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UK coronavirus live: businesses must pay part of furlough costs from August | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Chancellor Rishi Sunak reveals details of tapering furlough scheme; Nicola Sturgeon urges caution as Scottish lockdown eases; Wales tells residents to ‘stay local’ as new lockdown rules come in | |
Q. Is £100bn roughly what we’re looking at for the total cost of both schemes for the total eight months? | |
Sunak says the OBR has provided a range of estimates. | |
It’s difficult to say what the total aggregate cost will be, he adds, because the flexible furlough will make that hard to predict. | |
Q. Why haven’t we had people-tested numbers for the past six days? | |
Powis says he can’t give a specific answer on this but testing is increasing all the time. | |
This week the antibody test has been rolled out in hospitals and healthcare facilities, he adds. | |
They are taking questions from journalists now. | |
Q. Is £100bn your limit [for the furlough/SEISS schemes] and so unemployment will spike after? | |
Sunak says the scheme is very generous and will amount to the employer making a 5% contribution. | |
Around 40% of employers don’t pay national insurance or pension contributions at all, he says, so they won’t be affected by the changes in August. | |
Companies can apply in advance of payroll for the furlough scheme, he adds, which will help with cash flow. | |
Q. If the alert level hasn’t gone down [from 4 to 3], why are we loosening things up? | |
Powis says the Joint Biosecurity Centre is feeding information into the four chief medical officers across the four nations. | |
The NHS needs to be able to respond to any surge of infection in the community, so it’s important to link in to the centre and adapt what we’re doing, he adds. | |
Simona from Eastbourne asks what the government is doing to support women returning to work from maternity leave who have no childcare and can’t be furloughed. | |
Sunak says the various schemes, tax cuts and loans in place will help many people. | |
The reopening of schools will also help people with children to get back to work, he adds. | |
They are taking questions from the public. | |
Will from Manchester asks what specifically is the government doing to maintain low emission rates as lockdown eases. | |
Sunak says more people are cycling as they commute. | |
Powis adds that the NHS wants to make changes such as reducing the number of face-to-face appointments to cut down NHS-related transport. | |
Many of these things have happened during the pandemic and this approach should be kept as much as possible, he adds. | |
The Self-Employment Income Scheme will be extended, with applications opening in August for a second and final grant, he says. | |
It will be paid out in a single instalment, covering three months’ worth of average monthly trading profits, he says. | |
The value of the final grant will be 70%, up to a total of £6,570, he adds. | |
From 1 July, flexible furlough will be in place, he says. | |
Employers will have maximum flexibility to decide to bring back employees for a number of days per week. | |
The furlough scheme cannot continue indefinitely, Sunak says. | |
Employers will be asked to contribute, alongside the taxpayer, to pay the wages of their staff, Sunak says. | |
In June and July, the scheme will continue as before – with the government pay 80% of wages up to £2,500 – with no employer contribution at all, he says. | |
In August, the taxpayer contribution will stay at 80%. Employers will only be asked to pay national insurance and employer pension contributions, he says. | |
By September, employers will be asked to start paying towards people’s wages. Taxpayers will pay 70% of the furlough grant, employers 10%. | |
In October, taxpayers will pay 60%, employers 20%. | |
Then the scheme will close, he says. | |
The chancellor is speaking now. | The chancellor is speaking now. |
He is joined by Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England. | He is joined by Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England. |
131,458 tests were carried out yesterday, and 2,095 people tested positive. | 131,458 tests were carried out yesterday, and 2,095 people tested positive. |
Across all settings, 38,161 people have died, an increase 324 fatalities since yesterday. | Across all settings, 38,161 people have died, an increase 324 fatalities since yesterday. |
The chancellor will front this afternoon’s press conference, due to begin shortly. He is expected to outline changes to the government’s job retention scheme, including details on how employers will be asked to contribute to pay the wages of furloughed workers. | The chancellor will front this afternoon’s press conference, due to begin shortly. He is expected to outline changes to the government’s job retention scheme, including details on how employers will be asked to contribute to pay the wages of furloughed workers. |
Sunak has also faced calls from cross-party group of 113 MPs to extend support for the self-employed – due to end on Sunday – or risk leaving many “without work and without support”. | Sunak has also faced calls from cross-party group of 113 MPs to extend support for the self-employed – due to end on Sunday – or risk leaving many “without work and without support”. |
The number of fines for breaches of lockdown rules has plunged since measures were eased, with just 841 handed out by police in England, new figures show. | The number of fines for breaches of lockdown rules has plunged since measures were eased, with just 841 handed out by police in England, new figures show. |
A total of 16,947 fixed penalty notices, including 15,552 in England and 1,395 in Wales, were recorded by forces up to 25 May, according to provisional data released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). | A total of 16,947 fixed penalty notices, including 15,552 in England and 1,395 in Wales, were recorded by forces up to 25 May, according to provisional data released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). |
