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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson 'responding to treatment' in intensive care; Wales to extend lockdown UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson 'responding to treatment' in intensive care; Wales to extend lockdown
(32 minutes later)
London mayor says capital has ‘capacity to deal with our needs’, as Cambridge University sets up new testing labLondon mayor says capital has ‘capacity to deal with our needs’, as Cambridge University sets up new testing lab
Channel 4 will cut its content budget by £150m in a bid to navigate through the coronavirus crisis, it has been announced.
The channel said:
The statement said Channel 4 will maintain its support for the creative sector – continuing to commission and develop content for 2020 and 2021 - with ringfenced funding for nations and regions, and BAME-led independent producers.
A “virtual parliament” must be swiftly established so the government can be scrutinised during the coronavirus outbreak, a cross-party group of peers has urged.
The 210-strong group called on the leader of the House of Lords, Lady Evans, to prioritise allowing oral questions and statements to be made using video-conferencing technology, and said that if those measures could be successfully introduced, they then wanted the use of digital technology to be extended to include legislation and voting.
The peers, including the Conservative former minister Lord Bourne, Labour’s Lord Dubs and the Liberal Democrat Lady Benjamin, called for “new ways of working” to be introduced.
Lord German, a Lib Dem peer who was key to organising the call, said parliament had to lead by example while continuing to fulfil its crucial duties:
The Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, wrote to peers warning that the challenges could go a “long way beyond” 21 April and said authorities were working “incredibly hard” to allow members to participate from home.
In the Commons, the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has also urged the government to allow MPs to be able to work “virtually” if the crisis continues after the date they are due to return.
The National Trust is urging people to stay at home over Easter in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus.The National Trust is urging people to stay at home over Easter in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus.
The Easter weekend would traditionally see hundreds of thousands of people flock to National Trust properties, gardens and beauty spots across the UK. But they are all closed as the country remains in lockdown as part of strict measures to control the outbreak. The Easter weekend would traditionally involve hundreds of thousands of people flocking to National Trust properties, gardens and beauty spots across the UK. But they are all closed as the country remains in lockdown as part of strict measures to control the outbreak.
National Trust director general Hilary McGrady said: The National Trust director general, Hilary McGrady, said:
The charity is also launching a new programme of online activities for children and families and is calling on people to hold on to rainbow signs, letters and other pieces of ephemera from the lockdown. McGrady added:The charity is also launching a new programme of online activities for children and families and is calling on people to hold on to rainbow signs, letters and other pieces of ephemera from the lockdown. McGrady added:
The former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has said he is “self-isolating as a precaution” after experiencing a fever and persistent cough since Saturday. After consulting NHS 111, he decided to remain in self-isolation for the rest of the week, he said.The former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has said he is “self-isolating as a precaution” after experiencing a fever and persistent cough since Saturday. After consulting NHS 111, he decided to remain in self-isolation for the rest of the week, he said.
The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said he would be “out of action” over the next few days but constituents could still contact his team who would continue to work hard in his absence.The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said he would be “out of action” over the next few days but constituents could still contact his team who would continue to work hard in his absence.
The UK’s largest travel firm, Tui, has just cancelled all its beach holidays for the next five weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.The UK’s largest travel firm, Tui, has just cancelled all its beach holidays for the next five weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It said on Wednesday that all package trips up to and including 14 May were being cancelled, while all its Marella Cruises sailings had been suspended until at least June. Tui said:It said on Wednesday that all package trips up to and including 14 May were being cancelled, while all its Marella Cruises sailings had been suspended until at least June. Tui said:
Currently bookings for the May half-term, one of the busiest weeks in the holiday calendar, are set to go ahead, although that looks unlikely. Earlier this week the Foreign and Commonwealth Office extended its ban on all but essential travel outside the UK, and said this would run until further notice.Currently bookings for the May half-term, one of the busiest weeks in the holiday calendar, are set to go ahead, although that looks unlikely. Earlier this week the Foreign and Commonwealth Office extended its ban on all but essential travel outside the UK, and said this would run until further notice.
Tui has told affected passengers not to contact the firm, and it will get in touch. It is currently only offering those with cancelled trips the chance to rebook, rather than the full refunds as required by law.Tui has told affected passengers not to contact the firm, and it will get in touch. It is currently only offering those with cancelled trips the chance to rebook, rather than the full refunds as required by law.
Rory Boland, from the consumer group Which?, said:Rory Boland, from the consumer group Which?, said:
The number of deaths linked to coronavirus in a hospital setting in Northern Ireland has risen to 78, with five more reported on Wednesday.The number of deaths linked to coronavirus in a hospital setting in Northern Ireland has risen to 78, with five more reported on Wednesday.
There were 84 new confirmed cases of the virus, bringing the total in the region to 1,339, according to the Public Health Agency.There were 84 new confirmed cases of the virus, bringing the total in the region to 1,339, according to the Public Health Agency.
A further 828 people, who tested positive for Covid-19 have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 6,483, NHS England said.A further 828 people, who tested positive for Covid-19 have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 6,483, NHS England said.
Patients were aged between 22 and 103 years old. Forty-six of the 828 patients (aged between 35 and 96 years old) had no known underlying health condition.Patients were aged between 22 and 103 years old. Forty-six of the 828 patients (aged between 35 and 96 years old) had no known underlying health condition.
The Scottish government has announced an extra £5m in emergency financial support for students at Scottish colleges and universities facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.The government’s announcement said:The Scottish government has announced an extra £5m in emergency financial support for students at Scottish colleges and universities facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.The government’s announcement said:
The remainder will be taken from further education student support budgets “for immediate use” as emergency funds.The remainder will be taken from further education student support budgets “for immediate use” as emergency funds.
Richard Lochhead, the further and higher education minister, said all bursaries, grants and loans would continue to be paid, with the extra funding to help those with concerns around accommodation costs, general living expenses and wellbeing.Richard Lochhead, the further and higher education minister, said all bursaries, grants and loans would continue to be paid, with the extra funding to help those with concerns around accommodation costs, general living expenses and wellbeing.
Public Health Wales said 33 more people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths in Wales to 245.Public Health Wales said 33 more people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths in Wales to 245.
Dr Robin Howe, from Public Health Wales, also said 284 new cases have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 4,073, adding that the true number is likely to be higher.Dr Robin Howe, from Public Health Wales, also said 284 new cases have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 4,073, adding that the true number is likely to be higher.
Dr Howe said case numbers would be “lower than usual” on Thursday as officials move back the time when they count new cases.Dr Howe said case numbers would be “lower than usual” on Thursday as officials move back the time when they count new cases.
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has confirmed the lockdown will not be lifted next week in Wales.The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has confirmed the lockdown will not be lifted next week in Wales.
He told a virtual Welsh assembly meeting:He told a virtual Welsh assembly meeting:
Drakeford said he had discussed the next steps with the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments and added: “The precise nature of what will follow will be agreed in the following days.”Drakeford said he had discussed the next steps with the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments and added: “The precise nature of what will follow will be agreed in the following days.”
He thanked the people of Wales for their efforts so far.He thanked the people of Wales for their efforts so far.
The Welsh government said people flouting the lockdown had been recorded by all four police forces in Wales.The Welsh government said people flouting the lockdown had been recorded by all four police forces in Wales.
Some people had visited holiday homes, which had caused tension. Concerns have been raised by Gwent police about busy roads and motorcyclists congregating in some parts of their area, while South Wales police officers have attended incidents including a children’s birthday party, a football match and a group of hikers.Some people had visited holiday homes, which had caused tension. Concerns have been raised by Gwent police about busy roads and motorcyclists congregating in some parts of their area, while South Wales police officers have attended incidents including a children’s birthday party, a football match and a group of hikers.
Drakeford said:Drakeford said:
He said breaches had been “sporadic” but warned that if police said stronger powers were needed, they would receive them.He said breaches had been “sporadic” but warned that if police said stronger powers were needed, they would receive them.
In the latest instalment of our Politics Weekly podcast, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Heather Stewart about the latest in Westminster, including who is running the government while Boris Johnson remains in intensive care; why we don’t know when the lockdown will end and who’s in the new shadow cabinet.
