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UK coronavirus live: people in most deprived areas twice as likely to die of Covid-19 than most wealthy, says ONS UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson insists economy can bounce back after being 'badly hit'
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson tells protesters ‘the only responsible course of action is to stay away’; first ministers of Scotland and Wales call for Brexit extension PM also tells protesters ‘the only responsible course of action is to stay away’; first ministers of Scotland and Wales call for Brexit extension
England’s chief nurse, Ruth May, was dropped from one of Downing Street’s daily coronavirus briefings after refusing to publicly back Dominic Cummings behaviour during the lockdown, according to the Independent.
A senior NHS source was quoted as saying:
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has given his reaction to Michael Gove’s confirmation that the UK will not be seeking an extension to the transition period.
At the start of her daily press conference, Nicola Sturgeon, announced that three more people have died from coronavirus in the Scotland.
Johnson also urged people not take part in anti-racist protests this weekend, claiming that a “growing minority” was using the demonstrations to attack the police and public property.
He said:
Boris Johnson has insisted the UK economy can bounce back after the lockdown largest drop in GDP since records began.Boris Johnson has insisted the UK economy can bounce back after the lockdown largest drop in GDP since records began.
The prime minister said he was “not surprised” at official statistics indicating the UK during April had experienced the largest single drop in economy activity since records began as a result of the coronavirus shutdown.The prime minister said he was “not surprised” at official statistics indicating the UK during April had experienced the largest single drop in economy activity since records began as a result of the coronavirus shutdown.
Speaking to broadcasters, Boris Johnson said:Speaking to broadcasters, Boris Johnson said:
The vice-president of the EU Commission Maros Sefcovic has said Michael Gove “could not have clearer” in ruling out an extension to the transition period.The vice-president of the EU Commission Maros Sefcovic has said Michael Gove “could not have clearer” in ruling out an extension to the transition period.
Speaking after talks with Gove, Sefcovic said:Speaking after talks with Gove, Sefcovic said:
Sefcovic added:Sefcovic added:
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has said it is thought the R figure in Wales has gone from 0.8 to 0.7.The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has said it is thought the R figure in Wales has gone from 0.8 to 0.7.
He said this may give “additional headroom” for lockdown easings.He said this may give “additional headroom” for lockdown easings.
Drakeford said there had been “tremendous social solidarity” in Wales backing the lockdown. He said decisions would be made next week about whether any more restrictions could be lifted.Drakeford said there had been “tremendous social solidarity” in Wales backing the lockdown. He said decisions would be made next week about whether any more restrictions could be lifted.
But he added that the government would not be pressured into easing the lockdown too quickly.But he added that the government would not be pressured into easing the lockdown too quickly.
The Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has said he has “formally confirmed” to the EU the UK will not extend the Brexit transition period, adding:The Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has said he has “formally confirmed” to the EU the UK will not extend the Brexit transition period, adding:
It follows a letter to the prime minister from the first ministers of Scotland and Wales warning that failing to extend the transition period would be “extraordinarily reckless” at a time when the UK economy will be just beginning its recovery from the coronavirus crisis (see 11.52am.).It follows a letter to the prime minister from the first ministers of Scotland and Wales warning that failing to extend the transition period would be “extraordinarily reckless” at a time when the UK economy will be just beginning its recovery from the coronavirus crisis (see 11.52am.).
Here is our story on the prime minister’s comments about the removal of statues of controversial figures from public spaces.Here is our story on the prime minister’s comments about the removal of statues of controversial figures from public spaces.
He made it clear in his thread on Twitter that he believes removing statues, including of imperialist figures, is “to lie about our history”.He made it clear in his thread on Twitter that he believes removing statues, including of imperialist figures, is “to lie about our history”.
The prime minister Boris Johnson has waded into the debate about the role of statues in public history in the wake of anti-racism protests across the UK.The prime minister Boris Johnson has waded into the debate about the role of statues in public history in the wake of anti-racism protests across the UK.
In a thread on Twitter he claimed the protests had been “hijacked by extremists” and said it was “absurd and shameful” that the statue of Winston Churchill was at risk of attack.In a thread on Twitter he claimed the protests had been “hijacked by extremists” and said it was “absurd and shameful” that the statue of Winston Churchill was at risk of attack.
It comes after the memorial in Parliament Square was boarded up to protect it ahead of more planned weekend demonstrations. The prime minister said:It comes after the memorial in Parliament Square was boarded up to protect it ahead of more planned weekend demonstrations. The prime minister said:
A protective box was placed around the statue of the former premier after it was vandalised with the words “Was a racist”. The Cenotaph, which has also now been protected with hoarding, was also targeted.A protective box was placed around the statue of the former premier after it was vandalised with the words “Was a racist”. The Cenotaph, which has also now been protected with hoarding, was also targeted.
Johnson added:Johnson added:
Johnson added that the “only responsible action” was to stay away from planned protests this weekend.Johnson added that the “only responsible action” was to stay away from planned protests this weekend.
The first ministers of Scotland and Wales have called for an extension to the Brexit transition period, warning Boris Johnson it would be “extraordinarily reckless” to exit the bloc at the end of the year amid recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.The first ministers of Scotland and Wales have called for an extension to the Brexit transition period, warning Boris Johnson it would be “extraordinarily reckless” to exit the bloc at the end of the year amid recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter to the prime minister, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford said “fundamental issues” still remain between the UK and EU negotiators after the most recent round of talks on a deal.In a letter to the prime minister, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford said “fundamental issues” still remain between the UK and EU negotiators after the most recent round of talks on a deal.
The Scottish government has repeatedly called for the transition period to be extended beyond the 31 December deadline, but that can only be done if a request is made before the end of this month.The Scottish government has repeatedly called for the transition period to be extended beyond the 31 December deadline, but that can only be done if a request is made before the end of this month.
The UK government has previously rejected any calls for an extension.The UK government has previously rejected any calls for an extension.
Sturgeon and Drakeford warned in their letter that exiting the transition period at the end of this year, when the UK economy will just be beginning its recovery from coronavirus, would be “extraordinarily reckless”.Sturgeon and Drakeford warned in their letter that exiting the transition period at the end of this year, when the UK economy will just be beginning its recovery from coronavirus, would be “extraordinarily reckless”.
They wrote:They wrote:
The letter claimed that, at best, there would only be a “bare bones” trade deal in place by December, or a move to a no-deal exit from the EU.The letter claimed that, at best, there would only be a “bare bones” trade deal in place by December, or a move to a no-deal exit from the EU.
The National Portrait Gallery will not reopen its doors until 2023.The National Portrait Gallery will not reopen its doors until 2023.
The gallery, currently closed because of the pandemic, had hoped to welcome back visitors before it was due to close on 29 June as part of a £35.5m redevelopment project.The gallery, currently closed because of the pandemic, had hoped to welcome back visitors before it was due to close on 29 June as part of a £35.5m redevelopment project.
But it said it will now remain shut throughout June “to help contain the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of visitors and staff”.But it said it will now remain shut throughout June “to help contain the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of visitors and staff”.
The gallery’s director Nicholas Cullinan said:The gallery’s director Nicholas Cullinan said:
The gallery, near Trafalgar Square in London, will reopen in spring 2023. It will loan hundreds of works from its collection during the period of closure.The gallery, near Trafalgar Square in London, will reopen in spring 2023. It will loan hundreds of works from its collection during the period of closure.
David Hockney: Drawing From Life, which was on display when it had to close, will be staged again when the gallery reopens, while the exhibition Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things, which was due to end in June, will tour.David Hockney: Drawing From Life, which was on display when it had to close, will be staged again when the gallery reopens, while the exhibition Cecil Beaton’s Bright Young Things, which was due to end in June, will tour.
The transformation of the gallery will be the biggest since it opened its doors in 1896. It plans to create a new main entrance, “bring back to life” its East Wing and create a public forecourt. It will also redisplay all of the collection in its 40 galleries, providing a “greater and more diverse selection of portraits”.The transformation of the gallery will be the biggest since it opened its doors in 1896. It plans to create a new main entrance, “bring back to life” its East Wing and create a public forecourt. It will also redisplay all of the collection in its 40 galleries, providing a “greater and more diverse selection of portraits”.
Coronavirus mortality rates more than halved in all but two regions in England and Wales between April and May, the latest ONS figures show.
After rising between March and April, age-standardised mortality rates fell by more than 50% in all regions except the north-east, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The greatest decrease was in London, where the mortality rate fell by 83.3%.
The local authority with the highest Covid-19 mortality rate in May was Preston, in Lancashire, with a rate of 51.1 deaths per 100,000 people.
The figures are based on all deaths that occurred in March, April and May 2020 where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, and which had been registered by 6 June.
Except in London, mortality rates in May were still higher than in March.
The ONS said as more deaths are registered the mortality rate is likely to increase, especially in May.
The figures show that people living in the most deprived areas of England continue to experience coronavirus mortality rates more than double those of people living in the least deprived areas (see 10.27am.).
Good morning everyone! I’m Lucy Campbell, taking over the blog for the remainder of the day. Please feel free to get in touch to share news tips and stories we should be covering. Your contributions are always very welcome.
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
The British public are deeply divided over the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, according to a new poll published by the Evening Standard.
The Ipsos MORI survey finds that Boris Johnson wins a run-off between him and the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, over who makes the “most capable prime minister” by 43% to 38%.
More of those polled believe that the prime minister has handled the Covid-19 epidemic well (45%) than badly (42%). This marks a decline since March when the divide was 47%–38% in his favour.
Infections from Covid-19 have continued to fall, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.The ONS snapshot infection survey showed a further fall in infections in the latest data, covering 25 May to 7 June, with an estimated 33,000 people infected at any time over this period, compared to 53,000 in last week’s figures.
The estimate is based on tests on nearly 20,000 people in the community, but excludes those in hospitals and care homes.
More volunteers are urgently needed to take part in fast-tracked clinical trials to help develop potential Covid-19 treatments, a government research agency chief has said.
Although more than 100,000 people have enrolled to take part in the crucial public health research, Professor Nick Lemoine, of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), said “large numbers of people” are needed to generate the scientific evidence required to establish an effective treatment or vaccine for the disease.
The NIHR has prioritised 48 urgent public health research studies with 101,622 participants recruited to date.
But as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to drop in the UK, the agency said there is an even greater need for people testing positive with Covid-19 to sign up for research.
Prof Lemoine, who is chair of the NIHR’s Urgent Public Health Group, said: “Despite a remarkable 100,000 participants volunteering to help our fight against Covid-19 through taking part in health research, we still need more people to take part.
New data reveals the poorest in England and Wales have been hit the hardest by coronavirus. People living in the most deprived areas died of Covid-19 at double the rate of those living in the most wealthy areas, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.The figures show people living in the poorest 10% of England died at a rate of 128.3 per 100,000, compared with those living in the most wealthy 10%, who died at a rate of 58.8 per 100,000, between March and May this year. (Poverty is based on the relative deprivation of small areas which are broken into deciles in the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019.)
The same pattern was reflected in Wales where the equivalent rates were 109.5 deaths compared with 57.5 deaths per 100,000.Nine out of 10 local authorities with the highest Covid-19 age-standardised mortality rates were in London. Brent had the highest overall age-standardised rate with 210.9 deaths per 100,000 population, followed by Newham (196.8 deaths) and Hackney (182.9 deaths).
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK now stand at 291,409. There’s more here on the latest figures from public health authorities on the spread of the virus in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You can find out more here on how the disease has been progressing where you live:
Uber has said that it will make face coverings mandatory for drivers and passengers across the UK from Monday.
The minicab app firm’s regional general manager for northern and eastern Europe, Jamie Heywood, said: “For months we’ve been urging people to stay home, for their safety and the safety of drivers who make essential trips.
“Now, as cities begin to reopen and people start moving again, we’re taking measures to help everyone stay safe and healthy every time they use Uber.
“We’ve introduced measures to ensure that every driver can access the PPE (personal protective equipment) they need for free to help keep them safe when driving with Uber, and, from Monday, we will require anyone using the Uber app in the UK to wear a face covering.”
Crime recorded by Britain’s largest police force has started to rise after a sharp drop when lockdown measures were imposed.
The Metropolitan police said all recorded crime in London dropped to 48,349 offences in April, down from 65,633 the previous month, and compared with 74,898 in April 2019.
But in May, total recorded offences went back up to 56,514, according to figures published on the force’s crime data dashboard.
Britain’s top police officer had previously said that falls in gun and knife crime under lockdown were “silver linings” to the pandemic. Cressida Dick, the Met commissioner, said officers had a “smile on their face” as they had more time to go after criminals.
Strict lockdown measures were eased in England in the middle of May to allow people to spend more time outside and to exercise with one other member of another household.
The Metropolitan police had also started taking pre-emptive action ahead of an expected rise in crime as society enjoyed more freedom.
Officers visited 1,000 known offenders to try to point them towards “diversionary activities” in an effort to stop crime returning to pre-pandemic levels.
They also targeted 250 “micro hotspots” of previously high levels of street violence and robbery.
The most recent national figures for England and Wales released by the National Police Chiefs Council suggested crime had fallen by a quarter in the four weeks to 10 May, compared with the same period last year.
However assaults on emergency services workers were up 14% during the period, and there was a 4% rise in domestic abuse incidents.
There’s a fairly damning quote from a UK-based foreign diplomat in a piece from the Telegraph’s Jeremy Warner today about the manner in which the UK has navigated the Covid-19 crisis.
“What has become of your country?” Warner was asked by the diplomat. “We see only a ship of fools, and a plague ship at that.”
Warner makes the argument that more leadership is needed to bring the UK out of lockdown, writing: “Even as a halfway house, transitional arrangement, the 2-metre rule provides no kind of solution. Schools, restaurants, bars, most retailers, and many workplaces cannot be viable as long as it lasts. Time is running out.”