There were 1,019 issued in England during the latest two-week period, between 12 and 25 May – although the figure is likely to be revised upwards as more fines are reported – compared to 4,967 during the previous fortnight. | There were 1,019 issued in England during the latest two-week period, between 12 and 25 May – although the figure is likely to be revised upwards as more fines are reported – compared to 4,967 during the previous fortnight. |
Just 841 fines were handed out by forces in England since lockdown measures were eased on 13 May with the highest number (178) during the latest period given the day before. | Just 841 fines were handed out by forces in England since lockdown measures were eased on 13 May with the highest number (178) during the latest period given the day before. |
The NPCC said penalties have been given to people for driving with others who are not members of their household, house parties, large gatherings and camping, since restrictions were relaxed. | The NPCC said penalties have been given to people for driving with others who are not members of their household, house parties, large gatherings and camping, since restrictions were relaxed. |
NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: | NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said: |
The NPCC said most penalties have been given to young men, aged between 18 and 24, with more issued on weekends and during warm weather. | The NPCC said most penalties have been given to young men, aged between 18 and 24, with more issued on weekends and during warm weather. |
It comes ahead of a further easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday, with those in England allowed to gather in groups of six in parks or private gardens. | It comes ahead of a further easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday, with those in England allowed to gather in groups of six in parks or private gardens. |
Only half of people who develop coronavirus symptoms self-isolate for at least a week, according to government science advisers, raising urgent questions about the success of the test, trace and isolate strategy needed to contain future outbreaks. | Only half of people who develop coronavirus symptoms self-isolate for at least a week, according to government science advisers, raising urgent questions about the success of the test, trace and isolate strategy needed to contain future outbreaks. |
In an April report to the government’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage), behavioural science experts said “rapid” research was needed on how best to get people to comply with self-isolation advice given that “only around 50%” took the precaution when they developed a cough or fever, according to Department of Health and Social Care tracking in England. | In an April report to the government’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage), behavioural science experts said “rapid” research was needed on how best to get people to comply with self-isolation advice given that “only around 50%” took the precaution when they developed a cough or fever, according to Department of Health and Social Care tracking in England. |
Under the new track-and-trace system, people will be required to self-isolate for 14 days if they are informed that a recent contact has tested positive for the virus. | Under the new track-and-trace system, people will be required to self-isolate for 14 days if they are informed that a recent contact has tested positive for the virus. |
The same document from the Sage subgroup states that scientists “anticipate major behavioural barriers” to people using the NHS contact-tracing app that will prevent it from being the primary method of containing outbreaks. | The same document from the Sage subgroup states that scientists “anticipate major behavioural barriers” to people using the NHS contact-tracing app that will prevent it from being the primary method of containing outbreaks. |
No further action is being taken by police over the death from coronavirus of a railway worker, it has been announced. | No further action is being taken by police over the death from coronavirus of a railway worker, it has been announced. |
British Transport Police said detectives have conducted “extensive inquiries” into the death of 47-year-old railway ticket officer Belly Mujinga, who died with Covid-19 in April, two weeks after being spat on by a man who claimed to have the virus while she was at work at London’s Victoria station. She is survived by her husband and 11-year-old daughter. | British Transport Police said detectives have conducted “extensive inquiries” into the death of 47-year-old railway ticket officer Belly Mujinga, who died with Covid-19 in April, two weeks after being spat on by a man who claimed to have the virus while she was at work at London’s Victoria station. She is survived by her husband and 11-year-old daughter. |
BTP said they had held a “full and thorough investigation”, including interviewing a 57-year-old man, adding that the incident did not lead to Belly’s death. | BTP said they had held a “full and thorough investigation”, including interviewing a 57-year-old man, adding that the incident did not lead to Belly’s death. |
The UK government is “taking some risk” by relaxing lockdown measures while the number of new cases of coronavirus recorded each day remains “relatively high”, an expert in infectious diseases has said. | The UK government is “taking some risk” by relaxing lockdown measures while the number of new cases of coronavirus recorded each day remains “relatively high”, an expert in infectious diseases has said. |
Prof John Edmunds, who attends meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) supporting the government, said many experts would “prefer” to see the number of Covid-19 infections drop before measures such as a relaxation on social interaction restrictions were introduced. | Prof John Edmunds, who attends meetings of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) supporting the government, said many experts would “prefer” to see the number of Covid-19 infections drop before measures such as a relaxation on social interaction restrictions were introduced. |
