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UK coronavirus live: No 10 has no plans to review NHS surcharge as row over fee deepens UK coronavirus live: migrant care workers to be exempt from NHS surcharge after U-turn; Matt Hancock leads briefing
(32 minutes later)
Tory MPs call for end to ‘immoral’ surcharge; official UK death toll rises to 35,704; Scotland to reopen schools in August Official UK death toll rises to 35,704; Scotland to reopen schools in August
No 10 has clarified that the new policy, removing all NHS and care workers from the NHS surcharge, will cover “all NHS workers, ranging from medical health staff including vital porters and cleaners”. It also includes independent health workers and social care workers.
For other migrants the NHS surcharge will remain in place, and the planned increase, from £400 to £624, will go ahead in October. “It is fair to expect people arriving in the UK to work in non-health roles who might use the NHS to make a contribution,” a government source said.
In March Priti Patel, the home secretary, announced a limited exemption from the NHS surcharge for NHS workers. She said that around 2,800 migrant doctors, nurses and paramedics would have their visas extended for free for a year, and that they would not have to pay the NHS surcharge.
Under the new No 10 policy (see 4.37pm) NHS and care workers seem to be getting a permanent exemption.
This is from Sir Keir Starmer.
The No 10 U-turn marks a victory for Sir Keir Starmer. The Labour leader raised the issue at PMQs yesterday and challenged Boris Johnson to remove it for care workers. Johnson said he had “thought a great deal about this”, but he defended the arrangements.
Starmer said:
And Johnson replied:
U-turns are always embarrassing for politicians, particularly when they are as blatant as this one. But, in the long-term, they can be beneficial. Opposition parties need grievances; U-turns sweep those grievances off the table.
Downing Street has now performed a U-turn on the NHS surcharge, and announced that care workers and all NHS workers will join the healthcare workers already benefitting from an exemption. A Number 10 spokesman put out this statement.
According to a snap YouGov poll, by a margin of almost two to one people think migrant care workers should be exempt from the NHS surcharge. Even amongst Conservative supporters there is a small majority in favour of care workers being exempt (although not amongst leave supporters).According to a snap YouGov poll, by a margin of almost two to one people think migrant care workers should be exempt from the NHS surcharge. Even amongst Conservative supporters there is a small majority in favour of care workers being exempt (although not amongst leave supporters).
But if you were wondering why Downing Street seems reluctant to give in to the pressure for a U-turn on this, another finding from the poll provides an answer - overall, the NHS surcharge is massively popular. Even Labour supporters are in favour, the poll suggests.But if you were wondering why Downing Street seems reluctant to give in to the pressure for a U-turn on this, another finding from the poll provides an answer - overall, the NHS surcharge is massively popular. Even Labour supporters are in favour, the poll suggests.
The number of frontline prison officers fell in the first three months of the year, figures from the Ministry of Justice show, prompting warnings against “flashpoints” developing in jails.The number of frontline prison officers fell in the first three months of the year, figures from the Ministry of Justice show, prompting warnings against “flashpoints” developing in jails.
As at the end of March, there were 21,928 prison officers working in bands 3 to 5 – frontline officers – 226 fewer than at the end of December, 702 fewer than in March 2019, and 2,902 fewer than at the end of March 2010.As at the end of March, there were 21,928 prison officers working in bands 3 to 5 – frontline officers – 226 fewer than at the end of December, 702 fewer than in March 2019, and 2,902 fewer than at the end of March 2010.
Experts have warned prisons could be potential hotspots for the coronavirus and the government has introduced a highly restrictive regime in an attempt to contain the spread of disease behind bars. At least 21 prisoners and nine staff have contracted the virus and died.Experts have warned prisons could be potential hotspots for the coronavirus and the government has introduced a highly restrictive regime in an attempt to contain the spread of disease behind bars. At least 21 prisoners and nine staff have contracted the virus and died.
The shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, said:The shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, said:
The Conservatives have criticised Labour politicians in the London assembly for pressing ahead with an investigation into Boris Johnson and his dealings with Jennifer Arcuri when he was mayor. (See 12.16pm.) In a statement issued by CCHQ, the Tory MP Gareth Bacon said:The Conservatives have criticised Labour politicians in the London assembly for pressing ahead with an investigation into Boris Johnson and his dealings with Jennifer Arcuri when he was mayor. (See 12.16pm.) In a statement issued by CCHQ, the Tory MP Gareth Bacon said:
The hymn Abide With Me, sung just before every FA Cup final since the early 20th century, will belted out once more this Saturday in aid of NHS charities.The hymn Abide With Me, sung just before every FA Cup final since the early 20th century, will belted out once more this Saturday in aid of NHS charities.
Before what would have been kick-off at Wembley for the 2020 cup final, an online recording of the song will be broadcast across the internet.Before what would have been kick-off at Wembley for the 2020 cup final, an online recording of the song will be broadcast across the internet.
