This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/sep/17/uk-coronavirus-news-latest-minister-dismisses-report-pm-preparing-for-new-two-week-national-lockdown

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
UK coronavirus live: new restrictions placed on nearly 2 million people in north-east England UK coronavirus live: new restrictions placed on nearly 2 million people in north-east England
(32 minutes later)
News updates: residents in Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, County Durham and Sunderland banned from mixing with other families Residents in Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, County Durham, North and South Tyneside, and Sunderland banned from mixing with other families
Downing Street has just issued a statement explaining in what circumstances it would use the provisions in the internal market bill IMB allowing it to overrule the withdrawal agreement (in breach of international law). This is a crucial issue. As discussed earlier (see 10.43am), Lord Keen of Elie seems to have resigned as advocate general for Scotland because he was worried that the powers in the bill were not there just for use as a last resort.
Overall today’s statement will go some way to defuse the row about the bill. But it will do more to appease Tory MPs and peers worried about the legislation than anyone in Brussels, and it does not amount to a clear climb-down. Judging by the instant reaction on Twitter, opinion as to the significance of the statement is very divided.
The full statement, entitled “Government statement on notwithstanding clauses”, is here. Here’s a guide to its conciliatory features - and its less conciliatory features.
Conciliatory features
1) The internal market bill is enormously provocative because it gives the UK government powers to ignore parts of the withdrawal agreement it signed less than a year ago - and because the very act of passing the bill would also arguably break international law, even if those powers were never used. Today’s statement says, effectively, that the UK would only use those powers in the bill if the EU breached the withdrawal agreement first. It says in its first paragraph:
2) The statement accepts that goods going from Britain to Northern Ireland should be liable to tariffs or import VAT if there is a “real risk” of their entering Ireland. This is only what the withdrawal agreement says, but the publication of the IMB suggested the UK was trying to wriggle out of this commitment.
3) The statement says confirms that the UK is committed to using the dispute settlement mechanisms in the withdrawal agreement. Again, this is only something the government signed up to in January, but publication of the IMB implied the government would not use these procedures. The statement says:
The final clause - “with the aim of finding a solution through this route” - implies using the dispute resolution mechanisms would take precedence over using the powers in the IMB.
4) The statement accepts that EU state aid law would apply to firms operation in Northern Ireland. Again, this is only what the government signed up for in the withdrawal agreement, but the publication of the IMB suggested it was having second thoughts. The statement says that what the UK would object to would be any attempt to apply EU state aid to firms operation in Britain if they had just a “trivial” link to commercial operations in Northern Ireland.
5) The statement says it would be unacceptable for the UK to refuse to grant the UK third country listing for agricultural goods “for manifestly unreasonable or poorly justified reasons”. Until now the government has implied that any refusal to grant third country listing would be unacceptable. The prospect of the EU refusing listing seems remote, but Boris Johnson has offered it as his main justification for the IMB.
On the other hand ...
Less conciliatory features
1) The statement does not quite commit the government to only using powers in the IMB once the dispute settlement mechanisms in the withdrawal agreement are exhausted. It implies this - see 3) above - but it also says the IMB powers would be activated “in parallel”, which implies something different.
2) The statement does not explicitly commit the government to always accepting the outcome of any dispute settlement. Yesterday Brandon Lewis, the Northern Ireland secretary, refused to give a commitment on this.
3) The statement says the UK would regard any EU insistence on exit summary declarations for goods going from Northern Ireland to Britain as justification for using powers under the IMB. As one example of what it would view as a breach of the agreement by the EU, it cites:
The UK claims the “unfettered access” clause in the protocol means the exit summary declarations should not apply. But elsewhere the protocol says they should apply for NI/GB trade, and the EU is insisting on them. This issue matters to Johnson because in the election campaign last year he famously told Northern Ireland business leaders that he wanted any such forms thrown in the bin - even though the deal he had agreed did require them, as other government ministers admitted. It is as if No 10 is now trying to retrospectively justify what Johnson said.
At the end of Matt Hancock’s Commons statement, the Twickenham MP Munira Wilson used a point of order to object to what he said earlier (see 12.39pm) about her being wrong about people in Twickenham being able to book tests in the town by pretending to live in Aberdeen. She said she had emails to back up her claims, and suggested that Hancock was accusing his constituents of lying. Hancock said that he had looked into this after Wilson first raised the point on Tuesday and that he had been assured that safeguards were in place in the booking system to stop this happening.At the end of Matt Hancock’s Commons statement, the Twickenham MP Munira Wilson used a point of order to object to what he said earlier (see 12.39pm) about her being wrong about people in Twickenham being able to book tests in the town by pretending to live in Aberdeen. She said she had emails to back up her claims, and suggested that Hancock was accusing his constituents of lying. Hancock said that he had looked into this after Wilson first raised the point on Tuesday and that he had been assured that safeguards were in place in the booking system to stop this happening.
