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UK coronavirus live: Starmer accuses Johnson of 'catastrophic failure of leadership' over England lockdown UK coronavirus live: Starmer accuses Johnson of 'catastrophic failure of leadership' over England lockdown
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: PM tells MPs he makes no apology for trying to avoid a nationwide lockdownLatest updates: PM tells MPs he makes no apology for trying to avoid a nationwide lockdown
This is from Douglas Fraser, BBC Scotland’s business and economics editor. He says the Treasury aren’t being clear as to what Boris Johnson’s apparent concession to Scotland over furlough actually meant. (See 5.34pm, 5.38pm and 5.44pm.)
Munira Wilson (Lib Dem) says lockdowns only delay the spread of the virus. What is the government going to do to ensure that MPs aren’t here again in January debating the need for another lockdown.
Johnson says that is a key question. He says the solution is mass testing. That will isolate infected people, and allow those testing negative to live their lives more normally, he says. He describes it as the “game changer we can all look forward to”.
That’s it. The statement is now over.
Sir Edward Leigh (Con) invites Johnson to join him for communion in Westminster Cathedral tomorrow to see how churches are observing social distancing, and why services should be allowed during lockdown.
Johnson says the ban on services is only proposed for a month. We must do everything to get the virus down, she says.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, says Boris Johnson’s announcement (see 5.34pm) is very welcome - if it actually means that the government will fund an 80% furlough scheme in Scotland after November whenever it needs it.
She says the Scottish government is seeking “urgent” clarification of what Johnson did actually mean.
Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader, and current Tory leader in the Scottish parliament, is confident that Boris Johnson was making a concession to Scotland (and the other devolved administrations too, presumably) on furlough. See 5.34pm.
In the Commons Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, asked if Scotland could access the furlough scheme beyond November.
Johnson said the furlough scheme was a UK-wide scheme.
If other parts of the UK go into measures that require the furlough scheme, that is available to them, he said. He said that was “not just now but in the future”.
Johnson has already answered several questions on this (eg see 4pm), mostly in identical terms, but it has not been clear whether or not he has been saying the government would fund a Scotland-only furlough scheme beyond November if Scotland were in lockdown, but not England. In his answer to Ross Johnson used similar language, but added the new clause “not just now but in the future”. That sounded like a concession.
Johnson hints UK could fund a Scotland-only furlough scheme beyond November.
The next question came from Pete Wishart (SNP) said he thought he has just heard Johnson confirm that Scotland could use the furlough scheme after November if it needed to.
Johnson said furlough was a UK scheme and it was available to Scotland if it needed it.
Jessica Morden (Lab) asks if furlough funding will be backdated in Wales, where a lockdown started more than a week ago.Jessica Morden (Lab) asks if furlough funding will be backdated in Wales, where a lockdown started more than a week ago.
Johnson says the government will support all parts of the UK.Johnson says the government will support all parts of the UK.
Johnson says “it is fully [his] intention” that the lockdown will end on 2 December.Johnson says “it is fully [his] intention” that the lockdown will end on 2 December.
Stephen McCabe (Lab) asks if the PM has considered making way for someone with better leadership qualities. “No,” Johnson replies.Stephen McCabe (Lab) asks if the PM has considered making way for someone with better leadership qualities. “No,” Johnson replies.
Douglas Chapman (SNP) asks again for an assurance that Scotland can requisition Treasury money for the furlough scheme whenever it needs it.Douglas Chapman (SNP) asks again for an assurance that Scotland can requisition Treasury money for the furlough scheme whenever it needs it.
Johnson says the furlough scheme is a UK-wide scheme. He quotes the figures already spend in Scotland and says “more will be forthcoming”.Johnson says the furlough scheme is a UK-wide scheme. He quotes the figures already spend in Scotland and says “more will be forthcoming”.
Richard Holden (Con) asks for an assurance that the schools will remain open during the lockdown, and that it will end on 2 December.Richard Holden (Con) asks for an assurance that the schools will remain open during the lockdown, and that it will end on 2 December.
Johnson says the schools will remain open. And the measures will end on 2 December.Johnson says the schools will remain open. And the measures will end on 2 December.
In an interview with ITV’s Peter Smith, Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Conservative leader, said “most objective people” would agree that Nicolas Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is a better communicator than Boris Johnson.In an interview with ITV’s Peter Smith, Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Conservative leader, said “most objective people” would agree that Nicolas Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is a better communicator than Boris Johnson.