The annual climax to the English football season in May was one of the sporting casualties of the Covid-19 lockdown.The annual climax to the English football season in May was one of the sporting casualties of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Members of the Fans Choir, who sang Abide With Me’ at the Arsenal v Aston Villa final in 2015, have teamed up again to release Abide With Us’ in solidarity with NHS staff fighting the pandemic.Members of the Fans Choir, who sang Abide With Me’ at the Arsenal v Aston Villa final in 2015, have teamed up again to release Abide With Us’ in solidarity with NHS staff fighting the pandemic.
“We’re all footy mad and missing our singing!” said Dave Gilhooley, who has compiled the video from Fans Choir members’ contributions from all over the country.“We’re all footy mad and missing our singing!” said Dave Gilhooley, who has compiled the video from Fans Choir members’ contributions from all over the country.
“It’s a chance for fans all over the country to sing your footy socks off on your doorstep for the game that you love, the NHS and key workers that have sacrificed so much on our behalf.“It’s a chance for fans all over the country to sing your footy socks off on your doorstep for the game that you love, the NHS and key workers that have sacrificed so much on our behalf.
“A Just Giving page has been set up, the aim being to raise money for NHS families decimated by losing a loved one to the dreadful C-19 disease,” he added.“A Just Giving page has been set up, the aim being to raise money for NHS families decimated by losing a loved one to the dreadful C-19 disease,” he added.
A cafe owner who installed dozens of shower curtains between tables in a bid to combat coronavirus has said he hopes his idea can inspire other businesses.A cafe owner who installed dozens of shower curtains between tables in a bid to combat coronavirus has said he hopes his idea can inspire other businesses.
Francini Osorio has used more than 30 curtains as dividers between tables in a trial phase during the Covid-19 lockdown and has more on order.Francini Osorio has used more than 30 curtains as dividers between tables in a trial phase during the Covid-19 lockdown and has more on order.
Osorio also plans to use an air purifier in an effort to protect customers at the Francini Cafe De Colombia in Worcester.Osorio also plans to use an air purifier in an effort to protect customers at the Francini Cafe De Colombia in Worcester.
The businessman, originally from Colombia, who is readying his cafe to reopen, said: “Where I come from we don’t sink, we stand up and we keep going.”The businessman, originally from Colombia, who is readying his cafe to reopen, said: “Where I come from we don’t sink, we stand up and we keep going.”
Osorio, who plans to provide gloves and encourage people to bring their own masks, said of the curtains, which will be sprayed with disinfectant: “The idea is to keep people together but separated by the curtain.Osorio, who plans to provide gloves and encourage people to bring their own masks, said of the curtains, which will be sprayed with disinfectant: “The idea is to keep people together but separated by the curtain.
“If this has inspired people, that’s brilliant.”“If this has inspired people, that’s brilliant.”
A ban on a mosque opening for Friday prayers due to the Covid-19 pandemic is a breach of worshippers’ human rights, the high court has heard.A ban on a mosque opening for Friday prayers due to the Covid-19 pandemic is a breach of worshippers’ human rights, the high court has heard.
Tabassum Hussain, the chairman of the executive committee of the Jamiyat Tabligh-ul-Islam Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Bradford, is seeking an urgent injunction against the Department of Health and Social Care.Tabassum Hussain, the chairman of the executive committee of the Jamiyat Tabligh-ul-Islam Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Bradford, is seeking an urgent injunction against the Department of Health and Social Care.
The injunction would allow his place of worship to open for communal prayers on Friday, before the end of Ramadan this weekend.The injunction would allow his place of worship to open for communal prayers on Friday, before the end of Ramadan this weekend.
Under the latest emergency rules to deal with the pandemic, places of worship must remain closed, although a faith leader can attend the venue to broadcast prayers and acts of worship via the internet.Under the latest emergency rules to deal with the pandemic, places of worship must remain closed, although a faith leader can attend the venue to broadcast prayers and acts of worship via the internet.
Hussain argues that the closures are unlawful and breach his rights to religious freedom and worship.Hussain argues that the closures are unlawful and breach his rights to religious freedom and worship.
In another easing of the lockdown in England, the Department for Education has said that students who had to abandon their belongings in university accommodation can now go and get them. In new guidance issued today, the DfE told universities to contact the students affected:In another easing of the lockdown in England, the Department for Education has said that students who had to abandon their belongings in university accommodation can now go and get them. In new guidance issued today, the DfE told universities to contact the students affected:
There’s a slight sting in the tail: students who can’t go – because they are isolating or perhaps living overseas – may find their belongings put into storage for a price.There’s a slight sting in the tail: students who can’t go – because they are isolating or perhaps living overseas – may find their belongings put into storage for a price.
“If there are costs to you in carrying out this service, we understand students may be required to cover these costs but we would not expect you to make a profit from such a service,” the DfE told universities.“If there are costs to you in carrying out this service, we understand students may be required to cover these costs but we would not expect you to make a profit from such a service,” the DfE told universities.
A Liberal Democrat peer has admitted making an “error of judgment” after furloughing himself while continuing to claim a three-figure daily allowance for his work in parliament.