Latest data from the Office for National Statistics suggests there are an estimated 54,000 new coronavirus infections a week in England outside of hospital and care settings, equating to nearly 8,000 per day. | Latest data from the Office for National Statistics suggests there are an estimated 54,000 new coronavirus infections a week in England outside of hospital and care settings, equating to nearly 8,000 per day. |
The R number, or reproduction rate, is currently between 0.7 and 0.9, and must remain under one to avoid a rise in infections – a key test on whether lockdown measures should be eased, with the government stressing the need to avoid a second wave of cases which would threaten to overwhelm the NHS. | The R number, or reproduction rate, is currently between 0.7 and 0.9, and must remain under one to avoid a rise in infections – a key test on whether lockdown measures should be eased, with the government stressing the need to avoid a second wave of cases which would threaten to overwhelm the NHS. |
Prof Edmunds, speaking during a Science Media Centre briefing, said the decision to relax certain rules came with a degree of risk. He said: | Prof Edmunds, speaking during a Science Media Centre briefing, said the decision to relax certain rules came with a degree of risk. He said: |
The government has launched its track and trace system designed to limit the spread of infection by ordering contacts of those who become infected with coronavirus to isolate. | The government has launched its track and trace system designed to limit the spread of infection by ordering contacts of those who become infected with coronavirus to isolate. |
Prof Edmunds, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, supported the decision to essentially substitute a “blanket approach” to containing the virus with a targeted one, adding it saw a return to “some level of normality”. He added: | Prof Edmunds, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, supported the decision to essentially substitute a “blanket approach” to containing the virus with a targeted one, adding it saw a return to “some level of normality”. He added: |
He said there was a need to try and get the economy restarted, to get people back to work and to provide a boost to people’s mental health. | He said there was a need to try and get the economy restarted, to get people back to work and to provide a boost to people’s mental health. |
But he said even if track and trace kept the R-value at about one, it would still result in around 8,000 community infections a day in England. | But he said even if track and trace kept the R-value at about one, it would still result in around 8,000 community infections a day in England. |
Private renters are more likely to have fallen behind with housing costs than those with a mortgage since the start of the coronavirus crisis, a new study suggests. | Private renters are more likely to have fallen behind with housing costs than those with a mortgage since the start of the coronavirus crisis, a new study suggests. |
One in eight private renters have fallen behind compared to one in 12 mortgaged home owners, said the Resolution Foundation. The figures, from a survey of more than 6,000 adults, highlight how the pandemic has exacerbated Britain’s housing divide, said the think tank. | One in eight private renters have fallen behind compared to one in 12 mortgaged home owners, said the Resolution Foundation. The figures, from a survey of more than 6,000 adults, highlight how the pandemic has exacerbated Britain’s housing divide, said the think tank. |
One in five private renters have been furloughed or lost their job since the crisis began, compared to around one-in-seven mortgaged home owners, although home owners are more likely to have had their hours and pay reduced, said the report. | One in five private renters have been furloughed or lost their job since the crisis began, compared to around one-in-seven mortgaged home owners, although home owners are more likely to have had their hours and pay reduced, said the report. |
Private renters face higher costs in the first place, with their average pre-crisis housing costs estimated to be 32% of their family’s income, compared to 11% among mortgaged homeowners, according to the findings. | Private renters face higher costs in the first place, with their average pre-crisis housing costs estimated to be 32% of their family’s income, compared to 11% among mortgaged homeowners, according to the findings. |
Almost one-in-four private renters had no savings in the run-up to the crisis, compared to one-in-eight home owners, said the foundation, adding that many people living in private rented accommodation have been forced to cut back on basic spending or, in the case of young people, to move house. | Almost one-in-four private renters had no savings in the run-up to the crisis, compared to one-in-eight home owners, said the foundation, adding that many people living in private rented accommodation have been forced to cut back on basic spending or, in the case of young people, to move house. |
Lindsay Judge, principal research and policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: | Lindsay Judge, principal research and policy analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said: |
Afternoon everyone. I’m back from lunch to continue the coronavirus live coverage for the rest of the day. Please do continue to get in touch with tips and comments, your thoughts are hugely appreciated: | Afternoon everyone. I’m back from lunch to continue the coronavirus live coverage for the rest of the day. Please do continue to get in touch with tips and comments, your thoughts are hugely appreciated: |
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ | Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ |