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UK coronavirus live: Rashford calls on PM to 'do right thing' over school meals UK coronavirus live: Coffey seeks to defuse free school meals row with Rashford saying both share 'same aim'
(32 minutes later)
Labour backs call from England striker Marcus Rashford for the government to extend free school meals over the summer holidaysLabour backs call from England striker Marcus Rashford for the government to extend free school meals over the summer holidays
Marcus Rashford has responded to a controversial tweet by the work and pensions secretary. Therese Coffey – who oversees the government’s strategy on child poverty – replied to the footballer’s call for people to think about “parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown” by saying “water cannot be disconnected though”. The Times’ Esther Webber has posted the line being sent to Tory MPs defending the government’s decision not to back Marcus Rashford’s call for the free school meal scheme to be extended in England to cover the summer holidays.
“I’m concerned this is the only tweet of mine you acknowledged. Please, put rivalries aside for a second, and make a difference,” said Rashford, using the hashtag #maketheuturn. The Department for Education made more or less the same arguments in this blog on its website yesterday defending the government’s position.
Meanwhile Nick Timothy, Theresa May’s former joint chief of staff in Downing Street, has tweeted: These are from the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg on the Commons statement on “global Britain” that we are getting from Boris Johnson later. Unusually No 10 has been refusing to give details of what it’s about.
And this is from the Financial Times’ Sebastian Payne.
Transport for London will next week increase the congestion charge and enforce it through weekends and evenings in a bid to stop the surge in vehicle traffic in the capital.
The charge to drive a car into central London will rise to £15 a day and apply from 7am-10pm, seven days a week, from 22 June, as transport authorities try to avert gridlock.
Passenger numbers on the tube and bus have only risen slightly this week, as people continue to avoid public transport, but as the Covid-19 restrictions ease motor traffic has already reached pre-lockdownlevels, TfL say.
The charge, along with the ultra-low emission charge, was suspended at the start of lockdown in March when London’s streets were empty. Now though TfL say a hike is necessary, or traffic is forecast to grow to double normal levels, causing widespread congestion and pollution, and disruption to the bus network.
London has been trying to encourage walking and cycling, widening pavements and giving new sections of road lanes over to non-motorised traffic.
TfL said the increase in the charge from £11.50 a day was a temporary move, agreed as part of the £1.6bn funding agreement with central government to help offset lost revenue, mainly from the tube. NHS workers will be exempt.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan:
Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, has responded on Twitter to the England footballer Marcus Rashford, who complained earlier that her only engagement with his campaign for the free school meal scheme to be extended in England over the summer holidays was a post apparently fact-checking one of his claims.
As we reported earlier, Coffey said earlier that Rashford was wrong to say poor families risked having their water cut off. (See 9.09am.)
Rashford responded with this post on Twitter.
And Coffey later claimed that Rashford and the government were “working to the same aim”.
In an interview with BBC News earlier the Conservative MP David Simmonds defended the government’s decision not to fund the free school meal programme over the summer, saying that there were better ways of targeting the money available at those families most in need.
Asked about Coffey’s original response to Rashford tweets (“water cannot be disconnected though”), Simmonds at first sidestepped the question. But he added that, from his 20 years’ experience as a councillor, some people did get their water cut off, even though the rules said that was not meant to happen.
This is from Nick Timothy, Theresa May’s former joint chief of staff in Downing Street. He thinks the government will end up backing down over free school meals.
Lawyers have said that growing evidence of a link between air pollution and the impact of coronavirus means the government has a legal obligation to urgently review its air quality strategy – the Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, reports.Lawyers have said that growing evidence of a link between air pollution and the impact of coronavirus means the government has a legal obligation to urgently review its air quality strategy – the Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, reports.
In a letter to ministers, the lawyers argue that refusing to order a review would breach UK law, the precautionary principle and the European convention on human rights.In a letter to ministers, the lawyers argue that refusing to order a review would breach UK law, the precautionary principle and the European convention on human rights.
Dirty air is estimated to cause 40,000 early deaths a year in the UK, and evidence is mounting that it is linked to increased Covid-19 infection rates and death rates. The lawyers, acting for Mums for Lungs and the Good Law Project, say this potential risk to life means ministers must act even if the evidence is not yet conclusive.Dirty air is estimated to cause 40,000 early deaths a year in the UK, and evidence is mounting that it is linked to increased Covid-19 infection rates and death rates. The lawyers, acting for Mums for Lungs and the Good Law Project, say this potential risk to life means ministers must act even if the evidence is not yet conclusive.
The full story is here.The full story is here.
Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, has posted a useful Twitter thread on the ONS statistics. It starts here.Nick Stripe, head of the health analysis and life events division at the ONS, has posted a useful Twitter thread on the ONS statistics. It starts here.
And here are some of his key points.And here are some of his key points.
Excess deaths in the UK are now running at about 64,500, the ONS says. Excess deaths means all deaths above the seasonal average. They include deaths directly attributed to coronavirus, but also deaths otherwise related to the pandemic. Scientists and politicians have repeatedly said that the excess death rate is the best measure of the impact of the virus on the UK.Excess deaths in the UK are now running at about 64,500, the ONS says. Excess deaths means all deaths above the seasonal average. They include deaths directly attributed to coronavirus, but also deaths otherwise related to the pandemic. Scientists and politicians have repeatedly said that the excess death rate is the best measure of the impact of the virus on the UK.
There have been 26,600 excess deaths in care homes in England and Wales since the pandemic began, the ONS says.There have been 26,600 excess deaths in care homes in England and Wales since the pandemic began, the ONS says.
There have been 15,400 excess deaths in private homes in England and Wales since the pandemic began, the ONS says.There have been 15,400 excess deaths in private homes in England and Wales since the pandemic began, the ONS says.
The Office for National Statistics has published its latest weekly death figures for England and Wales. These cover up to the week ending Friday 5 June (or week 23, as the ONS calls it.)The Office for National Statistics has published its latest weekly death figures for England and Wales. These cover up to the week ending Friday 5 June (or week 23, as the ONS calls it.)
ONS coronavirus death figures are more thorough than the daily ones released by the Department of Health and Social Care. The DHSC figures only cover people who tested positive for coronavirus and died, whereas the ONS figures cover any death where coronavirus was mentioned as a factor on the death certificate.ONS coronavirus death figures are more thorough than the daily ones released by the Department of Health and Social Care. The DHSC figures only cover people who tested positive for coronavirus and died, whereas the ONS figures cover any death where coronavirus was mentioned as a factor on the death certificate.
Here are the main points.Here are the main points.
Excess deaths - the number of deaths above the five-year average for this time of year - were still running at 7.3% in the first week of June. That amounted to 732 excess deaths. But, as this chart shows, the excess death rate is falling to what it was at the end of March. (Excess deaths are represented by the gap between the thick blue line, all deaths, and the dotted grey line, the five-year average for all deaths.)Excess deaths - the number of deaths above the five-year average for this time of year - were still running at 7.3% in the first week of June. That amounted to 732 excess deaths. But, as this chart shows, the excess death rate is falling to what it was at the end of March. (Excess deaths are represented by the gap between the thick blue line, all deaths, and the dotted grey line, the five-year average for all deaths.)
There were 335 excess deaths in care homes in week 23 (ie, 335 more than you would expect given the five-year average). But in hospitals in that week the number of deaths was 538 below the five-year average.There were 335 excess deaths in care homes in week 23 (ie, 335 more than you would expect given the five-year average). But in hospitals in that week the number of deaths was 538 below the five-year average.
Deaths in London in the first week of June were below average. Other regions continued to record excess deaths (ie, more deaths than you would expect based on the average).Deaths in London in the first week of June were below average. Other regions continued to record excess deaths (ie, more deaths than you would expect based on the average).
Coronavirus accounted for 14.8% of all deaths in England and Wales in the first week of June. There were 1,588 coronavirus deaths - the lowest number for nine weeks.Coronavirus accounted for 14.8% of all deaths in England and Wales in the first week of June. There were 1,588 coronavirus deaths - the lowest number for nine weeks.
Another Conservative MP has come out in support of Rashford’s call for the free school meals scheme to be extended into the summer.Another Conservative MP has come out in support of Rashford’s call for the free school meals scheme to be extended into the summer.
Some more evidence of disquiet among Tory MPs over the government’s refusal to extend the free school meals programme over the summer:Some more evidence of disquiet among Tory MPs over the government’s refusal to extend the free school meals programme over the summer:
The education select committee chairman and Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon, has told BBC Breakfast that Britain could be facing “an ice age for vulnerable children”.The education select committee chairman and Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon, has told BBC Breakfast that Britain could be facing “an ice age for vulnerable children”.
He said extending the free school meals programme “would be the right thing to do” but acknowledged there were mixed views among Conservative politicians.He said extending the free school meals programme “would be the right thing to do” but acknowledged there were mixed views among Conservative politicians.
Ruth Davidson, the former Conservative leader in Scotland, has said she is “baffled” as to why the UK government is resisting calls for free school meals to be extended over the summer holidays.
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, joining the blog for the day.
Here is the agenda showing what’s coming up.
9am: Senior medics and NHS leaders give evidence to the Commons health committee on delivering core NHS services during the pandemic.
9.30am: The ONS publishes weekly death figures for England and Wales.
Morning: Boris Johnson chairs cabinet.
12.30pm: The Scottish and Welsh governments hold their daily press briefings.
12.30pm: Jesse Norman, a Treasury minister, is due to answer a Commons urgent question about the furlough scheme.
Around 1.15pm: Johnson makes a Commons statement on “global Britain.”
Around 2.15pm: Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, gives a Commons statement about the post-Brexit trade talks.
2.30pm: The Commons justice committee takes evidence from Peter Clarke, the inspector of prisons, and others on BAME disproportionality in criminal justice system.
Around 3.15pm: MPs begin a three-hour debate on a Labour motion saying the government should fund the free school meal voucher scheme in England over the summer holidays.
5pm: UK government press conference.
The work and pensions secretary – who oversees the government’s strategy on child poverty – has come in for a lot of criticism for this response to Marcus Rashford’s call for people to think about “parents who have had their water turned off during lockdown”.
The shadow home secretary, Nick Thomas-Symonds, wrote:
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has been speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning. He said the public would be “rightfully very unforgiving” if the UK experienced a second spike of coronavirus. He also said the government would not amend the 2-metre social distancing restriction until 4 July at the earliest.
He was asked about yesterday’s criticism following the government’s launch of a racism commission. Labour pointed out that a string of similar inquiries and reports had completed recently and said it was time for “deeds not words”.
Shapps said:
Footballer Marcus Rashford has been tweeting about his campaign for the government to extend the free school meals scheme into the summer, with the hashtag #maketheuturn
The shadow education secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, has been speaking to the BBC about the government’s refusal to extend the free school meals scheme into the summer during the coronavirus crisis. She said:
She pointed to Scotland and Wales: “They are going to do this over the summer holidays for their children, so why can’t the government in England do the same?”
Looking ahead to today’s opposition day debate on the subject, Long Bailey added:
As I mentioned briefly earlier, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released its latest employment statistics this morning.
The new figures suggest the down turn has yet to feed through fully into unemployment thanks to the job retention scheme. But there was a sharp drop in the number of paid employees, down by 2.1% or 612,000 in May compared with March, and a huge increase in benefit claims.
The ONS said there was a decline in hours worked by people in jobs, while jobless claims under universal credit jumped 23.3% month-on-month in May to 2.8 million and soared 125.9% or 1.6 million since March when the UK was placed in lockdown.
ONS deputy national statistician Jonathan Athow said: “The slowdown in the economy is now visibly hitting the labour market, especially in terms of hours worked.” He added: “We haven’t quite seen the down turn feed through into unemployment yet.”
You can get the latest updates on this on our Business Live Blog here.
Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford, who called yesterday for the government to extend its free school meals voucher system for low-income families over the summer holiday period, is not easily deterred.
Despite Downing Street rejecting his plea, Rashford has a column in the Times this morning, in which he writes:
He concludes:
Labour will use an opposition day debate in the Commons today to demand free school meals vouchers are extended over the holidays during the coronavirus crisis.
The prime minister’s official spokesman confirmed yesterday that the scheme will end when the school term ends, saying Rashford had been “using his profile in a positive way to highlight some very important issues”.
The scale of discontent among Conservative backbenchers over the 2 metre rule was clear yesterday, when senior Tory MPs publicly urged Boris Johnson to cut it down to 1 metre or 1.5 meter. Scientists tell the Telegraph today that the 2-metre rule has no basis in science. Professors Carl Heneghan and Tom Jefferson, from the University of Oxford, write:
Meanwhile, 90 firms – including Wagamama and Pizza Hut – have written to the prime minister to say the sector faces massive job cuts without more help and if the 2-metre rule remained in place. You can read the story on the BBC here.
Good morning and welcome to our UK news blog, which will take in developments in the coronavirus crisis and the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Office for National Statistics has released official employment figures, revealing that paid employees dropped by 2.1% or 612,000 in May compared with March. The number of people temporarily away from work, including furloughed workers, rose by 6 million at the end of March into April.
The former Conservative party leader William Hague, writing in the Telegraph in advance of the publication of the data, said the coronavirus lockdown has been a “disaster for our society” that will cause economic catastrophe for hundreds of thousands of people. He said that, like Dunkirk, lockdown has been “a heroic operation in itself but the result of a massive failure”.
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, will be speaking to broadcasters this morning, so I’ll bring you the highlights from that. The business secretary, Alok Sharma, is due to answer questions from MPs in the Commons around 11.30am. The shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, will then ask an urgent question on the impact of corona on the economy, which will be responded to by Jesse Norman, financial secretary to the Treasury.
I’m Frances Perraudin and I’ll be bringing you updates this morning. You can email me on frances.perraudin@theguardian.com if you think there’s something I’ve missed and contact me on twitter on @fperraudin.