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| UK coronavirus: recession already happening, says Rishi Sunak, as furlough scheme extended – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Guidance published for businesses on how to operate safely; UK coronavirus death toll passes 40,000, official figures say; further lockdowns inevitable without stronger plan, scientists warn | Guidance published for businesses on how to operate safely; UK coronavirus death toll passes 40,000, official figures say; further lockdowns inevitable without stronger plan, scientists warn |
| We’re closing this liveblog now. Follow our global coverage here | |
| The government’s furlough scheme, where the state subsidises the wages off workers temporarily laid off because of the pandemic, will be extended until the end of October, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced. The four-month extension, which confirmed that the level of support will not be reduced and employers will be asked to contribute more, was welcomed by MPs from all sides as well as the unions. The announcement came shortly after Sunak told the BBC the UK recession was “already happening” what with the loss of jobs and rise in Universal Credit claims. | |
| There have been more than 40,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the UK, official figures indicated. This places the UK with the second-worst death toll in the world, after the US. The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, include deaths where Covid-19 was named on the death certificate as a factor. | |
| The care home death rate has almost halved in the past few weeks, the health and social care secretary, Matt Hancock, said. It came as new figures were released on care home fatalities, with the ONS revealing that about 40% of Covid-19-related deaths – 2,423 – registered in the week ending 1 May in England and Wales were in care homes, the first week-on-week decrease since 20 March. The figures showed that at least 10,535 deaths to date have occurred in settings outside hospitals. | |
| People should use cars if they can’t walk or cycle, in order to avoid using public transport, the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said. For those who have to use public transport, new transport guidance published by the government advised people to face away from each other if it isn’t possible to keep a 2 metre gap between them. Shapps also said face coverings should be worn as a precautionary measure and that passengers should avoid rush hour, re-plan visits, use contactless payments where at all possible and wash their hands before and after their journeys. | |
| Further coronavirus outbreaks and rolling lockdowns are inevitable under government plans to ease restrictions without a robust strategy to suppress the virus, an independent group of scientists warned. The experts, convened by the former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King, urged ministers to reconsider the “dangerous” strategy of managing the spread of Covid-19 and adopt widespread decentralised testing, tracing and isolation to clamp down on the epidemic. | Further coronavirus outbreaks and rolling lockdowns are inevitable under government plans to ease restrictions without a robust strategy to suppress the virus, an independent group of scientists warned. The experts, convened by the former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King, urged ministers to reconsider the “dangerous” strategy of managing the spread of Covid-19 and adopt widespread decentralised testing, tracing and isolation to clamp down on the epidemic. |
| The Northern Ireland executive published its own five-step coronavirus recovery plan. The 12-page document sets out the five steps, the first of which includes groups of four to six people who are not from the same household being able to meet outdoors while maintaining physical distancing, drive-through church services, churches opening for private prayer, opening of outdoor spaces and public sport amenities, drive-through cinemas and more sports, including some water activities, golf and tennis. | The Northern Ireland executive published its own five-step coronavirus recovery plan. The 12-page document sets out the five steps, the first of which includes groups of four to six people who are not from the same household being able to meet outdoors while maintaining physical distancing, drive-through church services, churches opening for private prayer, opening of outdoor spaces and public sport amenities, drive-through cinemas and more sports, including some water activities, golf and tennis. |
| That’s it from us on the UK side. Thanks to everybody who got in touch throughout the day and to all of you for reading along. If you would like to continue following the Guardian’s coverage of the pandemic, head over to the global live blog for the worldwide picture. | That’s it from us on the UK side. Thanks to everybody who got in touch throughout the day and to all of you for reading along. If you would like to continue following the Guardian’s coverage of the pandemic, head over to the global live blog for the worldwide picture. |
| Property viewings and visits to estate agents may be seen as a reasonable excuse for leaving the house, under regulations coming into force in England from Wednesday which could help to reinvigorate the market. | Property viewings and visits to estate agents may be seen as a reasonable excuse for leaving the house, under regulations coming into force in England from Wednesday which could help to reinvigorate the market. |
| Under previous rules put in place to help limit the spread of Covid-19, moving house where it was reasonably necessary was already deemed a valid excuse for people to be away from home. | Under previous rules put in place to help limit the spread of Covid-19, moving house where it was reasonably necessary was already deemed a valid excuse for people to be away from home. |
| But under amendments to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) regulations in England, a reasonable excuse will now be expanded to include undertaking several activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property. | But under amendments to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) regulations in England, a reasonable excuse will now be expanded to include undertaking several activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property. |
