Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, said that there are “significant health and social downsides” to the social distancing measures. He said:
And Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, added that it was “not possible” to put absolute timelines on the pandemic.
The British embassy in Morocco has put out the following announcement on Twitter for Brits in the country to go to Marrakech immediately:
Downing Street has ruled out banning people from leaving or entering London, and also played down the prospect of shutting down the transport network in the capital.
But further restrictions on bars, restaurants and non-essential shops in the capital are not being ruled out, Sky’s Sam Coates reports from today’s lobby briefing.
The idea that people might be allowed to leave their homes in London only one person at a time was reported as an option in the FT this morning. (See 9.20am.)
In the House of Commons John Glen, a Treasury minister, had to respond to an urgent question about employment support this morning which has just finished. It finished a few minutes ago. Glen is a junior minister and he did not have anything to announce to MPs. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor and his boss, has already said that the government is working urgently on a package of measures to help who are losing work and mostly Glen just kept telling MPs that the Treasury was still working on these measures urgently.
But, nevertheless, the session was highly revealing because it showed that backbench Conservative MPs are alarmed by the government’s lack of action on this issue so far. Opposition MPs were also very critical, but that is what you would expect. Here are some of the comments from Conservatives.
From Greg Clark, the former business secretary who tabled the urgent question
This is similar to the ideas being proposed by the CBI and by the Resolution Foundation.
From Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary
From Sir Bernard Jenkin
And these are from Sir John Redwood, whom Jenkin referenced.
After the UQ was over the Labour whips office tweeted this.
Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical adviser, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, are holding a press conference now.
Whitty says the idea that the world will be able to put this virus back completely, while not totally impossible, is so unlikely as to be a mistake.
Chris Evans broadcast a “test” radio show from a boat as he joined the many Britons working away from their offices amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The broadcaster hosted his Virgin Radio breakfast programme from his tethered spot on the banks of the River Thames in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, this morning. He said the team might be relocating back to London tomorrow, “but we’ll see how it goes”.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said bans may be needed to stop people gathering in bars, restaurants and continuing to mix together in defiance of expert advice. He also said people’s civil liberties may have to be curtailed to stop more lives being lost to the Covid-19 virus.
Giving evidence before the London assembly, Khan was asked about a Paris-style formal ban, ordering people to stay indoors except in certain limited circumstances. He said:
Khan meets the prime minister and senior officials later today amid speculation tougher measures will be introduced and concern the outbreak is so far worst in the capital.
“We are nowhere near the peak,” Khan said.
The National Literacy Trust has launched an online zone for parents looking for ideas and activities whilst their children are home due to school closures.
It includes reading and writing activities, book lists, videos, competitions and reading challenges.
Social media posts, such as this, have led to some confusion over which London underground stations are closed today following the announcement by authorities that some would be shut.
While a Transport for London (TfL) press release said that certain stations could be closed, users of social media interpreted it as being a definitive shutdown.
Blackhorse Road station remains open today for example, despite having been listed last night as facing closure.
Commuters, such as those at Blackhorse Road, also reported busy services as passengers were crowded together on fewer trains, leading to some questioning the policy of reducing the number coming through lines.
TfL updates on which services are open and closed can be checked here:
Users, including key workers, have also complained that underground and other services are as busy as ever due to the reduced services.
An eerie calm, punctured by an ever-so-slight camaraderie among commuters, descended on London’s underground network this morning as Sadiq Khan announced more than 40 station closures to help delay the coronavirus surge.
There were seats available on trains normally packed like sardine cans although some lines especially the Victoria line were dangerously devoid of social distancing.
Other lines including the Northern line were ghostly.
“Dead as a dodo,” said Sean Colley, one of the tube workers on the Waterloo and City line at Bank, the heart of the financial services district.
The shop on the platform has already closed. “The lady took just £11 the other day so she’s long gone,” says Colley.
Jeremy, a financial services executive who travelled in from Guilford, said about 25% of the 3,000-strong workforce were in the office.
While a fraction of the numbers were travelling on the busy Victoria line, the reduced schedule was an issue.
Bisi, an accountant at a Housing Association near Euston station, said she knew social distancing was two metres apart and people were trying their best in impossible circumstances on the tube.
But it was better than normal, she said.
One man heading to work at the nearby magistrates court at Highbury & Islington questioned why the country was being led by example in relation to social distancing.
“Just look at everybody at the press conference sitting next to each other and passing around the microphone. With two doctors in the room?” he said referring to the Boris Johnson daily briefings with England’s chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, and scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.
Surveying a trickle of people coming off the Northern line at Euston, tube worker Sandie Louis de Canonville, said: