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| UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson urges parents to send children back to school in September | UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson urges parents to send children back to school in September |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Prime minister tries to reassert his grip over education after days of chaos, saying risk of contracting virus in schools is ‘very small’ | Prime minister tries to reassert his grip over education after days of chaos, saying risk of contracting virus in schools is ‘very small’ |
| As the dispute between teachers’ unions and the government over plans for schools to reopen in England next month continues, England’s deputy chief medical officer has said staff are more likely to get Covid-19 during their coffee break than in the classroom. | |
| Dr Jenny Harries said the risk for teachers in schools is probably highest “between staff” and that a scenario in which all schools across the country would be forced to close again was “unlikely”. But in areas subject to potential local lockdowns, individual schools could close. | |
| Harries said no environment was “risk free” from the virus, but added that the risk to children was higher from seasonal flu compared to those currently posed by Covid-19. She told Sky News: | |
| She added that a single case of coronavirus within a school “bubble” may not lead to the whole bubble being forced into isolation. | |
| Seventeen teachers at a special school in Dundee have contracted Covid-19, alongside two pupils and three community contacts, health officials in Tayside have disclosed. | |
| NHS Tayside shut Kingspark school last Wednesday for deep cleaning after the outbreak emerged, and on Friday closed it to allow staff and pupils to self-isolate for 14 days because of the pupils’ complex needs. | |
| The board said on Sunday that 22 people were infected, up from 12 on Friday. It said contact tracing had identified links to two other schools in Dundee, with one positive case at St Peter’s and St Paul’s primary, and another at Happy Times out-of school club at Downfield primary. | |
| You can read more on this from our Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, here: | |
| Wetherspoon has warned that the coronavirus crisis will drag it to an annual loss after sales plunged following its reopening last month. | Wetherspoon has warned that the coronavirus crisis will drag it to an annual loss after sales plunged following its reopening last month. |
| The pub chain told investors that bar and food sales are down 16.9% for the 44 days to 16 August, compared with the same period last year. | The pub chain told investors that bar and food sales are down 16.9% for the 44 days to 16 August, compared with the same period last year. |
| The group has now reopened 844 of its 873 pubs in the UK, after shutting all sites in March as a result of the national lockdown. | The group has now reopened 844 of its 873 pubs in the UK, after shutting all sites in March as a result of the national lockdown. |
| A statement by the company said sales had gradually improved, accelerated by the government’s eat out to help out scheme, but it expected a “period of more subdued sales” when the scheme ends at the end of August. | |
| Founder Tim Martin said: “Wetherspoon had five positive tests for Covid-19 among its 43,000 staff before lockdown and has had 24 positive tests since pubs reopened on 4 July, since reopening, the amount of testing has substantially increased. | |
| “Risk cannot be eliminated completely in pubs, but sensible social distancing and hygiene policies, combined with continued assistance and cooperation from the authorities, should minimise it”. | “Risk cannot be eliminated completely in pubs, but sensible social distancing and hygiene policies, combined with continued assistance and cooperation from the authorities, should minimise it”. |
| Last week, the Guardian revealed concerns about poor social distancing and overcrowding raised by customers at Wetherspoon pubs. | Last week, the Guardian revealed concerns about poor social distancing and overcrowding raised by customers at Wetherspoon pubs. |
| Boris Johnson is continuing his efforts to assure parents that the risk of children catching Covid-19 as they return to school is “very, very, very small”. | Boris Johnson is continuing his efforts to assure parents that the risk of children catching Covid-19 as they return to school is “very, very, very small”. |
| In a video posted on Twitter, the prime minister said: | In a video posted on Twitter, the prime minister said: |
| He added that while he thought parents were still worried about their children contracting coronavirus, that both the risk of them catching it and suffering badly from it was extremely minimal. | He added that while he thought parents were still worried about their children contracting coronavirus, that both the risk of them catching it and suffering badly from it was extremely minimal. |
| Fines for parents who refuse to send their children back to school in England will be used as a “last resort” when classes resume in September following the coronavirus lockdown. | Fines for parents who refuse to send their children back to school in England will be used as a “last resort” when classes resume in September following the coronavirus lockdown. |
| The school standards minister, Nick Gibb, said there was a “moral imperative” for children to attend classes when they return next month. | The school standards minister, Nick Gibb, said there was a “moral imperative” for children to attend classes when they return next month. |
| Preparations for the return of England’s schools come as the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, remains under intense pressure following the fiasco over the awarding of A-level grades. | Preparations for the return of England’s schools come as the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, remains under intense pressure following the fiasco over the awarding of A-level grades. |
