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Coronavirus UK live news: calls for urgent help for self-employed as tighter lockdown could come in future Coronavirus UK live news: calls for urgent help for self-employed as tighter lockdown could come in future
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the latest UK developments in the coronavirus crisisRolling coverage of the latest UK developments in the coronavirus crisis
Hospitals are being sent the wrong personal protective equipment to guard against Covid-19, forcing doctors and nurses to take time away from the frontline to get refitted and learn how to use it, our colleagues Denis Campbell and Sarah Marsh report.
Hospital bosses have voiced frustration that they are receiving different sorts of face masks to the ones they usually use and for which they have been tested. The masks are vital protection for medical staff as they repel moisture droplets from infected patients.
Chris Hopson, the chief executive of NHS Providers, has highlighted the problem as a flaw in the government and NHS’s drive to tackle shortages of PPE among frontline staff.
One intensive care nurse at a hospital in Yorkshire told the Guardian how she had had to spend £100 of her own money to buy a full FFP3 respirator mask online. In her unit on Monday, there were no masks or surgical gowns, another vital piece of PPE kit which has also been in short supply. Some staff have resorted to making makeshift PPE , sometimes with clinical waste bags.
You can read the full exclusive story here.
Wetherspoons founder Tim Martin has told staff to “go work at Tesco” instead as the pub firm warned staff they could face delays over pay.
As PA Media reports, the company, which employs 40,000 people, shut all its pubs on Friday after Boris Johnson ordered sites to shut until further notice in response to coronavirus.
In a video message to staff, Martin said the firm will pay staff for all work done until the shutdown, when its pubs last opened, but will not make any further payments to staff until the government fulfils its promise to cover 80% of the wages of workers impacted by the virus. He urged people to consider working for a supermarket instead. He said:
The Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) described Martin’s approach as “completely unacceptable”. Ian Hodson, the BFAWU president, said:
Lorry drivers in the frontline of maintaining vital food and other supplies are continuing to be ostracised and denied access to toilet and hand-washing facilities at hubs servicing major UK companies around the country - despite an intervention by Public Health England.Amid reports of drivers turning up at distribution centres to find that social distancing measures in communal waiting areas are lax or non existent, the government is now being asked by hauliers’ representatives to make a public statement urging companies to impose safer practices.Since the Guardian first reported on the issue last week, drivers have been sending the Guardian photos of notices telling them that they can’t use onsite facilities.They included a letter by Thomas Tunnock Ltd telling drivers that changes had been implemented at its factory in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, and that they would not be allowed to enter or use any facilities at Tunnock’s.
The company appeared to do a U-turn after it was approached by the Guardian, saying that drivers delivering goods and materials to its factory would continue to have access to toilets and wash hand basins.Other reports suggest that notices banning drivers from toilets and washrooms continued to be an issue. They include facilities at service stations and situations where businesses have erected porta cabins but without hand washing.
“Anecdotally we’ve heard that some firms have done the right thing in response but we’re still hearing about drivers being denied access even now,” said a spokesperson for the Road Haulage Association.
The courts in England and Wales are gradually moving towards a position where only “urgent” cases will be heard during the health crisis. The Ministry of Justice admits the situation remains “fluid”.As many as 35 crown court trials which have already started and are moving towards the jury retiring for their verdicts are being completed where possible.
The Crown Prosecution Service has issued guidance saying it will only participate in “urgent” magistrate court hearings, including overnight custody cases, breach of bail as well as interim custody and bail applications. It hopes that many will be conducted via remote video links.
Barristers have been advised by the Bar Council not to attend in person unless they are in a part-heard trial or an urgent case.
Some lawyers who did turn up found judges absent or somewhat bewildered court staff. One barrister, Joe Rarbet, tweeted:
Steven Littlewood, national officer for the FDA union, which represents CPS prosecutors, welcomed the restrictions on physical hearings but said:
Grimsby fish market, the UK’s second largest wholesale fish auction, is to close temporarily on Thursday after the government tightened restrictions on social distancing.Grimsby fish market, the UK’s second largest wholesale fish auction, is to close temporarily on Thursday after the government tightened restrictions on social distancing.
Martyn Boyers, the chief executive, said it was difficult to maintain distancing in the traditional auction and business was tough after a collapse in the price of fish. He said: “A lot of fish and chip shops have closed and the supermarkets have shut their fresh fish counters.”Martyn Boyers, the chief executive, said it was difficult to maintain distancing in the traditional auction and business was tough after a collapse in the price of fish. He said: “A lot of fish and chip shops have closed and the supermarkets have shut their fresh fish counters.”