He also admitted that Johnson was damaging the case for the union. When it was put to him that Johnson had a -57% approval rating in Scotland, and Sturgeon a +49% one, and that this was helping the independence cause, Ross replied:He also admitted that Johnson was damaging the case for the union. When it was put to him that Johnson had a -57% approval rating in Scotland, and Sturgeon a +49% one, and that this was helping the independence cause, Ross replied:
Smith said that was quite an admission. “You asked more for an honest answer,” Ross replied.Smith said that was quite an admission. “You asked more for an honest answer,” Ross replied.
Charlotte Nichols (Lab) asks if the PM will apologise to people laid off before the furlough scheme was extended.Charlotte Nichols (Lab) asks if the PM will apologise to people laid off before the furlough scheme was extended.
Johnson says fair-minded people will think the government has done as much as it can.Johnson says fair-minded people will think the government has done as much as it can.
Richard Thomson (SNP) asks about this Sunday Times story about the head of the vaccine taskforce showing confidential government data to American investors.Richard Thomson (SNP) asks about this Sunday Times story about the head of the vaccine taskforce showing confidential government data to American investors.
Johnson says he thanks people who are working for the government pro bono. He does not address the substance of the story.Johnson says he thanks people who are working for the government pro bono. He does not address the substance of the story.
Steve Baker (Con) says the Public Health Act 1984 is subject to judicial review. He says the government should pass emergency legislation using the Civil Contingencies Act instead.Steve Baker (Con) says the Public Health Act 1984 is subject to judicial review. He says the government should pass emergency legislation using the Civil Contingencies Act instead.
Johnson says the CCA has strict conditions applying to its use, one of which is that it can only be used if powers needed aren’t available elsewhere. But in this case they are, under the Public Health Act. So it is not appropriate, he says.Johnson says the CCA has strict conditions applying to its use, one of which is that it can only be used if powers needed aren’t available elsewhere. But in this case they are, under the Public Health Act. So it is not appropriate, he says.
John Baron (Con) says the elderly should be given more leeway. Sweden recently abandoned specific advice for the over-70s.
Johnson says the government is not bringing back shielding. And he says Sweden is not quite as open as people think. Pupils over 15 are not back in school there, he says, whereas they are in England.
Greg Smith (Con) says many people stayed away from the NHS during the first lockdown, at a cost to their own health. What can be done to ensure that does not happen again?
Johnson says the government is acting now to ensure the NHS does not get overwhelmed.
Simon Jupp, the Conservative MP for East Devon, asks for an assurance that “without a shred of doubt” the country will return to the regional approach in December.
Johnson says he can say without a shred of doubt that the restrictions will come to an end in December. (The regulations are time limited.) But what happens then will depend on the data, he says.
Lilian Greenwood (Lab) asks what will be done to ensure people in Nottingham who need healthcare this autumn will get it.
Johnson says a colossal £34bn investment is being made in the NHS.
Back in the Commons Tony Lloyd (Lab) asks for an assurance that the trace element of test and trace will be made to work.
Johnson repeats the point about capacity. (See 4.17pm.) But he says those contacted need to self-isolate. The government will make a “big, big push on that”, he says.
And here are some further figures from this afternoon’s update on the UK government’s coronavirus dashboard.
The UK has recorded 18,950 further cases of coronavirus. That is 18% down on the total for yesterday (23,254) and 9% down on the total for Monday last week (20,890).
The UK has recorded 136 further deaths. That is 16% down on the total for yesterday (162) but 33% up on the total for Monday last week (102).
Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the Conservative 1922 Committee, asks the PM to publish an impact assessment for the lockdown.
Johnson says many assessments have already been carried out. But, against that, you must consider the loss of life from not acting, he says.
Brady told Radio 4’s Westminster Hour last night that he was likely to vote against the lockdown on Wednesday. He described it as “totalitarian”. He told the programme:
Karin Smyth (Lab) says the government should sack Dido Harding as head of NHS test and trace. She has been a failure, Smyth says.
Johnson says NHS test and trace has achieved its target of getting the testing capacity up to 500,000 tests per day by the end of October.
That figure has just been confirmed by an update on the government’s coronavirus dashboard.
But, as the graph shows, although capacity has increased significantly in the last week or so, the number of tests actually being carried out is rising much more slowly. Critics would say there is no point having the capacity if it is not being used.
Sir Bernard Jenkin (Con), the chair of the liaison committee, says he will support the PM because no one else has set out a viable alternative. But he urges the government to publish a white paper on test and trace, and to publish more data behind the government’s decision making.
In response to a question from David Davis (Con), Johnson says the government has been looking at the case for extending use of vitamin D and an announcement will come shortly.