| Boris Johnson has led calls for parents to send their children back to class and the UK’s chief medical officers have said youngsters are more at risk of long-term harm if they do not attend school than if they return. | Boris Johnson has led calls for parents to send their children back to class and the UK’s chief medical officers have said youngsters are more at risk of long-term harm if they do not attend school than if they return. |
| Gibb acknowledged that some parents would still have concerns but stressed that education was compulsory and fines could be used if necessary.“Fines for non-attendance have always been a last resort for headteachers and schools,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today.“What matters is that young people are attending school. | Gibb acknowledged that some parents would still have concerns but stressed that education was compulsory and fines could be used if necessary.“Fines for non-attendance have always been a last resort for headteachers and schools,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today.“What matters is that young people are attending school. |
| On a less sober note, bag-in-box wines have enjoyed a sales surge in the UK during lockdown as thrifty Britons opted for better value for money and fewer trips to the supermarket. | On a less sober note, bag-in-box wines have enjoyed a sales surge in the UK during lockdown as thrifty Britons opted for better value for money and fewer trips to the supermarket. |
| The Co-op chain reported an unprecedented 300% sales uplift across its range as consumers have shopped less but drank more at home during the closure of pubs and restaurants, with the trend set to continue into the autumn. Larger pack sizes – typically three litres, or four 75cl bottles – represent better value. | The Co-op chain reported an unprecedented 300% sales uplift across its range as consumers have shopped less but drank more at home during the closure of pubs and restaurants, with the trend set to continue into the autumn. Larger pack sizes – typically three litres, or four 75cl bottles – represent better value. |
| Amid the easing of lockdown the boom in UK camping and picnicking is now helping to drive sales, as consumers have recognised the portability, convenience and eco-credentials of the new-style products. The packaging means little oxygen enters even once it has been opened, so wine stays fresher for longer – up to six weeks – than in a bottle. | Amid the easing of lockdown the boom in UK camping and picnicking is now helping to drive sales, as consumers have recognised the portability, convenience and eco-credentials of the new-style products. The packaging means little oxygen enters even once it has been opened, so wine stays fresher for longer – up to six weeks – than in a bottle. |
| You can read more from our consumer affairs correspondent, Rebecca Smithers, here: | You can read more from our consumer affairs correspondent, Rebecca Smithers, here: |
| During his keynote speech at the Edinburgh television festival, which he is delivering now, Lord Hall said 94% of British people had used the BBC in March. | During his keynote speech at the Edinburgh television festival, which he is delivering now, Lord Hall said 94% of British people had used the BBC in March. |
| “Audiences came to us in their millions for information they could rely on and respite from worries everyone was experiencing,” he said, of the broadcaster’s lockdown ratings. “In some weeks TV viewing was up nearly 50% year on year.” | “Audiences came to us in their millions for information they could rely on and respite from worries everyone was experiencing,” he said, of the broadcaster’s lockdown ratings. “In some weeks TV viewing was up nearly 50% year on year.” |
| He emphasised the importance of public service broadcasting, adding that the BBC was more vital than ever. Hall added: | He emphasised the importance of public service broadcasting, adding that the BBC was more vital than ever. Hall added: |
| The BBC’s outgoing director general, Tony Hall, is expected to say that the public broadcaster plays such a critical role in countering fake news that according to international health chiefs it could positively influence the take-up of any vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic. | The BBC’s outgoing director general, Tony Hall, is expected to say that the public broadcaster plays such a critical role in countering fake news that according to international health chiefs it could positively influence the take-up of any vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| Describing two pandemics – one of coronavirus and the other of disinformation spread on social media – Hall will highlight public service broadcasting as “vital to democracy” in a keynote speech to open the Edinburgh television festival this morning. | Describing two pandemics – one of coronavirus and the other of disinformation spread on social media – Hall will highlight public service broadcasting as “vital to democracy” in a keynote speech to open the Edinburgh television festival this morning. |
| His speech has begun, but you can read the preceding report from my colleagues Caroline Davies and Jim Waterson here: | His speech has begun, but you can read the preceding report from my colleagues Caroline Davies and Jim Waterson here: |
| Pupils in Northern Ireland have returned to school for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began in March. | Pupils in Northern Ireland have returned to school for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began in March. |
| Some parents have expressed concerns while teachers’ unions say educators have not been given enough time to respond to rules issued earlier this month. | Some parents have expressed concerns while teachers’ unions say educators have not been given enough time to respond to rules issued earlier this month. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Pupils in primary 7, Year 12, Year 14 – whose preparation for exams was disrupted by the lockdown – and all vulnerable children are due to return to today. | Pupils in primary 7, Year 12, Year 14 – whose preparation for exams was disrupted by the lockdown – and all vulnerable children are due to return to today. |
| All other pupils will begin the new school year next Monday after months of variable levels of home schooling. | All other pupils will begin the new school year next Monday after months of variable levels of home schooling. |
| On that note, the Tories are plugging away at trying to allay the fears of parents ahead of schools reopening on the airwaves this morning. | On that note, the Tories are plugging away at trying to allay the fears of parents ahead of schools reopening on the airwaves this morning. |
| The minister for school standards, Nick Gibb, has insisted the measures schools are taking to minimise the risk of the transmission of Covid-19 are “very effective”. | The minister for school standards, Nick Gibb, has insisted the measures schools are taking to minimise the risk of the transmission of Covid-19 are “very effective”. |
| “We live in a country where education is compulsory and I think parents can be reassured that the measures that schools are taking to make sure that we minimise the risk of the transmission of the virus are very effective,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. | “We live in a country where education is compulsory and I think parents can be reassured that the measures that schools are taking to make sure that we minimise the risk of the transmission of the virus are very effective,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. |
| Asked about fines for parents who don’t send their children back to school, he said: “Fines for non-attendance have always been a last resort for headteachers and schools. What matters is that young people are attending school.” | Asked about fines for parents who don’t send their children back to school, he said: “Fines for non-attendance have always been a last resort for headteachers and schools. What matters is that young people are attending school.” |
| Teenager’s anxiety levels dropped during the coronavirus lockdown, a study by the University of Bristol has suggested. | Teenager’s anxiety levels dropped during the coronavirus lockdown, a study by the University of Bristol has suggested. |
| The report published today by the National Institute for Health Research School (NIHR) is likely to raise questions about the impact of the school environment on young people’s mental health, amid calls from the prime minister for them to return to school next month. | The report published today by the National Institute for Health Research School (NIHR) is likely to raise questions about the impact of the school environment on young people’s mental health, amid calls from the prime minister for them to return to school next month. |
| A survey of 1,000 secondary school children in south west England found that 13- to 14-year-olds were less anxious during the lockdown than they had been last October. | A survey of 1,000 secondary school children in south west England found that 13- to 14-year-olds were less anxious during the lockdown than they had been last October. |
| Researchers compared findings from the original survey to answers given by the same teenagers in May this year, which showed that both girls and boys recorded lower levels of anxiety. | Researchers compared findings from the original survey to answers given by the same teenagers in May this year, which showed that both girls and boys recorded lower levels of anxiety. |
| In October, 54% of 13- to 14-year-old girls and 26% of boys of the same age said they felt anxious, while in May – several weeks after schools had closed to most pupils – the proportion had dropped to 45% of girls and 18% of boys. | In October, 54% of 13- to 14-year-old girls and 26% of boys of the same age said they felt anxious, while in May – several weeks after schools had closed to most pupils – the proportion had dropped to 45% of girls and 18% of boys. |
| On Sunday, the UK’s chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, told the BBC that children were more likely to be harmed by not returning to school next month than if they catch coronavirus. | On Sunday, the UK’s chief medical adviser, Chris Whitty, told the BBC that children were more likely to be harmed by not returning to school next month than if they catch coronavirus. |
| The US president, Donald Trump, is considering fast-tracking an experimental Covid-19 vaccine being created in the UK for use in America ahead of the presidential election, the Financial Times has reported. | The US president, Donald Trump, is considering fast-tracking an experimental Covid-19 vaccine being created in the UK for use in America ahead of the presidential election, the Financial Times has reported. |
| Human trials of the coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed at the University of Oxford in partnership with AstraZeneca suggest it is safe and includes an immune response to Covid-19. | Human trials of the coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed at the University of Oxford in partnership with AstraZeneca suggest it is safe and includes an immune response to Covid-19. |
| Early results indicate the jab would provide double protection, generating an immune response which stimulates the body to produce both an antibody and T-cell response. | Early results indicate the jab would provide double protection, generating an immune response which stimulates the body to produce both an antibody and T-cell response. |
| The FT report said Trump was considering bypassing normal US regulatory standards to fast-track the vaccine, with an option being explored involving the US Food and Drug Administration awarding “emergency use authorisation” in October. | The FT report said Trump was considering bypassing normal US regulatory standards to fast-track the vaccine, with an option being explored involving the US Food and Drug Administration awarding “emergency use authorisation” in October. |