In the Commons, in response to complaints about the unavailability of tests, Matt Hancock adopted a reasonably sympathetic tone. But his cabinet colleague Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, was much more confrontational during the business statement earlier when he was asked about testing.In the Commons, in response to complaints about the unavailability of tests, Matt Hancock adopted a reasonably sympathetic tone. But his cabinet colleague Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, was much more confrontational during the business statement earlier when he was asked about testing.
In response to criticism of testing from Labour’s Valerie Vaz, Rees-Mogg said:In response to criticism of testing from Labour’s Valerie Vaz, Rees-Mogg said:
In the Commons a few minutes ago the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, asked Hancock to condemn what Rees-Mogg said. In his reply Hancock ignored the point about Rees-Mogg and just told Lucas she should welcome the fact that testing capacity was increasing, and that 3,000 tests were carried out in Brighton last week.In the Commons a few minutes ago the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas, asked Hancock to condemn what Rees-Mogg said. In his reply Hancock ignored the point about Rees-Mogg and just told Lucas she should welcome the fact that testing capacity was increasing, and that 3,000 tests were carried out in Brighton last week.
An anti-independence campaign has said only a minority of Scots believe a second independence referendum should be a priority, with most saying next May’s Holyrood elections should focus primarily on the economy and public services.An anti-independence campaign has said only a minority of Scots believe a second independence referendum should be a priority, with most saying next May’s Holyrood elections should focus primarily on the economy and public services.
Scotland in Union, a pro-UK group led by a former Labour MSP, Pamela Nash, has attempted to dampen growing expectations of a second independence vote in the near future by asking voters to rank a new referendum against other topics.Scotland in Union, a pro-UK group led by a former Labour MSP, Pamela Nash, has attempted to dampen growing expectations of a second independence vote in the near future by asking voters to rank a new referendum against other topics.
Asked to select their top three choices, Survation found 58% of voters opted for tackling the coronavirus pandemic; with 50% prioritising the NHS and social care; 41% the economy; 23% jobs and 20% education. Those were the main five choices; 18% chose the environment and climate change, and 11% ranked constitutional affairs and independence as a top three priority.Asked to select their top three choices, Survation found 58% of voters opted for tackling the coronavirus pandemic; with 50% prioritising the NHS and social care; 41% the economy; 23% jobs and 20% education. Those were the main five choices; 18% chose the environment and climate change, and 11% ranked constitutional affairs and independence as a top three priority.
Asked whether a second independence referendum was “a priority at this time”, 28% said yes and 63% said no, with 35% of SNP voters saying it was not a priority (57% of SNP voters said it was a priority). Asked if it would make Scotland more divided, 50% of all voters said it would and 35% said it would not.Asked whether a second independence referendum was “a priority at this time”, 28% said yes and 63% said no, with 35% of SNP voters saying it was not a priority (57% of SNP voters said it was a priority). Asked if it would make Scotland more divided, 50% of all voters said it would and 35% said it would not.
Scotland in Union commissioned the poll after a surge in support for independence this year: most have found a yes majority, with the latest putting the yes vote as high as 55%, excluding don’t knows. Voters have responded positively to Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, pushing SNP support as high as 57%.Scotland in Union commissioned the poll after a surge in support for independence this year: most have found a yes majority, with the latest putting the yes vote as high as 55%, excluding don’t knows. Voters have responded positively to Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, pushing SNP support as high as 57%.
Turning away from coronavirus for a moment, the European commission has rejected Boris Johnson’s claim that it is not carrying out Brexit negotiations in good faith. Johnson made the claim when giving evidence to the liaison committee yesterday. Today, at the regular European commission briefing, the commission’s chief spokesman Eric Mamer said:Turning away from coronavirus for a moment, the European commission has rejected Boris Johnson’s claim that it is not carrying out Brexit negotiations in good faith. Johnson made the claim when giving evidence to the liaison committee yesterday. Today, at the regular European commission briefing, the commission’s chief spokesman Eric Mamer said:
Mamer also said the EU was still calling on the UK to drop the internal market bill - or at least the provisions allowing it to override the withdrawal agreement - by the end of this month, despite the concession to Tory MPs announced last night. He said:Mamer also said the EU was still calling on the UK to drop the internal market bill - or at least the provisions allowing it to override the withdrawal agreement - by the end of this month, despite the concession to Tory MPs announced last night. He said:
When Munira Wilson, the Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, asks about testing, Hancock criticises her for what she said about the system in the Commons two days ago. That was when Wilson said people in Twickenham were obtaining tests locally by pretending to live in Aberdeen. Hancock did not directly address this claim on Tuesday, but today he says Wilson made a claim that “turned out to be wrong”. He says MPs have a duty to explain things “fairly and straight and properly”.When Munira Wilson, the Lib Dem MP for Twickenham, asks about testing, Hancock criticises her for what she said about the system in the Commons two days ago. That was when Wilson said people in Twickenham were obtaining tests locally by pretending to live in Aberdeen. Hancock did not directly address this claim on Tuesday, but today he says Wilson made a claim that “turned out to be wrong”. He says MPs have a duty to explain things “fairly and straight and properly”.
Dame Cheryl Gillan (Con) asks Hancock if he will prioritise teachers for testing.Dame Cheryl Gillan (Con) asks Hancock if he will prioritise teachers for testing.
Hancock says test kits have already been sent to schools. Tests are available, he says.Hancock says test kits have already been sent to schools. Tests are available, he says.
In the Commons Labour’s Stella Creasy asked if the private contractors providing testing services would face a financial penalty for tests being unavailable.In the Commons Labour’s Stella Creasy asked if the private contractors providing testing services would face a financial penalty for tests being unavailable.
Hancock ignored the question, and just said it was the duty of everyone contributing to the test and trace service to make it work as effectively as possible.Hancock ignored the question, and just said it was the duty of everyone contributing to the test and trace service to make it work as effectively as possible.
In his opening statement Hancock said the new restrictions in the north-east would affect people in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham.In his opening statement Hancock said the new restrictions in the north-east would affect people in Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham.
From Friday, residents in these areas will be banned from socialising with other people outside their own households or support bubble, while food and drink venues will be restricted to table service only, Hancock said.From Friday, residents in these areas will be banned from socialising with other people outside their own households or support bubble, while food and drink venues will be restricted to table service only, Hancock said.
Leisure and entertainment venues must close between 10pm and 5am.Leisure and entertainment venues must close between 10pm and 5am.
Here is the Department for Health’s news release with the list of the 25 hospitals in England that will get a share of the £150m fund being allocated to expand and upgrade A&E facilities.Here is the Department for Health’s news release with the list of the 25 hospitals in England that will get a share of the £150m fund being allocated to expand and upgrade A&E facilities.
The release also provides more details of the scheme to get patients booking appointments for A&E through NHS 111. The scheme is being piloted in Cornwall, Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire, Blackpool and Warrington and will be rolled out more generally from December.The release also provides more details of the scheme to get patients booking appointments for A&E through NHS 111. The scheme is being piloted in Cornwall, Portsmouth and south-east Hampshire, Blackpool and Warrington and will be rolled out more generally from December.
Commenting on the plan, Dr Cliff Mann, the NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said:Commenting on the plan, Dr Cliff Mann, the NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care, said:
Hancock is responding to Ashworth.Hancock is responding to Ashworth.
Referring to NHS 111, Hancock says he wants to improve access to the NHS. The booking system will let A&E know when people are coming.Referring to NHS 111, Hancock says he wants to improve access to the NHS. The booking system will let A&E know when people are coming.
He says there is a plan for care homes to get PPE. Details will be set out shortly in the winter plan for social care.He says there is a plan for care homes to get PPE. Details will be set out shortly in the winter plan for social care.
On testing, Hancock says “of course there’s a challenge in testing”. But capacity is at record levels. The problem is, demand has gone up faster, he says.On testing, Hancock says “of course there’s a challenge in testing”. But capacity is at record levels. The problem is, demand has gone up faster, he says.
He says the government has chosen to prioritise care home residents. Of the tests available, more than 100,000 a day are sent to care homes.He says the government has chosen to prioritise care home residents. Of the tests available, more than 100,000 a day are sent to care homes.
Labour should welcome prioritisation for testing, he says.Labour should welcome prioritisation for testing, he says.
On contact tracing, Hancock criticises Ashworth for playing “a decisive card” because he was trying to differentiate between public and private. He says the two sides should work together.On contact tracing, Hancock criticises Ashworth for playing “a decisive card” because he was trying to differentiate between public and private. He says the two sides should work together.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, is responding.Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, is responding.
He welcomes the extra funding for the NHS.He welcomes the extra funding for the NHS.
But he asks if triaging access to A&E will worsen health inequalities. And if it leads to more people going to GP surgeries, will they get more funding?But he asks if triaging access to A&E will worsen health inequalities. And if it leads to more people going to GP surgeries, will they get more funding?
Does Hancock rule out reimposing nationwide rules on family visits to care homes?Does Hancock rule out reimposing nationwide rules on family visits to care homes?
Ashworth points out that Hancock did not cover testing in his statement. Four months ago Hancock said testing for all was established. He promised test and trace. But instead we have ended up with trace a test, he says.Ashworth points out that Hancock did not cover testing in his statement. Four months ago Hancock said testing for all was established. He promised test and trace. But instead we have ended up with trace a test, he says.
He says in his Commons statement on Tuesday Hancock quoted many figures for the number of tests being carried out in MPs’ constituencies. But those figures were no comfort to people being asked to travel miles for a test.He says in his Commons statement on Tuesday Hancock quoted many figures for the number of tests being carried out in MPs’ constituencies. But those figures were no comfort to people being asked to travel miles for a test.
Who will get priority under the new system?Who will get priority under the new system?
Will the north-east get extra testing capacity?Will the north-east get extra testing capacity?
When will poor-performing outsourcing firms be stripped of their test and trace contracts?When will poor-performing outsourcing firms be stripped of their test and trace contracts?
Ashworth says people made sacrifices during the lockdown. But the government did not honour its side of the bargain. It was meant to deliver a functioning test and trace system, but it failed.Ashworth says people made sacrifices during the lockdown. But the government did not honour its side of the bargain. It was meant to deliver a functioning test and trace system, but it failed.
Is the government ruling out a second national lockdown in all circumstances?Is the government ruling out a second national lockdown in all circumstances?
Hancock says winter is always a stretching time. But this winter presents particular challenges, he says.Hancock says winter is always a stretching time. But this winter presents particular challenges, he says.
He says a further £2.7bn has been allocated to the NHS to help it manage over the winter. This is in addition to money provided for PPE, he says.He says a further £2.7bn has been allocated to the NHS to help it manage over the winter. This is in addition to money provided for PPE, he says.
He says the money will help hospitals tackle the backlog in operations.He says the money will help hospitals tackle the backlog in operations.
He says many emergency departments are too small.He says many emergency departments are too small.
In August £300m was announced for emergency upgrades. He says more funding is now being allocated to expand more emergency departments.In August £300m was announced for emergency upgrades. He says more funding is now being allocated to expand more emergency departments.
The role of NHS 111 will be expanded, he says. Millions of people used it to get the best advice on coronavirus. He says people will not be turned away from emergency departments in serious situations. But the government is investing £24m in NHS 11 call handling capacity and it will build on trials to turn it into a gateway for emergency care. People will be able to use it to make a booking with the appropriate care. That could be a booking with a GP, but it could be a booking for A&E, he says.The role of NHS 111 will be expanded, he says. Millions of people used it to get the best advice on coronavirus. He says people will not be turned away from emergency departments in serious situations. But the government is investing £24m in NHS 11 call handling capacity and it will build on trials to turn it into a gateway for emergency care. People will be able to use it to make a booking with the appropriate care. That could be a booking with a GP, but it could be a booking for A&E, he says.
He says this approach will be rolled out generally from December.He says this approach will be rolled out generally from December.
Hancock confirms NHS 111 will introduce a booking service for some patients visiting A&E in England.Hancock confirms NHS 111 will introduce a booking service for some patients visiting A&E in England.
Hancock says there have been concerning rises in infection rates in some parts of the north-east.Hancock says there have been concerning rises in infection rates in some parts of the north-east.
Local authorities wrote to him asking for tighter restrictions, he says.Local authorities wrote to him asking for tighter restrictions, he says.
And he says he is putting those in place.And he says he is putting those in place.
He summarises the measures that were briefed overnight.He summarises the measures that were briefed overnight.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, is speaking now.Matt Hancock, the health secretary, is speaking now.
He says he will explain the new local restrictions, and measures being taken to prepare the NHS for winter.He says he will explain the new local restrictions, and measures being taken to prepare the NHS for winter.
NHS test and trace has published its latest weekly performance statistics (pdf). Here are the main points.NHS test and trace has published its latest weekly performance statistics (pdf). Here are the main points.
A total of 18,371 new people tested positive for coronavirus in England in the week to 9 September, the figures show. That’s a 75% increase on the total for the previous week.A total of 18,371 new people tested positive for coronavirus in England in the week to 9 September, the figures show. That’s a 75% increase on the total for the previous week.
The number of people receiving in-person test results within 24 hours has halved, the figures show. The service has never been able to meet Boris Johnson’s target of delivering test results within 24 hours. But the latest figures show that in the week ending 9 September just 33.3% of people tested a regional site, local site or mobile testing unit - a so-called “in-person” test - received their result within 24 hours. This is down from 66.5% in the previous week.The number of people receiving in-person test results within 24 hours has halved, the figures show. The service has never been able to meet Boris Johnson’s target of delivering test results within 24 hours. But the latest figures show that in the week ending 9 September just 33.3% of people tested a regional site, local site or mobile testing unit - a so-called “in-person” test - received their result within 24 hours. This is down from 66.5% in the previous week.
The service reached 73.9% of people identified as close contacts of people who had tested positive for coronavirus in the week ending 9 September and told them to self-isolate, the figures show. That was an increase on the figure for the previous week, 69.5%, but well below the average performance since May, 78.1%, and below the unofficial 80% target set by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group of Emergencies for the service to be effective.The service reached 73.9% of people identified as close contacts of people who had tested positive for coronavirus in the week ending 9 September and told them to self-isolate, the figures show. That was an increase on the figure for the previous week, 69.5%, but well below the average performance since May, 78.1%, and below the unofficial 80% target set by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group of Emergencies for the service to be effective.
More than 1m people have now downloaded the Protect Scotland contact-tracing app, the Scottish government has announced.More than 1m people have now downloaded the Protect Scotland contact-tracing app, the Scottish government has announced.
One source of information on coronavirus taken seriously by scientists is the data from the Covid symptom app launched by a team from King’s College London. More than 4 million people have downloaded the app, and in an interview on the Today programme this morning Prof Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College, said that his findings suggested that, if people did not have severe headaches or fatigue, they probably did not have coronavirus. He said:One source of information on coronavirus taken seriously by scientists is the data from the Covid symptom app launched by a team from King’s College London. More than 4 million people have downloaded the app, and in an interview on the Today programme this morning Prof Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College, said that his findings suggested that, if people did not have severe headaches or fatigue, they probably did not have coronavirus. He said:
In a comment that may offer reassurance to thousands, he also said that people with a runny nose, or who were sneezing, almost certainly did not have coronavirus. He said:In a comment that may offer reassurance to thousands, he also said that people with a runny nose, or who were sneezing, almost certainly did not have coronavirus. He said:
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has accused the Scottish and UK governments of failing to collaborate effectively on the coronavirus and fighting endless constitutional wars over Brexit and independence, in an op ed for the Scotsman.Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has accused the Scottish and UK governments of failing to collaborate effectively on the coronavirus and fighting endless constitutional wars over Brexit and independence, in an op ed for the Scotsman.
Starmer is visiting Scotland for the first time as leader today with the Scottish party in crisis: five days ago the Scottish party leader, Richard Leonard, very narrowly survived a no confidence motion after a rebellion by centrist Labour MSPs and peers over his leadership.Starmer is visiting Scotland for the first time as leader today with the Scottish party in crisis: five days ago the Scottish party leader, Richard Leonard, very narrowly survived a no confidence motion after a rebellion by centrist Labour MSPs and peers over his leadership.
With Labour polling at between 14% and 18% before next May’s Holyrood elections, Starmer acknowledged the Scottish party “had a mountain to climb”. His article did not mention Leonard.With Labour polling at between 14% and 18% before next May’s Holyrood elections, Starmer acknowledged the Scottish party “had a mountain to climb”. His article did not mention Leonard.
In an effort to carve out safer territory for Labour and reassert its claims to have delivered devolution, Starmer said both the Tories in London and the Scottish National party in Edinburgh were “banging on” about Europe and independence while they should be focusing on jointly combating the pandemic. He said:In an effort to carve out safer territory for Labour and reassert its claims to have delivered devolution, Starmer said both the Tories in London and the Scottish National party in Edinburgh were “banging on” about Europe and independence while they should be focusing on jointly combating the pandemic. He said:
There was a misstep in the piece: Starmer accused the Scottish Tories of refusing to stand up to Boris Johnson over his move to ignore the EU withdrawal agreement. On Wednesday, Lord Keen, the Scottish advocate general in the UK government and former Scottish Tory party chair, quit in protest over precisely that.There was a misstep in the piece: Starmer accused the Scottish Tories of refusing to stand up to Boris Johnson over his move to ignore the EU withdrawal agreement. On Wednesday, Lord Keen, the Scottish advocate general in the UK government and former Scottish Tory party chair, quit in protest over precisely that.