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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/jul/05/uk-coronavirus-live-pubs-england-crowds-social-distancing-guidelines
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| UK coronavirus live: some pubs in England close as crowds breach social distancing guidelines | UK coronavirus live: some pubs in England close as crowds breach social distancing guidelines |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| All the day’s coronavirus news on the second day of this weekend’s easing of lockdown measures in England | All the day’s coronavirus news on the second day of this weekend’s easing of lockdown measures in England |
| As you can see from the photograph at the top of our blog, social distancing was a mere memory for many revellers in Soho, London, last night. | |
| John Apter, chair of the Police Federation, who worked in Southampton last night, said there were similar scenes there. He has warned that it is “crystal clear” that drunk people cannot social distance. | |
| You can read more on his comments here: | |
| Meanwhile, here are some more pictures from Soho last night. | |
| Former chief scientific advisor David King says that if the UK had gone into lockdown a week earlier, we would have had a quarter of the number of deaths we have so far had. | |
| The government’s former chief scientific adviser has warned that 27,000 “excess deaths” are likely between now and next April. | |
| David King has been consistently critical of the government’s response to the pandemic, and even started a separate group of scientists called Independent Sage to offer alternative advice to the government’s scientific advisory group, Sage. | |
| He says it appears government policy is to retain a policy of 3,000 infections a day, whereas Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be approaching net zero. King says both economically and health-wise, this is a better approach, as it would enable a safe, larger reopening. | |
| “If we want to return to full economic growth as soon as possible, get rid of Covid,” he said. | |
| People visiting places of worship this weekend will be asked to give their contact details. | |
| This is the same policy as was rolled out in pubs when they reopened yesterday. | |
| This is done to enable NHS contact tracers to locate everyone who has come into contact with someone who tests positive coronavirus, should this happen at a public place. | |
| Shaun Connolly, PA political correspondent, has this report about what the chancellor may announce on Wednesday: | |
| A big increase in job centre staff will be announced in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to say the number of work coaches will double from 13,500 to 27,000 in a bid to try to help jobseekers back into employment. | |
| The move will cost £800m and comes amid predictions of a major recession in the aftermath of the pandemic as GDP has taken a severe hit during the lockdown. | |
| As part of the first wave of the nationwide recruitment drive, an extra 4,500 coaches will be in position by October, with more to follow later in the year. | As part of the first wave of the nationwide recruitment drive, an extra 4,500 coaches will be in position by October, with more to follow later in the year. |
| The government has set up a team of senior policy advisers from the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions to oversee the government’s plans to support jobs. | |
| A Treasury spokesperson appears to confirm that this will be announced, saying: “The longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to return. Doubling the number of work coaches will ensure those in need are given immediate support to get back on their feet and into a job. | A Treasury spokesperson appears to confirm that this will be announced, saying: “The longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to return. Doubling the number of work coaches will ensure those in need are given immediate support to get back on their feet and into a job. |
| “Work coaches will use their expert advice to support claimants to make the most of their skills and put them in the best possible position to reconnect with the local labour market. | “Work coaches will use their expert advice to support claimants to make the most of their skills and put them in the best possible position to reconnect with the local labour market. |
| “Evidence shows that high-quality, work-focused, one-to-one adviser support, significantly reduces jobseekers’ barriers to work.” | “Evidence shows that high-quality, work-focused, one-to-one adviser support, significantly reduces jobseekers’ barriers to work.” |
| Dodds warns we “sadly” could see a second spike of coronavirus, so calls for more sustainable funding for the NHS. | Dodds warns we “sadly” could see a second spike of coronavirus, so calls for more sustainable funding for the NHS. |
| Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds says Labour is hoping for a package not just to support those who have been made unemployed, but to stop them becoming unemployed in the first place. | Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds says Labour is hoping for a package not just to support those who have been made unemployed, but to stop them becoming unemployed in the first place. |
| She says there needs to be a move away from a “one size fits all” approach when different sectors are being impacted in different ways. | She says there needs to be a move away from a “one size fits all” approach when different sectors are being impacted in different ways. |
| Boris Johnson has wished the NHS a happy birthday on its 72nd anniversary. | Boris Johnson has wished the NHS a happy birthday on its 72nd anniversary. |
| Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to unveil another small economic package on Wednesday. Hancock won’t reveal anything about what that might include, but does mention the importance of looking at the NHS and public transport funding. | Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to unveil another small economic package on Wednesday. Hancock won’t reveal anything about what that might include, but does mention the importance of looking at the NHS and public transport funding. |
| However, he says it will be focused on “jobs, jobs, jobs”. | However, he says it will be focused on “jobs, jobs, jobs”. |
| Hancock says again “we won’t be able to save every business” but that the government’s support has been “unprecedented”. | Hancock says again “we won’t be able to save every business” but that the government’s support has been “unprecedented”. |
| Responding to the Observer’s story that NHS England has asked for £10bn from the Treasury, health secretary Matt Hancock says he “does not recognise that story”, and says he’s been working very closely with the Treasury. | Responding to the Observer’s story that NHS England has asked for £10bn from the Treasury, health secretary Matt Hancock says he “does not recognise that story”, and says he’s been working very closely with the Treasury. |
| When asked about a pay rise for NHS staff, he says the government “absolutely want to recognise” their hard work, and praises their efforts during the pandemic, but won’t commit any money to a pay rise. | When asked about a pay rise for NHS staff, he says the government “absolutely want to recognise” their hard work, and praises their efforts during the pandemic, but won’t commit any money to a pay rise. |
| Health secretary Hancock says businesses have been shut down over Covid regulations violations. He insists the guidance on what employers must do to protect workers is not too vague, and has heavy penalties attached. | Health secretary Hancock says businesses have been shut down over Covid regulations violations. He insists the guidance on what employers must do to protect workers is not too vague, and has heavy penalties attached. |
| Health secretary Matt Hancock says “very very largely” people “acted responsibly” on Saturday, saying he was “pleased with what happened yesterday”. | Health secretary Matt Hancock says “very very largely” people “acted responsibly” on Saturday, saying he was “pleased with what happened yesterday”. |
| Responding to police allegations that drunk people cannot social distance, Hancock insists it is sensible to open pubs. | Responding to police allegations that drunk people cannot social distance, Hancock insists it is sensible to open pubs. |
| Speaking on Sophy Ridge’s Sunday morning Sky News programme now, he says its individual incidents which are “unhelpful” but that the “vast proportion” of people are “doing the right thing”. | Speaking on Sophy Ridge’s Sunday morning Sky News programme now, he says its individual incidents which are “unhelpful” but that the “vast proportion” of people are “doing the right thing”. |
| He says that the localised lockdown in Leicester shows the government won’t shirk from clamping down, and they are “fully prepared” to do that. However, he says we have to move closer to normality. | He says that the localised lockdown in Leicester shows the government won’t shirk from clamping down, and they are “fully prepared” to do that. However, he says we have to move closer to normality. |
| “My overriding message is yes enjoy the new freedoms, but do so safely.” | “My overriding message is yes enjoy the new freedoms, but do so safely.” |
| The Treasury is considering plans to give all UK adults £500- and children £250-worth of vouchers to spend in specific sectors of the economy that have been badly hit by coronavirus. | The Treasury is considering plans to give all UK adults £500- and children £250-worth of vouchers to spend in specific sectors of the economy that have been badly hit by coronavirus. |
| The idea has been drawn up by the Resolution Foundation thinktank, which has been in talks with the Treasury. It aims to jump-start the economy by increasing spending in a targeted set of businesses, including those in the hospitality sector and excluding online retail. | The idea has been drawn up by the Resolution Foundation thinktank, which has been in talks with the Treasury. It aims to jump-start the economy by increasing spending in a targeted set of businesses, including those in the hospitality sector and excluding online retail. |
| This is similar to schemes already in place in China, Taiwan and Malta. | This is similar to schemes already in place in China, Taiwan and Malta. |
| Read the full story from my colleague Toby Helm here: | Read the full story from my colleague Toby Helm here: |
| Good morning everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the blog for the next few hours. | Good morning everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Hoping you’re all safe and well, and not nursing too bad a hangover after your socially distanced (I hope) Saturday night. | Hoping you’re all safe and well, and not nursing too bad a hangover after your socially distanced (I hope) Saturday night. |
| We’re going to be looking at all of the fallout from yesterday’s reopening of pubs, hair salons, and other businesses in England, as well as potential governmental measures to help kickstart the economy after the pandemic. | We’re going to be looking at all of the fallout from yesterday’s reopening of pubs, hair salons, and other businesses in England, as well as potential governmental measures to help kickstart the economy after the pandemic. |
| If you think there’s something we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter. Your tips and pointers are always much appreciated, so thanks in advance! | If you think there’s something we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter. Your tips and pointers are always much appreciated, so thanks in advance! |