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| UK coronavirus: Dominic Raab drops fresh hint 2-metre rule could be relaxed – as it happened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| MPs question government’s two-metre rule; UK official death toll rises by 38; Priti Patel condemns ‘far-right thugs’ at London march at weekend | MPs question government’s two-metre rule; UK official death toll rises by 38; Priti Patel condemns ‘far-right thugs’ at London march at weekend |
| There have been a further 38 deaths from coronavirus in the UK, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health and Social Care, taking the total to 41,736. | There have been a further 38 deaths from coronavirus in the UK, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health and Social Care, taking the total to 41,736. |
| Senior Tory MPs have publicly urged Boris Johnson to cut the 2 metre distancing rule in England with immediate effect, in interventions underling the scale of discontent about the issue in his party. Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers across the country have been slated to reopen on 4 July, but they do not yet know whether they will have to abide by the 2 metre rule at all times – something many say would mean they will not be viable businesses. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab told the daily Downing Street press conference that there was nothing “magic” about the two-metre rule, in comments likely to be seen as hint that the regulation could be relaxed soon. | Senior Tory MPs have publicly urged Boris Johnson to cut the 2 metre distancing rule in England with immediate effect, in interventions underling the scale of discontent about the issue in his party. Pubs, restaurants and hairdressers across the country have been slated to reopen on 4 July, but they do not yet know whether they will have to abide by the 2 metre rule at all times – something many say would mean they will not be viable businesses. Foreign secretary Dominic Raab told the daily Downing Street press conference that there was nothing “magic” about the two-metre rule, in comments likely to be seen as hint that the regulation could be relaxed soon. |
| The shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, has condemned Boris Johnson’s plan for a government commission to examine racial inequalities as “written on the back of a fag packet” and intended as a distraction from the government’s lack of action over the issue. Lammy accused the prime minister of primarily seeking a culture war by announcing the plan in a comment piece for the Daily Telegraph, which was devoted mainly to reiterating his opposition to removing statues of historical figures. | The shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, has condemned Boris Johnson’s plan for a government commission to examine racial inequalities as “written on the back of a fag packet” and intended as a distraction from the government’s lack of action over the issue. Lammy accused the prime minister of primarily seeking a culture war by announcing the plan in a comment piece for the Daily Telegraph, which was devoted mainly to reiterating his opposition to removing statues of historical figures. |
| Boris Johnson has received a boost to plans to secure a trade deal with the European Union by the end of the summer after EU leaders agreed to strive to find early common ground on trade and security to avoid unnecessary economic chaos next year. But there were immediate signs of tensions on the horizon with the president of the EU council, Charles Michel, warning in tweets that the EU would not accept a “pig in the poke” and it would “never accept an agreement that goes against interests of the union”. | Boris Johnson has received a boost to plans to secure a trade deal with the European Union by the end of the summer after EU leaders agreed to strive to find early common ground on trade and security to avoid unnecessary economic chaos next year. But there were immediate signs of tensions on the horizon with the president of the EU council, Charles Michel, warning in tweets that the EU would not accept a “pig in the poke” and it would “never accept an agreement that goes against interests of the union”. |
| Long queues of shoppers formed outside some stores around England on the first day that non-essential shops were allowed to reopen for business since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed. Figures showed that between 8am and midday footfall on England’s high streets was up by 51.7% on last Monday, while across all retail destinations there were 41.7% more shoppers as shopping centres saw a smaller rise. | Long queues of shoppers formed outside some stores around England on the first day that non-essential shops were allowed to reopen for business since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed. Figures showed that between 8am and midday footfall on England’s high streets was up by 51.7% on last Monday, while across all retail destinations there were 41.7% more shoppers as shopping centres saw a smaller rise. |
| That’s it from us for today. Thanks for reading. | That’s it from us for today. Thanks for reading. |
| England will experience a “summer of rave” not seen since 1989 because the government has failed to give “socially starved” young people any clarity on when they can start partying again legally, clubbing experts have warned. | England will experience a “summer of rave” not seen since 1989 because the government has failed to give “socially starved” young people any clarity on when they can start partying again legally, clubbing experts have warned. |
| The Guardian’s Helen Pidd reports that police forces across England have been struggling to keep up with an explosion of illicit parties in motorway underpasses, parks and industrial estates since Boris Johnson relaxed lockdown restrictions last month. | The Guardian’s Helen Pidd reports that police forces across England have been struggling to keep up with an explosion of illicit parties in motorway underpasses, parks and industrial estates since Boris Johnson relaxed lockdown restrictions last month. |
| Advertised on Snapchat and Instagram, their locations are revealed at the 11th hour by WhatsApp messages, with word quickly spreading as people livestream the event on social media, dropping virtual “pins” on Google Maps for their friends to join them. | Advertised on Snapchat and Instagram, their locations are revealed at the 11th hour by WhatsApp messages, with word quickly spreading as people livestream the event on social media, dropping virtual “pins” on Google Maps for their friends to join them. |
| Most proceed peacefully, if in contravention of social distancing guidelines. But thousands of people attended two raves in Greater Manchester at the weekend, leaving one man dead of a suspected drugs overdose, one woman reporting a rape, and three separate reported stabbings. | Most proceed peacefully, if in contravention of social distancing guidelines. But thousands of people attended two raves in Greater Manchester at the weekend, leaving one man dead of a suspected drugs overdose, one woman reporting a rape, and three separate reported stabbings. |
| The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the prison estate in England and Wales continues to rise, Ministry of Justice figures show. | The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the prison estate in England and Wales continues to rise, Ministry of Justice figures show. |
| As at 5pm on Sunday, 500 prisoners had tested positive for the coronavirus across 80 prisons, an increase of 1.6%, while there were 965 infected prison staff across 105 prisons, an rise of just 0.4%. | As at 5pm on Sunday, 500 prisoners had tested positive for the coronavirus across 80 prisons, an increase of 1.6%, while there were 965 infected prison staff across 105 prisons, an rise of just 0.4%. |
| There are around 79,700 prisoners across 117 prisons in England and Wales, and around 33,000 staff working in public sector prisons. | There are around 79,700 prisoners across 117 prisons in England and Wales, and around 33,000 staff working in public sector prisons. |
| Figures published in the Guardian on Monday revealed more than 1,000 prisoners were released into homelessness at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in England and Wales. | Figures published in the Guardian on Monday revealed more than 1,000 prisoners were released into homelessness at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in England and Wales. |
| Here are the main points from Dominic Raab’s press conference. | Here are the main points from Dominic Raab’s press conference. |
| Raab, the foreign secretary, said that there was nothing “magic” about the two-metre rule. In comments that will be seen as a strong hint that the review launched by No 10 will lead to the rule being relaxed at some point fairly soon, he said: | Raab, the foreign secretary, said that there was nothing “magic” about the two-metre rule. In comments that will be seen as a strong hint that the review launched by No 10 will lead to the rule being relaxed at some point fairly soon, he said: |
| And later he said: | And later he said: |
| When Edward Argar, the health minister, answered a Commons urgent question on this earlier, many Tory MPs called for the two-metre rule to be relaxed, with some saying that decision should be taken immediately. | When Edward Argar, the health minister, answered a Commons urgent question on this earlier, many Tory MPs called for the two-metre rule to be relaxed, with some saying that decision should be taken immediately. |
| Raab defended the government’s decision to set up a new review looking at racism, saying that the commission being launched would set a “positive agenda for change” and lead to specific policy recommendations. | Raab defended the government’s decision to set up a new review looking at racism, saying that the commission being launched would set a “positive agenda for change” and lead to specific policy recommendations. |
| He defended the government’s decision to withhold parts of a Public Health England report looking at why BAME people are disproportionately at risk of dying from coronavirus. Asked why the government was not publishing this if it was serious about addressing inequalities, he said it was a sensitive issue and that ministers wanted to get it right. He said: | He defended the government’s decision to withhold parts of a Public Health England report looking at why BAME people are disproportionately at risk of dying from coronavirus. Asked why the government was not publishing this if it was serious about addressing inequalities, he said it was a sensitive issue and that ministers wanted to get it right. He said: |
| YouGov has published some fresh polling this afternoon. It suggests that Sir Keir Starmer has drawn level with Boris Johnson on who would make the best prime minister. | YouGov has published some fresh polling this afternoon. It suggests that Sir Keir Starmer has drawn level with Boris Johnson on who would make the best prime minister. |
| But the Conservatives still have a significant lead over Labour in voting intention, the poll suggests. | But the Conservatives still have a significant lead over Labour in voting intention, the poll suggests. |
| Secondary schools in England have been told they can invite pupils in for one face-to-face meeting ahead of the summer holidays to check on well-being and progress since lockdown. | Secondary schools in England have been told they can invite pupils in for one face-to-face meeting ahead of the summer holidays to check on well-being and progress since lockdown. |
| The new guidance from the Department for Education comes as pupils in years 10 and 12 who are preparing to sit GCSEs and A-levels next summer begin to return to school this week for limited contact. | The new guidance from the Department for Education comes as pupils in years 10 and 12 who are preparing to sit GCSEs and A-levels next summer begin to return to school this week for limited contact. |
| The DfE has also confirmed that primary schools can use flexibility to admit more children, in addition to the year groups already allowed back to school, if they have capacity to do so. | The DfE has also confirmed that primary schools can use flexibility to admit more children, in addition to the year groups already allowed back to school, if they have capacity to do so. |
| The government is under pressure to get more children back into school before the summer holidays amid growing evidence of patchy provision of lessons at home and fears that the attainment gap will widen. | The government is under pressure to get more children back into school before the summer holidays amid growing evidence of patchy provision of lessons at home and fears that the attainment gap will widen. |
| Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I want to make sure as many pupils as possible can get back into the classroom and be reunited with their friends and teachers before summer, to support their wellbeing and education.” | Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I want to make sure as many pupils as possible can get back into the classroom and be reunited with their friends and teachers before summer, to support their wellbeing and education.” |
| Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the idea of a “check-in” session but added: “These changes do not make up for the lack of a long-term, strategic plan for education for the coming months.” | Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the idea of a “check-in” session but added: “These changes do not make up for the lack of a long-term, strategic plan for education for the coming months.” |
| Q: When the PM says you need to get infection rates down before the two-metre rule can be relaxed, what does he mean? | Q: When the PM says you need to get infection rates down before the two-metre rule can be relaxed, what does he mean? |
| Raab says two metres will applies for now. The PM has launched a review. The government will say more than, he says. | Raab says two metres will applies for now. The PM has launched a review. The government will say more than, he says. |
| Q: What assurances can you give to people in the hospital sector that they will be able to reopen? | Q: What assurances can you give to people in the hospital sector that they will be able to reopen? |
| Raab says 4 July was always the earliest possible date for reopening. It has to be done in safest possible way, he says. | Raab says 4 July was always the earliest possible date for reopening. It has to be done in safest possible way, he says. |
| And that’s it. The press conference is over. | And that’s it. The press conference is over. |
| Q: In April you said it would not be business as usual with China after coronavirus. How strongly do you take warnings about the danger China could do to the UK economy? | Q: In April you said it would not be business as usual with China after coronavirus. How strongly do you take warnings about the danger China could do to the UK economy? |
| Raab says he thinks his comment may have been over-interpreted. He says it is not necessarily business as usual with any country. | Raab says he thinks his comment may have been over-interpreted. He says it is not necessarily business as usual with any country. |
| He says they want a balanced approach to China. | He says they want a balanced approach to China. |
| Q: When will we see the results of the Huawei review? | Q: When will we see the results of the Huawei review? |
| Raab says that will be when the full data is back. | Raab says that will be when the full data is back. |
| Back in the Commons, Priti Patel has been paying tribute to Patrick Hutchinson, the Black Lives Matter demonstrator who was photographed carrying a counter-protester to safety during Saturday’s protests in London. | Back in the Commons, Priti Patel has been paying tribute to Patrick Hutchinson, the Black Lives Matter demonstrator who was photographed carrying a counter-protester to safety during Saturday’s protests in London. |
| She said: | She said: |
| Hutchinson spoke to Channel 4 news last night and his comments are worth a read. | Hutchinson spoke to Channel 4 news last night and his comments are worth a read. |
| Q: Are you taking less notice of the science? | Q: Are you taking less notice of the science? |
| Raab says the science is evolving. | Raab says the science is evolving. |
| Science and medical experts will continue to attend the press conferences, he says. | Science and medical experts will continue to attend the press conferences, he says. |
| But he says other experts will be represented too. | But he says other experts will be represented too. |