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UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson to chair cabinet ahead of holding first daily briefing since illness UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson chairs cabinet ahead of holding first daily briefing since illness
(32 minutes later)
Robert Buckland admits government may fail to hit testing target but says Nicola Sturgeon was right to warn it may not be possible to lift lockdown measures next week Robert Buckland admits government may fail to hit testing target; death toll in Scotland rises; more than 1,800 workers set to lose jobs at Oasis and Warehouse
The government is to step up its campaign to find British workers to pick fruit and vegetables during the coronavirus lockdown.
Environment, food and rural affairs minister Lord Gardiner of Kimble said farms currently had sufficient seasonal labour.
But he said the campaign to plug the gap left by having fewer pickers from abroad would be “escalated” next month.
In a virtual Lords question time session, Lord Gardiner said he was confident people would come forward to pick “excellent” British fruit and vegetables.
Nicola Sturgeon starts her daily briefing by confirming 11,353 positive cases of coronavirus in Scotland, an increase of 319 from yesterday.
There are now 1,748 patients in hospital with suspected or confirmed Covid-19, an increase of 21; 109 in intensive care, a decrease of five from yesterday. She also said that 2,538 patients who had the virus had left hospital since 5 March.
But in the last 24 hours there were a further 60 deaths registered, taking that total to 1,475.
A fifth of high street stores plan to stay closed permanently after the coronavirus lockdown unwinds, retail leaders have told MPs.
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, told the business, energy and industrial strategy select committee it has been the “worst time ever for retail” after the pandemic hit the UK.
He said 20% of retailers surveyed by the trade body claimed they did not intend to reopen after the lockdown.
Goodacre added: “For those even saying they would look to reopen, there is a huge caveat about the level of trade on whether they would continue to reopen.
“If the footfall is impacted and social distancing exists and they find it hard to meet needs of customers and workers, it would be more expensive to reopen than to stay closed.”
At the government press conference on Tuesday Matt Hancock, the health secretary, was asked by the New Scientist’s Adam Vaughan how many contact tracers the government has already recruited. There are supposed to be 18,000 in place by the middle of next month. Hancock did not know, but he said he would try to get an answer.
Now Vaughan has been told the Department for Health and Social Care won’t release that information. As he writes, “a spokesperson [for the department] confirmed that recruitment had begun and said work was under way to ensure a rapid increase in tracers, but would not say how many there are now.”
More than 1,800 workers are set to lose their jobs at Oasis and Warehouse and two other brands, after administrators said they were unable to find a buyer for the business. Deloitte said that all stores would close indefinitely and online sales would be stopped. The failure to save any part of Oasis Warehouse Limited, the company behind the two brands, along with The Idle Man and Bastyan Fashions, will result in the loss of 1,803 jobs. Deloitte said it had sold the intellectual property and the company’s stock to restructuring expert Hilco Capital, but Hilco had decided not to buy the rest of the business. Administrator Rob Harding said: “Covid-19 has presented extraordinary challenges which have devastated the retail industry. It is with great sadness that we have to announce a sale of the business has not been possible and that we are announcing so many redundancies today.” He added: “This is a very difficult time for the group’s employees and other key stakeholders and we will do everything we can to support them through this.
New video technology is being introduced to enable criminal trials in crown and magistrates courts to be conducted securely over remote video links during the pandemic.New video technology is being introduced to enable criminal trials in crown and magistrates courts to be conducted securely over remote video links during the pandemic.
The first phase of the new video platform, known as Kinly Cloud Video Platform (CVP), will be rolled out to more than 100 courts in England and Wales.The first phase of the new video platform, known as Kinly Cloud Video Platform (CVP), will be rolled out to more than 100 courts in England and Wales.
HM Courts and Tribunal Service has so far run 412 remand hearings using CVP, brought on line 26 police custody suites and connected 95 advocates, 42 Crown prosecutors, 20 probation officers and two translators. HM Courts and Tribunal Service has so far run 412 remand hearings using CVP, brought on line 26 police custody suites and connected 95 advocates, 42 crown prosecutors, 20 probation officers and two translators.
