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Coronavirus: PM to review lockdown restrictions with cabinet Coronavirus: PM to review lockdown restrictions with cabinet
(about 1 hour later)
Boris Johnson will review the coronavirus lockdown with his cabinet later, after suggesting some rules could be eased from Monday. Boris Johnson will review the coronavirus lockdown in England with his cabinet later, after suggesting some rules could be eased from Monday.
By law the government must review the restrictions every three weeks, and Thursday marks the latest deadline.By law the government must review the restrictions every three weeks, and Thursday marks the latest deadline.
The prime minister will address the nation on Sunday to outline plans for the next stage of the lockdown.The prime minister will address the nation on Sunday to outline plans for the next stage of the lockdown.
It is understood the "stay at home" message could be scrapped, with ministers keen to restart the economy.It is understood the "stay at home" message could be scrapped, with ministers keen to restart the economy.
Mr Johnson will chair a meeting of his top team later to discuss the lockdown restrictions, which were introduced more than six weeks ago on 23 March.Mr Johnson will chair a meeting of his top team later to discuss the lockdown restrictions, which were introduced more than six weeks ago on 23 March.
However, major announcements on any changes are not expected until the prime minister makes his statement at the weekend.However, major announcements on any changes are not expected until the prime minister makes his statement at the weekend.
While the lockdown is largely expected to stay in place, Mr Johnson has suggested some measures could start being eased on Monday.While the lockdown is largely expected to stay in place, Mr Johnson has suggested some measures could start being eased on Monday.
"We want, if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on Monday," he told Prime Ministers' Questions."We want, if we possibly can, to get going with some of these measures on Monday," he told Prime Ministers' Questions.
"It would be a good thing if the people had an idea of what's coming the following day, that's why I think Sunday, the weekend, is the best time to do it.""It would be a good thing if the people had an idea of what's coming the following day, that's why I think Sunday, the weekend, is the best time to do it."
But Mr Johnson also said the government had to be sure any changes to the restrictions were backed by data, and "that data is coming in continuously over the next few days".But Mr Johnson also said the government had to be sure any changes to the restrictions were backed by data, and "that data is coming in continuously over the next few days".
No 10 said that "it is not going to be a case of flicking a switch" to lift all measures at once, and instead "people will have to prepare for a different type of normal".No 10 said that "it is not going to be a case of flicking a switch" to lift all measures at once, and instead "people will have to prepare for a different type of normal".
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has already indicated she is unlikely to announce immediate or significant changes.Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has already indicated she is unlikely to announce immediate or significant changes.
She has unveiled a paper on the options being considered - including relaxing rules on daily exercise or allowing people to meet with a small social "bubble".She has unveiled a paper on the options being considered - including relaxing rules on daily exercise or allowing people to meet with a small social "bubble".
On Wednesday, Wales' Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said the Welsh government was "keen to move as closely as we can with England at the moment" but ministers have previously suggested restrictions could be eased at different times to the rest of the UK.
The Northern Ireland Executive will continue discussions on Thursday on how and when to relax any lockdown restrictions and First Minister Arlene Foster previously suggested Northern Ireland's restrictions could be lifted at a different pace to the rest of the UK.
Lockdown 'to continue'Lockdown 'to continue'
BBC Newsnight's political editor, Nicholas Watt, said although final decisions were yet to be taken, it was likely the current lockdown would continue "for another three weeks or so".
He suggested there might be "a big focus on the outside" - for example allowing more exercise outside or more work on construction sites.
The correspondent added that Mr Johnson might also say that face coverings - not medical face masks - could be used by the public in some circumstances.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the government's "stay at home" message - which it has pushed since the lockdown began on 23 March - is "on the way out".BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the government's "stay at home" message - which it has pushed since the lockdown began on 23 March - is "on the way out".
Public Health England also said it was "reviewing all communications materials in anticipation of moving to the next phase of the government campaign". Public Health England said it was "reviewing all communications materials in anticipation of moving to the next phase of the government campaign".
But BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said people should not expect a return to normal any time soon.
He said the prime minister may ease some restrictions on Sunday and there could be a relaxation of exercise rules, with people allowed to go outside more.
There could also be more encouragement for people to return to work if they are able to, our correspondent added.
Asked about reports the "stay at home" message could be dropped, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said final decisions were yet to be made and options for easing the lockdown would be discussed at cabinet and with devolved authorities later.
He said the government would be proceeding with caution and avoiding a second peak would be "at the forefront of our minds".
With good weather forecast for over the Bank Holiday weekend Mr Lewis said people should continue to follow lockdown rules.
"I would really urge caution - the safest thing to do at the moment... is wherever you can stay home."
Public confidence
Acting Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said if the government's message changed it was important there was an effective plan in place on testing and tracing contacts of those who were found to have the virus.Acting Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said if the government's message changed it was important there was an effective plan in place on testing and tracing contacts of those who were found to have the virus.
"We don't want to give a false impression that things have changed dramatically and life can go back to normal and it's essential the government gets the balance right," he told BBC Breakfast."We don't want to give a false impression that things have changed dramatically and life can go back to normal and it's essential the government gets the balance right," he told BBC Breakfast.
"Because people will be unsettled and worried. They do need to make sure... people can have confidence that there is a plan in place.""Because people will be unsettled and worried. They do need to make sure... people can have confidence that there is a plan in place."
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds also said building public confidence was key to restarting the economy.Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds also said building public confidence was key to restarting the economy.
"Absolutely critical here is having a system to ensure that people feel safe when they're at work and that consumers feel safe when they go into businesses - and we're not there yet," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."Absolutely critical here is having a system to ensure that people feel safe when they're at work and that consumers feel safe when they go into businesses - and we're not there yet," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
It comes as the UK became the first country in Europe to record more than 30,000 people dying with coronavirus.It comes as the UK became the first country in Europe to record more than 30,000 people dying with coronavirus.
Latest government figures showed 30,076 people have now died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive, up by 649 from the day before.Latest government figures showed 30,076 people have now died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive, up by 649 from the day before.
The UK now has the second-highest number of recorded coronavirus deaths in the world, behind the United States.The UK now has the second-highest number of recorded coronavirus deaths in the world, behind the United States.
Speaking on ITV's Peston programme, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said making international comparisons was "not constructive or helpful until we have had the time and space to comb through the data".Speaking on ITV's Peston programme, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said making international comparisons was "not constructive or helpful until we have had the time and space to comb through the data".
The UK's latest figures also showed deaths in care homes continued to rise, even as hospital deaths had fallen. Mr Johnson said he "bitterly regrets" the crisis in care homes and the government was "working very hard" to tackle it.The UK's latest figures also showed deaths in care homes continued to rise, even as hospital deaths had fallen. Mr Johnson said he "bitterly regrets" the crisis in care homes and the government was "working very hard" to tackle it.
Meanwhile, the UK missed its testing target of 100,000 a day four days in a row. The government initially reached the target at the end of April, but Wednesday's figures showed the lowest number of daily tests in a week.Meanwhile, the UK missed its testing target of 100,000 a day four days in a row. The government initially reached the target at the end of April, but Wednesday's figures showed the lowest number of daily tests in a week.
Opposition MPs including Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said the "consistent downward trend" of testing was "really not good enough".Opposition MPs including Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said the "consistent downward trend" of testing was "really not good enough".
"It doesn't inspire confidence to start easing lockdown," she said on Twitter."It doesn't inspire confidence to start easing lockdown," she said on Twitter.
Mr Johnson has now announced a new target, of 200,000 tests a day by the end of May.Mr Johnson has now announced a new target, of 200,000 tests a day by the end of May.
Downing Street said the new target, unlike the previous goal, was related only to capacity - rather than the actual number carried out everyday.Downing Street said the new target, unlike the previous goal, was related only to capacity - rather than the actual number carried out everyday.
In other developments:In other developments: