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| UK coronavirus live: scientists warn further lockdowns inevitable without stronger plan | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Health secretary dodges questions over people’s legal right to refuse return to work; Rishi Sunak expected to extend furlough scheme | Health secretary dodges questions over people’s legal right to refuse return to work; Rishi Sunak expected to extend furlough scheme |
| Further outbreaks of coronavirus and rolling lockdowns are inevitable under government plans to ease restrictions and send people back to work without a robust strategy to suppress the virus, an independent group of scientists has warned. | |
| The experts convened by Sir David King, the former government chief scientific adviser, 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. | |
| Prof King set up the “independent Sage” meetings amid concerns around the transparency of independent scientific advice reaching ministers through the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage). | |
| In a report being published today, the group warn that simply ensuring the NHS is not overwhelmed is “counter-productive” and “potentially dangerous”. Without strong measures to suppress the spread of infections “we shall inevitably see a more rapid return of local epidemics and face the prospect of further partial or national lockdowns,” the authors write. | |
| The report, which includes 19 key recommendations, will be sent to Downing Street, Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser who co-chairs Sage, the first ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and Jeremy Hunt, the chair of the Health Select Committee. | |
| The experts call on ministers to reverse the 12 March decision to abandon efforts to test, trace and isolate cases of Covid-19 and replace the existing centralised testing approach, which relies heavily on the private sector. In its place, the group call for a decentralised strategy that puts GPs and local health teams at the heart of the outbreak control. The report states that the “over-dependence on outsourcing” is unsustainable. | |
| On the Today programme this morning Mervyn King, the former governor of the Bank of England, said the Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, should not scale back the coronavirus job retention scheme, that allows workers to be furloughed. He said the government should continue to pay 80% of people’s salaries (as it does now, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month), instead of reducing that to 60%, as the Treasury has been considering. | |
| Asked what Sunak should do, King said: | |
| King also said the “economy ought to have recovered to a very large extent” before Sunak considered ending the furlough scheme in a bid to avoid a wave of redundancies when the support is curtailed. | |
| BBC Scotland’s Disclosure programme has revealed that there were multiple transmissions of coronavirus in Edinburgh in February, well before the first confirmed cases in the country, but that this was not disclosed to the public. | BBC Scotland’s Disclosure programme has revealed that there were multiple transmissions of coronavirus in Edinburgh in February, well before the first confirmed cases in the country, but that this was not disclosed to the public. |
| Scotland’s first confirmed coronavirus case, in Tayside, was announced on 1 March, but Disclosure, broadcast on Monday night, revealed an outbreak that began the week before on 26 and 27 of February at a conference of international delegates for the sportswear company Nike. At least 25 people linked to this event have since been confirmed to have been infected, said the programme, eight of them resident in Scotland. | Scotland’s first confirmed coronavirus case, in Tayside, was announced on 1 March, but Disclosure, broadcast on Monday night, revealed an outbreak that began the week before on 26 and 27 of February at a conference of international delegates for the sportswear company Nike. At least 25 people linked to this event have since been confirmed to have been infected, said the programme, eight of them resident in Scotland. |
| Nike told the BBC it instigated enhanced measures, including contact tracing and increased cleaning and disinfection processes in their stores and offices, and that all its staff had now recovered. The Scottish government confirmed health authorities were alerted to the potential outbreak on 2 March. | Nike told the BBC it instigated enhanced measures, including contact tracing and increased cleaning and disinfection processes in their stores and offices, and that all its staff had now recovered. The Scottish government confirmed health authorities were alerted to the potential outbreak on 2 March. |
| Over the last 24 hours the government has published a huge pile of documents giving advice to the public about what it needs to do now. | Over the last 24 hours the government has published a huge pile of documents giving advice to the public about what it needs to do now. |
| The UK government has a three-step coronavirus recovery plan. The step one measures apply from tomorrow (13 May). Step two will start on Monday 1 June, or later. And step three will start on Saturday 4 July or later. | The UK government has a three-step coronavirus recovery plan. The step one measures apply from tomorrow (13 May). Step two will start on Monday 1 June, or later. And step three will start on Saturday 4 July or later. |
| The advice out this week covers all three steps, although there is more detail about step one. | The advice out this week covers all three steps, although there is more detail about step one. |
| Much of the advice specifically covers just England. The devolved administrations have also been producing their own guidance. | |
| Here are the key documents. | Here are the key documents. |
| The 60-page overall plan, entitled “Our plan to rebuild” (pdf) | The 60-page overall plan, entitled “Our plan to rebuild” (pdf) |
| The coronavirus outbreak FAQs - A useful Q&A covering all main topics, and mostly focusing on what is changing this week | The coronavirus outbreak FAQs - A useful Q&A covering all main topics, and mostly focusing on what is changing this week |
| Specific guidance on social distancing | Specific guidance on social distancing |
| Specific guidance on staying safe outside the home | Specific guidance on staying safe outside the home |
| On education specifically, there are at least four documents. They are: | On education specifically, there are at least four documents. They are: |
| A general guide for parents and carers | A general guide for parents and carers |
| Specific information about the plan for some pupils to return to school from 1 June | Specific information about the plan for some pupils to return to school from 1 June |
| Advice for schools on what they need to do | Advice for schools on what they need to do |
| Specific advice on protective measures | Specific advice on protective measures |
| The Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy has produced eight separate guides on how to keep employees safe in different workplace environment. You can find links to all eight here. | The Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy has produced eight separate guides on how to keep employees safe in different workplace environment. You can find links to all eight here. |
| And now, this morning, the Department for Transport has produced transport guidance. There are two main documents: | And now, this morning, the Department for Transport has produced transport guidance. There are two main documents: |
| Guidance for passengers | Guidance for passengers |
| Guidance for operators | Guidance for operators |
| (If I’ve left any out, please let me know in the comments below the line.) | (If I’ve left any out, please let me know in the comments below the line.) |
| Public transport users should face away from each other when they cannot keep a 2-metre gap, the government has said. A report from PA Media on the new transport guidance issued by the government this morning (see 9.28am) goes on: | Public transport users should face away from each other when they cannot keep a 2-metre gap, the government has said. A report from PA Media on the new transport guidance issued by the government this morning (see 9.28am) goes on: |
| The sandwich chain Subway has today started a phased reopening of around 600 of its 2,600 stores across the UK and Ireland – approximately one in four – for takeway and delivery only. | The sandwich chain Subway has today started a phased reopening of around 600 of its 2,600 stores across the UK and Ireland – approximately one in four – for takeway and delivery only. |
| The outlets have all been fitted with new operational and social distancing safety measures to protect customers, third-party delivery and supplier drivers and staff. These have been tested in the small number of stores that have remained open to support and serve key workers and hospital staff. | The outlets have all been fitted with new operational and social distancing safety measures to protect customers, third-party delivery and supplier drivers and staff. These have been tested in the small number of stores that have remained open to support and serve key workers and hospital staff. |
| All NHS workers will receive 25% off their orders, in addition to other initiatives which include free delivery on all third-party orders over £10. | All NHS workers will receive 25% off their orders, in addition to other initiatives which include free delivery on all third-party orders over £10. |
| The chain joins KFC, Pret a Manger and Burger King in reopening stores, and McDonald’s is poised to trial 15 outlets for delivery from tomorrow. | The chain joins KFC, Pret a Manger and Burger King in reopening stores, and McDonald’s is poised to trial 15 outlets for delivery from tomorrow. |
| The Office for National Statistics has just published its latest weekly death figures for England and Wales. | The Office for National Statistics has just published its latest weekly death figures for England and Wales. |
| They go up to the week ending Friday 1 May (or week 18, as the ONS calls it). | They go up to the week ending Friday 1 May (or week 18, as the ONS calls it). |
| The ONS figures lag behind the daily figures published by the government, because they are based on registered deaths. But they are more comprehensive. The daily government figures just count people who have tested positive for coronavirus and died. The ONS figures for coronavirus deaths include all those where it was mentioned on the death certificate, which often happens if a patient had symptoms but did not test positive. | The ONS figures lag behind the daily figures published by the government, because they are based on registered deaths. But they are more comprehensive. The daily government figures just count people who have tested positive for coronavirus and died. The ONS figures for coronavirus deaths include all those where it was mentioned on the death certificate, which often happens if a patient had symptoms but did not test positive. |
| The figures show that by the end of April coronavirus deaths were falling, but total excess deaths (ie, the number of weekly deaths above what you would expect in an average week) was still very high. | The figures show that by the end of April coronavirus deaths were falling, but total excess deaths (ie, the number of weekly deaths above what you would expect in an average week) was still very high. |
| Here are the main points. | Here are the main points. |
| Excess deaths in England and Wales were running at around 8,000 at the end of April. There were 8,012 more deaths in week 18 than the five-year average for that time of year. Overall there were 17,953 deaths that week. In the previous week there were 11,539 excess deaths. | Excess deaths in England and Wales were running at around 8,000 at the end of April. There were 8,012 more deaths in week 18 than the five-year average for that time of year. Overall there were 17,953 deaths that week. In the previous week there were 11,539 excess deaths. |
| For the second week in a row overall deaths were down. | For the second week in a row overall deaths were down. |
| Coronavirus deaths in week 18 accounted for 33.6% of all deaths, down from 37.4% in the previous weeks. | Coronavirus deaths in week 18 accounted for 33.6% of all deaths, down from 37.4% in the previous weeks. |
| Deaths in care homes were also down in week 18. There were 6,409. But 37.8% of those deaths involved coronavirus, up from 35.3% the previous week. | Deaths in care homes were also down in week 18. There were 6,409. But 37.8% of those deaths involved coronavirus, up from 35.3% the previous week. |
| All regions showed a decrease in the proportion of deaths involving coronavirus in week 18. | All regions showed a decrease in the proportion of deaths involving coronavirus in week 18. |
| Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, has just published the new advice being issued to passengers using public transport. It’s here. | Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, has just published the new advice being issued to passengers using public transport. It’s here. |
| A railway ticket office worker has died of Covid-19 after being spat at while on duty, as a union calls for a government compensation scheme for bereaved families of frontline employees to be extended to cover transport staff. | A railway ticket office worker has died of Covid-19 after being spat at while on duty, as a union calls for a government compensation scheme for bereaved families of frontline employees to be extended to cover transport staff. |
| Belly Mujinga, 47, was on the concourse of Victoria station in London in March when a man who said he had Covid-19 spat and coughed at her and a colleague. Within days of the assault, both women fell ill with coronavirus. | Belly Mujinga, 47, was on the concourse of Victoria station in London in March when a man who said he had Covid-19 spat and coughed at her and a colleague. Within days of the assault, both women fell ill with coronavirus. |
| Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was admitted to Barnet Hospital and put on a ventilator but died on 5 April, her trade union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said. Just 10 people were allowed to attend her funeral. | Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was admitted to Barnet Hospital and put on a ventilator but died on 5 April, her trade union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said. Just 10 people were allowed to attend her funeral. |
| The union has reported the incident to the Railways Inspectorate, the safety arm of the Office for Road and Rail (ORR), for investigation and is taking legal advice on the situation. | The union has reported the incident to the Railways Inspectorate, the safety arm of the Office for Road and Rail (ORR), for investigation and is taking legal advice on the situation. |
| TSSA says there are questions to answer as to why Mujinga was not stood down from duty earlier given her underlying health condition. | TSSA says there are questions to answer as to why Mujinga was not stood down from duty earlier given her underlying health condition. |
| TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We are shocked and devastated at Belly’s death. She is one of far too many frontline workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus. | TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We are shocked and devastated at Belly’s death. She is one of far too many frontline workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus. |
| In an interview with Sky News, Mujinga’s husband, Lusamba Gode Katalay, said: “They weren’t given masks, or gloves, so they were exposed to everyone. | In an interview with Sky News, Mujinga’s husband, Lusamba Gode Katalay, said: “They weren’t given masks, or gloves, so they were exposed to everyone. |
| “It’s her employer, the company and the state who have to look at that. Me and Ingrid [his 11-year-old daughter] we saw Belly, on 2 April when she left for hospital. Then we didn’t see her again. | “It’s her employer, the company and the state who have to look at that. Me and Ingrid [his 11-year-old daughter] we saw Belly, on 2 April when she left for hospital. Then we didn’t see her again. |
| “She’s dead and we buried her without being able to see her.” | “She’s dead and we buried her without being able to see her.” |
| Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog for the day. | Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog for the day. |
| It’s going to be a busy day. Here are the main items on the agenda. | It’s going to be a busy day. Here are the main items on the agenda. |
| 9.30am: The Office for National Statistics publishes its latest weekly death figures. | 9.30am: The Office for National Statistics publishes its latest weekly death figures. |
| 9.30am: Health and Safety Executive officials give evidence to the Commons work and pensions committee about workplace safety. | 9.30am: Health and Safety Executive officials give evidence to the Commons work and pensions committee about workplace safety. |
| 11.30am: The Northern Ireland executive publishes its plan for relaxing the lockdown. | 11.30am: The Northern Ireland executive publishes its plan for relaxing the lockdown. |
| 12pm: The “independent Sage” convened by the former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King publishes its recommendations to government. | 12pm: The “independent Sage” convened by the former government chief scientific adviser Sir David King publishes its recommendations to government. |
| 12.30pm: Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, makes a statement to MPs about his plans to extend the furlough scheme. | 12.30pm: Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, makes a statement to MPs about his plans to extend the furlough scheme. |
| 12.30pm: The Scottish and Welsh governments are due to hold their daily press briefings. | 12.30pm: The Scottish and Welsh governments are due to hold their daily press briefings. |
| 1pm: Downing Street lobby briefing. | 1pm: Downing Street lobby briefing. |
| After 1.15pm: Alok Sharma, the business secretary, is expected to make a statement to MPs about safety guidance for businesses. | After 1.15pm: Alok Sharma, the business secretary, is expected to make a statement to MPs about safety guidance for businesses. |
| After 2pm: Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, is expected to make a statement to MPs about safety guidance for those operating public transport. | After 2pm: Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, is expected to make a statement to MPs about safety guidance for those operating public transport. |
| 2.30pm: Prison Service officials and the prisons minister Lucy Frazer give evidence to the Commons justice committee. | 2.30pm: Prison Service officials and the prisons minister Lucy Frazer give evidence to the Commons justice committee. |
| 5pm: Sharma is expected to take the UK government’s daily press conference. | 5pm: Sharma is expected to take the UK government’s daily press conference. |
| The number of people dying in care homes has nearly halved in the past few weeks, according to Matt Hancock as he rejected the accusations that the adult and social care sector is being let down by the government. | The number of people dying in care homes has nearly halved in the past few weeks, according to Matt Hancock as he rejected the accusations that the adult and social care sector is being let down by the government. |
| He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: | He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: |
| It comes as new figures are set to be released on care home fatalities, with the Office for National Statistics previously revealing that there were 5,890 coronavirus-related care home deaths registered up to 24 April in England and Wales. | It comes as new figures are set to be released on care home fatalities, with the Office for National Statistics previously revealing that there were 5,890 coronavirus-related care home deaths registered up to 24 April in England and Wales. |
| Meanwhile, yesterday figures were released showing that women working as carers are twice as likely to die as those in professional and technical roles. | Meanwhile, yesterday figures were released showing that women working as carers are twice as likely to die as those in professional and technical roles. |
| Defending the government’s role in handling the crisis in care homes, Hancock added: | Defending the government’s role in handling the crisis in care homes, Hancock added: |
| Matt Hancock has defended new rules that allow people to meet one parent but not both at the same time, as he rejected claims the new lockdown measures had sowed confusion. | Matt Hancock has defended new rules that allow people to meet one parent but not both at the same time, as he rejected claims the new lockdown measures had sowed confusion. |
| For the first time since the lockdown was imposed in March, from tomorrow people will be able to meet a single member from another household in a public place so long as they maintain physical distancing. However, the new rules prevent a person from meeting both parents at the same time. | For the first time since the lockdown was imposed in March, from tomorrow people will be able to meet a single member from another household in a public place so long as they maintain physical distancing. However, the new rules prevent a person from meeting both parents at the same time. |
| Asked what was wrong with someone seeing both their parents so long as they were 2 metres apart, the health secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: | Asked what was wrong with someone seeing both their parents so long as they were 2 metres apart, the health secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: |
| The health secretary, Matt Hancock, says the reproduction rate of Covid-19 in the UK is “broadly in the middle of the range” of 0.5 to 0.9, insisting it is definitely below one. | The health secretary, Matt Hancock, says the reproduction rate of Covid-19 in the UK is “broadly in the middle of the range” of 0.5 to 0.9, insisting it is definitely below one. |
| Speaking in an earlier interview on Sky News, Hancock said cleaners entering people’s homes should exercise social distancing rules and follow other good practices, such as washing their hands regularly. | Speaking in an earlier interview on Sky News, Hancock said cleaners entering people’s homes should exercise social distancing rules and follow other good practices, such as washing their hands regularly. |
| Challenged on why grandparents could not see their grandchildren but children could see their carers, Hancock said it was a “scientific fact” that older people were more vulnerable to Covid-19. He added: | Challenged on why grandparents could not see their grandchildren but children could see their carers, Hancock said it was a “scientific fact” that older people were more vulnerable to Covid-19. He added: |
| The deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner, has called for the government’s furlough scheme to continue, saying: “It can’t be reduced.” | The deputy Labour leader, Angela Rayner, has called for the government’s furlough scheme to continue, saying: “It can’t be reduced.” |
| The economy would not recover if people were forced back to work too soon, Rayner said, arguing that it should go on “as long as we need it”. | The economy would not recover if people were forced back to work too soon, Rayner said, arguing that it should go on “as long as we need it”. |
| Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: | Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: |
| Later today, chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce an extension to the furlough scheme under which the government has been subsidising the wages of workers temporarily laid off due to the pandemic. | Later today, chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce an extension to the furlough scheme under which the government has been subsidising the wages of workers temporarily laid off due to the pandemic. |
| Matt Hancock has dodged questions on whether people have a legal right not to work if they do not feel safe due to the Covid-19 pandemic. | Matt Hancock has dodged questions on whether people have a legal right not to work if they do not feel safe due to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| There are major concerns that workers are unclear about what to do if they are being put at risk, and industry figures have said the mental health impacts of returning to a new “alien environment” are not being prioritised. | There are major concerns that workers are unclear about what to do if they are being put at risk, and industry figures have said the mental health impacts of returning to a new “alien environment” are not being prioritised. |
| Asked on BBC Breakfast whether or not someone has a legal right not to go to work if they do not feel their workplace is safe, Hancock declined to give a direct answer twice. Asked the first time, he replied: | Asked on BBC Breakfast whether or not someone has a legal right not to go to work if they do not feel their workplace is safe, Hancock declined to give a direct answer twice. Asked the first time, he replied: |
| Pressed again on whether they would have a legal right not to work if they felt unsafe, he said: “Well, employment law has not changed but that isn’t the point. The point is that businesses and their employees should be working together … to make the best of what is a very difficult situation.” | Pressed again on whether they would have a legal right not to work if they felt unsafe, he said: “Well, employment law has not changed but that isn’t the point. The point is that businesses and their employees should be working together … to make the best of what is a very difficult situation.” |
| The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has rejected the idea that meeting a friend in someone’s garden is safer than doing so in a park, as he sought to defend the new lockdown easing measures set to come into force tomorrow. | The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has rejected the idea that meeting a friend in someone’s garden is safer than doing so in a park, as he sought to defend the new lockdown easing measures set to come into force tomorrow. |
| From Wednesday, people will be able to meet one member from a different household in a public place at two metres distance for the first time since the lockdown was imposed. | From Wednesday, people will be able to meet one member from a different household in a public place at two metres distance for the first time since the lockdown was imposed. |
| But the minister rejected a viewer’s suggestion that it was safer to meet a friend in their garden rather than a busy park. The viewer’s question, which was read out to Hancock on BBC Breakfast said: “Can I have a friend round in my garden if we stay two metres apart, surely it’s more safe than meeting them in a park with more people?” | But the minister rejected a viewer’s suggestion that it was safer to meet a friend in their garden rather than a busy park. The viewer’s question, which was read out to Hancock on BBC Breakfast said: “Can I have a friend round in my garden if we stay two metres apart, surely it’s more safe than meeting them in a park with more people?” |
| But Hancock fired back: “It’s not necessarily more safe than meeting in a park and we’ve said that that should only happen in public places…” | But Hancock fired back: “It’s not necessarily more safe than meeting in a park and we’ve said that that should only happen in public places…” |
| Asked why it is not as safe, Hancock continued: | Asked why it is not as safe, Hancock continued: |
| Ryanair has announced a plan to restore 40% of its flights from 1 July but warned the move was dependent on EU flight restrictions being lifted, as well as public health measures imposed at airports. | Ryanair has announced a plan to restore 40% of its flights from 1 July but warned the move was dependent on EU flight restrictions being lifted, as well as public health measures imposed at airports. |
| The airline said the measure is subject to government restrictions on flights within the EU being lifted and “effective public health measures” being implemented at airports. | The airline said the measure is subject to government restrictions on flights within the EU being lifted and “effective public health measures” being implemented at airports. |
| It would involve nearly 1,000 flights per day being operated and 90% of its pre-Covid-19 route network being restored. Crew and passengers will also be required to wear face masks and pass temperature checks. Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson said: | It would involve nearly 1,000 flights per day being operated and 90% of its pre-Covid-19 route network being restored. Crew and passengers will also be required to wear face masks and pass temperature checks. Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson said: |
| “After four months, it is time to get Europe flying again so we can reunite friends and families, allow people to return to work and restart Europe’s tourism industry, which provides so many millions of jobs.” | “After four months, it is time to get Europe flying again so we can reunite friends and families, allow people to return to work and restart Europe’s tourism industry, which provides so many millions of jobs.” |
| Good morning readers, it’s Simon Murphy here kicking off the UK live blog today to bring you the latest developments this morning as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. | Good morning readers, it’s Simon Murphy here kicking off the UK live blog today to bring you the latest developments this morning as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. |
| With the UK’s Covid-19 death toll topping 32,000 yesterday, the UK’s easing of lockdown measures comes into effect tomorrow although the move has sowed confusion. | With the UK’s Covid-19 death toll topping 32,000 yesterday, the UK’s easing of lockdown measures comes into effect tomorrow although the move has sowed confusion. |
| Labour leader Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of failing to give the public “clear directions” on the way through the coronavirus crisis, as the government struggled to answer a barrage of questions about its new advice to “stay alert”. | Labour leader Keir Starmer has accused Boris Johnson of failing to give the public “clear directions” on the way through the coronavirus crisis, as the government struggled to answer a barrage of questions about its new advice to “stay alert”. |
| Later on today, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will speak in the commons where he is expected to announce an extension to the furlough scheme under which the Government subsidises the wages of workers temporarily laid off due to the pandemic. The Business and Transport Secretaries will also make statements. There are also briefings expected in Scotland and Wales at 1230. | Later on today, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will speak in the commons where he is expected to announce an extension to the furlough scheme under which the Government subsidises the wages of workers temporarily laid off due to the pandemic. The Business and Transport Secretaries will also make statements. There are also briefings expected in Scotland and Wales at 1230. |
| First up this morning, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, is set to face the cameras for an interview on BBC Breakfast. | First up this morning, the health secretary, Matt Hancock, is set to face the cameras for an interview on BBC Breakfast. |