| They include:- Visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;- Viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or rent;- Preparing a residential property to move in;- Moving home;- Visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property. | They include:- Visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes;- Viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or rent;- Preparing a residential property to move in;- Moving home;- Visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property. |
| The housing market has nearly ground to a halt in recent weeks. According to property website Zoopla, around 373,000 property transactions across the UK, with a total value of £82bn, have been put on hold due to coronavirus lockdown measures. | The housing market has nearly ground to a halt in recent weeks. According to property website Zoopla, around 373,000 property transactions across the UK, with a total value of £82bn, have been put on hold due to coronavirus lockdown measures. |
| Here are the main points from the press conference. | Here are the main points from the press conference. |
| Downing Street has given up presenting daily figures showing how the UK’s coronavirus death toll compares with other countries’. (See 2.35pm and 5.24pm.) It has not given an official explanation for this yet, but the chart showed the UK ahead of the other European countries featured in terms of total deaths and, as the days progressed, the gap between the UK and its neighbours was getting ever larger. In the past, when ministers have been asked about these figures, they have pointed out that the chart showed total deaths, not deaths per head, and that the comparisons were not necessarily valid because different countries compile data in different ways. Nevertheless, the inclusion of the data at the end of the press conference slide show amounted to a daily reminder that the UK has a poor record to defend. Here are the latest figures from Worldometer, a respected international website, showing the UK with the second highest death toll in the world. | Downing Street has given up presenting daily figures showing how the UK’s coronavirus death toll compares with other countries’. (See 2.35pm and 5.24pm.) It has not given an official explanation for this yet, but the chart showed the UK ahead of the other European countries featured in terms of total deaths and, as the days progressed, the gap between the UK and its neighbours was getting ever larger. In the past, when ministers have been asked about these figures, they have pointed out that the chart showed total deaths, not deaths per head, and that the comparisons were not necessarily valid because different countries compile data in different ways. Nevertheless, the inclusion of the data at the end of the press conference slide show amounted to a daily reminder that the UK has a poor record to defend. Here are the latest figures from Worldometer, a respected international website, showing the UK with the second highest death toll in the world. |
| And here is an alternative chart from the FT’s John Burn-Murdoch, who has been producing his own global death comparison charts. | And here is an alternative chart from the FT’s John Burn-Murdoch, who has been producing his own global death comparison charts. |
| Alok Sharma, the business secretary, said that employers had a duty to keep their staff safe. Responding a question about what workers could do if forced to work in an environment they considered unsafe, he replied: | Alok Sharma, the business secretary, said that employers had a duty to keep their staff safe. Responding a question about what workers could do if forced to work in an environment they considered unsafe, he replied: |
| Sarah Albon, chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive, said that the “vast majority” of employers wanted to do the right thing to protect their staff. She said workers have already been contacting the HSE with complaints about working conditions. But mostly, where employers were doing the wrong thing, it was because they did not know what to do, she said. She explained: | Sarah Albon, chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive, said that the “vast majority” of employers wanted to do the right thing to protect their staff. She said workers have already been contacting the HSE with complaints about working conditions. But mostly, where employers were doing the wrong thing, it was because they did not know what to do, she said. She explained: |
| She also stressed that the HSE can impose sanctions on employers who are not protecting staff. | She also stressed that the HSE can impose sanctions on employers who are not protecting staff. |
| The England and Wales Cricket Board is expected to deliver guidelines on reopening some parts of club and recreational cricket, possibly as early as Wednesday. | The England and Wales Cricket Board is expected to deliver guidelines on reopening some parts of club and recreational cricket, possibly as early as Wednesday. |
| Cricket was one of the outdoor summer sports overlooked in the government’s new lockdown guidelines, whereas golf, tennis, and angling – more obviously isolated pursuits – were specifically mentioned by the prime minister. Full story here: | Cricket was one of the outdoor summer sports overlooked in the government’s new lockdown guidelines, whereas golf, tennis, and angling – more obviously isolated pursuits – were specifically mentioned by the prime minister. Full story here: |
| Police Scotland are urging motorists to drive safely after a number of people were charged in connection with high level speeding offences over the bank holiday weekend. | Police Scotland are urging motorists to drive safely after a number of people were charged in connection with high level speeding offences over the bank holiday weekend. |
| The force revealed that between Friday 8 May and Sunday 10 May, 12 men were detected driving at speeds between 93mph and 111mph around one junction of the M876 near Larbert, a town near Falkirk. The men, aged between 19 and 66, will be reported to the procurator fiscal. | The force revealed that between Friday 8 May and Sunday 10 May, 12 men were detected driving at speeds between 93mph and 111mph around one junction of the M876 near Larbert, a town near Falkirk. The men, aged between 19 and 66, will be reported to the procurator fiscal. |
| Other incidents across Scotland over the weekend included speeds of between 101 and 119mph on the A90 in Aberdeenshire. | Other incidents across Scotland over the weekend included speeds of between 101 and 119mph on the A90 in Aberdeenshire. |
| Reiterating that the stay-at-home message is still in place for Scots, Ch Supt Louise Blakelock, head of road policing said: | Reiterating that the stay-at-home message is still in place for Scots, Ch Supt Louise Blakelock, head of road policing said: |
| The mayors of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool city region have written to Boris Johnson to warn that the government’s change of coronavirus message comes “too early” for the north-west of England.Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram said they were “concerned about the substance of what was announced” on Sunday. They want the government to publish the ‘R’ reproduction rate at a regional and sub-regional level to enable authorities and people to make informed decisions based on local risk.In a letter sent on Tuesday, they write: | The mayors of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool city region have written to Boris Johnson to warn that the government’s change of coronavirus message comes “too early” for the north-west of England.Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram said they were “concerned about the substance of what was announced” on Sunday. They want the government to publish the ‘R’ reproduction rate at a regional and sub-regional level to enable authorities and people to make informed decisions based on local risk.In a letter sent on Tuesday, they write: |
| The mayors also expressed their disappointment over the “lack of meaningful consultation and advance knowledge” of the changes announced on Sunday, which have an “immediate and direct impact” on policing and public transport in the north-west as in other regions. | The mayors also expressed their disappointment over the “lack of meaningful consultation and advance knowledge” of the changes announced on Sunday, which have an “immediate and direct impact” on policing and public transport in the north-west as in other regions. |
| Q: People in places like Lincolnshire are worried about tourists arriving under this week’s new guidelines. What assurances can you give them? And when will tourism resume? | Q: People in places like Lincolnshire are worried about tourists arriving under this week’s new guidelines. What assurances can you give them? And when will tourism resume? |
| Sharma says the new guidelines do not allow people to go and visit places and stay the night. | Sharma says the new guidelines do not allow people to go and visit places and stay the night. |
| On tourism, he says the government has put in place various measures to help businesses in this sector already. | On tourism, he says the government has put in place various measures to help businesses in this sector already. |
| But he says it is vital to avoid a second peak. A second peak would be the worst possible thing for businesses, he says. | But he says it is vital to avoid a second peak. A second peak would be the worst possible thing for businesses, he says. |
| And that’s it. The press conference is over. | And that’s it. The press conference is over. |
| Q: You need union cooperation. So will you drop the pledge in your manifesto to curb their powers? | Q: You need union cooperation. So will you drop the pledge in your manifesto to curb their powers? |
| Sharma says he has been collaborating with the unions. The government will continue that approach, he says. | Sharma says he has been collaborating with the unions. The government will continue that approach, he says. |
| Q: So do the manifesto pledges remain in place? | Q: So do the manifesto pledges remain in place? |
| Sharma says he is focusing on working with the unions to address the coronavirus crisis. | Sharma says he is focusing on working with the unions to address the coronavirus crisis. |
| Q: What penalties can the HSE impose? | Q: What penalties can the HSE impose? |
| Albon says it can use enforcement notices requiring certain activities. It can also prohibit certain actions. If an employer breaches that, that is an offence. | Albon says it can use enforcement notices requiring certain activities. It can also prohibit certain actions. If an employer breaches that, that is an offence. |
| Powis says NHS staff are trying to implement the guidelines saying relatives should be able to be with someone dying. He says it will get easier as hospitals become less over-loaded. | Powis says NHS staff are trying to implement the guidelines saying relatives should be able to be with someone dying. He says it will get easier as hospitals become less over-loaded. |
| Q: If an unscrupulous employer tries to make people work in an environment that is not safe, will the government support them if they refuse to work? | Q: If an unscrupulous employer tries to make people work in an environment that is not safe, will the government support them if they refuse to work? |
| Sharma says employers have a duty to keep employees safe. That is enshrined in law. If they feel the workplace is not safe, they must take that up. If that does not work, they should go to the HSE. He says the guidance includes contact numbers. He says the HSE will also be conducting spot checks. | Sharma says employers have a duty to keep employees safe. That is enshrined in law. If they feel the workplace is not safe, they must take that up. If that does not work, they should go to the HSE. He says the guidance includes contact numbers. He says the HSE will also be conducting spot checks. |
| But he says his impression is that most employers want to do the right thing. | But he says his impression is that most employers want to do the right thing. |
| Albon says there will be some employers who don’t do the right thing. | Albon says there will be some employers who don’t do the right thing. |
| People have been contacting the HSE already. She says their impression is that, in the vast majority of cases, employers are at fault because they don’t know what the right thing to do is. When told, they mostly comply. In the small number of cases where they don’t, the HSE will take enforcement action, she says. | People have been contacting the HSE already. She says their impression is that, in the vast majority of cases, employers are at fault because they don’t know what the right thing to do is. When told, they mostly comply. In the small number of cases where they don’t, the HSE will take enforcement action, she says. |