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| UK coronavirus live: ONS to investigate why 8,000 weekly 'excess' death toll even higher than Covid-19 figures imply | UK coronavirus live: ONS to investigate why 8,000 weekly 'excess' death toll even higher than Covid-19 figures imply |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| MPs expected to approve plans for ‘virtual’ sittings of the Commons as questions continue over PPE provision | MPs expected to approve plans for ‘virtual’ sittings of the Commons as questions continue over PPE provision |
| Higher air pollution could be linked to increased deaths and cases of coronavirus in England, a preliminary study suggests. | |
| An analysis by the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit at Cambridge University compared regional data on total Covid-19 cases and deaths, against levels of three major air pollutants. | |
| The study used data from seven regions in England, where a minimum of 2,000 infections and 200 deaths are reported from February to April 8, 2020, and air pollution records from more than 120 sites in 2018 and 2019. | |
| Levels of pollutants nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, much of which comes from traffic fumes, were highest in London, the Midlands and the North West and lowest in southern regions of England. | |
| Fatalities of people with the coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, followed the same trend, the study found, suggesting the higher the pollution levels, the greater number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. | |
| Long-term exposure to air pollutants from car exhaust fumes or burning fossil fuels can put people at risk of these health conditions, and can also increase the risk of infection by viruses that affect people’s airways. | |
| Marco Travaglio, a PhD student at the MRC Toxicology Unit, said: | |
| Dr Miguel Martins, senior author on the study, added: | |
| Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, a union which represents many workers in the health and care sector, said that the latest ONS figures about care home deaths (see 9.45am and 10.59am), were “shocking evidence of the government’s shambolic handling of the Covid crisis”. In a statement he went on: | |
| There could be a “bloodbath” for the UK’s pubs and restaurants unless the government extends coronavirus support for the hospitality industry, a trade body has warned. | |
| The UKHospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said the industry was the “canary in the coalmine” for the British economy and said firms could go to the wall without further help from Whitehall, PA Media reports. | |
| She said unless measures on preventing evictions were extended, the industry would face a crisis when the next quarter’s payments were due in June. | |
| The government intervention should also be extended to become a wider debt enforcement moratorium, Nicholls said. | |
| She told MPs on the Commons Treasury committee that a breathing space of “six to nine months” was required. | |
| She also called for the retail, hospitality and leisure grant to be extended, removing the bar on accessing the scheme for premises with a rateable value of more than 51,000. | |
| Tributes have been paid to mental health nurse Khulisani Nkala, 46, who died on Friday after contracting coronavirus, PA Media reports. Dr Sara Munro, chief executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: | |
| On Saturday the government assured the public that a “major consignment” of PPE was on its way from Turkey, and was set to arrive on Sunday after growing criticism of a critical shortage for frontline workers. | On Saturday the government assured the public that a “major consignment” of PPE was on its way from Turkey, and was set to arrive on Sunday after growing criticism of a critical shortage for frontline workers. |
| But Sky News has since reported Turkish sources claiming that Britain only made a formal request to Turkey over a consignment of personal protective equipment on Sunday. | But Sky News has since reported Turkish sources claiming that Britain only made a formal request to Turkey over a consignment of personal protective equipment on Sunday. |
| Now it seems that there is only a “slim possibility” that an already delayed order of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Turkey will arrive in the UK on Tuesday, reports my colleague Dan Sabbagh. He writes: | Now it seems that there is only a “slim possibility” that an already delayed order of personal protective equipment (PPE) from Turkey will arrive in the UK on Tuesday, reports my colleague Dan Sabbagh. He writes: |
| The first online hearing in a Scottish court has begun in a defamation case over claims a pro-independence blogger was called a homophobe by the former Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale. | The first online hearing in a Scottish court has begun in a defamation case over claims a pro-independence blogger was called a homophobe by the former Scottish Labour leader, Kezia Dugdale. |
| Stuart Campbell, who blogs under the pen name Wings over Scotland, is appealing against a sheriff’s decision last April to dismiss his £25,000 damages claim over an opinion piece by Dugdale in the Record in March 2017. | Stuart Campbell, who blogs under the pen name Wings over Scotland, is appealing against a sheriff’s decision last April to dismiss his £25,000 damages claim over an opinion piece by Dugdale in the Record in March 2017. |
| The historic hearing before Lord Carloway, lord president of the court of session, and Scotland’s most senior judge, and Lords Brodie and Menzies, is being held entirely online over a secure video conferencing service; the judges and lawyers for both sides are all in separate locations. | The historic hearing before Lord Carloway, lord president of the court of session, and Scotland’s most senior judge, and Lords Brodie and Menzies, is being held entirely online over a secure video conferencing service; the judges and lawyers for both sides are all in separate locations. |
| It is expected to lead to numerous civil and potentially criminal trials being conducted online during the coronavirus crisis; later on Tuesday Humza Yousaf, the Scottish justice secretary, is to unveil new proposals to conduct jury trials differently during the lockdown. | It is expected to lead to numerous civil and potentially criminal trials being conducted online during the coronavirus crisis; later on Tuesday Humza Yousaf, the Scottish justice secretary, is to unveil new proposals to conduct jury trials differently during the lockdown. |
| Dugdale, then Scottish Labour’s leader, described a tweet by Campbell about Oliver Mundell, the Tory MP who is the son of the then Scottish secretary David Mundell, as “homophobic” in her column. | Dugdale, then Scottish Labour’s leader, described a tweet by Campbell about Oliver Mundell, the Tory MP who is the son of the then Scottish secretary David Mundell, as “homophobic” in her column. |
| Craig Sandison QC, acting for Campbell, told the three judges on Tuesday morning that assertion was made as a statement of fact and not an opinion, leading people to believe Campbell was an “abusive homophobe” who was polluting Scottish political discourse. | Craig Sandison QC, acting for Campbell, told the three judges on Tuesday morning that assertion was made as a statement of fact and not an opinion, leading people to believe Campbell was an “abusive homophobe” who was polluting Scottish political discourse. |
| Sheriff Nigel Ross ruled Dugdale was wrong to imply Campbell was a homophobe, but her opinions were protected as fair comment. In July 2019, he awarded costs against Campbell; the blogger described the ruling as “incomprehensible” and said the final bill would be roughly £100,000. | Sheriff Nigel Ross ruled Dugdale was wrong to imply Campbell was a homophobe, but her opinions were protected as fair comment. In July 2019, he awarded costs against Campbell; the blogger described the ruling as “incomprehensible” and said the final bill would be roughly £100,000. |
| In a case being closely followed by press freedom campaigners and the media, Campbell is seeking £25,000 in damages plus interest at 8% from the date the Record article was published. Dugdale is resisting Campbell’s appeal and insists it was fair comment and an opinion, and therefore lawful. | In a case being closely followed by press freedom campaigners and the media, Campbell is seeking £25,000 in damages plus interest at 8% from the date the Record article was published. Dugdale is resisting Campbell’s appeal and insists it was fair comment and an opinion, and therefore lawful. |
| Household claims for universal credit in Scotland have surged by 90,000 a month as the coronavirus pandemic continues to seriously affect family finances, writes my colleague Libby Brooks. | Household claims for universal credit in Scotland have surged by 90,000 a month as the coronavirus pandemic continues to seriously affect family finances, writes my colleague Libby Brooks. |
| UC claims increased from an average of 20,000 per month in 2019 to over 110,000 between 1 March and 7 April, the Scottish government has announced, as it launches a new campaign to raise awareness of the financial support available in partnership with the Citizens Advice network. | UC claims increased from an average of 20,000 per month in 2019 to over 110,000 between 1 March and 7 April, the Scottish government has announced, as it launches a new campaign to raise awareness of the financial support available in partnership with the Citizens Advice network. |
| The campaign will provide information and advice on issues including rent and mortgage payments, energy bills, council tax, and benefits people may be entitled to. | The campaign will provide information and advice on issues including rent and mortgage payments, energy bills, council tax, and benefits people may be entitled to. |
| Super League’s Magic Weekend, one of English rugby league’s major events, been postponed as a result of the ongoing pandemic. | Super League’s Magic Weekend, one of English rugby league’s major events, been postponed as a result of the ongoing pandemic. |
| The event, which was scheduled for 23-24 May at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, will not go ahead as planned but it may be rescheduled for a later date, according to organisers. | The event, which was scheduled for 23-24 May at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, will not go ahead as planned but it may be rescheduled for a later date, according to organisers. |
| The event which brings all the top-flight teams together for back-to-back matches at one venue. | The event which brings all the top-flight teams together for back-to-back matches at one venue. |
| Here is our news story on the ONS figures from Robert Booth and Pamela Duncan. | Here is our news story on the ONS figures from Robert Booth and Pamela Duncan. |
| And this is how it starts. | And this is how it starts. |
| Nick Stripe, the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, gave a sobering interview to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire a few minutes ago about the latest mortality figures. (“Life events” presumably include dying.) Here are the key points. | Nick Stripe, the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, gave a sobering interview to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire a few minutes ago about the latest mortality figures. (“Life events” presumably include dying.) Here are the key points. |
| Stripe said that the ONS death figures released this morning for England and Wales for the week ending 10 April were almost certainly an understatement. He said 10 April, was Good Friday, and only around a third of registration offices were open. He went on: | Stripe said that the ONS death figures released this morning for England and Wales for the week ending 10 April were almost certainly an understatement. He said 10 April, was Good Friday, and only around a third of registration offices were open. He went on: |
| He said the ONS figures that were published showed around 8,000 “excess deaths” in the week ending 10 April. That meant deaths above the five-year average. Of those, only 80% were directly related to coronavirus, he said. | He said the ONS figures that were published showed around 8,000 “excess deaths” in the week ending 10 April. That meant deaths above the five-year average. Of those, only 80% were directly related to coronavirus, he said. |
| He said the ONS was carrying out a research project to establish what was responsible for the other 20% of excess deaths. They might be related to coronavirus, he said, or they might be related to people not going to hospital. He said fully establishing the reasons for these excess deaths might take months or even years. | He said the ONS was carrying out a research project to establish what was responsible for the other 20% of excess deaths. They might be related to coronavirus, he said, or they might be related to people not going to hospital. He said fully establishing the reasons for these excess deaths might take months or even years. |
| He said that the the ONS’s figures for the Friday up to 10 April were 40% higher than the numbers that were officially announced by the government for coronavirus deaths the following day. And the ONS figures were about 20% higher than the latest figures for NHS England (which is now publishing figures showing how many people are known to have died from coronavirus in hospital on any particular day). | He said that the the ONS’s figures for the Friday up to 10 April were 40% higher than the numbers that were officially announced by the government for coronavirus deaths the following day. And the ONS figures were about 20% higher than the latest figures for NHS England (which is now publishing figures showing how many people are known to have died from coronavirus in hospital on any particular day). |
| He said only around 80% of coronavirus deaths were in a hospital. In the previous week that figure was 90%, he said. He said 13% of coronavirus deaths were in a care home, and 5% were in a private home. In the previous week there were 217 coronavirus deaths in care homes. In the week up to 10 April there were just over 1,000. | He said only around 80% of coronavirus deaths were in a hospital. In the previous week that figure was 90%, he said. He said 13% of coronavirus deaths were in a care home, and 5% were in a private home. In the previous week there were 217 coronavirus deaths in care homes. In the week up to 10 April there were just over 1,000. |
| He said the number of deaths in care homes, from all causes, was double in the week up to 10 April what it was two weeks previously. | He said the number of deaths in care homes, from all causes, was double in the week up to 10 April what it was two weeks previously. |
| He said that around one in three of the death in the week ending 10 April involved coronavirus. In the previous week only around one in five deaths involved coronavirus. | He said that around one in three of the death in the week ending 10 April involved coronavirus. In the previous week only around one in five deaths involved coronavirus. |
| John Lewis sales have plunged after it was forced to shut stores in face of coronavirus despite a surge in online orders. | John Lewis sales have plunged after it was forced to shut stores in face of coronavirus despite a surge in online orders. |
| The John Lewis Partnership group also said sales at its Waitrose supermarket chain saw surged as shoppers stocked up on essentials. | The John Lewis Partnership group also said sales at its Waitrose supermarket chain saw surged as shoppers stocked up on essentials. |
| However, department stores sales tumbled 17% in the weeks since 15 March, after it closed all its sites on 23 March. The high street retailer warned that a worst-case scenario would be annual sales plunging 35%. | However, department stores sales tumbled 17% in the weeks since 15 March, after it closed all its sites on 23 March. The high street retailer warned that a worst-case scenario would be annual sales plunging 35%. |
| Nevertheless, John Lewis said online sales had jumped 84% as shoppers purchased more technology and food preparation products. | Nevertheless, John Lewis said online sales had jumped 84% as shoppers purchased more technology and food preparation products. |
| The retailer said demand had particularly risen in some of its “less profitable lines”, with people “buying more Scrabble but fewer sofas”. | The retailer said demand had particularly risen in some of its “less profitable lines”, with people “buying more Scrabble but fewer sofas”. |
| Elsewhere, Waitrose sales increased by 8% in the period since 26 January as supermarkets were buoyed by the crisis. Sales increased both in store and online as shoppers bought more essentials like rice, pasta and long-life milk. | Elsewhere, Waitrose sales increased by 8% in the period since 26 January as supermarkets were buoyed by the crisis. Sales increased both in store and online as shoppers bought more essentials like rice, pasta and long-life milk. |
| The ONS has also published a paper looking at how its death figures compare with the ones published by the government for coronavirus deaths in hospitals. | The ONS has also published a paper looking at how its death figures compare with the ones published by the government for coronavirus deaths in hospitals. |
| The ONS says from 28 April it will be publishing a new set of data covering coronavirus deaths in care homes. | The ONS says from 28 April it will be publishing a new set of data covering coronavirus deaths in care homes. |