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| UK coronavirus live: Sturgeon urges caution as Scotland begins easing lockdown | UK coronavirus live: Sturgeon urges caution as Scotland begins easing lockdown |
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| Chancellor to say that employers will have to pay 20% of wages of furloughed staff as state subsidy scheme is wound down | Chancellor to say that employers will have to pay 20% of wages of furloughed staff as state subsidy scheme is wound down |
| We’ve just had the daily Downing Street briefing with Boris Johnson’s spokesman, and this is what we learned:The official coronavirus alert level is still at fourThis is despite the easing of lockdown restrictions from Monday. Speaking to the liaison committee of senior MPs on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said the level would be coming down from four to three. But his spokesman said it remains at four. The decision is seemingly the responsibility of the government’s new joint biosecurity unit, which is not yet fully operational.Police will not have powers to do spot checks on homes over social distancingFrom Monday, groups of up to six people can meet outdoors, for example in people’s gardens. No 10 said that while the emergency coronavirus laws did allow enforcement of lockdown, police could not do spot checks of people’s gardens. He said: | |
| The government is confident of reaching its 200,000-a-day testing targetThis is due to happen by the start of June – that is, Monday. The spokesman said: | |
| The latest daily figure for tests was 119,587, for yesterday. These are the tests to see whether someone has the virus, not the antibody testing which determines if they have had it in the past. There are as yet no figures for the number of antibody tests used from those bought from pharmaceuticals giant Roche. | |
| It is not clear if teachers must return to work if their schools are openAsked whether refusing to do so for safety reasons would be seen as a breach of contract, Johnson’s spokesman stressed what he said was “a cautious and phased return” of pupils, but indicated this was up to individual schools. He said: | |
| A relaxing of lockdown rules in Wales means that, from Monday, people from two different households will be able to meet outdoors as long as they do not travel more than five miles, the first minister Mark Drakeford said. | |
| Under new “stay local” guidelines, which replace the “stay at home” message previously used by the Welsh government, people will still need to observe social distancing when meeting in public or private outdoor spaces. | |
| Exceptions will allow for travelling to work, to seek care, and shopping for essentials if they are not available locally. Beauty spots and tourist destinations will remain closed. | |
| Also, from Monday, weddings and civil partnerships will also be allowed to take place if the bride or groom is terminally ill. | |
| Drakeford added that non-essential retail businesses that can comply with social distancing rules should start to prepare to reopen over the next three weeks. | |
| A decision on whether they will reopen will be taken at the next review of lockdown measures on 18 June and will depend on scientific and medical evidence. He said: | |
| Nicola Sturgeon said she was “conscious” that this will be the first weekend where lockdown measures have been eased to the point where people in Scotland can meet those from another household outdoors, and that the rules should be followed closely to avoid a resurgence of the virus. | Nicola Sturgeon said she was “conscious” that this will be the first weekend where lockdown measures have been eased to the point where people in Scotland can meet those from another household outdoors, and that the rules should be followed closely to avoid a resurgence of the virus. |
| The first minister urged “caution” as she reiterated her calls to ensure that any meetings with other households must be outside and people must stick to social distancing guidelines by meeting in groups of no more than eight and by keeping two metres apart. | The first minister urged “caution” as she reiterated her calls to ensure that any meetings with other households must be outside and people must stick to social distancing guidelines by meeting in groups of no more than eight and by keeping two metres apart. |
| She said people should also ensure that items such as cutlery and food are not shared and people do not enter homes that are not their own. | She said people should also ensure that items such as cutlery and food are not shared and people do not enter homes that are not their own. |
| She also asked that people stay local as much as possible – within five miles of their home – avoid crowds at parks and beauty spots across the country, and to go elsewhere if areas are busy. People should still stay at home as much as possible, she added. | She also asked that people stay local as much as possible – within five miles of their home – avoid crowds at parks and beauty spots across the country, and to go elsewhere if areas are busy. People should still stay at home as much as possible, she added. |
| Sturgeon said the changes would improve the lives of Scots, but added that she was still “nervous” about the easing of measures. She said: | Sturgeon said the changes would improve the lives of Scots, but added that she was still “nervous” about the easing of measures. She said: |
| The lack of clear guidance for people who would potentially have to choose between temporarily losing their income or putting their health at risk if asked to self-isolate for 14 days under track and trace risks leaves many families without a safety net, it has been warned. | |
| Carol Olley, from Sunderland, asked the prime minister during Thursday’s Downing Street press conference: | Carol Olley, from Sunderland, asked the prime minister during Thursday’s Downing Street press conference: |
| With a daughter who has been shielding since 14 March, Olley says she has no idea when her daughter will be able to rejoin society and she has been shielding with her to protect her. | With a daughter who has been shielding since 14 March, Olley says she has no idea when her daughter will be able to rejoin society and she has been shielding with her to protect her. |
| In response to her question, Boris Johnson said help such as the furlough scheme and various loan schemes remain in place and that “nobody in this epidemic should be penalised for doing the right thing”. | |
| On shielding, he said only that those in the extremely vulnerable cohort who were advised to shield themselves for 12 weeks in March should “continue to do so” and that “better support” would be in place for them “soon”. | |
| Olley, who works for a food poverty organisation, told the Guardian she was furious with the prime minister’s “completely unhelpful answer”. The lack of clear guidance and support for families where the wage-earner is unable to work from home and is asked to self-isolate for two weeks with no pay is a “diabolical” position for people to be in, she said. | |
| She said the lack of clarity and support would force many people to put their health at risk as lockdown is eased: | She said the lack of clarity and support would force many people to put their health at risk as lockdown is eased: |
| Citizen’s Advice has warned that those who come under Public Health England’s shielding guidance are only entitled to statutory sick pay, and employers have no legal obligation to furlough an employee who is shielding, leaving some of the country’s most vulnerable people at risk of losing up to 60% of their income as lockdown is eased. | |
| A loophole in government guidance has caused some of the country’s most vulnerable people to lose up to 60% of their income and is now forcing many to put their health at risk as lockdown comes to an end, one of the UK’s biggest charities has warned. | A loophole in government guidance has caused some of the country’s most vulnerable people to lose up to 60% of their income and is now forcing many to put their health at risk as lockdown comes to an end, one of the UK’s biggest charities has warned. |
| Around 2.5 million UK residents, hundreds of thousands of whom are in employment, have been identified by the government as being “extremely clinically vulnerable”. They were ordered to shield at home until the end of June, although their employers did not have to furlough them. | Around 2.5 million UK residents, hundreds of thousands of whom are in employment, have been identified by the government as being “extremely clinically vulnerable”. They were ordered to shield at home until the end of June, although their employers did not have to furlough them. |
| Research by Citizens Advice found that of the 2,000 people contacting them since 14 April for help, over 70% of those who were shielding had not been furloughed. | Research by Citizens Advice found that of the 2,000 people contacting them since 14 April for help, over 70% of those who were shielding had not been furloughed. |
| Those who come under Public Health England’s shielding guidance are only entitled to statutory sick pay. Employers have no legal obligation to furlough an employee who is shielding. | Those who come under Public Health England’s shielding guidance are only entitled to statutory sick pay. Employers have no legal obligation to furlough an employee who is shielding. |
| Sarah, a mother of two, has been told her three-year-old daughter must shield due to asthma and allergies. Sarah is currently furloughed from work at a preschool, but has been told she will have to take unpaid leave if she does not return to work when it opens on 1 June. She told the Guardian: | Sarah, a mother of two, has been told her three-year-old daughter must shield due to asthma and allergies. Sarah is currently furloughed from work at a preschool, but has been told she will have to take unpaid leave if she does not return to work when it opens on 1 June. She told the Guardian: |
| More than 40 leading healthcare charities have warned that millions of vulnerable and extremely vulnerable people are getting “mixed and confused messages” about the easing of shielding measures, potentially putting their health and safety at serious risk. | More than 40 leading healthcare charities have warned that millions of vulnerable and extremely vulnerable people are getting “mixed and confused messages” about the easing of shielding measures, potentially putting their health and safety at serious risk. |
| Charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Versus Arthritis, the British Lung Foundation, Asthma UK and the MS Society published an open letter calling for the UK government to publish clear, consistent advice on shielding measures for these groups to ensure they can protect themselves and can access support as lockdown eases. | Charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Versus Arthritis, the British Lung Foundation, Asthma UK and the MS Society published an open letter calling for the UK government to publish clear, consistent advice on shielding measures for these groups to ensure they can protect themselves and can access support as lockdown eases. |
| Across the UK approximately 2.2 million people are classified as clinically extremely vulnerable because their specific medical condition places them at greatest risk from the effects of coronavirus. Members of this group should have had a letter from their GP or hospital advising them to shield initially for 12 weeks. Guidance issued by the government on 11 May said this group would continue to be advised to shield “for some time”. | Across the UK approximately 2.2 million people are classified as clinically extremely vulnerable because their specific medical condition places them at greatest risk from the effects of coronavirus. Members of this group should have had a letter from their GP or hospital advising them to shield initially for 12 weeks. Guidance issued by the government on 11 May said this group would continue to be advised to shield “for some time”. |
| The charities are also calling for clear guidance for the wider group of vulnerable people – including people who are over 70, pregnant, who have heart disease or are taking medication that might suppress the immune system – who have not been asked to shield but have been told to “take particular care to minimise contact with others outside [their] household”. The charities warn this group will be at greater risk as lockdown is lifted and have to make decisions on whether they and members of their household leave home, go to work or school. | The charities are also calling for clear guidance for the wider group of vulnerable people – including people who are over 70, pregnant, who have heart disease or are taking medication that might suppress the immune system – who have not been asked to shield but have been told to “take particular care to minimise contact with others outside [their] household”. The charities warn this group will be at greater risk as lockdown is lifted and have to make decisions on whether they and members of their household leave home, go to work or school. |
| In the letter, the charities highlight that while other areas of society have received a detailed national roadmap from the government about the easing of lockdown measures, at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday those in the extremely vulnerable cohort who have been advised to shield themselves in March were simply told to “continue to do so” with only a top line commitment to “better support” them “soon”. | In the letter, the charities highlight that while other areas of society have received a detailed national roadmap from the government about the easing of lockdown measures, at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday those in the extremely vulnerable cohort who have been advised to shield themselves in March were simply told to “continue to do so” with only a top line commitment to “better support” them “soon”. |
| Dr Keith Brownlee, the director of policy, programmes and support at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: | Dr Keith Brownlee, the director of policy, programmes and support at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: |
| Police have set out the Premier League matches they would like to be played at neutral venues, which would include any Liverpool game where the title could be won. | Police have set out the Premier League matches they would like to be played at neutral venues, which would include any Liverpool game where the title could be won. |
| Mark Robert, the deputy chief constable of South Yorkshire police and the UK’s football policing lead, said in a statement issued to the PA Media news agency: | Mark Robert, the deputy chief constable of South Yorkshire police and the UK’s football policing lead, said in a statement issued to the PA Media news agency: |
| Good morning everyone. I’m Lucy Campbell, taking over the live blog coverage for the rest of the day. If you have any news tips or stories you think we should be covering, please feel free to get in touch as I work. | Good morning everyone. I’m Lucy Campbell, taking over the live blog coverage for the rest of the day. If you have any news tips or stories you think we should be covering, please feel free to get in touch as I work. |
| Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ | Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ |
| Transport for London has published the full agreement (pdf) for this month’s central government bailout, showing that it was conditional on London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, raising charges for motorists and scrapping free travel for older people and under-18s. | Transport for London has published the full agreement (pdf) for this month’s central government bailout, showing that it was conditional on London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, raising charges for motorists and scrapping free travel for older people and under-18s. |
| Khan has said throughout that the 30% increase in the congestion charge, and the removal of free travel on public transport, was insisted on by the Department for Transport as part of the £16bn bailout. | Khan has said throughout that the 30% increase in the congestion charge, and the removal of free travel on public transport, was insisted on by the Department for Transport as part of the £16bn bailout. |
| Some London Conservatives have disputed this, particularly Shaun Bailey, the Tory candidate for the now-delayed mayoral election, who has repeatedly portrayed the decisions as being Khan’s. | Some London Conservatives have disputed this, particularly Shaun Bailey, the Tory candidate for the now-delayed mayoral election, who has repeatedly portrayed the decisions as being Khan’s. |
| However, the seven-page letter from Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, to Khan which sets out the deal, makes the conditions clear. | However, the seven-page letter from Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, to Khan which sets out the deal, makes the conditions clear. |
| One mandatory term is “the immediate reintroduction of the London congestion charge, low emission zone and ultra low emission zone, and urgently bring forward proposals to widen the scope and levels of these charges, in accordance with the relevant legal powers and decision-making processes.” | One mandatory term is “the immediate reintroduction of the London congestion charge, low emission zone and ultra low emission zone, and urgently bring forward proposals to widen the scope and levels of these charges, in accordance with the relevant legal powers and decision-making processes.” |
| The congestion charge, which had been suspended during the Covid-19 crisis, was reintroduced and will rise from £11.50 a day to £15 on 22 June. The emissions zones, intended to improve air quality, impose extra charges on particularly polluting vehicles. | The congestion charge, which had been suspended during the Covid-19 crisis, was reintroduced and will rise from £11.50 a day to £15 on 22 June. The emissions zones, intended to improve air quality, impose extra charges on particularly polluting vehicles. |
| The letter from Shapps also requires TfL to maximise space for workers on public transport by stopping free peak-time travel for over-60s, and all free travel for under-18s. Khan in particular wants the latter measure overturned. | The letter from Shapps also requires TfL to maximise space for workers on public transport by stopping free peak-time travel for over-60s, and all free travel for under-18s. Khan in particular wants the latter measure overturned. |
| Sheffield city council has become the latest local authority to tell its schools and nurseries not to admit more students on Monday due to concerns about the infection rate. | Sheffield city council has become the latest local authority to tell its schools and nurseries not to admit more students on Monday due to concerns about the infection rate. |
| Boris Johnson had earmarked 1 June as the date when pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 would return but on Sunday softened his approach, saying schools would not have to open until they felt prepared. | Boris Johnson had earmarked 1 June as the date when pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 would return but on Sunday softened his approach, saying schools would not have to open until they felt prepared. |
| Today, councillors in Sheffield said their public health advice suggested it was not safe to reopen schools until at least 14 days after the government’s test and trace scheme was up and running. It has advised schools to delay reopening until 15 June. | Today, councillors in Sheffield said their public health advice suggested it was not safe to reopen schools until at least 14 days after the government’s test and trace scheme was up and running. It has advised schools to delay reopening until 15 June. |
| Councillor Abtisam Mohamed, its cabinet member for education, said: | Councillor Abtisam Mohamed, its cabinet member for education, said: |
| In a separate statement, Fell said he “does not feel assured” that the city has met three of the government’s five key tests for reopening schools. | In a separate statement, Fell said he “does not feel assured” that the city has met three of the government’s five key tests for reopening schools. |
| He said test three failed because they “do not currently have access to data about community transmission of Covid-19 at a local level”; test four failed because “we do not feel confident that the recently announced NHS test-and-trace programme is sufficiently well established and robust enough to effectively manage any local outbreaks”; and test five failed because they were not confident that any adjustments to the current measures would not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS. | He said test three failed because they “do not currently have access to data about community transmission of Covid-19 at a local level”; test four failed because “we do not feel confident that the recently announced NHS test-and-trace programme is sufficiently well established and robust enough to effectively manage any local outbreaks”; and test five failed because they were not confident that any adjustments to the current measures would not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS. |
| The Office for National Statistics has just released its weekly look at the social impacts of coronavirus in Britain. | The Office for National Statistics has just released its weekly look at the social impacts of coronavirus in Britain. |
| The results are taken from a sample of 1,028 adults (with a 51% response rate) conducted between 21 and 24 May, compared to a similar survey taken on 14 to 17 May. | The results are taken from a sample of 1,028 adults (with a 51% response rate) conducted between 21 and 24 May, compared to a similar survey taken on 14 to 17 May. |
| We’ll have a more detailed take shortly, but at first glance these seem to be the most interesting findings: | We’ll have a more detailed take shortly, but at first glance these seem to be the most interesting findings: |
| One in five people (20%) say they are concerned about health and safety at work, up from 11% in the previous week. | One in five people (20%) say they are concerned about health and safety at work, up from 11% in the previous week. |
| People continue to be worried about the future and feelings of boredom have increased this week, with 62% of respondents saying they feel bored compared to 51% last week. | People continue to be worried about the future and feelings of boredom have increased this week, with 62% of respondents saying they feel bored compared to 51% last week. |
| An increasing number of people are worried about their mental health: 29% said the pandemic was making their mental health worse this week, up from 26% last week. Similarly, 29% of people said they were “spending too much time alone” this week, compared to 23% last week. | An increasing number of people are worried about their mental health: 29% said the pandemic was making their mental health worse this week, up from 26% last week. Similarly, 29% of people said they were “spending too much time alone” this week, compared to 23% last week. |
| Around one in five adults (19%) said they had self-isolated in the past seven days, a similar figure to last week (20%) but the lowest since the ONS started conducting the survey. | Around one in five adults (19%) said they had self-isolated in the past seven days, a similar figure to last week (20%) but the lowest since the ONS started conducting the survey. |
| Almost one in three adults (29%) have worn a face covering in the past week, mostly for shopping but also for exercise. | Almost one in three adults (29%) have worn a face covering in the past week, mostly for shopping but also for exercise. |
| Just under one in three adults (29%) felt unsafe or very unsafe outside of their home, which has decreased from 41% last week. | Just under one in three adults (29%) felt unsafe or very unsafe outside of their home, which has decreased from 41% last week. |
| More people are leaving their homes. This is unsurprising given the more relaxed restrictions in England, but the proportion of people who have not left their home at all in the past week dropped from 14% to 11%. | More people are leaving their homes. This is unsurprising given the more relaxed restrictions in England, but the proportion of people who have not left their home at all in the past week dropped from 14% to 11%. |
| At this brief interregnum, I’ve been asked to flag a special event we’re holding next Wednesday on the Dominic Cummings story. Details and tickets below: | At this brief interregnum, I’ve been asked to flag a special event we’re holding next Wednesday on the Dominic Cummings story. Details and tickets below: |
| Guardian Newsroom: The Dominic Cummings story | Guardian Newsroom: The Dominic Cummings story |
| On Wednesday 3 June we’re holding a live-streamed event exploring the ongoing story of Dominic Cummings’ lockdown-defying road trip and the government’s handling of the ensuing fallout. With deputy national news editor, Archie Bland, and Observer chief leader writer Sonia Sodha.Book tickets here | On Wednesday 3 June we’re holding a live-streamed event exploring the ongoing story of Dominic Cummings’ lockdown-defying road trip and the government’s handling of the ensuing fallout. With deputy national news editor, Archie Bland, and Observer chief leader writer Sonia Sodha.Book tickets here |