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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/nov/02/uk-coronavirus-live-johnson-plays-down-prospect-of-covid-lockdown-extension-ahead-of-facing-tory-critics
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| UK coronavirus live: PM would have saved thousands of lives with earlier lockdown, says Sage scientist | UK coronavirus live: PM would have saved thousands of lives with earlier lockdown, says Sage scientist |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| PM will insist there is ‘no alternative’ to a nationwide lockdown as he addresses the House of Commons on Monday | PM will insist there is ‘no alternative’ to a nationwide lockdown as he addresses the House of Commons on Monday |
| In his speech to the CBI Sir Keir Starmer said that the PM’s decision to delay the lockdown had cost lives. He said: | |
| Sir Keir Starmer is addressing the CBI conference now. | |
| He says he will be using his speech to set out his plan for “a new partnership between British business and the Labour party”. | |
| But he starts by speaking about coronavirus, and he says the government has ignored the central lesson from the first wave of the virus: that governments have to act early and decisively. | |
| He says Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, failed to learn this lesson. They failed to listen and they failed to lead, he says. | |
| I will post a full summary of the speech once I’ve read the whole text. | |
| The archbishops of Canterbury and York and the bishop of London may challenge the government over the ban on communal worship in the second national lockdown. | |
| The three most senior figures in the C of E say the ban on services is “a huge loss and since we were not consulted about the lockdown provisions, we fully intend to speak with government about why certain exemptions are made and not others, emphasising the critical role that churches play in every community.”Justin Welby, Stephen Cottrell and Sarah Mullally have written to Church of England clergy encouraging them to keep churches open for private prayer and the streaming of services during the coming lockdown. | |
| Their letter acknowledges that they may have been “overly cautious” in the first national lockdown when they ordered clergy to lock the doors to churches. | |
| Yesterday Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, called for schools to be closed during part of the lockdown period to make it fully effective. | |
| This morning, in an interview with Sky News, he said he was also calling for exams to be abandoned this year. He said: | |
| Burnham said he thought more pupils in the north-west of England were having to miss school because of the high rate of Covid there. His own daughter was off school again today for that reason, he said. | |
| In her speech to the CBI’s annual conference, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, its outgoing director general, criticised the government’s handling of the lockdown announcement, saying firms could not act on the basis of “speculation and leaks and surmise”. | In her speech to the CBI’s annual conference, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, its outgoing director general, criticised the government’s handling of the lockdown announcement, saying firms could not act on the basis of “speculation and leaks and surmise”. |
| Warning that companies faced a “bleak” winter, she also set out what she thought the government needed to do. As PA Media reports, she said ministers should: | Warning that companies faced a “bleak” winter, she also set out what she thought the government needed to do. As PA Media reports, she said ministers should: |
| Prof Neil Ferguson, the epidemiologist from Imperial College London whose research was instrumental in persuading the government to launch the first lockdown in March, told Times Radio this morning that it would take two or three weeks to see if the new one was working. He said: | Prof Neil Ferguson, the epidemiologist from Imperial College London whose research was instrumental in persuading the government to launch the first lockdown in March, told Times Radio this morning that it would take two or three weeks to see if the new one was working. He said: |
| Ferguson also said a further lockdown might be needed next year because it was always expected that “on-off measures” might be needed. He said: | Ferguson also said a further lockdown might be needed next year because it was always expected that “on-off measures” might be needed. He said: |
| Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, also did a broadcast media round this morning. Here are the main points. | Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, also did a broadcast media round this morning. Here are the main points. |
| Drakeford confirmed that the 17-day Welsh lockdown would end, as planned, a week today. He said: | Drakeford confirmed that the 17-day Welsh lockdown would end, as planned, a week today. He said: |
| He saw this as a bargain with the public, he said: | He saw this as a bargain with the public, he said: |
| He said the Welsh government would not know until about two weeks after the lockdown whether it had succeeded. But the data suggested that travel rates in Wales had been much lower than normal, which implied people were following the rules, he said. | He said the Welsh government would not know until about two weeks after the lockdown whether it had succeeded. But the data suggested that travel rates in Wales had been much lower than normal, which implied people were following the rules, he said. |
| He said a new “basic set of national rules” would be introduced in Wales for after 9 November. | He said a new “basic set of national rules” would be introduced in Wales for after 9 November. |
