This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jun/15/uk-coronavirus-live-non-essential-shops-reopen-latest-updates-news

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Boris Johnson accused by Labour of seeking 'culture war' over Churchill statue - live news Boris Johnson accused by Labour of seeking 'culture war' over Churchill statue - live news
(32 minutes later)
Labour criticises PM’s new racism inquiry as non-essential shops open in England in latest easing of coronavirus lockdown.Global coronavirus live updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLabour criticises PM’s new racism inquiry as non-essential shops open in England in latest easing of coronavirus lockdown.Global coronavirus live updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage
Thousands more pupils are going back to school today, but the picture across the UK is patchy.
At least parts of years 10 and 12 are returning to school to get some time with teachers ahead of their GCSEs and A-levels next year.
The government has faced criticism that it has not done more to get schools reopened, with some children facing the prospect of having been out of the classroom for almost six months by the time they return in September.
A No 10 source said Mr Johnson was “acutely aware” of the impact the extended closure was having on pupils and was working with the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, on a major “catch-up” plan.
Here’s some pics of what some of those classrooms look like:
In his Daily Telegraph article, which he has now posted on his Facebook page (perhaps to counter claims he was announcing government policy behind the Telegraph paywall), Boris Johnson says that the Black Lives Matter focus on statues is “a total distraction from the matter in hand”. That is a bit rich, given that his own article says much more about statues than it does about racial inequalities (a point that prompted David Lammy to accuse him of trying to provoke a culture war - see 10.22am). But the article also amounts to Johnson’s most extensive comment on an issue that has attracted huge interest in the last week, and so it is worth highlighting what he says.
Here are the main points.
Johnson claims that those calling for statues to be removed are trying to distort history. He says:
This seems to fundamentally misunderstand the motives of those, for instance, who celebrated the removal of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol. They would argue that what amounted to “distortion” was a monument celebrating someone as a benefactor with no acknowledgement of the monstrous origins of his wealth.
He says he will resist “with every breath in my body” attempts to remove Winston Churchill’s statue from Parliament Square.
But, as David Lammy pointed out on Today, there is no serious campaign to remove the Churchill statute from Parliament Square in the first place and no one is calling for this beyond a small minority of activists (like Imarn Ayton, who was on the Today programme at the weekend). Johnson’s argument seems designed to curry favour with the Mail on Sunday, which yesterday launched a campaign to save the Churchill statue. As the Financial Times’ Robert Wright pointed out, that is about the safest newspaper campaign ever.
Johnson claims that removing statues of historic figures will result in a “never-ending debate about which well-known historical figure is sufficiently pure or politically correct to remain in public view”. He goes on:
He says that, instead of seeing statues taken down, he would rather see a more representative statues erected. He says:
That “cheerful” is very telling. One criticism of Johnson is that he has a fundamental aversion into facing up to anything negative.
He restates this view that there is “much more” that the government has to do to tackle racism.
He proposes a “cross-government commission to look at all aspects of inequality”. The only reference to what is the news announcement in the article takes up about two sentences. Johnson says:
Explained like this, it is hard to see how this might be different from the race disparity audit published by Theresa May in 2017.
Up to half of people who are shielding from Covid-19 have left their home against advice, while a third say their mental health has worsened, according to new data. PA Media reports:
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), based on a survey of 4,149 people who are shielding, found that 49% have been out since shielding began, while 51% have stayed at home. People who are shielding were initially told not to leave their home or garden, including for exercise, shopping or to go to work.
But on 1 June, the rules in England were relaxed to say people could leave their homes once a day for exercise.
The new poll across England, covering May 28 to June 3, found:
Two-thirds (66%) have not stayed 2 metres away from those they live with despite being advised to do so, while 11% have always kept their distance and 23% have done so sometimes.
Almost half (49%, an estimated 1.1 million people) said they have left the house since receiving advice to shield and 40% have left home at least once in the previous seven days.
Some 53% said they had left home during the shielding period for exercise, 26% attended a GP or hospital appointment and 24% shopped for essentials. Some 12% collected a prescription, 11% had a blood test and 3% went to work.