Plus: Jon Henley reports on the pandemic’s effect on populism in Europe and Rajeev Syal speaks to David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, about his new role and new book.
Catch the full episode here.
The archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to reiterate his decision to close churches in England after some members of the C of E have challenged the policy.
In a video posted on YouTube, Justin Welby set out five reasons for the church closures. The first was to “set an example” in following the government’s “simple and ethical” public health message.
Second, churches were merely buildings; “the church is the people of God”. Third, clergy and bishops should share “the inconveniencing, the restrictions, the isolations imposed on us. It’s about being part of the flock rather than some super special category that can do its own thing.”
Fourth, he said, the Church of England was the church for England. “If you’re there for everyone, it means you have to think about everyone”.
His final reason was: “It’s not just about us, the believers - it’s about everyone.” Online services were being accessed by “vast numbers ... they are a way of reaching out.”
Earlier this week, Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London and the number three in the C of E hierarchy, wrote to clergy in her diocese telling them they could conduct services in their own church to livestream to congregations.
She later clarified in a tweet that clergy had been “clearly instructed” to close churches.Others have argued that churches should remain open for private prayer and reflection.
With demand soaring, but individual donations falling, the co-founder of a food bank shares her diary of its journey during the Covid-19 crisis, in the Guardian today. She writes:
You can read the full piece here.
Thanks everyone. I am going to be handing the live blog back to Lucy Campbell now, who will be giving you updates throughout the day.
The former Conservative foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said he does not think the nationwide lockdown restrictions will be lifted next week. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One, the chairman of the Commons health and social care select committee, said: “As we’ve seen from Italy and other countries, you don’t get a peak and then an immediate reduction, you stay at that peak level for some time.” He added: “I think it’s perfectly reasonable to say that the lockdown is going to need to continue for a while and we don’t need to take this decision at the beginning of next week.”
The South East Coast ambulance service has this morning issued a statement about a fake voicemail message that is being widely circulated on WhatsApp and causing distress.
The service said: “The alarmist information being shared in the message is not correct. We would urge people to disregard the message and not share it further.”
The WhatsApp message, which purports to be someone who works at the service, makes a series of claims that from Thursday, ambulances will not make callouts to people at home suffering from Covid-19, that ice rinks are being used as makeshift morgues, and that a third of the deaths in coming weeks will be babies, children and teenagers with no underlying health issues.
While it isn’t possible to precisely forecast who may be affected by Covid-19, so far no country in the world has seen mortality rates from the coronavirus that have led to a third of the victims being young people.
The service’s statement goes on to say: “In line with our ongoing plans during this challenging time, we are continuing to follow national guidelines regarding the ambulance response and thank the public for their ongoing support in following the government’s advice.”
Nicola Sturgeon has announced a dedicated email address for health and social care workers to report directly to the Scottish government their worries about PPE.
Addressing continuing concerns from healthcare professionals and care workers about the supply and adequacy of PPE, Sturgeon said that her health secretary, Jeane Freeman, and deputy first minister, John Swinney, would be meeting the local government association COSLA and other unions this afternoon to discuss in particular care workers’ provision.
Sturgeon said she believed part of the issue was about building confidence in workers who were not familiar with using the kit, to assure them that the PPE being used currently was adequate. Freeman insisted all kit met WHO guidelines and that supplies were adequate for demand, and that “there is no reason why the supplies that we have are not reaching health and social care workers”.
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The second NHS Nightingale hospital, which has been built at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, is to be opened on Friday, Downing Street has said. The prime minister’s official spokesman said it would initially have 500 beds to treat coronavirus patients, with the capacity to expand to 2,000. “Huge credit should go to all those involved in getting the hospital set up so quickly,” the spokesman said. He added that the third Nightingale hospital in Manchester was expected to open in “the next week or so”.
Lake District MP Tim Farron is pleading with holiday let owners to stop taking bookings and asking visitors to stay at home ahead of what is usually one of the national park’s busiest weekends.
This comes after an investigation from Cumbria police found adverts for 300 Lake District homes to rent this week.
Farron, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: