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| UK coronavirus live: fining parents should be 'last resort' if pupils do not return, Gavin Williamson says – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Education secretary says schools should work with parents to encourage children to return to school | Education secretary says schools should work with parents to encourage children to return to school |
| Hi. That’s all from me, Caroline Davies, for today. Thank you for your time. For further updates, please follow the global coronavirus live blog. | |
| Here is a summary of today’s key developments. | Here is a summary of today’s key developments. |
| The UK will be first in line for any Oxford University- developed vaccine, Downing Street has insisted. | The UK will be first in line for any Oxford University- developed vaccine, Downing Street has insisted. |
| Boris Johnson says the risk of children catching Covid as they return to school is “very , very, very small” as he urges parents to send their children back to school. | Boris Johnson says the risk of children catching Covid as they return to school is “very , very, very small” as he urges parents to send their children back to school. |
| Mass testing is “incredibly important” and pilot schemes were taking place, Downing Street said. | Mass testing is “incredibly important” and pilot schemes were taking place, Downing Street said. |
| Boris Johnson is “sorry for any distress” that was caused by the government’s handling of the exam results this year, a No 10 spokesman said. | Boris Johnson is “sorry for any distress” that was caused by the government’s handling of the exam results this year, a No 10 spokesman said. |
| Government has not ruled out closing schools down again if local lockdowns are required. | Government has not ruled out closing schools down again if local lockdowns are required. |
| There are no plans to review whether face coverings should be worn in England’s schools, with Downing Street saying it would obstruct communication between teachers and pupils. | There are no plans to review whether face coverings should be worn in England’s schools, with Downing Street saying it would obstruct communication between teachers and pupils. |
| Scottish secondary school pupils are expected to be told to wear face coverings in corridors and public spaces at school. | Scottish secondary school pupils are expected to be told to wear face coverings in corridors and public spaces at school. |
| Schools should only fine parents as a “last resort” if they refuse to send their children back when they reopen next month, education secretary Gavin Williamson said. | Schools should only fine parents as a “last resort” if they refuse to send their children back when they reopen next month, education secretary Gavin Williamson said. |
| England and Scotland ran out of coronavirus home testing kits within hours on Monday amid a backlog in laboratories. | England and Scotland ran out of coronavirus home testing kits within hours on Monday amid a backlog in laboratories. |
| The NHS Test and Trace has faced fresh criticism for a flaw in its online booking system which tries to direct people to test centres more than 100 miles away. | The NHS Test and Trace has faced fresh criticism for a flaw in its online booking system which tries to direct people to test centres more than 100 miles away. |
| Cases of Covid-19 have nearly doubled in a week in Stoke-on-Trent days after the council pleaded with residents to comply with distancing measures. | Cases of Covid-19 have nearly doubled in a week in Stoke-on-Trent days after the council pleaded with residents to comply with distancing measures. |
| Switzerland could become the next European country subject to quarantine measures by all four nations in the UK. | Switzerland could become the next European country subject to quarantine measures by all four nations in the UK. |
| Tesco has announced plans to create 16,000 new permanent roles to support growth of its online business. | Tesco has announced plans to create 16,000 new permanent roles to support growth of its online business. |
| The Department of Health and Social Care has responded to criticism over a flaw in the NHS Test and Trace system which has seen some people directed to test centres more than 100 miles away [see 14.52 post] | The Department of Health and Social Care has responded to criticism over a flaw in the NHS Test and Trace system which has seen some people directed to test centres more than 100 miles away [see 14.52 post] |
| A DHSC spokesperson said: | A DHSC spokesperson said: |
| Unions have reacted angrily to claims that coronavirus is more likely to be spread by teachers than pupils, warning that everyone has a responsibility to try to avoid bringing Covid-19 into school and transmitting it to others, Sally Weale reports. | Unions have reacted angrily to claims that coronavirus is more likely to be spread by teachers than pupils, warning that everyone has a responsibility to try to avoid bringing Covid-19 into school and transmitting it to others, Sally Weale reports. |
| It follows a report by Public Health England (PHE) which found that though Covid-19 outbreaks were “uncommon” in English schools after they reopened in June, the virus was more likely to be spread by staff than pupils. | It follows a report by Public Health England (PHE) which found that though Covid-19 outbreaks were “uncommon” in English schools after they reopened in June, the virus was more likely to be spread by staff than pupils. |
| While children rarely suffer seriously from the effects of Covid, there has been considerable focus on how much they spread the virus. The majority of cases identified in the report, however, were linked to outbreaks among staff, who were warned to be “more vigilant” regarding exposure outside school. | While children rarely suffer seriously from the effects of Covid, there has been considerable focus on how much they spread the virus. The majority of cases identified in the report, however, were linked to outbreaks among staff, who were warned to be “more vigilant” regarding exposure outside school. |
| Responding to the report, Patrick Roach, the general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said: “Everyone in school, whether staff member or pupil, has a responsibility and important role to play in ensuring they follow the mitigation measures and do all they can to avoid bringing Covid into the school or to transmitting it to others.” | Responding to the report, Patrick Roach, the general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said: “Everyone in school, whether staff member or pupil, has a responsibility and important role to play in ensuring they follow the mitigation measures and do all they can to avoid bringing Covid into the school or to transmitting it to others.” |
| Read the full report here: | Read the full report here: |
| Birmingham is not a “Covid-19 hotspot”, according to John Clancy, former leader of Birmingham City Council. In a blogpost for Birmingham City University’s Centre for Brexit Studies, Clancy, also a visiting professor for the centre, argues local authorities are “ridiculous” for putting the city on standby for a potential local lockdown. | Birmingham is not a “Covid-19 hotspot”, according to John Clancy, former leader of Birmingham City Council. In a blogpost for Birmingham City University’s Centre for Brexit Studies, Clancy, also a visiting professor for the centre, argues local authorities are “ridiculous” for putting the city on standby for a potential local lockdown. |
| He said: | He said: |
| Clancy, who led the city council from November 2015 until September 2017, argues the second city was 79th in the table of pandemic-related deaths per 100,000 people by council areas in England and Wales, according to the most recent ONS statistics. | Clancy, who led the city council from November 2015 until September 2017, argues the second city was 79th in the table of pandemic-related deaths per 100,000 people by council areas in England and Wales, according to the most recent ONS statistics. |
| For him, the most reliable figure was “sadly, deaths, not tests.” | For him, the most reliable figure was “sadly, deaths, not tests.” |
| “In the last week of reporting the Office for National Statistics reports one actual Covid-19 related death in Birmingham,” he said. | “In the last week of reporting the Office for National Statistics reports one actual Covid-19 related death in Birmingham,” he said. |
| He claims imposing local lockdowns based on “dodgy data” was unacceptable, pointing out “91% of England - that’s 51 million people - live in neighbourhoods where there hasn’t been a recorded Covid-19 case in the last four weeks.” | He claims imposing local lockdowns based on “dodgy data” was unacceptable, pointing out “91% of England - that’s 51 million people - live in neighbourhoods where there hasn’t been a recorded Covid-19 case in the last four weeks.” |
| He said: | He said: |
| The Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, takes a look at different drugs and therapies being trialled and used on patients with Covid-19. | The Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, takes a look at different drugs and therapies being trialled and used on patients with Covid-19. |
| There are some positive results, which may be beginning to bring the hospital death toll down, but there is still a long way to go towards something that will cure all comers, she writes. | There are some positive results, which may be beginning to bring the hospital death toll down, but there is still a long way to go towards something that will cure all comers, she writes. |
| Read her run down on some of the most promising here: | Read her run down on some of the most promising here: |
| The government said 41,433 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, an increase of four on the day before.Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.The government also said that as of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 853 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus. Overall, 326,614 cases have been confirmed. | The government said 41,433 people had died in the UK within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Monday, an increase of four on the day before.Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.The government also said that as of 9am on Monday, there had been a further 853 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus. Overall, 326,614 cases have been confirmed. |
| Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins has said police “can’t win” when dealing with coronavirus restrictions, as he defended the decision to break up a child’s birthday party. | Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins has said police “can’t win” when dealing with coronavirus restrictions, as he defended the decision to break up a child’s birthday party. |
| He said the force was spending an extra 100,000 a week policing the restrictions. | He said the force was spending an extra 100,000 a week policing the restrictions. |
| The area is one of the places in the north of England where extra restrictions are in place to prevent socialising between households. | The area is one of the places in the north of England where extra restrictions are in place to prevent socialising between households. |
| The force had been accused of being heavy-handed after issuing a fixed penalty notice when officers attended a home in Swinton where three families were celebrating a child’s birthday in a private garden. | The force had been accused of being heavy-handed after issuing a fixed penalty notice when officers attended a home in Swinton where three families were celebrating a child’s birthday in a private garden. |
| Speaking to Radio 5 Live , Hopkins said: “It feels a bit at the moment like we can’t win.” | Speaking to Radio 5 Live , Hopkins said: “It feels a bit at the moment like we can’t win.” |
| He said 19 fixed penalty notices had been issued at the weekend, when police attended 126 incidents. The child’s birthday party was going on past 8pm and was mainly attended by adults, he said, adding: “It wasn’t sort of jelly and ice cream with a bunch of three and four-year-olds sat around in the middle of the afternoon. | He said 19 fixed penalty notices had been issued at the weekend, when police attended 126 incidents. The child’s birthday party was going on past 8pm and was mainly attended by adults, he said, adding: “It wasn’t sort of jelly and ice cream with a bunch of three and four-year-olds sat around in the middle of the afternoon. |
| “Officers decided, based on what they had seen, to issue a fixed penalty notice.”He said officers were also called to a party being held for a terminally-ill child and decided not to issue a fine after attending.“We are trying to absolutely balance what we’re doing, but it’s a really difficult position for us at the moment,” he said. | “Officers decided, based on what they had seen, to issue a fixed penalty notice.”He said officers were also called to a party being held for a terminally-ill child and decided not to issue a fine after attending.“We are trying to absolutely balance what we’re doing, but it’s a really difficult position for us at the moment,” he said. |
| In Northern Ireland, three-quarters of teachers do not feel it is safe for pupils to return to their school or college as it reopens, a union said. | In Northern Ireland, three-quarters of teachers do not feel it is safe for pupils to return to their school or college as it reopens, a union said. |
| Some pupils started to return to classes across Northern Ireland today. | Some pupils started to return to classes across Northern Ireland today. |
| But teachers’ unions say educators had not been given enough time to respond to rules issued earlier this month. | But teachers’ unions say educators had not been given enough time to respond to rules issued earlier this month. |
| Justin McCamphill, NASUWT national official in Northern Ireland, said: | Justin McCamphill, NASUWT national official in Northern Ireland, said: |
| Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, has insisted it is safe to return. | Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, has insisted it is safe to return. |
| However, three schools did not reopen following the detection of Covid-19 cases. Ballyclare secondary school is set to reopen on Tuesday following a deep clean and 72-hour incubation period. St Kevin’s primary school and St Louise’s College, both on the Falls Road in west Belfast, have also delayed their reopening following positive cases among the school community. | However, three schools did not reopen following the detection of Covid-19 cases. Ballyclare secondary school is set to reopen on Tuesday following a deep clean and 72-hour incubation period. St Kevin’s primary school and St Louise’s College, both on the Falls Road in west Belfast, have also delayed their reopening following positive cases among the school community. |
| Education minister Peter Weir said: | Education minister Peter Weir said: |
| While the government is keen to stress now is the right time for children to return to school, an education union has warned the process may not be easy in all areas of the country. | While the government is keen to stress now is the right time for children to return to school, an education union has warned the process may not be easy in all areas of the country. |
| Head teachers and parents need to see government contingency plans for areas where coronavirus cases are on the rise, said Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union. | Head teachers and parents need to see government contingency plans for areas where coronavirus cases are on the rise, said Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union. |
| He also pointed out that class sizes in other countries are smaller, making it easier to handle a return to school. | He also pointed out that class sizes in other countries are smaller, making it easier to handle a return to school. |
| Speaking to the PA Media news agency, Courtney said: | Speaking to the PA Media news agency, Courtney said: |
| More from the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, who has been speaking to the media on a trip to a school. | More from the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, who has been speaking to the media on a trip to a school. |
| He said the government had asked teachers to plan to be able to educate children from home if a school has to be closed due to an outbreak. Asked whether teachers have been provided with enough information, he said: | He said the government had asked teachers to plan to be able to educate children from home if a school has to be closed due to an outbreak. Asked whether teachers have been provided with enough information, he said: |
| Hi. This is Caroline Davies back again. Just a reminder you can get in touch via email on caroline.davies@theguardian.com | Hi. This is Caroline Davies back again. Just a reminder you can get in touch via email on caroline.davies@theguardian.com |
| The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has been speaking to the media during a trip to a school. | The education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has been speaking to the media during a trip to a school. |
| He said schools should only fine parents as a “last resort” if they refuse to send their children back to school when they reopen next month: | He said schools should only fine parents as a “last resort” if they refuse to send their children back to school when they reopen next month: |
| Free Covid-19 insurance is to be provided to customers of Virgin Atlantic, offering financial cover should they or a companion fall ill with coronavirus while travelling. | Free Covid-19 insurance is to be provided to customers of Virgin Atlantic, offering financial cover should they or a companion fall ill with coronavirus while travelling. |
| PA Media reports that the airline’s new policy includes emergency medical costs as well as associated transport, accommodation and repatriation expenses up to a value of £500,000 per customer. | PA Media reports that the airline’s new policy includes emergency medical costs as well as associated transport, accommodation and repatriation expenses up to a value of £500,000 per customer. |
| It will also cover up to £3,000 of expenses if a customer is denied boarding a plane or held in quarantine due to a suspected or positive case of coronavirus during a trip. | It will also cover up to £3,000 of expenses if a customer is denied boarding a plane or held in quarantine due to a suspected or positive case of coronavirus during a trip. |
| All existing and new bookings for travel from August 24 until March 31 next year will have the “Virgin Atlantic Covid-19 Cover” automatically applied. | All existing and new bookings for travel from August 24 until March 31 next year will have the “Virgin Atlantic Covid-19 Cover” automatically applied. |
| England and Scotland ran out of coronavirus home testing kits within hours on Monday, amid a backlog in laboratories. | England and Scotland ran out of coronavirus home testing kits within hours on Monday, amid a backlog in laboratories. |
| People were advised to travel long distances to test centres after being told that the daily allowance of home tests had run out. | People were advised to travel long distances to test centres after being told that the daily allowance of home tests had run out. |
| Callers to the NHS 119 number for Covid-19 were told: “We’re very sorry – the available allocation has already been issued at this time.” | Callers to the NHS 119 number for Covid-19 were told: “We’re very sorry – the available allocation has already been issued at this time.” |
| The reason behind the apparent shortage is unclear, but laboratories have been struggling to clear a backlog of tests since the end of July. The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for a comment. | The reason behind the apparent shortage is unclear, but laboratories have been struggling to clear a backlog of tests since the end of July. The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for a comment. |
| Full story: | Full story: |