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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/oct/09/uk-coronavirus-live-covid-starmer-boris-johnson
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| UK coronavirus live: government to pay two-thirds of wages at businesses forced to lock down | UK coronavirus live: government to pay two-thirds of wages at businesses forced to lock down |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Rishi Sunak announces new economic support measures; London mayor says ‘highly likely’ capital will face extra measures soon; Sturgeon concedes new Scotland cafe rules have caused confusion | Rishi Sunak announces new economic support measures; London mayor says ‘highly likely’ capital will face extra measures soon; Sturgeon concedes new Scotland cafe rules have caused confusion |
| That’s all from the UK blog for today - you can continue following our coronavirus coverage over on the global live blog. | |
| As always, thanks to everyone for reading along, sending in your thoughts and your comments. | |
| Here is a quick recap of today’s developments: | Here is a quick recap of today’s developments: |
| Government will pay two-thirds of staff wages if businesses forced to shut in lockdown areas. The government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced. | Government will pay two-thirds of staff wages if businesses forced to shut in lockdown areas. The government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced. |
| Edinburgh Woollen Mill on verge of collapse with 24,000 jobs at risk. High street fashion chain Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM), which owns Peacocks and Jaeger, is close to collapse, with 24,000 jobs in the balance, according to documents filed with the High Court. | Edinburgh Woollen Mill on verge of collapse with 24,000 jobs at risk. High street fashion chain Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM), which owns Peacocks and Jaeger, is close to collapse, with 24,000 jobs in the balance, according to documents filed with the High Court. |
| A further 13,864 Covid-19 cases confirmed in the UK. A further 13,864 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the UK, along with 87 more deaths. | A further 13,864 Covid-19 cases confirmed in the UK. A further 13,864 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the UK, along with 87 more deaths. |
| Care homes in England fear new Covid-19 cases as 90% of test results delayed. Nearly nine out of 10 Covid-19 tests taken under the system used by care homes in England were returned after the government’s 48-hour target in September, official figures reveal. | Care homes in England fear new Covid-19 cases as 90% of test results delayed. Nearly nine out of 10 Covid-19 tests taken under the system used by care homes in England were returned after the government’s 48-hour target in September, official figures reveal. |
| Infection rate in England doubles within a week: ONS. There were an average of 17,200 new cases per day of Covid-19 in private households in England between 25 September and 1 October, according to the Office for National Statistics. This is up from an estimated 8,400 new cases per day from 18 to 24 September. | Infection rate in England doubles within a week: ONS. There were an average of 17,200 new cases per day of Covid-19 in private households in England between 25 September and 1 October, according to the Office for National Statistics. This is up from an estimated 8,400 new cases per day from 18 to 24 September. |
| Sadiq Khan says ‘highly likely’ London will face new restrictions soon. The Mayor of London said it was “highly likely” London would face new stricter Covid restrictions soon - “we are at a very serious tipping point. The virus is accelerating in every part of London”. | Sadiq Khan says ‘highly likely’ London will face new restrictions soon. The Mayor of London said it was “highly likely” London would face new stricter Covid restrictions soon - “we are at a very serious tipping point. The virus is accelerating in every part of London”. |
| Economic recovery slowed in August despite Eat Out to Help Out. 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. | Economic recovery slowed in August despite Eat Out to Help Out. 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. |
| New shielding plans considered for hotspots as cases rise. Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people living in coronavirus hotspots could be told to shield this winter under plans reportedly being considered by the government as infections continue to soar. | New shielding plans considered for hotspots as cases rise. Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people living in coronavirus hotspots could be told to shield this winter under plans reportedly being considered by the government as infections continue to soar. |
| Nottingham’s weekly rate of new Covid-19 cases has climbed even higher and has now topped 750 cases per 100,000 people, the latest data shows. | Nottingham’s weekly rate of new Covid-19 cases has climbed even higher and has now topped 750 cases per 100,000 people, the latest data shows. |
| A total of 2,532 new cases were recorded in Nottingham in the seven days to 6 October - the equivalent of 760.6 cases per 100,000 people. | A total of 2,532 new cases were recorded in Nottingham in the seven days to 6 October - the equivalent of 760.6 cases per 100,000 people. |
| It is an enormous leap from 527 new cases in the previous seven days (the week to 29 September), or 158.3 per 100,000 people. | It is an enormous leap from 527 new cases in the previous seven days (the week to 29 September), or 158.3 per 100,000 people. |
| Nottingham remains well ahead of the area with the second highest rate in England, Knowsley, which is now on 657.6 cases per 100,000. | Nottingham remains well ahead of the area with the second highest rate in England, Knowsley, which is now on 657.6 cases per 100,000. |
| All figures are based on Public Health England data published on Friday afternoon. | All figures are based on Public Health England data published on Friday afternoon. |
| Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband has criticised the government’s new job support measures saying a number of businesses will still struggle. | Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband has criticised the government’s new job support measures saying a number of businesses will still struggle. |
| As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 13,864 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 575,679. | As of 9am on Friday, there had been a further 13,864 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 575,679. |
| The government also said a further 87 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Friday. This brings the UK total to 42,679. | The government also said a further 87 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Friday. This brings the UK total to 42,679. |
| Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 58,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. | Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 58,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. |
| Figures also show there were 3,090 Covid-19 patients in hospital in England as of Friday, up from 2,088 a week ago, while 367 Covid-19 hospital patients were in ventilation beds, up from 310 a week ago. | Figures also show there were 3,090 Covid-19 patients in hospital in England as of Friday, up from 2,088 a week ago, while 367 Covid-19 hospital patients were in ventilation beds, up from 310 a week ago. |
| A total of 491 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals in England on Wednesday, compared with 328 a week earlier. | A total of 491 patients with confirmed Covid-19 were admitted to hospitals in England on Wednesday, compared with 328 a week earlier. |
| A widely circulated open letter criticising strict lockdown measures and advocating for a herd immunity strategy has a number of fake names among its “medical” signatories, leading to accusations it falsely represents scientific support for the controversial position. | A widely circulated open letter criticising strict lockdown measures and advocating for a herd immunity strategy has a number of fake names among its “medical” signatories, leading to accusations it falsely represents scientific support for the controversial position. |
| Sky News found dozens of fake names on the list of medical signatories of the Great Barrington declaration. These included Dr I P Freely, Dr Person Fakename and Dr Johnny Bananas. | Sky News found dozens of fake names on the list of medical signatories of the Great Barrington declaration. These included Dr I P Freely, Dr Person Fakename and Dr Johnny Bananas. |
| Others included Dr Mike Rotch, a urology consultant at Springfield general hospital in the US – a reference to a gag in The Simpsons. | Others included Dr Mike Rotch, a urology consultant at Springfield general hospital in the US – a reference to a gag in The Simpsons. |
| Another signatory was Dr Harold Shipman, a general practitioner in the UK who is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in modern history. Other famous names included Dominic Cummings, who is described as “PhD Durham Univercity”. | |
| Sky News also found 18 self-declared homeopaths listed on the open letter as medical practitioners, despite the fact that homeopathy has no scientific underpinning or clinical evidence to support its use. | Sky News also found 18 self-declared homeopaths listed on the open letter as medical practitioners, despite the fact that homeopathy has no scientific underpinning or clinical evidence to support its use. |
| Prof Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it reminded him of “the messaging used to undermine public health policies on harmful substances, such as tobacco”. | Prof Martin McKee, professor of European public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said it reminded him of “the messaging used to undermine public health policies on harmful substances, such as tobacco”. |
| The letter is titled the Great Barrington declaration after the US town where it was written, was initiated by Prof Martin Kulldorff, Prof Jay Bhattacharya and Prof Sunetra Gupta. | The letter is titled the Great Barrington declaration after the US town where it was written, was initiated by Prof Martin Kulldorff, Prof Jay Bhattacharya and Prof Sunetra Gupta. |
| It calls for younger and less vulnerable people to be allowed catch Covid-19 to build up herd immunity, while “focused protection” is concentrated on the most at risk. | It calls for younger and less vulnerable people to be allowed catch Covid-19 to build up herd immunity, while “focused protection” is concentrated on the most at risk. |
| Bhattacharya, professor of medicine of Stanford University, told Sky News: | Bhattacharya, professor of medicine of Stanford University, told Sky News: |
| Our Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks reports from Glasgow where regulars are bracing themselves for a 16-day shutdown of pubs across central Scotland. | Our Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks reports from Glasgow where regulars are bracing themselves for a 16-day shutdown of pubs across central Scotland. |
| The first minister of Wales has responded after the US president, Donald Trump, retweeted criticism of plans for rolling lockdowns in the country this winter. | The first minister of Wales has responded after the US president, Donald Trump, retweeted criticism of plans for rolling lockdowns in the country this winter. |
| The Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham tweeted “Your future under Biden: ‘Rolling lockdowns’ will become norm in Wales” along with a link to a BBC News article on 7 October. | The Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham tweeted “Your future under Biden: ‘Rolling lockdowns’ will become norm in Wales” along with a link to a BBC News article on 7 October. |
| In the article, Wales’s chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, was quoted as saying that rolling lockdowns could take place in the country over the winter to control the spread of Covid-19. | In the article, Wales’s chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, was quoted as saying that rolling lockdowns could take place in the country over the winter to control the spread of Covid-19. |
| The first minister, Mark Drakeford, was asked to comment on Trump’s retweet during the Welsh government’s coronavirus press conference on Friday. | The first minister, Mark Drakeford, was asked to comment on Trump’s retweet during the Welsh government’s coronavirus press conference on Friday. |
