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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 crisis | Rolling coverage of the latest UK developments in the coronavirus crisis |
| Staff in the Houses of Parliament are becoming increasingly concerned that they are facing unnecessary health risks because they are required to attend Westminster so that MPs can pursue non-urgent business which is unrelated to the coronavirus outbreak. The FDA union, which represents senior clerks, has written to John Benger, the clerk of the house, to protest about non-coronavirus business still being pursued in parliament this week, the Guardian has learned. The letter comes amid a swirl of rumours that parliament could be asked to shut down early following Boris Johnson’s decision on Tuesday to impose unprecedented restrictions on the movement on UK citizens. Amy Leversidge, the FDA’s assistant general secretary, said the union’s members who include senior clerks are being exposed to unnecessary risks: | |
| The Conservative MP Peter Bone told the Guardian he would be withdrawing his two private member’s bills – the parliamentary constituencies (amendment) bill and the hospitals (parking charges and business rates) bill. He said: | |
| The House of Commons media team was approached for comment. | |
| With many people planning to use the coming weeks to do home improvements and gardening, the British Society for Surgery of the Hand is urging people to take extra care to avoid gardening accidents and injuries that could place unnecessary pressure on the NHS. | |
| Hand surgeons are concerned that an increase in the number of people using power tools, lawn mowers and hedge trimmers could lead to a rise in serious injuries, putting strain on an already overburdened health service. | |
| Kingfisher, which owns B&Q and Screwfix, reported a 37% increase in like-for-like sales last week, following growth of almost 9% the week before. | |
| Data released by NHS Digital in 2019 showed there were almost 4,800 admissions to hospital for injuries caused by drills and other power tools in just 12 months, with common injuries including fingers that have been chopped off by a lawnmower or power tool, as well as deep cuts caused by hedge trimmers, and infections following people pricking their skin on thorns. | |
| You can find more advice on the BSSH website. | |
| The Co-op is the latest supermarket to introduce new measures as part of efforts to ensure physical distancing is adhered to during the coronavirus outbreak. | |
| Floor markers will define a one-metre distance in front of payment kiosks and a two-metre spacing for customers in queues. Its stores will also limit the number of customers in the store at any one time, while the number of tills open will be reduced to allow greater distance between customers. | |
| The changes will apply to all its 2,600 shops in the UK which, as convenience outlets, tend to be relatively small with narrow aisles. | |
| Both Waitrose and Lidl announced strategies today to help protect both staff and customers, which include installing screens at checkout areas. | |
| A Co-op spokesperson said: | |
| The government lockdown announced on Monday included the closure of all “non-essential” stores. The new rules stipulate that retailers remaining open, such as supermarkets, must ensure there is physical distancing between customers and staff and that shoppers enter in small groups, so that spaces do not become crowded. | |
| The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. The prime minister’s spokesman said the police would be given the power to fine people who break the rule about holding gatherings of more than two people in public. The fines will initially be set at £30, but the level could increase “significantly” if there is widespread evidence of people refusing to comply with the rules, the spokesman said. | |
| I will post a full summary of the briefing shortly. | |
| Two more people in Scotland have died after testing positive for Covid-19, the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said, taking the total to 16. | |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | “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 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. | 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. | 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: | 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: | 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. |