In the previous seven days, 19% had left their house or garden every day, 34% had on some days, 29% had done so once and 18% had not at all.
The poll also found that while 61% of those shielding had experienced no difference in their mental health and wellbeing due to shielding, 35% said their mental health had got worse (29% slightly worse and 6% much worse).
The data also showed that around 627,000 of those shielding (28% of the total) had previously worked before being advised to shield.Of those who normally worked before shielding, 36% are now working from home and 5% are continuing to work outside the home (an estimated 32,000).
Just over a third (36 %) of those who normally work have been furloughed, and 17% have stopped working.Of those offered support from the government to help them receive supplies while shielding, 54% had registered for support and 46% had not.
Some 2.2 million clinically extremely vulnerable people have been advised to shield due to Covid-19.
Long queues of people formed outside ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park, west London. Parents and children were asked to respect 2-metre social distancing and many wore face coverings.Long queues of people formed outside ZSL London Zoo in Regent’s Park, west London. Parents and children were asked to respect 2-metre social distancing and many wore face coverings.
Jamie Turner, site manager for ZSL London Zoo, said just under 2,000 tickets had been sold for Monday and that the return of so many customers was “beautiful to see”.Jamie Turner, site manager for ZSL London Zoo, said just under 2,000 tickets had been sold for Monday and that the return of so many customers was “beautiful to see”.
Visitors are being asked to keep “a tiger’s length” apart.Visitors are being asked to keep “a tiger’s length” apart.
In his Today interview (see 9.19am and 10.02am) David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, also accused Boris Johnson of making his Telegraph article mostly about Winston Churchill statue because the Tories want a “culture war” as a distraction from their policy failings on race. Lammy said:In his Today interview (see 9.19am and 10.02am) David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, also accused Boris Johnson of making his Telegraph article mostly about Winston Churchill statue because the Tories want a “culture war” as a distraction from their policy failings on race. Lammy said:
The governing bodies of 80 of the nation’s leading sports – including British Athletics, British Cycling and England Netball – have published an unprecedented statement saying they have not done enough to confront racism at all levels from grassroots participation through to the boardroom, our colleague Sean Ingle reports.The governing bodies of 80 of the nation’s leading sports – including British Athletics, British Cycling and England Netball – have published an unprecedented statement saying they have not done enough to confront racism at all levels from grassroots participation through to the boardroom, our colleague Sean Ingle reports.
In his Today programme interview this morning (see 9.19am) David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, said that if Boris Johnson were serious about wanting to address racial inequalities, he should implement the recommendations of the many reviews already sitting on shelves in Westminster instead of ordering a new inquiry.In his Today programme interview this morning (see 9.19am) David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, said that if Boris Johnson were serious about wanting to address racial inequalities, he should implement the recommendations of the many reviews already sitting on shelves in Westminster instead of ordering a new inquiry.
Helpfully, he itemised some of them, starting with a reference to the review he himself led into the way BAME people are treated by the criminal justice system. David Cameron appointed Lammy to head the review when he was PM, and it reported to Theresa May’s government inn 2017.Helpfully, he itemised some of them, starting with a reference to the review he himself led into the way BAME people are treated by the criminal justice system. David Cameron appointed Lammy to head the review when he was PM, and it reported to Theresa May’s government inn 2017.
Lammy said:Lammy said:
There will be an an urgent question in the Commons on the 2-metre rule. Having repeatedly said that this is being regularly kept under review, ministers have now said a specific review of it is under way.There will be an an urgent question in the Commons on the 2-metre rule. Having repeatedly said that this is being regularly kept under review, ministers have now said a specific review of it is under way.
Greg Clark, the Conservative chair of the Commons science committee, has tabled the UQ. He is asking Boris Johnson to respond, although it is very unlikely that he will. No 10 is much more likely to send another minister to the Commons to respond (which is allowed).Greg Clark, the Conservative chair of the Commons science committee, has tabled the UQ. He is asking Boris Johnson to respond, although it is very unlikely that he will. No 10 is much more likely to send another minister to the Commons to respond (which is allowed).
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog for the day.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog for the day.
Here is the agenda with what’s coming up.Here is the agenda with what’s coming up.
