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| UK coronavirus live: delaying new restrictions creates risk of 'party weekend', ministers warned | UK coronavirus live: delaying new restrictions creates risk of 'party weekend', ministers warned |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: government warned people will seek ‘one last blow out’ if new restrictions on pubs in England are delayed until next week | Latest updates: government warned people will seek ‘one last blow out’ if new restrictions on pubs in England are delayed until next week |
| Lists | Lists |
| The number of people having to wait more than 18 weeks to start hospital treatment in England stood at 1.96 million in August of this year, around three times the number for August 2019 (662,043) and the second highest total for any calendar month since current records began in August 2007.It is down slightly from the number for July 2020, which was 2.15 million and the highest number since records began.The figures, from NHS England, also show that 111,026 people were waiting more than 52 weeks to start hospital treatment in August, the highest number for any month since September 2008. | The number of people having to wait more than 18 weeks to start hospital treatment in England stood at 1.96 million in August of this year, around three times the number for August 2019 (662,043) and the second highest total for any calendar month since current records began in August 2007.It is down slightly from the number for July 2020, which was 2.15 million and the highest number since records began.The figures, from NHS England, also show that 111,026 people were waiting more than 52 weeks to start hospital treatment in August, the highest number for any month since September 2008. |
| The total number of people admitted for routine treatment in hospitals in England was down 43% in August compared with a year ago.Some 155,789 patients were admitted for treatment during the month, down from 275,267 in August 2019.The year-on-year decrease recorded in July was 55%, and in June the drop was 67%. | The total number of people admitted for routine treatment in hospitals in England was down 43% in August compared with a year ago.Some 155,789 patients were admitted for treatment during the month, down from 275,267 in August 2019.The year-on-year decrease recorded in July was 55%, and in June the drop was 67%. |
| NHS England figures also show that a total of 169,660 urgent cancer referrals were made by GPs in England in August 2020, down from 200,317 in August 2019 - a fall of 15%.This compares with a year-on-year drop of 19% in July, 21% in June and 47% in May.Urgent breast cancer referrals were down from 13,220 in August 2019 to 9,498 in August 2020 - a fall of 28%. | NHS England figures also show that a total of 169,660 urgent cancer referrals were made by GPs in England in August 2020, down from 200,317 in August 2019 - a fall of 15%.This compares with a year-on-year drop of 19% in July, 21% in June and 47% in May.Urgent breast cancer referrals were down from 13,220 in August 2019 to 9,498 in August 2020 - a fall of 28%. |
| Nearly half a million patients in England had been waiting more than six weeks for a key diagnostic test in August.A total of 472,088 patients were waiting for one of 15 standard tests, including an MRI scan, non-obstetric ultrasound or gastroscopy. The equivalent number waiting for more than six weeks in August 2019 was 42,926.The number waiting more than 13 weeks in August 2020 was 239,920, compared with 5,284 in August 2019. | Nearly half a million patients in England had been waiting more than six weeks for a key diagnostic test in August.A total of 472,088 patients were waiting for one of 15 standard tests, including an MRI scan, non-obstetric ultrasound or gastroscopy. The equivalent number waiting for more than six weeks in August 2019 was 42,926.The number waiting more than 13 weeks in August 2020 was 239,920, compared with 5,284 in August 2019. |
| A hike in coronavirus fines and extending the places where face coverings are mandatory will be considered by Stormont ministers later. As PA Media reports, the justice minister, Naomi Long, is due to present the outcome of a rapid review into penalties and enforcement of the Covid-19 regulations at this afternoon’s executive meeting. | A hike in coronavirus fines and extending the places where face coverings are mandatory will be considered by Stormont ministers later. As PA Media reports, the justice minister, Naomi Long, is due to present the outcome of a rapid review into penalties and enforcement of the Covid-19 regulations at this afternoon’s executive meeting. |
| It is understood a proposal to increase the fine that accompanies a fixed-penalty notice for a rule breach from £60 to £200. The executive office is also due to present proposals around extending the public settings where face coverings should be mandatory. If agreed, this would see the law widened to cover places such as office spaces, banks and building societies. Coverings are already mandatory in shops and on public transport. | It is understood a proposal to increase the fine that accompanies a fixed-penalty notice for a rule breach from £60 to £200. The executive office is also due to present proposals around extending the public settings where face coverings should be mandatory. If agreed, this would see the law widened to cover places such as office spaces, banks and building societies. Coverings are already mandatory in shops and on public transport. |
| The meeting at Stormont comes as Northern Ireland continues to experience rocketing coronavirus infection rates. | The meeting at Stormont comes as Northern Ireland continues to experience rocketing coronavirus infection rates. |
| Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of Liverpool city region, has now issued this statement saying it is “deeply disappointing” that he is having to find out about new restrictions facing Merseyside from the newspapers. (See 10.14am.) | Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of Liverpool city region, has now issued this statement saying it is “deeply disappointing” that he is having to find out about new restrictions facing Merseyside from the newspapers. (See 10.14am.) |
| We have not had confirmation from the government yet as to what is planned for England next week, but there is a lot of reporting in the papers this morning all pointing in the same direction. | We have not had confirmation from the government yet as to what is planned for England next week, but there is a lot of reporting in the papers this morning all pointing in the same direction. |
| The Times today (paywall) is saying that pubs and restaurants in the north of England will be closed on Monday. It says: | The Times today (paywall) is saying that pubs and restaurants in the north of England will be closed on Monday. It says: |
| And the Sun gives this explantation of how the new, simplified three-tier system of restrictions may work. | And the Sun gives this explantation of how the new, simplified three-tier system of restrictions may work. |
| Boris Johnson spoke to President Trump yesterday. We haven’t had a readout from No 10, but Trump has tweeted about the call. | Boris Johnson spoke to President Trump yesterday. We haven’t had a readout from No 10, but Trump has tweeted about the call. |
| The outcry over the nationwide crackdown on indoor drinking in Scotland – where the central belt of the country now has the toughest restrictions in the whole of the UK – continues this morning, with industry bodies warning that the measures will devastate the sector. | The outcry over the nationwide crackdown on indoor drinking in Scotland – where the central belt of the country now has the toughest restrictions in the whole of the UK – continues this morning, with industry bodies warning that the measures will devastate the sector. |
| Nick Wood of the Scottish Hospitality Group told BBC Radio Scotland: “I think we’re being used as a scapegoat. The proof isn’t there but we are the ones being blamed.” | Nick Wood of the Scottish Hospitality Group told BBC Radio Scotland: “I think we’re being used as a scapegoat. The proof isn’t there but we are the ones being blamed.” |
| Although Nicola Sturgeon said in her statement to Holyrood yesterday that one in five people contacted by test and trace had visited a hospitality setting, Wood said that bars and restaurants had been working hard and invested heavily to maintain controlled and hygienic environments. | Although Nicola Sturgeon said in her statement to Holyrood yesterday that one in five people contacted by test and trace had visited a hospitality setting, Wood said that bars and restaurants had been working hard and invested heavily to maintain controlled and hygienic environments. |
| James Rusk, owner of the Butchershop Bar and Grill in Glasgow, said that bringing in such severe restrictions without consultation had caused “fear and panic”. He pointed out that the effects would be felt more widely. | James Rusk, owner of the Butchershop Bar and Grill in Glasgow, said that bringing in such severe restrictions without consultation had caused “fear and panic”. He pointed out that the effects would be felt more widely. |
| But deputy first minister John Swinney, also speaking on Good Morning Scotland, said that the Scottish government had “dug deep” to provide a £40m support fund for hospitality. “We have to take action to stop the opportunities for interaction where the virus can spread.” | But deputy first minister John Swinney, also speaking on Good Morning Scotland, said that the Scottish government had “dug deep” to provide a £40m support fund for hospitality. “We have to take action to stop the opportunities for interaction where the virus can spread.” |
| Asked if it didn’t make more sense to enforce household visiting restrictions, Swinney said there was a real risk of the virus accelerating to a point similar to where it had been in March and a multi-pronged approach was needed. | Asked if it didn’t make more sense to enforce household visiting restrictions, Swinney said there was a real risk of the virus accelerating to a point similar to where it had been in March and a multi-pronged approach was needed. |
| Swinney said that Sturgeon’s statement yesterday had also included a warning to the retail sector to enforce 2 metre distancing, which had become more relaxed in recent months. | |
| Asked about those who had already booked holidays for the October school break, Swinney said: “Yes, all holiday plans can take their course, but people must exercise the greatest of care.” | Asked about those who had already booked holidays for the October school break, Swinney said: “Yes, all holiday plans can take their course, but people must exercise the greatest of care.” |
| Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, was doing the morning interview round for the government this morning. As my colleague Josh Halliday reports, he admitted that so far local restrictions have only had a limited effect. | Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary, was doing the morning interview round for the government this morning. As my colleague Josh Halliday reports, he admitted that so far local restrictions have only had a limited effect. |
| Jenrick refused to confirm that new restrictions would be imposed on Monday. Asked about the government’s plans, he just said: | Jenrick refused to confirm that new restrictions would be imposed on Monday. Asked about the government’s plans, he just said: |
| But Jenrick did signal that the government would announce extra financial support for the hospitality sector alongside any new measures. Asked about pubs and restaurants, he said: | But Jenrick did signal that the government would announce extra financial support for the hospitality sector alongside any new measures. Asked about pubs and restaurants, he said: |
| Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and David Mellen, the Nottingham city council leader, are not the only local government leaders angry about lack of consultation from the government over lockdown measures. (See 9.35am.) This is from Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP and Sheffield city region mayor. | |
| Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of Liverpool city region, told Good Morning Britain this morning that there was “an ever widening north-south divide” in what was happening and that he was concerned that the north was being treated like “a petri dish for experimentation”. | Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of Liverpool city region, told Good Morning Britain this morning that there was “an ever widening north-south divide” in what was happening and that he was concerned that the north was being treated like “a petri dish for experimentation”. |
| And Nick Forbes, the Labour leader of Newcastle city council, issued a statement last night saying that, instead of being offered partnership from central government, northern cities were instead getting “diktats announced without notice”. | And Nick Forbes, the Labour leader of Newcastle city council, issued a statement last night saying that, instead of being offered partnership from central government, northern cities were instead getting “diktats announced without notice”. |
| Good morning. Ministers are getting read to announce new restrictions in England, which could see pubs forced to shut in the areas with the highest rates of coronavirus, but it is being reported that the measures may not take effect until next week and this has only fuelled the anger that local leaders already feel about how the government is handling this. Nottingham, which now has the fifth highest Covid rate in England, was expecting new restrictions today. But David Mellen, the Labour council leader, told the Today programme that he now thought they would not happen until next week. | Good morning. Ministers are getting read to announce new restrictions in England, which could see pubs forced to shut in the areas with the highest rates of coronavirus, but it is being reported that the measures may not take effect until next week and this has only fuelled the anger that local leaders already feel about how the government is handling this. Nottingham, which now has the fifth highest Covid rate in England, was expecting new restrictions today. But David Mellen, the Labour council leader, told the Today programme that he now thought they would not happen until next week. |
| He also said this meant there was a danger that people might treat this weekend as a chance to party because of the delay. Asked if he feared residents might have “one last blowout”, he replied: | |
| Mellen is not the only local leader who is furious. Last night, responding to a report in the Times saying pubs in the north of England would be forced to close on Monday, Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, said the government was “impossible to deal with”. | Mellen is not the only local leader who is furious. Last night, responding to a report in the Times saying pubs in the north of England would be forced to close on Monday, Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, said the government was “impossible to deal with”. |
| Here is the agenda for the day. | Here is the agenda for the day. |
| 9.30am: The ONS is due to publish reports comparing Covid deaths with flu deaths, looking at Covid and the non-UK workforce, and the economic impact of the crisis. | |
| 10.30am: Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, makes a Commons statement on next week’s business. | 10.30am: Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, makes a Commons statement on next week’s business. |
| 11am: NHS Test and Trace is due to publish its latest performance figures. | 11am: NHS Test and Trace is due to publish its latest performance figures. |
| Around 11.30am: MPs begin a general debate on the government’s plans to reform the planning system. More than 50 MPs are due to speak, many of whom are unhappy about the proposals. | Around 11.30am: MPs begin a general debate on the government’s plans to reform the planning system. More than 50 MPs are due to speak, many of whom are unhappy about the proposals. |
| 12pm: Downing Street holds its lobby briefing. | 12pm: Downing Street holds its lobby briefing. |
| Politics Live has been doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog for some time and, given the way the Covid crisis eclipses everything, this will continue for the foreseeable future. But we will be covering non-Covid political stories too, and where they seem more important and interesting, they will take precedence. | Politics Live has been doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog for some time and, given the way the Covid crisis eclipses everything, this will continue for the foreseeable future. But we will be covering non-Covid political stories too, and where they seem more important and interesting, they will take precedence. |
| Here is our global coronavirus live blog. | Here is our global coronavirus live blog. |
| I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. | I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. |
| If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow. |