He said the market would continue to accept and distribute fish but was working on ways that this could be presold after the final auction on Thursday. “When you have testing circumstances you have to start coming up with ideas,” he said.He said the market would continue to accept and distribute fish but was working on ways that this could be presold after the final auction on Thursday. “When you have testing circumstances you have to start coming up with ideas,” he said.
The government’s regular coronavirus press conference will take place virtually later today, Downing Street said.The government’s regular coronavirus press conference will take place virtually later today, Downing Street said.
The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, and the deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, will host the virtual press conference.The chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, and the deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, will host the virtual press conference.
A charity offering housing and support services for people living with severe epilepsy, learning and physical difficulties had all its vehicles damaged, written off or stolen last night, leaving its 82 vulnerable residents without a means to attend medical appointments.A charity offering housing and support services for people living with severe epilepsy, learning and physical difficulties had all its vehicles damaged, written off or stolen last night, leaving its 82 vulnerable residents without a means to attend medical appointments.
The Meath Epilepsy Charity wrote in a post on Facebook:The Meath Epilepsy Charity wrote in a post on Facebook:
Plaid Cymru has said all major construction sites in Wales should be ordered to close down to protect the health and well-being of workers.Plaid Cymru has said all major construction sites in Wales should be ordered to close down to protect the health and well-being of workers.
The party’s shadow minister for the economy, Helen Mary Jones, said many builders had turned up to work at building sites on Tuesday morning.The party’s shadow minister for the economy, Helen Mary Jones, said many builders had turned up to work at building sites on Tuesday morning.
Jones said it was “unacceptable and unethical” to continue asking workers to work on site, thereby risking their health and the health of others unnecessarily.Jones said it was “unacceptable and unethical” to continue asking workers to work on site, thereby risking their health and the health of others unnecessarily.
A woman whose mother has become Northern Ireland’s fourth victim of Covid-19 has lambasted the “selfishness” of people who continue to gather in groups.A woman whose mother has become Northern Ireland’s fourth victim of Covid-19 has lambasted the “selfishness” of people who continue to gather in groups.
Brenda Doherty told the PA news agency that her family was “devastated and heartbroken” by the death of mother-of-five Ruth Burke, 82, but proud of a loved one who had unbelievable strength. She paid tribute to NHS staff who cared for her mother.Brenda Doherty told the PA news agency that her family was “devastated and heartbroken” by the death of mother-of-five Ruth Burke, 82, but proud of a loved one who had unbelievable strength. She paid tribute to NHS staff who cared for her mother.
Doherty said:Doherty said:
She is deferring celebration of her mother’s life until it is safe to do so.She is deferring celebration of her mother’s life until it is safe to do so.
She added:She added:
Birmingham New Street station has given over one of its empty shop units to the NHS to use as a temporary phlebotomy clinic, to reduce the number of people having to visit hospitals dealing with the increasing number of Covid-19 patients.Birmingham New Street station has given over one of its empty shop units to the NHS to use as a temporary phlebotomy clinic, to reduce the number of people having to visit hospitals dealing with the increasing number of Covid-19 patients.
The space has been handed over free of charge for six months from Tuesday and will be staffed by medics from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust.The space has been handed over free of charge for six months from Tuesday and will be staffed by medics from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust.
Patients at Queen Elizabeth hospital, Heartlands hospital, Good Hope hospital, Solihull hospital and Birmingham chest clinic will be able to use the service.Patients at Queen Elizabeth hospital, Heartlands hospital, Good Hope hospital, Solihull hospital and Birmingham chest clinic will be able to use the service.
The Bar Council, which represents about 17,000 barristers in England and Wales, has told members not to attend court unless strictly necessary.The Bar Council, which represents about 17,000 barristers in England and Wales, has told members not to attend court unless strictly necessary.
In updated guidance on Tuesday, following Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on Monday night, the Bar Council said his message was “clear that everyone must stay at home to inhibit all contact and stall the spread of Covid-19”.In updated guidance on Tuesday, following Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on Monday night, the Bar Council said his message was “clear that everyone must stay at home to inhibit all contact and stall the spread of Covid-19”.
The guidance said barristers should not attend civil or family court hearings unless it was “genuinely urgent” and could not be done remotely, adding: “Such a hearing will be a rare occurrence.”The guidance said barristers should not attend civil or family court hearings unless it was “genuinely urgent” and could not be done remotely, adding: “Such a hearing will be a rare occurrence.”
Regarding crown courts, legal representatives were told not to attend in person unless involved in an ongoing jury trial, and to attempt using remote access for all other cases.Regarding crown courts, legal representatives were told not to attend in person unless involved in an ongoing jury trial, and to attempt using remote access for all other cases.
This is what Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, told MPs a few minutes ago about why constructing a scheme to protect the self-employed who are losing work because of the coronavirus crisis was so complicated. He said it may require a brand new system. He explained:This is what Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, told MPs a few minutes ago about why constructing a scheme to protect the self-employed who are losing work because of the coronavirus crisis was so complicated. He said it may require a brand new system. He explained:
Labour’s Wes Streeting pushed him for clarification on this. He said people wanted an announcement very soon.Labour’s Wes Streeting pushed him for clarification on this. He said people wanted an announcement very soon.
Sunak said that he “hoped to have something to say very shortly”. But he said that did not mean he would be able to implement a scheme immediately. Implementing the proposals “will take longer”, he said.Sunak said that he “hoped to have something to say very shortly”. But he said that did not mean he would be able to implement a scheme immediately. Implementing the proposals “will take longer”, he said.
Labour’s Kevin Brennan put it to the chancellor that in the context of talking about the self-employed, MPs were asking about people who had lost their entire income overnight. He asked if Sunak could provide some more reassurance that it is his intention to provide help to those people and detail how he is going to do it, as well as asking banks to extend credit on a free basis.Labour’s Kevin Brennan put it to the chancellor that in the context of talking about the self-employed, MPs were asking about people who had lost their entire income overnight. He asked if Sunak could provide some more reassurance that it is his intention to provide help to those people and detail how he is going to do it, as well as asking banks to extend credit on a free basis.
Sunak replied:Sunak replied:
Treasury spokesman for the Lib Dems, Sir Ed Davey, said the government “has to move as fast as possible” to provide support for self-employed workers who are “literally in many cases simply running out of money”.Treasury spokesman for the Lib Dems, Sir Ed Davey, said the government “has to move as fast as possible” to provide support for self-employed workers who are “literally in many cases simply running out of money”.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said:Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said:
Sir Ed said:Sir Ed said:
Mr Barclay replied:Mr Barclay replied:
Work on Crossrail sites is being temporarily suspended to limit the spread of coronavirus, Transport for London (TfL) has said.Work on Crossrail sites is being temporarily suspended to limit the spread of coronavirus, Transport for London (TfL) has said.
In a statement on Tuesday, it said that all work on TfL and Crossrail sites would be stopped unless they “need to continue for operational safety reasons”. It added:In a statement on Tuesday, it said that all work on TfL and Crossrail sites would be stopped unless they “need to continue for operational safety reasons”. It added:
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, will propose a one-year postponement for the Tokyo Olympics during talks with the IOC president, Thomas Bach.Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, will propose a one-year postponement for the Tokyo Olympics during talks with the IOC president, Thomas Bach.
Abe said a postponement was unavoidable if the 2020 Games could not be held in a complete manner amid the coronavirus pandemic. Abe held telephone talks with Bach after the IOC said it would make a decision on the Tokyo Games over the next four weeks.Abe said a postponement was unavoidable if the 2020 Games could not be held in a complete manner amid the coronavirus pandemic. Abe held telephone talks with Bach after the IOC said it would make a decision on the Tokyo Games over the next four weeks.
Until a few days ago, the IOC, along with the Tokyo organising committee and the Japanese government, had insisted there were no plans to delay the Olympics given they were not due to open for another four months but Japan’s NHK public television reported on Tuesday that Abe wants a one-year delay.Until a few days ago, the IOC, along with the Tokyo organising committee and the Japanese government, had insisted there were no plans to delay the Olympics given they were not due to open for another four months but Japan’s NHK public television reported on Tuesday that Abe wants a one-year delay.
Tokyo 2020’s fate was effectively sealed this week when Canada and Australia said they would not send athletes to Japan in July, while the British and French governments urged the IOC to make a quick decision.Tokyo 2020’s fate was effectively sealed this week when Canada and Australia said they would not send athletes to Japan in July, while the British and French governments urged the IOC to make a quick decision.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said he would join Pope Francis and “millions around the world” for a united recital of the Lord’s Prayer at noon on Wednesday.The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said he would join Pope Francis and “millions around the world” for a united recital of the Lord’s Prayer at noon on Wednesday.
“Please join us wherever you are. Prayer unites us in testing times,” he wrote on Twitter.“Please join us wherever you are. Prayer unites us in testing times,” he wrote on Twitter.
And here is the Downing Street readout from cabinet. A Downing Street spokesperson said:And here is the Downing Street readout from cabinet. A Downing Street spokesperson said:
Originally the comprehensive spending review was due to conclude in July, with the deadline for submissions set for 20 May.Originally the comprehensive spending review was due to conclude in July, with the deadline for submissions set for 20 May.