12pm: Downing Street lobby briefing.12pm: Downing Street lobby briefing.
12.30pm: The Scottish and Welsh governments are due to hold their daily coronavirus briefings.12.30pm: The Scottish and Welsh governments are due to hold their daily coronavirus briefings.
1.30pm: Boris Johnson holds a video meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, to discuss the Brexit talks.1.30pm: Boris Johnson holds a video meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, to discuss the Brexit talks.
2.30pm: The permanent secretaries at housing, business, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee about the government’s response to coronavirus.2.30pm: The permanent secretaries at housing, business, the Treasury and the Cabinet Office give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee about the government’s response to coronavirus.
2.30pm: Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, takes questions in the Commons.2.30pm: Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, takes questions in the Commons.
3pm: Prof Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, is among the academics and medical professionals giving evidence to the Lords science and technology committee on the immunology and pathophysiology of coronavirus.3pm: Prof Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, is among the academics and medical professionals giving evidence to the Lords science and technology committee on the immunology and pathophysiology of coronavirus.
3pm: The Rev Jesse Jackson addresses a Black Lives Matter webinar organised by the National Education Union.3pm: The Rev Jesse Jackson addresses a Black Lives Matter webinar organised by the National Education Union.
4pm: Local government and Joint Biosecurity Centre officials give evidence to the Commons communities committee on track and trace.4pm: Local government and Joint Biosecurity Centre officials give evidence to the Commons communities committee on track and trace.
5pm: UK government press conference.5pm: UK government press conference.
Long queues have been seen outside - of course - Primark stores across England, as people queued for essential items such as £1.50 hoop earrings and Friends-branded PJs which they have been desperate for during lockdown.Long queues have been seen outside - of course - Primark stores across England, as people queued for essential items such as £1.50 hoop earrings and Friends-branded PJs which they have been desperate for during lockdown.
(This pic taken by Elle May Rice in Liverpool for the Liverpool Echo)(This pic taken by Elle May Rice in Liverpool for the Liverpool Echo)
There were lines of dozens of people at branches of the budget clothes store in Birmingham, Derby, Liverpool and Nottingham.There were lines of dozens of people at branches of the budget clothes store in Birmingham, Derby, Liverpool and Nottingham.
Research from American Express has found that seven in ten (72%) independent retailers that closed their doors in March are planning to open.Research from American Express has found that seven in ten (72%) independent retailers that closed their doors in March are planning to open.
The majority of small retailers (89%) felt confident they could make the necessary adjustments to keep customers safe.The majority of small retailers (89%) felt confident they could make the necessary adjustments to keep customers safe.
Just over one-third (34%) of retailers thought they would be trading at pre-lockdown levels by December 2020, rising to 56% who felt they would be back to normal by the end of 2021.Just over one-third (34%) of retailers thought they would be trading at pre-lockdown levels by December 2020, rising to 56% who felt they would be back to normal by the end of 2021.
The shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, eviscerated Boris Johnson’s decision to set up a commission on race and ethnic disparities on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.The shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, eviscerated Boris Johnson’s decision to set up a commission on race and ethnic disparities on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.
He accused the government of writing its commission on race and ethnic disparities “on the back of a fag packet” to “assuage the Black Lives Matter protest”.He accused the government of writing its commission on race and ethnic disparities “on the back of a fag packet” to “assuage the Black Lives Matter protest”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
Lammy slammed Johnson’s decision to announce the commission in the Daily Telegraph, which is behind a paywall.Lammy slammed Johnson’s decision to announce the commission in the Daily Telegraph, which is behind a paywall.
Coronavirus good news klaxon!Coronavirus good news klaxon!
BP has told shareholders that it could write down the value of its assets by up to $17.5bn (£14bn) as it reduced its long-term forecast for oil prices and warned that the Covid-19 pandemic would have a lasting impact on the global economy.BP has told shareholders that it could write down the value of its assets by up to $17.5bn (£14bn) as it reduced its long-term forecast for oil prices and warned that the Covid-19 pandemic would have a lasting impact on the global economy.
The energy giant slashed its forecast for Brent crude oil prices to $55 a barrel from $75 a barrel and said the coronavirus crisis would speed up the shift to a lower-carbon economy.The energy giant slashed its forecast for Brent crude oil prices to $55 a barrel from $75 a barrel and said the coronavirus crisis would speed up the shift to a lower-carbon economy.
The company estimates that this will result in write-offs of $13bn to $17.5bn, which will drag down its financial results in the second quarter. It is also reviewing whether to develop some of its potential oilfields.The company estimates that this will result in write-offs of $13bn to $17.5bn, which will drag down its financial results in the second quarter. It is also reviewing whether to develop some of its potential oilfields.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
The District Councils’ Network has put out guidance, urging the public to take extra care when visiting high streets and town centres to avoid a second spike in coronavirus infection.The District Councils’ Network has put out guidance, urging the public to take extra care when visiting high streets and town centres to avoid a second spike in coronavirus infection.
The government recently announced £20m for district councils to lead the local effort to safeguarding high streets following the pandemic, and councils are urging the public to follow safety guidance.The government recently announced £20m for district councils to lead the local effort to safeguarding high streets following the pandemic, and councils are urging the public to follow safety guidance.
They say they are trying to make things safer by:They say they are trying to make things safer by:
• Helping marshal movements with floor markings and signage.• Helping marshal movements with floor markings and signage.
• Carrying out more frequent street cleaning, providing hand-sanitiser posts, adapting public seating and conveniences.• Carrying out more frequent street cleaning, providing hand-sanitiser posts, adapting public seating and conveniences.
• Creating more pedestrianised spaces and streets.• Creating more pedestrianised spaces and streets.
• Adapting indoor and outdoor market spaces to allow traders to trade safely.• Adapting indoor and outdoor market spaces to allow traders to trade safely.
• Deploying council staff or volunteers to provide help and advice.• Deploying council staff or volunteers to provide help and advice.
They say councils are planning how to save the high street, looking at measures including reshaping a mixed offer of retail, culture, entertainment and housing.They say councils are planning how to save the high street, looking at measures including reshaping a mixed offer of retail, culture, entertainment and housing.
Cllr Mark Crane, DCN lead member for stronger economies, said:Cllr Mark Crane, DCN lead member for stronger economies, said:
Small business minister Paul Scully has encouraged people to go to the shops as many reopen for the first time since the start of lockdown.Small business minister Paul Scully has encouraged people to go to the shops as many reopen for the first time since the start of lockdown.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Monday, he said:Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Monday, he said:
Scully was asked how the government would respond to footballer Marcus Rashford’s plea to extend the current food voucher scheme for children normally reliant on school meals throughout the summer holidays. Scully described Manchester United player Rashford, 22, who has raised £20m for vulnerable children in the UK with the charity FareShare since the start of lockdown, as an “inspirational figure”.Scully was asked how the government would respond to footballer Marcus Rashford’s plea to extend the current food voucher scheme for children normally reliant on school meals throughout the summer holidays. Scully described Manchester United player Rashford, 22, who has raised £20m for vulnerable children in the UK with the charity FareShare since the start of lockdown, as an “inspirational figure”.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing has warned that the UK is entering into an extremely challenging time for business and calls for customers to give brands “the benefit of the doubt”.The Chartered Institute of Marketing has warned that the UK is entering into an extremely challenging time for business and calls for customers to give brands “the benefit of the doubt”.
Chris Daly, CEO, Chartered Institute of Marketing said:Chris Daly, CEO, Chartered Institute of Marketing said:
This letter from Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford is incredibly powerful.This letter from Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford is incredibly powerful.
Today is the first day that it will be mandatory for people travelling on public transport in England to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth for the entirety of any journeys made.Today is the first day that it will be mandatory for people travelling on public transport in England to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth for the entirety of any journeys made.
The mayor of London is asking all Londoners to wear a face covering where they can’t keep a safe distance (2 metres) from others.The mayor of London is asking all Londoners to wear a face covering where they can’t keep a safe distance (2 metres) from others.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, wearing a face mask is recommended but not compulsory.In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, wearing a face mask is recommended but not compulsory.
You can read the full government guidance here.You can read the full government guidance here.
Here are the top stories in the UK today.Here are the top stories in the UK today.
Shops in England selling non-essential goods can reopen on Monday for the first time in almost three months. Retailers have introduced strict safety measures and social distancing. With fears growing about the health of the UK economy, reopening the service sector has been seen as vital. Retailers are appealing to customers to support their local shops to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated high street trade. Boris Johnson has urged people to “shop with confidence”.Shops in England selling non-essential goods can reopen on Monday for the first time in almost three months. Retailers have introduced strict safety measures and social distancing. With fears growing about the health of the UK economy, reopening the service sector has been seen as vital. Retailers are appealing to customers to support their local shops to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic, which has devastated high street trade. Boris Johnson has urged people to “shop with confidence”.
The British economy will shrink by 8% this year and is unlikely to recover from the damage wrought by the coronavirus crisis until 2023, according to a leading economic forecaster. After official figures showed Britain’s economy shrank by a record 20.4% in April – putting the country on course for the worst recession in more than three centuries – the EY Item Club was moved to produce its first interim report between two quarterly updates to reflect the deteriorating outlook.The British economy will shrink by 8% this year and is unlikely to recover from the damage wrought by the coronavirus crisis until 2023, according to a leading economic forecaster. After official figures showed Britain’s economy shrank by a record 20.4% in April – putting the country on course for the worst recession in more than three centuries – the EY Item Club was moved to produce its first interim report between two quarterly updates to reflect the deteriorating outlook.
Foreign NHS workers and carers are still being charged for using the health service, despite the prime minister’s pledge to scrap these fees “as soon as possible”. On 21 May, in a remarkable U-turn Boris Johnson said that the £400 annual fee paid by non-EU migrants to use the NHS – on top of other mounting visa costs – should be removed for health and care workers. But a poll conducted by Doctors Association UK exclusively shared with the Guardian showed 158 NHS workers reported having to continue to pay for immigration health surcharge, while just eight reporting said they did not.Foreign NHS workers and carers are still being charged for using the health service, despite the prime minister’s pledge to scrap these fees “as soon as possible”. On 21 May, in a remarkable U-turn Boris Johnson said that the £400 annual fee paid by non-EU migrants to use the NHS – on top of other mounting visa costs – should be removed for health and care workers. But a poll conducted by Doctors Association UK exclusively shared with the Guardian showed 158 NHS workers reported having to continue to pay for immigration health surcharge, while just eight reporting said they did not.
England’s coronavirus lockdown should not be further lifted until the government’s contact-tracing system has proven to be “robust and effective”, the World Health Organization has said after widespread criticism of the first results of the new tracking operation. As shops across England prepared to reopen, and people were encouraged by the government to come out of their homes and on to the high street, Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO’s director for Europe, cautioned that the UK remained in a “very active phase of the pandemic”.England’s coronavirus lockdown should not be further lifted until the government’s contact-tracing system has proven to be “robust and effective”, the World Health Organization has said after widespread criticism of the first results of the new tracking operation. As shops across England prepared to reopen, and people were encouraged by the government to come out of their homes and on to the high street, Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO’s director for Europe, cautioned that the UK remained in a “very active phase of the pandemic”.
Racism and discrimination suffered by Britain’s black, Asian and minority ethnic people has contributed to the high death rates from Covid-19 in those communities, an official inquiry has found. The conclusion is contained in a section of a government-commissioned report that ministers have refused to publish, apparently for fear of stoking tensions around race and racism after protests in response to George Floyd’s killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis.Racism and discrimination suffered by Britain’s black, Asian and minority ethnic people has contributed to the high death rates from Covid-19 in those communities, an official inquiry has found. The conclusion is contained in a section of a government-commissioned report that ministers have refused to publish, apparently for fear of stoking tensions around race and racism after protests in response to George Floyd’s killing by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
I’ll be with you for the next few hours today, so please do get in touch if you have a tip or a story. My email is alexandra.topping@theguardian.com and I’m @lexytopping on Twitter. My DMs are open.I’ll be with you for the next few hours today, so please do get in touch if you have a tip or a story. My email is alexandra.topping@theguardian.com and I’m @lexytopping on Twitter. My DMs are open.