The courts minister, Chris Philp, said:The courts minister, Chris Philp, said:
Researchers say the preliminary results from UCL trials to treat Covid-19 with the drug Remdesivir are “really promising,” but acknowledged that there was “a little way to go”. They said that “in principle” the treatment could assist in the process of easing the UK lockdown but that it would depend more on dealing with transmission within the community. They added that more informative results would be available near to the end of May.Researchers say the preliminary results from UCL trials to treat Covid-19 with the drug Remdesivir are “really promising,” but acknowledged that there was “a little way to go”. They said that “in principle” the treatment could assist in the process of easing the UK lockdown but that it would depend more on dealing with transmission within the community. They added that more informative results would be available near to the end of May.
Supermarkets have been urged to welcome all families “with kindness and compassion”, following a surge in reports of single parents across Scotland being challenged or turned away by staff and abused by members of the public as they try to shop with their children, our colleague Libby Brooks reports.Supermarkets have been urged to welcome all families “with kindness and compassion”, following a surge in reports of single parents across Scotland being challenged or turned away by staff and abused by members of the public as they try to shop with their children, our colleague Libby Brooks reports.
There is a lot of concern that the lockdown could disproportionately affect women - even if the disease itself kills more men. The Fawcett Society put it like this:There is a lot of concern that the lockdown could disproportionately affect women - even if the disease itself kills more men. The Fawcett Society put it like this:
Reflecting these concerns, Caroline Nokes, the chair of the Commons women and equalities committee has called on the government to publish the equalities assessment of the Coronavirus Act, the emergency legislation passed giving the government powers to deal with the crisis.Reflecting these concerns, Caroline Nokes, the chair of the Commons women and equalities committee has called on the government to publish the equalities assessment of the Coronavirus Act, the emergency legislation passed giving the government powers to deal with the crisis.
The impact assessment for the act states that an equalities assessment was “carried out separately as part of the public sector equalities duty” - but it hasn’t been published.The impact assessment for the act states that an equalities assessment was “carried out separately as part of the public sector equalities duty” - but it hasn’t been published.
In evidence to the committee, Liz Truss, the women and equalities minister, said that this was because of the potential “chilling effect on being frank in those assessments” if the people preparing them knew they would be published.In evidence to the committee, Liz Truss, the women and equalities minister, said that this was because of the potential “chilling effect on being frank in those assessments” if the people preparing them knew they would be published.
But the committee has argued that the assessment isn’t only to inform the government - its also to inform those likely to be hit hardest, and help experts and organisations mitigate the worst effects.But the committee has argued that the assessment isn’t only to inform the government - its also to inform those likely to be hit hardest, and help experts and organisations mitigate the worst effects.
Nokes said in a letter to Truss:Nokes said in a letter to Truss:
High Street coffee chain Pret a Manger is to reopening a further 20 of its shop kitchens from tomorrow, offering takeaway and delivery only via Deliveroo, Just Eat and UberEats. It is also rolling over a 50% discount for NHS workers until 15 May.High Street coffee chain Pret a Manger is to reopening a further 20 of its shop kitchens from tomorrow, offering takeaway and delivery only via Deliveroo, Just Eat and UberEats. It is also rolling over a 50% discount for NHS workers until 15 May.
The 20 shops being reopened are in central and Greater London, and follow earlier openings of 10 outlets near major hospitals in the capital. As well as a limited menu of its most popular sandwiches, salads, baguettes, drinks and snacks, it will be selling essential items such as milk, butter and coffee. Customers and staff will be separated by perspex screens at the till areas, and subject to strict social distancing measures in all areas of the shops.The 20 shops being reopened are in central and Greater London, and follow earlier openings of 10 outlets near major hospitals in the capital. As well as a limited menu of its most popular sandwiches, salads, baguettes, drinks and snacks, it will be selling essential items such as milk, butter and coffee. Customers and staff will be separated by perspex screens at the till areas, and subject to strict social distancing measures in all areas of the shops.
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Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to an NHS staff member who died after contracting coronavirus as her funeral cortege passed the hospital where she worked.Hundreds of people gathered to pay tribute to an NHS staff member who died after contracting coronavirus as her funeral cortege passed the hospital where she worked.
Jane Murphy, 73, worked at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for almost 30 years, first as a cleaner before being retrained as a clinical support worker. She had been placed on sick leave when the coronavirus outbreak first emerged due to her age and is believed to have died on 16 April. Her funeral cortege passed the hospital on Thursday morning to allow colleagues to pay their last respects. The road up to the accident and emergency department was lined by medical staff who threw flowers on to the hearse, and it stopped outside the entrance so more floral tributes could be placed inside.Jane Murphy, 73, worked at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for almost 30 years, first as a cleaner before being retrained as a clinical support worker. She had been placed on sick leave when the coronavirus outbreak first emerged due to her age and is believed to have died on 16 April. Her funeral cortege passed the hospital on Thursday morning to allow colleagues to pay their last respects. The road up to the accident and emergency department was lined by medical staff who threw flowers on to the hearse, and it stopped outside the entrance so more floral tributes could be placed inside.
Janice Alexander, the hospital’s site director, said: “Jane was an exceptionally well-respected and well-loved colleague at the Royal Infirmary, who will be greatly missed by many.Janice Alexander, the hospital’s site director, said: “Jane was an exceptionally well-respected and well-loved colleague at the Royal Infirmary, who will be greatly missed by many.
“From everyone at the site, and across NHS Lothian, I would like to extend our heartfelt thoughts and wishes to Jane’s family at this difficult time.”“From everyone at the site, and across NHS Lothian, I would like to extend our heartfelt thoughts and wishes to Jane’s family at this difficult time.”
Around four in 10 key workers are concerned about their health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic, a survey has revealed. Some 179 (59.7%) key workers questioned by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said their jobs wre being affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Of these, 39.6% said they had health and safety fears, while others were also concerned about increased working hours. The ONS has included estimates of the experiences of key workers for the first time in its weekly analysis of the impact of coronavirus on society and the economy.
The allocation of a £1.6bn government bailout to help councils meet extra coronavirus costs has triggered a familiar political row after it emerged smaller authorities in the leafy south of England had benefited at the expense of poorer northern authorities.
Steve Rotheram, the elected mayor of Liverpool city region, said the government had in effect chosen to take money away from councils which were struggling to meet spiralling costs on the frontline of the social care battle against coronavirus.
He said Liverpool city region would be left hundreds of millions out of pocket as a result of a change in the way bailout cash was allocated, while one of its six councils, Knowsley, the second most deprived in the country, would see its share cut by 39%.
Having issued a first £1.6bn bailout in March using an allocation formula based on need, which favoured many of those councils which provide social care, the second tranche of government bailout ordered this month switched to a population-based formula, favouring districts, which don’t provide social care.
Analysis by urban councils body Sigoma showed that the switch favoured authorities in the south-east and east of England, whose average bailout share went up 20% and 11% respectively, compared with councils in London, down 4%, the north-west, -13%, and the north-east, -19%.
But the sense of being short-changed did not fall neatly along straightforward regional or political lines. The Tory-run county councils’ network was furious that its members, all of which provide social care services, had recevied a 29% cash reduction compared with the first bailout, and faced a collective financial shortfall of £600m.
Cllr David Williams, the county councils’ network chair, said: “Unless a solution is forthcoming to address these growing additional pressures as the crisis goes on, and, crucially, our lost income, it is inevitable that the resources in shire counties made available to life-critical social care services will be reduced, resulting in extremely difficult choices facing our member councils.
“Most importantly, unless further support is provided to all councils, some may feel that they have no choice but to suspend all non-essential expenditure, hampering our national efforts to defeat the coronavirus and prepare for the economic recovery.”
The big winners are smaller districts. Most will receive at least £1m extra, the government said. They had been lobbying ministers hard for more funding, arguing that the wipeout of key income streams on which they are heavily reliant under lockdown, such as car parking and fees had left many districts close to bankruptcy.
Cllr John Fuller, chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said: “We are pleased that government has listened to districts and acted on our call for vital extra funding so that we can continue to fight coronavirus, reduce homelessness, protect the vulnerable and collect waste.
English councils fear that a continuation of lockdown trends of soaring service cost and shrinking income will leave them with a shortfall of at least £5bn for the year, and there are likely to be fresh calls for extra government cash.
The government said it has for the time being abandoned plans to implement a new “fair funding” formula to allocate annual grant funding for English councils. This caused a huge political row earlier this year when modelling showed Tory-run shires would benefit at the expense of mainly-Labour-run urban authorities.
Seven more charter flights to repatriate 2,000 British travellers from India have been announced by the government.
More than 15,000 Britons will have been brought home from the country on 59 rescue flights once the latest schedule is completed, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said.
The seven additional flights will operate daily from Amritsar to Heathrow airport between 5 and 11 May.
The minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, said: “Our charter programme has already helped more than 10,000 British travellers return home from India by ensuring flights to the UK have run every day since 8 April, with thousands more due to depart in the coming days.
“These additional flights will help over 2,000 more people get back to their loved ones here in the UK.
“I would like to thank the government of India for their help in making it happen.”
Jan Thompson, the acting high c0ommissioner to India, said: “This fifth round of flights brings the total number of planes we have organised from India to 59.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, told the business select committee that 69% of non-food retailers have been “significantly” impacted by the virus. She added:
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At the start of this week there were reports suggesting that Boris Johnson would be using his appearance at the daily government press conference to give some details of his plans to relax the lockdown. No 10 was very keen to play down those suggestions, and today it is expected that his tone will be much more cautious, stressing the dangers of any significant move away from the restrictions currently in place.
In the Daily Mail Jason Groves quotes a Whitehall source using an interesting image to suggest that only modest changes are in the pipeline for next week. The source told him:
In his column in this week’s Spectator, James Forsyth makes a similar prediction.
Nicola Sturgeon’s interview last night (see 9.53am) may have constrained Johnson even further. Until now the four nations of the UK have (with minor exceptions) been adopting a joint approach to coronavirus, agreed at meetings of the emergency committee Cobra, at which the devolved administrations are represented. But Sturgeon has repeatedly said that Scotland would diverge from the UK approach if she thought that was justified. If she were to decide next week that any relaxation of the lockdown would be unacceptable (which is what she hinted last night), it would be risky for Johnson to set different rules for England. Perhaps he would get credit for opening up the economy, but if coronavirus infection rates were to start to soar again south of the border, he would be open to the charge of being reckless with people’s lives.
More than 3,000 additional officers have joined police forces under the recruitment pledge that formed a centrepiece to Boris Johnson’s election campaign, new figures have shown.
Johnson promised to recruit 20,000 officers during the summer 2019 election campaign, which many noted would in fact replace roughly the same number that had been lost under 10 years of Conservative party austerity.
The government set out its plans to recruit 20,000 additional officers by March 2023 in September and the Home Office on Thursday published the first official set of statistics on progress towards that number.
They show 3,005 recruits joined the police specifically as part of the uplift programme. In total, forces recruited 6,435 officers from November 2019 to March 2020, including recruitment planned before the government campaign was announced.
All families of frontline NHS Scotland staff who die as a result of coronavirus will receive financial support, Holyrood’s health secretary, Jeane Freeman, has confirmed.
After England and Wales announced similar schemes earlier in the week, the Scottish government will pay a total lump sum of twice the staff member’s annual earnings and a continued pension to surviving partner or dependent child in the event of a death in service. The median NHS Scotland wage is £36,241.
Westminster health secretary Matt Hancock has announced a £60,000 payment for families of NHS and social care workers who die from coronavirus. The Scottish scheme does not yet include social care workers. The death in service benefit, which is already part of the NHS Scotland pension scheme, is being extended to include temporary, bank and locum staff, as well as permanent NHS staff who are not in the pension scheme.
A total of 11 NHS staff and carers have died as a result of coronavirus in Scotland since the start of the pandemic.
Boris Johnson’s five tests for starting a relaxation of the lockdown are “not a good enough” guide for the long-term exit strategy from the coronavirus pandemic, the Institute for Government has warned.
In a new paper, Lifting Lockdown: how to approach a coronavirus exit strategy, the independent thinktank says what was good at the outset of the outbreak is not necessarily good for the end.
Joe Owen, one of the report’s authors, said:
The government has set out five tests for starting to lift the lockdown, which look for: signs that the NHS is able to cope, which it believes it has achieved; that it has sufficient protective personal equipment (PPE); a “sustained and consistent” fall in the daily death rate; reliable data on decreasing infection rates; and signs that the risk of a second peak that would overwhelm the NHS can be avoided.
But the IfG says that while these tests might be appropriate measures of bringing a pandemic under control, they are not the basis for a long-term exit strategy.
An exit strategy must be based on a different approach ensuring measures are put in place “that reduce the risk of resurgence of the the disease” and give the economy a decent chance.
This means it must increase the capacity for testing and contact tracing and considering tighter border controls to stop fresh importation of the virus.
It says the next phase will be about walking the tightrope between guarding the nation’s health and re-opening businesses, schools and services, and warns against “keeping the economy on ice”.