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/oct/08/uk-coronavirus-live-delaying-new-covid-restrictions-pubs-risk-of-party-weekend-boris-johnson
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| UK coronavirus live: hospitals 10 days away from 'critical' stage because of rising Covid cases, health minister says | UK coronavirus live: hospitals 10 days away from 'critical' stage because of rising Covid cases, health minister says |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: Nadine Dorries says hospital are 10 days from reaching a ‘critical’ stage; warning of ‘one last blow out’ if restrictions on English pubs are delayed | Latest updates: Nadine Dorries says hospital are 10 days from reaching a ‘critical’ stage; warning of ‘one last blow out’ if restrictions on English pubs are delayed |
| At the Downing Street lobby briefing we did not learn any more about the plans to implement a three-tier system of coronavirus restrictions in England next week. The prime minister’s spokesman did not challenge the reports about what is planned (which all broadly say the same thing - see 9.35am, 10.14am and 12.36pm) but he would not confirm them either. He just said: | |
| But the spokesman did provide figures showing why action was needed in the north-east and the north-west. | |
| In the north-east, hospital admissions are up by 35% from 65 to 88 in the seven days to 1 October, in comparison to a peak of 507 on 1 April. | |
| There were 69 patients on ventilators on 1 October compared to 43 on 24 September and a peak of 302 on 11 April. | |
| And in the north-west, admissions are up 60% from 80 to 128 in the seven days to 1 October, compared to a peak of 477 on 9 April. | |
| There were 89 patients on ventilators on 4 October, compared to 60 on 24 September and a peak of 350 on 18 April. | |
| Labour will not vote against the 10pm compulsory closing time next week, Sir Keir Starmer has said. | Labour will not vote against the 10pm compulsory closing time next week, Sir Keir Starmer has said. |
| Last week he called for a rethink of the rule. And at PMQs yesterday Starmer challenged Boris Johnson to publish the scientific evidence justifying the rule before MPs voted on it. This has not happened. | Last week he called for a rethink of the rule. And at PMQs yesterday Starmer challenged Boris Johnson to publish the scientific evidence justifying the rule before MPs voted on it. This has not happened. |
| But today, as Arj Singh reports at HuffPost, Starmer said that Labour would not vote against the rule because it was a simple yes/no vote on a set of regulations, and it did not want to vote down the entire package. Starmer said: | But today, as Arj Singh reports at HuffPost, Starmer said that Labour would not vote against the rule because it was a simple yes/no vote on a set of regulations, and it did not want to vote down the entire package. Starmer said: |
| At FMQs in the Scottish parliament Ruth Davidson told Nicola Sturgeon it was “beyond belief” the first minister did not recall an initial meeting about complaints against Alex Salmond, as she said in her evidence – published yesterday - to the Holyrood inquiry investigating her government’s botched handling of sexual harassment complaints against the former first minister. | At FMQs in the Scottish parliament Ruth Davidson told Nicola Sturgeon it was “beyond belief” the first minister did not recall an initial meeting about complaints against Alex Salmond, as she said in her evidence – published yesterday - to the Holyrood inquiry investigating her government’s botched handling of sexual harassment complaints against the former first minister. |
| In angry exchanges, Davidson, the Conservative leader in the parliament, said that the SNP took people for fools: | In angry exchanges, Davidson, the Conservative leader in the parliament, said that the SNP took people for fools: |
| Sturgeon countered that she would focus on the pandemic until she’s called under oath to the inquiry, where she would “relish” giving evidence after having “all sorts of nonsense levelled against me”. | Sturgeon countered that she would focus on the pandemic until she’s called under oath to the inquiry, where she would “relish” giving evidence after having “all sorts of nonsense levelled against me”. |
| Sturgeon was challenged by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard about why trade bodies and unions say there was no consultation before announcing a crackdown on indoor drinking and a full hospitality shutdown for central Scotland. | Sturgeon was challenged by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard about why trade bodies and unions say there was no consultation before announcing a crackdown on indoor drinking and a full hospitality shutdown for central Scotland. |
| Sturgeon said that her government regularly consulted with stakeholders and updated the Scottish public, but added: | Sturgeon said that her government regularly consulted with stakeholders and updated the Scottish public, but added: |
| The argument over where the north of England starts and ends is a hardy perennial. But the leak to the Times and Sun this morning (see 10.14am) announcing the closure of all hospitality in “the north” has turbo-charged this debate, with leaders across the regions arguing against being lumped in with any new restrictions imposed across England’s upper half. | The argument over where the north of England starts and ends is a hardy perennial. But the leak to the Times and Sun this morning (see 10.14am) announcing the closure of all hospitality in “the north” has turbo-charged this debate, with leaders across the regions arguing against being lumped in with any new restrictions imposed across England’s upper half. |
| In Lancaster in north Lancashire — where cases are still under the national average at 33 per 100,000 people and no infections at all have been reported in the last two days — council leader Erica Lewis said she couldn’t support any additional measures which would affect residents’ wellbeing and livelihoods, without guarantees of government help. She said: | In Lancaster in north Lancashire — where cases are still under the national average at 33 per 100,000 people and no infections at all have been reported in the last two days — council leader Erica Lewis said she couldn’t support any additional measures which would affect residents’ wellbeing and livelihoods, without guarantees of government help. She said: |
| Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, said the government was making arbitrary decisions about geography. “For 16 days now in Warrington we have been lumped in with the Liverpool city region and been subject to two different sets of restrictions, despite the fact Warrington is in Cheshire,” she said. | Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, said the government was making arbitrary decisions about geography. “For 16 days now in Warrington we have been lumped in with the Liverpool city region and been subject to two different sets of restrictions, despite the fact Warrington is in Cheshire,” she said. |
| In Cumbria, Simon Fell, the Conservative MP for Barrow-in-Furness, said he and local leaders had agreed to ask government for restrictions on household mixing to be put in place in Barrow but not across the whole county. | In Cumbria, Simon Fell, the Conservative MP for Barrow-in-Furness, said he and local leaders had agreed to ask government for restrictions on household mixing to be put in place in Barrow but not across the whole county. |
| Agreeing on the geography of lockdowns was not easy, said Fell, noting that many people from Ulverston – which is in the council district of South Lakeland – work in Barrow at BAE Systems, making nuclear submarines. “We would be in the danger of erecting false walls,” he said. | Agreeing on the geography of lockdowns was not easy, said Fell, noting that many people from Ulverston – which is in the council district of South Lakeland – work in Barrow at BAE Systems, making nuclear submarines. “We would be in the danger of erecting false walls,” he said. |
| MPs will get a vote on the 10pm compulsory closing time for England on Tuesday next week, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, told MPs this morning. He said: | MPs will get a vote on the 10pm compulsory closing time for England on Tuesday next week, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, told MPs this morning. He said: |
| Speaking to more bar and restaurant owners, especially across the central belt, this morning, it becomes clear that there’s a real loss of faith in government messaging and a fear that this 16-day shutdown will go on for longer. | Speaking to more bar and restaurant owners, especially across the central belt, this morning, it becomes clear that there’s a real loss of faith in government messaging and a fear that this 16-day shutdown will go on for longer. |
| Making the announcement yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon left her options open. She said: | Making the announcement yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon left her options open. She said: |
| James Rusk, who owns a chain of high-end restaurants in Glasgow, told me just now: “It’s a bitter pill to swallow when your employees hear what is happening to them from a government announcement.” | James Rusk, who owns a chain of high-end restaurants in Glasgow, told me just now: “It’s a bitter pill to swallow when your employees hear what is happening to them from a government announcement.” |
| He said there was “fear and panic” in the trade that the restrictions would last longer, and argued that a full shutdown was a blunt tool to sanction such a diverse range of businesses. “The Scottish government are basing things on assumptions, and we’re being treated like we can’t manage our way through this ourselves.” | He said there was “fear and panic” in the trade that the restrictions would last longer, and argued that a full shutdown was a blunt tool to sanction such a diverse range of businesses. “The Scottish government are basing things on assumptions, and we’re being treated like we can’t manage our way through this ourselves.” |
| Boris Johnson contacted the Irish prime minister on Sunday night to express concern the republic was about to impose a near lockdown across the country, putting it out of kilter with looser arrangements north of the border. | Boris Johnson contacted the Irish prime minister on Sunday night to express concern the republic was about to impose a near lockdown across the country, putting it out of kilter with looser arrangements north of the border. |
| The call, reported in the Irish Times, comes amid alarm in the Irish government that Northern Ireland has become a hotspot for Covid, with the number of cases in the Derry and Strabane area now higher than anywhere in England. | The call, reported in the Irish Times, comes amid alarm in the Irish government that Northern Ireland has become a hotspot for Covid, with the number of cases in the Derry and Strabane area now higher than anywhere in England. |
| The area is currently experiencing 636 cases per 100,000 compared to Liverpool, at 552 cases per 100,000. | The area is currently experiencing 636 cases per 100,000 compared to Liverpool, at 552 cases per 100,000. |
| The high incidence of Covid in Donegal, the Irish county to the west of Derry, has been the cause of concern for some weeks with rates now at over 300 per 100,000 partly put down to cross-border working and shopping. | The high incidence of Covid in Donegal, the Irish county to the west of Derry, has been the cause of concern for some weeks with rates now at over 300 per 100,000 partly put down to cross-border working and shopping. |
| The taoiseach told fellow politicians on Wednesday night that he had spoken to Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill and one of the concerns was they did not have the same tools as other parts of the UK to introduce curbs. | The taoiseach told fellow politicians on Wednesday night that he had spoken to Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill and one of the concerns was they did not have the same tools as other parts of the UK to introduce curbs. |
| The Northern Ireland executive was not in a position to offer the same financial incentives to affected businesses and vulnerable entities because of budgetary constraints, he said. | The Northern Ireland executive was not in a position to offer the same financial incentives to affected businesses and vulnerable entities because of budgetary constraints, he said. |
| This is from Prof Tim Spector from King’s College London who runs the Covid symptom study (CSS), which uses self-reported information from an app to track the spread of coronavirus. | This is from Prof Tim Spector from King’s College London who runs the Covid symptom study (CSS), which uses self-reported information from an app to track the spread of coronavirus. |
| The Home Office has received more than 4m applications for settled status, the post Brexit immigration status available to EU citizens currently in the country. | The Home Office has received more than 4m applications for settled status, the post Brexit immigration status available to EU citizens currently in the country. |
| Latest monthly statistics show 2.1m have received settled status and 1.6m pre settled (for those with fewer than five years in the country). | Latest monthly statistics show 2.1m have received settled status and 1.6m pre settled (for those with fewer than five years in the country). |
| Campaigners have observed the number of refusals has gone up 60% in a month, from 10,900 to 16,600. | Campaigners have observed the number of refusals has gone up 60% in a month, from 10,900 to 16,600. |
| The Home Office will not provide breakdowns until next month’s quarterly figures are published but sources say most of the refusals are down to “eligibility” rather than suitability which includes serious criminality. | The Home Office will not provide breakdowns until next month’s quarterly figures are published but sources say most of the refusals are down to “eligibility” rather than suitability which includes serious criminality. |
| Commenting on the latest test and trace figures (see 12.12pm) for Labour, the shadow health minister Justin Madders said: | Commenting on the latest test and trace figures (see 12.12pm) for Labour, the shadow health minister Justin Madders said: |
| The president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Prof Neil Mortensen, has said the NHS waiting time figures published today (see 11.04am) show the need for regular testing of NHS staff. He said: | The president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Prof Neil Mortensen, has said the NHS waiting time figures published today (see 11.04am) show the need for regular testing of NHS staff. He said: |
| The government’s new three-tier lockdown regime will be announced on Monday and come into force on Wednesday, according to a leaked document reported by the Nottingham Post. | The government’s new three-tier lockdown regime will be announced on Monday and come into force on Wednesday, according to a leaked document reported by the Nottingham Post. |
| But the leak also suggests ministers have not yet decided how strict the rules will be in tier three - the places with the highest number of cases. | But the leak also suggests ministers have not yet decided how strict the rules will be in tier three - the places with the highest number of cases. |
| Kit Sandeman, a BBC local democracy reported working with the Nottingham Post, says in his story that Nottingham is set to enter level two. And he explains in his story what that will mean. He reports: | Kit Sandeman, a BBC local democracy reported working with the Nottingham Post, says in his story that Nottingham is set to enter level two. And he explains in his story what that will mean. He reports: |
| Sandeman’s story also quotes from the document, which says the government has yet to decide exactly what restrictions will apply in the areas subject to the tightest ‘Level Three’ rules. The document says: | Sandeman’s story also quotes from the document, which says the government has yet to decide exactly what restrictions will apply in the areas subject to the tightest ‘Level Three’ rules. The document says: |
| NHS Test and Trace has seen its worst week on record for the proportion of contacts it manages to trace, PA Media reports. | NHS Test and Trace has seen its worst week on record for the proportion of contacts it manages to trace, PA Media reports. |
| Some 68.6% of close contacts of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in England were reached through the system in the week ending September 30, the lowest weekly percentage since test and trace began, and down from 72.5% in the previous week. | Some 68.6% of close contacts of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in England were reached through the system in the week ending September 30, the lowest weekly percentage since test and trace began, and down from 72.5% in the previous week. |
| For cases handled by local health protection teams, 97.1% of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate in the week to September 30. | For cases handled by local health protection teams, 97.1% of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate in the week to September 30. |
| For cases handled either online or by call centres, 62.4% of close contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate. | For cases handled either online or by call centres, 62.4% of close contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate. |
| A total of 51,475 new people tested positive for Covid-19 in England in the week to September 30, according to the latest figures. | A total of 51,475 new people tested positive for Covid-19 in England in the week to September 30, according to the latest figures. |
| This is an increase of 56% in positive cases on the previous week and is the highest weekly number since test and trace was launched at the end of May. | This is an increase of 56% in positive cases on the previous week and is the highest weekly number since test and trace was launched at the end of May. |
| Earlier this week Donald Trump claimed on Twitter that in most populations coronavirus would be “far less lethal” than flu. | Earlier this week Donald Trump claimed on Twitter that in most populations coronavirus would be “far less lethal” than flu. |
| That is probably a minority view in the UK - and even in the US too - but this morning the Office for National Statistics has published a report that should settle the matter. It compares deaths from Covid with deaths from influenza and pneumonia, and coronavirus is easily the more lethal killer. It says: | That is probably a minority view in the UK - and even in the US too - but this morning the Office for National Statistics has published a report that should settle the matter. It compares deaths from Covid with deaths from influenza and pneumonia, and coronavirus is easily the more lethal killer. It says: |
| This means that in England and Wales (which the report covers) the death toll from flu (influenza) has been less than 1% of the death toll from coronavirus. Even if Trump was muddling flu with pneumonia (an understandable mistake - flu can cause pneumonia), he was still wrong. Deaths from pneumonia are less than a third of deaths from Covid. | This means that in England and Wales (which the report covers) the death toll from flu (influenza) has been less than 1% of the death toll from coronavirus. Even if Trump was muddling flu with pneumonia (an understandable mistake - flu can cause pneumonia), he was still wrong. Deaths from pneumonia are less than a third of deaths from Covid. |
| This is from Saul Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS. | This is from Saul Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS. |
| Nadine Dorries, the health minister, has said that hospital admissions are just 10 days away from reaching a “critical” stage because of rising coronavirus case numbers. | Nadine Dorries, the health minister, has said that hospital admissions are just 10 days away from reaching a “critical” stage because of rising coronavirus case numbers. |
| Yesterday Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and other NHS trusts, said some hospitals in the north if England were now seeing admission levels equivalent to those in the spring, when the epidemic was at its peak. | Yesterday Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and other NHS trusts, said some hospitals in the north if England were now seeing admission levels equivalent to those in the spring, when the epidemic was at its peak. |
| The World Trade Organization is set to be run by a woman for the first time in its 25-year history after it was announced that the final choice to be its new director-general will be between South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee and Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, my colleague Larry Elliott reports. | The World Trade Organization is set to be run by a woman for the first time in its 25-year history after it was announced that the final choice to be its new director-general will be between South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee and Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, my colleague Larry Elliott reports. |
| That means Liam Fox, the UK candidate and former international trade secretary, failed to make it to the final shortlist. He has posted this video saying he is disappointed. | That means Liam Fox, the UK candidate and former international trade secretary, failed to make it to the final shortlist. He has posted this video saying he is disappointed. |
| Some hours after details of likely new local lockdowns were leaked to newspapers, the government is to brief MPs representing constituencies in the Midlands and north of England. These MPs have been summoned to a video conference from 11.30am, which will be led by health minister Edward Argar. It’s fair to say that the MPs attending are hoping to hear both details and timelines – but are not completely optimistic they will. | Some hours after details of likely new local lockdowns were leaked to newspapers, the government is to brief MPs representing constituencies in the Midlands and north of England. These MPs have been summoned to a video conference from 11.30am, which will be led by health minister Edward Argar. It’s fair to say that the MPs attending are hoping to hear both details and timelines – but are not completely optimistic they will. |