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UK coronavirus live: Starmer attacks 'serial incompetence' of Tory handling of Covid crisis UK coronavirus live: Starmer attacks 'serial incompetence' of Tory handling of Covid crisis
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Latest updates: Labour leader urges ministers to consult with local leaders over increased restrictions and stop ‘Whitehall knows best’ approachLatest updates: Labour leader urges ministers to consult with local leaders over increased restrictions and stop ‘Whitehall knows best’ approach
Scotland’s clinical director Jason Leitch has attempted for clear up the confusion surrounding which hospitality premises are allowed to remain open after the crackdown on indoor drinking comes into force this evening.As we earlier reported, many business owners in central Scotland, where a 16-day shutdown of pubs, restaurants and cafes that serve alcohol was announced by Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday, claimed that they were still uncertain whether they were expected to close at 6pm on Friday as trade bodies described the Scottish government’s behaviour as “dysfunctional”Asked about the distinction between a restaurant and a cafe on Friday morning, Leitch said:
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Leitch added that the strict hospitality measures would work in combination with the ongoing ban on household visits, and a “reset” for retail to 2 metre distancing.Asked about accusations from the pub and restaurant sector that they were being scapegoated without compelling evidence, he insisted: “Nobody is being punished however I do understand certain sectors feel downtrodden.”He added: “There is a compliance challenge, that’s why we’ve gone back to 2 metres in retail for example”.
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi has been doing the media rounds this morning, answering questions on new coronavirus restrictions and the latest UK growth figures.
He said “leaks” to newspapers over upcoming coronavirus restrictions are “corrosive”, after Labour leader Keir Starmer said they have led to confusion over Downing Street’s strategy.
Zahawi told Sky News:
Zahawi also warned that 2020 “is going to be a difficult year”, after new figures on GDP showed a struggling economy.
He told BBC Breakfast:
He added that evidence presented to MPs by England’s chief medical officer showed 30% of coronavirus infections are coming through hospitality.
Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds has said Rishi Sunak’s job support scheme is “forcing businesses to flip a coin over who stays and who goes” because it is cheaper to employ one worker than two to do the same hours.Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds has said Rishi Sunak’s job support scheme is “forcing businesses to flip a coin over who stays and who goes” because it is cheaper to employ one worker than two to do the same hours.
She said the cost to an employer of bringing back two workers in the arts sector for half of the week versus one for the whole week is £163 in the UK - compared with £98 in the Netherlands, £69 in France and nothing in Germany.She said the cost to an employer of bringing back two workers in the arts sector for half of the week versus one for the whole week is £163 in the UK - compared with £98 in the Netherlands, £69 in France and nothing in Germany.
“The Chancellor’s sink-or-swim Job Support Scheme is forcing businesses to flip a coin over who stays and who goes,” she tweeted.“The Chancellor’s sink-or-swim Job Support Scheme is forcing businesses to flip a coin over who stays and who goes,” she tweeted.
The job support scheme is a replacement for the coronavirus job retention scheme, and will involve the government contributing towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours.The job support scheme is a replacement for the coronavirus job retention scheme, and will involve the government contributing towards the wages of employees who are working fewer than normal hours.
The pace of the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis has slowed considerably and is far below what experts had hoped for, new figures show today.The pace of the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis has slowed considerably and is far below what experts had hoped for, new figures show today.
Gross National Product (GDP) was up by 2.1% during August, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).Gross National Product (GDP) was up by 2.1% during August, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
It was the fourth consecutive month of growth, after the economy took a serious hit during the depths of the coronavirus lockdown. But it is less than half of what experts had expected, and a major slowdown since July.It was the fourth consecutive month of growth, after the economy took a serious hit during the depths of the coronavirus lockdown. But it is less than half of what experts had expected, and a major slowdown since July.
Analysts expected that GDP would increase by 4.6%, according to a consensus taken by Pantheon Macroeconomics.Analysts expected that GDP would increase by 4.6%, according to a consensus taken by Pantheon Macroeconomics.
In July, GDP was up by 6.4%, and in June it rose by 9.1%, according to ONS data.In July, GDP was up by 6.4%, and in June it rose by 9.1%, according to ONS data.
The government invested hundreds of millions of pounds to get the economy back on its feet in August, including through its ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme which paid for half a restaurant bill during parts of the month.The government invested hundreds of millions of pounds to get the economy back on its feet in August, including through its ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme which paid for half a restaurant bill during parts of the month.
It was largely this scheme, and other government initiatives, that encouraged growth across the month, said Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chamber of Commerce.It was largely this scheme, and other government initiatives, that encouraged growth across the month, said Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chamber of Commerce.
The accommodation and food service sectors contributed 1.25 percentage points of August’s growth in GDP. Thiru said:The accommodation and food service sectors contributed 1.25 percentage points of August’s growth in GDP. Thiru said:
It is now vital that the government is ready to help companies through what will prove to be a “difficult winter,” Thiru added.It is now vital that the government is ready to help companies through what will prove to be a “difficult winter,” Thiru added.
The data shows that GDP rose by 8% in the three months to the end of August, marking a major turnaround from the depths of lockdown after GDP dropped a record 19.5% in April.The data shows that GDP rose by 8% in the three months to the end of August, marking a major turnaround from the depths of lockdown after GDP dropped a record 19.5% in April.
However, the measure is still 9.2% below where it was in February this year.However, the measure is still 9.2% below where it was in February this year.
ONS deputy national statistician for economic statistics Jonathan Athow said:ONS deputy national statistician for economic statistics Jonathan Athow said:
You can follow rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news after the release of the UK growth figures over on our business live blog:You can follow rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news after the release of the UK growth figures over on our business live blog:
Morning everyone, this is Jessica Murray, I’ll be running the live blog today.Morning everyone, this is Jessica Murray, I’ll be running the live blog today.
The government is coming under increasing criticism for its failure to consult with local leaders over extra coronavirus restrictions.The government is coming under increasing criticism for its failure to consult with local leaders over extra coronavirus restrictions.
Writing in the Telegraph today, Labour leader Keir Starmer said:Writing in the Telegraph today, Labour leader Keir Starmer said:
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will today announce further support for jobs and businesses that are affected by coronavirus shutdowns amid calls to help the hardest hit industries and regions.Chancellor Rishi Sunak will today announce further support for jobs and businesses that are affected by coronavirus shutdowns amid calls to help the hardest hit industries and regions.
Sunak will detail “the next stage” of the Jobs Support Scheme on Friday, ahead of new restrictions expected for the hospitality sector.Sunak will detail “the next stage” of the Jobs Support Scheme on Friday, ahead of new restrictions expected for the hospitality sector.
Cities in northern England and other areas suffering a surge in Covid-19 cases may have pubs and restaurants temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus.Cities in northern England and other areas suffering a surge in Covid-19 cases may have pubs and restaurants temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus.
Regional leaders and unions have been calling for fresh financial support to prevent further layoffs when new restrictions are imposed.Regional leaders and unions have been calling for fresh financial support to prevent further layoffs when new restrictions are imposed.
This morning Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said that “without an extension to the main furlough scheme, the damage to the economy of the North will be deep and lasting”.This morning Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said that “without an extension to the main furlough scheme, the damage to the economy of the North will be deep and lasting”.