| Atherton previously told BBC Radio Wales that the country could be “going in and out” of lockdown restrictions over the next few months. | Atherton previously told BBC Radio Wales that the country could be “going in and out” of lockdown restrictions over the next few months. |
| Currently, more than 2.3 million people in Wales are subjected to local lockdown rules. | Currently, more than 2.3 million people in Wales are subjected to local lockdown rules. |
| Under the regulations, they must not enter, leave or remain away from an affected area without a reasonable excuse such as work or education. | Under the regulations, they must not enter, leave or remain away from an affected area without a reasonable excuse such as work or education. |
| Indoor meetings with people from different households are banned, with extended households suspended. People must also work from home where possible. | Indoor meetings with people from different households are banned, with extended households suspended. People must also work from home where possible. |
| Trick or treating will not be allowed in Lancashire this Halloween, it has been announced. | Trick or treating will not be allowed in Lancashire this Halloween, it has been announced. |
| The Lancashire Resilience Forum said there would be restrictions to prevent large-scale events marking occasions including the Prophet Muhammed’s birthdate, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, Diwali, Hanukkah and the switching-on of Christmas lights. | The Lancashire Resilience Forum said there would be restrictions to prevent large-scale events marking occasions including the Prophet Muhammed’s birthdate, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, Diwali, Hanukkah and the switching-on of Christmas lights. |
| Trick or treating would not be permitted as it would increase risk of household transmissions, a spokesman said. | Trick or treating would not be permitted as it would increase risk of household transmissions, a spokesman said. |
| Angie Ridgwell, chairwoman of the forum, said: | Angie Ridgwell, chairwoman of the forum, said: |
| A threatened Tory revolt means the opposition actually has some leverage. It should use it to demand proper sick pay, writes journalist Chaminda Jayanetti. | A threatened Tory revolt means the opposition actually has some leverage. It should use it to demand proper sick pay, writes journalist Chaminda Jayanetti. |
| Business leaders have praised new government support for companies, saying it should “cushion the blow” for those most affected by new coronavirus restrictions, but unions say more needed to be done to save jobs. | Business leaders have praised new government support for companies, saying it should “cushion the blow” for those most affected by new coronavirus restrictions, but unions say more needed to be done to save jobs. |
| Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions. | Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions. |
| Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: | Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said: |
| The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: | The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: |
| Meddling with Brexit, mulling a new leader – the Tories will do literally anything except reflect on their Covid response, writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. | Meddling with Brexit, mulling a new leader – the Tories will do literally anything except reflect on their Covid response, writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. |
| The government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced. | The government will pay two-thirds of the wages of staff in pubs, restaurants and other businesses if they are forced to close under new coronavirus restrictions, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced. |
| Sunak said the expansion of the jobs support scheme would provide “a safety net” for people and businesses across the UK in advance of potential closures over the winter. | Sunak said the expansion of the jobs support scheme would provide “a safety net” for people and businesses across the UK in advance of potential closures over the winter. |
| Ministers are expected to outline a three-tier local lockdown system on Monday, which could see hospitality venues in coronavirus hotspots being temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus. | Ministers are expected to outline a three-tier local lockdown system on Monday, which could see hospitality venues in coronavirus hotspots being temporarily closed to combat the spread of the virus. |
| Firms whose premises are legally required to close because of restrictions will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work, with the government paying two-thirds of each employee’s salary (67%) up to a maximum of £2,100 a month. | Firms whose premises are legally required to close because of restrictions will receive grants to pay the wages of staff who cannot work, with the government paying two-thirds of each employee’s salary (67%) up to a maximum of £2,100 a month. |
| Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages, but will be asked to cover national insurance and pension contributions. | Employers will not be required to contribute towards wages, but will be asked to cover national insurance and pension contributions. |
| Businesses will be able to claim the grant when they are subject to restrictions and employees are off work for at least seven consecutive days. | Businesses will be able to claim the grant when they are subject to restrictions and employees are off work for at least seven consecutive days. |
| The scheme will launch on 1 November and run for six months, with a review in January. | The scheme will launch on 1 November and run for six months, with a review in January. |
| Businesses which are already legally closed, such as nightclubs, will also be eligible. | Businesses which are already legally closed, such as nightclubs, will also be eligible. |
| Sunak said: | Sunak said: |
| The government is also increasing cash grants available to businesses in England shut in local lockdowns to support with fixed costs. These grants will be linked to rateable values, with up to £3,000 per month payable every two weeks. | The government is also increasing cash grants available to businesses in England shut in local lockdowns to support with fixed costs. These grants will be linked to rateable values, with up to £3,000 per month payable every two weeks. |