| But he also appealed to people to act responsibility - suggesting that public behaviour would count more than government regulations in combating the virus. Speaking ahead of his briefing later, he said: | But he also appealed to people to act responsibility - suggesting that public behaviour would count more than government regulations in combating the virus. Speaking ahead of his briefing later, he said: |
| He said that Boris Johnson has been ignoring his call to convene a meeting of Cobra, to allow the four nations of the UK to better coordinate their coronavirus policies. | He said that Boris Johnson has been ignoring his call to convene a meeting of Cobra, to allow the four nations of the UK to better coordinate their coronavirus policies. |
| Dr Susan Hopkins, a deputy director of Public Health England and the medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, gave a series of media interviews this morning. Here are the main points. | Dr Susan Hopkins, a deputy director of Public Health England and the medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, gave a series of media interviews this morning. Here are the main points. |
| Hopkins said the lockdown in England would last a “minimum” of four weeks. She said: | Hopkins said the lockdown in England would last a “minimum” of four weeks. She said: |
| She said she could not say whether infections in schools was too high. Asked if the transmission risk in schools was high, she said: | She said she could not say whether infections in schools was too high. Asked if the transmission risk in schools was high, she said: |
| She said one reason why NHS Test and Trace was having difficulty reaching the contacts of people who have tested positive is because people don’t answer their phones. She explained: | She said one reason why NHS Test and Trace was having difficulty reaching the contacts of people who have tested positive is because people don’t answer their phones. She explained: |
| Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Conservative leader, told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, that it was a mistake for Boris Johnson to rule out a second lockdown. Ross said: | Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Conservative leader, told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, that it was a mistake for Boris Johnson to rule out a second lockdown. Ross said: |
| (Johnson never categorically ruled out a second lockdown, but he repeatedly stressed that he wanted to avoid one, at one point describing it as akin to using the nuclear deterrent.) | (Johnson never categorically ruled out a second lockdown, but he repeatedly stressed that he wanted to avoid one, at one point describing it as akin to using the nuclear deterrent.) |
| Ross also said he wanted the furlough scheme to be extended to Scotland if Scotland needs it. The Treasury has said the scheme, paying 80% of wages, will extend to Scotland while it is in force in England, where it has been extended to cover the November lockdown. But the Scottish government wants an assurance that it will have access to the scheme if Scotland is operating a full lockdown while England isn’t. | Ross also said he wanted the furlough scheme to be extended to Scotland if Scotland needs it. The Treasury has said the scheme, paying 80% of wages, will extend to Scotland while it is in force in England, where it has been extended to cover the November lockdown. But the Scottish government wants an assurance that it will have access to the scheme if Scotland is operating a full lockdown while England isn’t. |
| Thousands of lives would have been saved if the government had introduced the second lockdown earlier, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies told the Today programme. | Thousands of lives would have been saved if the government had introduced the second lockdown earlier, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies told the Today programme. |
| Prof Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at University College London, is a member of the government’s new and emerging respiratory virus threats advisory group (Nervtag) advisory committee, as well as a participant in Sage meetings. | Prof Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious diseases epidemiology at University College London, is a member of the government’s new and emerging respiratory virus threats advisory group (Nervtag) advisory committee, as well as a participant in Sage meetings. |
| Asked what would have happened if the government had implemented a lockdown when Sage proposed one on 21 September, Hayward said: | Asked what would have happened if the government had implemented a lockdown when Sage proposed one on 21 September, Hayward said: |
| Hayward said that trying less stringent restrictions first (effectively what the government did, when it ignored Sage in September and opted for regional restrictions instead) was dangerous. He explained: | Hayward said that trying less stringent restrictions first (effectively what the government did, when it ignored Sage in September and opted for regional restrictions instead) was dangerous. He explained: |
| He also said that failing to control Covid was bad not just for health, but for the economy too. | He also said that failing to control Covid was bad not just for health, but for the economy too. |
| Boris Johnson was expected to address the CBI conference today. But he is sending Alok Sharma, the business secretary, instead. Lord Bilimoria, the CBI president, told the Today programme this morning that it was very unusual for the prime minister of the day not to give a speech to the conference. | Boris Johnson was expected to address the CBI conference today. But he is sending Alok Sharma, the business secretary, instead. Lord Bilimoria, the CBI president, told the Today programme this morning that it was very unusual for the prime minister of the day not to give a speech to the conference. |
| Yesterday Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, the outgoing director-general of the CBI, said a second lockdown would be a “real body blow” for business. | Yesterday Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, the outgoing director-general of the CBI, said a second lockdown would be a “real body blow” for business. |
| Good morning. One of the criticisms of Boris Johnson’s handling of coronavirus is that he has been poor at managing expectations. Temperamentally prone to over-optimism, he has constantly been playing down the extent to which lockdown measures will be required - only to find the Covid reality proving him wrong. | Good morning. One of the criticisms of Boris Johnson’s handling of coronavirus is that he has been poor at managing expectations. Temperamentally prone to over-optimism, he has constantly been playing down the extent to which lockdown measures will be required - only to find the Covid reality proving him wrong. |
| We may be getting a fresh example today. | We may be getting a fresh example today. |
| This afternoon Johnson will be making a statement to MPs about the England-wide lockdown announced on Saturday and, according to the extracts released in advance, he will say that deaths would have been twice as bad as during the first wave without one. He will say: | This afternoon Johnson will be making a statement to MPs about the England-wide lockdown announced on Saturday and, according to the extracts released in advance, he will say that deaths would have been twice as bad as during the first wave without one. He will say: |
| But Johnson will also play down the prospect of the lockdown having to be extended. He will say: | But Johnson will also play down the prospect of the lockdown having to be extended. He will say: |
| This line has made the Daily Express splash. | This line has made the Daily Express splash. |
| But is this credible? Not according to the rest of Fleet Street, which is placing more weight on what Michael Gove said yesterday about how the lockdown might have to be extended, plus what ministers and officials are briefing on background. | But is this credible? Not according to the rest of Fleet Street, which is placing more weight on what Michael Gove said yesterday about how the lockdown might have to be extended, plus what ministers and officials are briefing on background. |
| Here is the Times splash. | Here is the Times splash. |
| Here are some quotes from the Times story (paywall), from ministers not inclined to trust the PM’s assurances. | Here are some quotes from the Times story (paywall), from ministers not inclined to trust the PM’s assurances. |
| And here are some headlines from other papers flagging up concerns the lockdown will have to be extended. | And here are some headlines from other papers flagging up concerns the lockdown will have to be extended. |
| Johnson will be on his feet in the Commons after 3.30pm and this could turn out to be one of his most awkward parliamentary appearances since the pandemic started. Many Conservative MPs are very unhappy about the lockdown, and it it doubtful whether they will accept his claim that it may only last four weeks. We don’t know yet whether they will vent their anger en masse in the chamber, but if they do, Johnson could face a difficult afternoon. | Johnson will be on his feet in the Commons after 3.30pm and this could turn out to be one of his most awkward parliamentary appearances since the pandemic started. Many Conservative MPs are very unhappy about the lockdown, and it it doubtful whether they will accept his claim that it may only last four weeks. We don’t know yet whether they will vent their anger en masse in the chamber, but if they do, Johnson could face a difficult afternoon. |
| Here is the agenda for the day. | Here is the agenda for the day. |
| 9.30am: Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, gives a speech at the London Conference 2020. | 9.30am: Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, gives a speech at the London Conference 2020. |
| 10.30am: Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, gives a speech on the union to Policy Exchange thinktank. | 10.30am: Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, gives a speech on the union to Policy Exchange thinktank. |
| 11.40am: Sir Keir Starmer gives a speech to the CBI conference. | 11.40am: Sir Keir Starmer gives a speech to the CBI conference. |
| 12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing. | 12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily lobby briefing. |
| 12.15pm: Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, gives a briefing where he is expected to announce what will happen in Wales when its lockdown ends next week. | 12.15pm: Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, gives a briefing where he is expected to announce what will happen in Wales when its lockdown ends next week. |
| 12.15pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, holds a coronavirus briefing. | 12.15pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, holds a coronavirus briefing. |
| After 3.30pm: Boris Johnson makes a statement to MPs about his plans for an England-wide lockdown. | After 3.30pm: Boris Johnson makes a statement to MPs about his plans for an England-wide lockdown. |
| Politics Live is now doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog 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 when they seem more important or more interesting, they will take precedence. | Politics Live is now doubling up as the UK coronavirus live blog 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 when they seem more important or more 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. |