Christopher Fox decided to furlough himself as the owner and sole employee of Vulpes Advisory, a communications and consultancy company, but continued to collect his daily £162 allowance for carrying out his work virtually as a peer in the House of Lords.
Lord Fox has now confirmed he will repay the money he received during his time on furlough.
The 62-year-old said: “I recognise my error in judgment and I apologise.
“I have already begun to repay the money I received as part of the furlough scheme and intend to repay the full amount as soon as possible.”
Fox, who is reported to own two homes worth more than £2m, is the first parliamentarian to have used the government’s wage subsidy scheme to pay himself, according to the Telegraph.
The millionaire former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham reversed her decision to furlough staff at her fashion label after facing a backlash.
Meanwhile, the comic and actor Steve Coogan, estimated to be worth £10m, has furloughed his gardener and housekeeper at his £4m country home, according to the Sun.
Nicola Sturgeon has announced people in Scotland will be allowed to meet friends outdoors, sunbathe and start shopping at garden centres from 28 May as she unveiled the slow easing of the lockdown.
The first minister told MSPs she wanted to see a suitably cautious lifting of some lockdown restrictions from next Thursday mirroring the relaxations already announced in other parts of the UK.
Sturgeon confirmed outdoor sports such as tennis and golf could restart next week and people could visit nearby parks and beauty spots. Outdoor cafes, recycling centres and drive-through restaurants will also be permitted to reopen as part of the four-step plan she outlined for easing the lockdown.
She said all Scotland’s schools would reopen from 11 August with a “blended model” of part-time teaching in school and at home, with teachers going back to school from June to start preparing their classrooms.
From June, children moving from primary school to secondary school this summer would also be given help with the transition to secondary school.
She added, however, that tight restrictions on allowing relatives and friends to gather at funerals, and the ban on bars and hairdressers from reopening, would not be relaxed for at least three weeks.
The latest UK figures reveal that 36,042 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in as of 5pm on Wednesday, up by 338 from 35,704 the day before.
In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Thursday, 128,340 tests were carried out or dispatched, with a total of 67,681 people tested and 2,615 positive results.
A total of 3,090,566 tests have been carried out, and 250,908 cases have been confirmed positive.
The Downing Street lobby briefing is over. Here are the main points.
The prime minister’s spokesman effectively confirmed that the contact-tracing app will not be ready when the government launches its national test and trace scheme for 1 June. The spokesman said the app would be ready in the “coming weeks”. He went on:
Asked why the app, which is being piloted on the Isle of Wight, would not be ready for national rollout by the end of May, as originally planned, the spokesman said:
The spokesman said there were no plans to review the NHS surcharge for migrants and that the planned increase, from £400 to £624, would go ahead in October.
The spokesman said the government would publish its scientific advice tomorrow on the safety of schools opening. The latest estimate of R, the reproduction number, will be published too.
Matt Hancock, the health and social care secretary, is due to give details at the daily press conference this afternoon about the rollout of coronavirus antibody tests, which follows negotiations between the government and the pharmaceutical firm Roche, the spokesman said. NHS and care workers will be prioritised for the free tests, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said Boris Johnson would consider travel advice before deciding whether or not to attend an in-person G7 summit that Donald Trump is reportedly planning.
The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland has risen to 501, after seven more deaths were reported by the Department of Health. The full details are here.
And Public Health Wales said a further nine people had died there after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of deaths in Wales to 1,247. Another 166 people had tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12,846. The full details are here.
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In the Scottish parliament Nicola Sturgeon has now finished taking questions on the Scottish government’s routemap for easing the lockdown (pdf). She said that 100,000 people had already tried to download it, with the result that the Scottish government’s website had been having problems. She urged people to be patient. They would be able to download it later if they could not now, she said.
A frontbench peer has apologised for furloughing himself while also claiming a Lords £162 daily attendance allowance.
Christopher Fox was forced to issue the apology after it was revealed that he had furloughed himself despite claiming the daily House of Lords allowance during lockdown.
Fox said: “I recognise my error in judgment and I apologise. I have already begun to repay the money I received as part of the furlough scheme and intend to repay the full amount.”
The Conservative backbenchers Henry Smith has outraged opposition parliamentarians by saying that the objection to MPs returning to the House of Commons after next week’s recess (when the current, largely-virtual proceedings will end) has come from the “lazy left” and from “workshy” Labour and nationalist politicians.
Labour’s Jess Phillips was one of the MPs who condemned Smith on Twitter.
And a Labour party spokesperson said:
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, told the London assembly this morning that he is considering banning passengers from buses and tube trains in the capital if they are not wearing a face covering. He said that he was hoping to persuade the UK government, which is currently just advising people to wear face coverings on public transport, to toughen its stance. He told the assembly:
He said that he was hoping to persuade the government “to do the right thing”. But, if that did not happen, he said next week he would consider using the powers he has as mayor to make the wearing of face coverings compulsory on Transport for London tubes and buses.