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UK coronavirus live: PM would have saved thousands of lives with earlier lockdown, says Sage scientist UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson sets out England lockdown plans to MPs
(32 minutes later)
PM will insist there is ‘no alternative’ to a nationwide lockdown as he addresses House of Commons on Monday PM will insist there is ‘no alternative’ to a nationwide lockdown as he addresses House of Commons
Johnson says support for the self-employed is being increased in November.
The self-employed will be able to claim for 80% of past profits, not 40% as before, during October, Johnson says.
Johnson says people will not be asked to shield again in the way they did in the last lockdown.
But the clinically extremely vulnerable (the 2 million people asked to shield first time around) should only work from home, he says.
Johnson is now summing up the measures announced at his press conference on Saturday.
Remembrance Sunday events can go ahead if they are outside, and social distancing is observed, he says.
Johnson says he wants to thank people who have put up with local restrictions for months.
As far as possible, the government wants to continue using local and regional measures, he says.
But he says when circumstances change, policy must change too.
Hospitals were in danger of being overwhelmed, he says. He says that means the “sacred principle” that everyone should get the treatment they need would not be honoured. And doctors would have to choose who to treat and who to ignore.
He says, even if the government doubled hospital capacity, that gain would be swallowed up in a single doubling time of the virus.
Johnson says it was right to try to get the virus under control using regional measures.
And he says he rejects claims he is acting more slowly than other European countries. The move to national measures has been faster than in France, he says.
Boris Johnson is speaking now.
He says the chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser described the “remorseless” advance of the virus.
It is spreading faster than the reasonable worst case scenario.
It is more prevalent in the north, but in the south-east and in the Midlands the doubling time is worse than in the north-west.
Without action, there could be twice as many deaths over the winter as in the first wave, he says.
Boris Johnson is about to make a Commons statement about the lockdown for England.
The list of MPs down to ask a question is here. There are 100 MPs on the list, so it may take some time.
Public Health Wales has recorded 1,646 further cases.
That’s up 42% on the total for last Monday (1,158) and up 163% on the total for the Monday two weeks ago (626).
Public Health Wales has also recorded three further deaths. That is half the figure for last Monday (6) but three times the figure for a fortnight ago (1).
The details are here.
Mark Davies, the bishop of Shrewsbury, has joined other bishops (see 11.41am) in speaking out against the government’s decision to ban church services during the lockdown.
In a message to parishioners he said:
On Sky News Charles Walker, a vice chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, has just said he expects 15 Tory MPs to rebel when the Commons votes on the lockdown for England on Wednesday.On Sky News Charles Walker, a vice chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, has just said he expects 15 Tory MPs to rebel when the Commons votes on the lockdown for England on Wednesday.
No 10 would be delighted to keep the rebellion down to that level. There were 42 Conservatives rebels when MPs voted on the compulsory 10pm closing time for pubs.No 10 would be delighted to keep the rebellion down to that level. There were 42 Conservatives rebels when MPs voted on the compulsory 10pm closing time for pubs.
NHS England has recorded 118 further hospital deaths for people who have tested positive for coronavirus. There were 36 in the north-east and Yorkshire, 29 in the north-west, 26 in the Midlands, 12 in London, eight in the east of England, five in the south-east and two in the south-west. The details are here.NHS England has recorded 118 further hospital deaths for people who have tested positive for coronavirus. There were 36 in the north-east and Yorkshire, 29 in the north-west, 26 in the Midlands, 12 in London, eight in the east of England, five in the south-east and two in the south-west. The details are here.
That is 14% down on the total for yesterday (137), but 30% up on the total for last Monday (91) and 55% up on the total for the Monday two weeks ago (76).That is 14% down on the total for yesterday (137), but 30% up on the total for last Monday (91) and 55% up on the total for the Monday two weeks ago (76).
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has suggested that the Covid crisis has led to the border between England and Wales becoming the hardest it has been for centuries.Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has suggested that the Covid crisis has led to the border between England and Wales becoming the hardest it has been for centuries.
At his press conference in Cardiff, Drakeford said police forces on both sides of the border would have a role to play to make sure people did not travel from England to Wales to “escape” the month-long English lockdown.At his press conference in Cardiff, Drakeford said police forces on both sides of the border would have a role to play to make sure people did not travel from England to Wales to “escape” the month-long English lockdown.
He also said that people in Wales would not be allowed to travel to England or abroad without good reason even after his county’s “firebreak” lockdown ends next Monday. However, people will be able to travel within Wales without restrictions.He also said that people in Wales would not be allowed to travel to England or abroad without good reason even after his county’s “firebreak” lockdown ends next Monday. However, people will be able to travel within Wales without restrictions.
Asked if this was the “hardest” the border had ever been, the first minister said:Asked if this was the “hardest” the border had ever been, the first minister said:
Drakeford said rules were being drawn up in England to stop people from travelling to Wales without good reason. He said: “Our police forces but also police forces across the border will have to play their part to ensure that is enforced.”Drakeford said rules were being drawn up in England to stop people from travelling to Wales without good reason. He said: “Our police forces but also police forces across the border will have to play their part to ensure that is enforced.”
But he also argued the better solution was to persuade people to obey the rules rather than have to impose penalties on those who broke them.But he also argued the better solution was to persuade people to obey the rules rather than have to impose penalties on those who broke them.
Here are the main lines from the No 10 lobby briefing.Here are the main lines from the No 10 lobby briefing.
The prime minister’s spokesman said MPs will get a vote on whatever restrictions replace the lockdown in England when it is due to end on 2 December. He said the government would “seek to” go back into a tiered system, but pledged a Commons vote on any replacement.The prime minister’s spokesman said MPs will get a vote on whatever restrictions replace the lockdown in England when it is due to end on 2 December. He said the government would “seek to” go back into a tiered system, but pledged a Commons vote on any replacement.
The spokesman defended the decision not to allow pubs to sell takeaway alcohol during the lockdown. He said:The spokesman defended the decision not to allow pubs to sell takeaway alcohol during the lockdown. He said:
And he defended the decision not to let golf courses and tennis courts remain open. He said:And he defended the decision not to let golf courses and tennis courts remain open. He said:
He suggested that further announcements about the delivery of rapid coronavirus tests will be announced soon, with the army involved in distributing them. He said:He suggested that further announcements about the delivery of rapid coronavirus tests will be announced soon, with the army involved in distributing them. He said:
He said the PM expected MPs to continue travelling to parliament during the lockdown.He said the PM expected MPs to continue travelling to parliament during the lockdown.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will seek to agree joint rules for Christmas, Downing Street said today.England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will seek to agree joint rules for Christmas, Downing Street said today.
Following a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, chaired by the Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and attended by the devolved administrations, No 10 said all four governments would “work together on a joint approach to the Christmas period”.Following a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, chaired by the Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and attended by the devolved administrations, No 10 said all four governments would “work together on a joint approach to the Christmas period”.
At his news conference Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, said the ban on non-essential travel outside Wales during November, while the English lockdown is in force (see 1.16pm), would also cover flights from Cardiff airport. He explained:At his news conference Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, said the ban on non-essential travel outside Wales during November, while the English lockdown is in force (see 1.16pm), would also cover flights from Cardiff airport. He explained:
Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, has attacked over-centralisation by Westminster and called for English mayors and devolved administrations to be given seats in a reformed House of Lords.Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, has attacked over-centralisation by Westminster and called for English mayors and devolved administrations to be given seats in a reformed House of Lords.
In his first major speech since becoming Scottish Tory leader, Ross said there was mounting evidence “trust has broken down” between Boris Johnson’s government and the leaders of the UK’s nations and regions during the Covid crisis and the Brexit transition process.In his first major speech since becoming Scottish Tory leader, Ross said there was mounting evidence “trust has broken down” between Boris Johnson’s government and the leaders of the UK’s nations and regions during the Covid crisis and the Brexit transition process.
That was largely driven by the prime minister’s centralisation of power and “winner takes all” attitude to Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, Ross told the Tory-leaning think tank Policy Exchange in London.That was largely driven by the prime minister’s centralisation of power and “winner takes all” attitude to Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, Ross told the Tory-leaning think tank Policy Exchange in London.
“The Covid-19 crisis has put the structures for interaction between the UK government, devolved administrations and indeed the English mayoralties to the ultimate test,” Ross said. That had fuelled widespread discontent with Johnson’s government.“The Covid-19 crisis has put the structures for interaction between the UK government, devolved administrations and indeed the English mayoralties to the ultimate test,” Ross said. That had fuelled widespread discontent with Johnson’s government.
Ross hinted heavily that he sided with the Northern Research Group of Tory MPs who have warned Johnson his recent approach has exposed “deep structural and systemic disadvantage faced by our communities”.Ross hinted heavily that he sided with the Northern Research Group of Tory MPs who have warned Johnson his recent approach has exposed “deep structural and systemic disadvantage faced by our communities”.
His warnings to Johnson follow a surge in support for both the Scottish National party and for independence during the Covid crisis, putting Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader and first minister, on course for a majority in next May’s Holyrood election.His warnings to Johnson follow a surge in support for both the Scottish National party and for independence during the Covid crisis, putting Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader and first minister, on course for a majority in next May’s Holyrood election.
At his news conference Mark Drakeford said that when the Welsh “firebreak” lockdown ends next week, Welsh people will not be allowed to cross the border into England without a reasonable excuse while the English lockdown is in force. He said:At his news conference Mark Drakeford said that when the Welsh “firebreak” lockdown ends next week, Welsh people will not be allowed to cross the border into England without a reasonable excuse while the English lockdown is in force. He said:
Drakeford said that needing to cross the border for work was clearly a reasonable excuse.Drakeford said that needing to cross the border for work was clearly a reasonable excuse.
After his speech to the CBI Sir Keir Starmer took questions from the audience, and in his answers he hinted at his desire to move away from some aspects of the Jeremy Corbyn policy agenda. These are from Sky’s Joe Pike and the FT’s Jim Pickard.
Chloe Smith, a minister in the Cabinet Office, has announced that she is starting treatment for breast cancer.
T-cell immunity against Covid-19 is likely to be present within most adults six months after primary infection, according to a study.
As PA Media reports, the research from Public Health England (PHE) and the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UK-CIC) demonstrated robust T-cell responses to Covid-19 peptides at six months in all participants following asymptomatic, mild or moderate infection.
Prof Paul Moss, UK-CIC lead and professor of haematology at the University of Birmingham, described the new data as “reassuring, potentially even encouraging” but said it does not mean people cannot get re-infected.
The research was an observational study and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland could quickly move to a full lockdown to “stamp down harder” on the spread of Covid-19 by exploiting the opportunity offered by the new 80% furlough funding from the Treasury.
The first minister said that during a Cobra meeting hosted on Monday morning by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, she and the Welsh and Northern Irish governments had pressed for much greater flexibility in the availability of furlough payments outside England.
She said she hoped the Treasury would confirm later today that the devolved administrations would be allowed to offer 80% furlough payments to employers even if they were not used in England.
Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, confirmed in a speech to the Tory-leaning Policy Exchange on Monday morning, he had also been lobbying the chancellor to offer that option to devolved governments.
If the Treasury did not do that, Sturgeon said, her government could decide to move very fast to impose level 4 restrictions across Scotland this week to use the time-limited opportunity to offer furlough over the next four weeks. She said:
Sturgeon said stricter Scottish rules introduced from September appeared to be working with the surge in new cases starting to subside.
There were no new deaths overnight but the number of new cases fell overnight to 951. The numbers in hospital rose by 32 to 1,225 and by 12 in intensive care, up to 93.
At his press conference Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, says he wanted to be able to say today that pubs and restaurants would be able to reopen next week on the same terms as before.
But he says the announcement of the England-wide lockdown has made that difficult, because it creates a risk of English people crossing the border to drink in pubs in Wales. He does not want to create a situation where the police cannot enforce the ban on people visiting from high-Covid areas outside Wales, he says.
He says that is why there will be further talks before the exact arrangements for the reopening of pubs in Wales are announced.
Here is the full text of Sir Keir Starmer’s speech to the CBI conference. And here are the main points.
Starmer said that the government’s decision to delay the lockdown had cost lives. (See 11.58am.) Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, had failed to show leadership, Starmer said.
Starmer singled out Sunak for particular blame, accusing the chancellor of being the person who blocked an earlier lockdown. He said:
Labour has been increasingly critical of Sunak in its public campaigning recently. With speculation still bubbling away at Westminster about the prospect of Johnson being replaced at some point before the next general election by Sunak, who is far more popular with the public, Starmer has a clear incentive to tarnish his reputation. But blaming Sunak for being responsible for the lockdown delay also implies that Johnson’s own leadership is weak.
Starmer said he said he thought “the essential bargain of postwar Britain” had broken down. He explained:
He said he wanted to restore Labour’s relationship with the business community. He said:
He said his goal was for “every community and every town [to have] world-class local businesses”. But Labour also expect businesses to contribute something in return, he said.
He said improving skills would be a priority for Labour under his leadership “like never before”.
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, is giving a briefing now. The new national measures for Wales when the country’s “firebreak” lockdown ends next Monday include:
The need to maintain 2 metre social distancing and wear face masks in enclosed public places, including on public transport and taxis, will continue.
The requirement to work from home whenever possible will remain.
People should only meet with their ‘bubble’ in their own home and only two households will be able to form a ‘bubble’. If one person from either household develops symptoms, everyone should immediately self-isolate.
Up to 15 people can take part in an organised indoors activity and up to 30 in an organised activity outdoors, providing all social distancing, hand hygiene and other Covid safety measures are followed.
All premises, such as restaurants, cafes, pubs and gyms, closed during the firebreak, will be able to reopen. Following the announcement about the English lockdown, ministers are having ongoing discussions with the hospitality sector about the detailed rules for reopening. This includes about meeting in public indoor spaces.
As part of keeping our risks to a minimum, people should avoid non-essential travel as much as possible. There will be no legal restrictions on travel within Wales for residents, but international travel should be for essential reasons only.
In addition:
All schools will reopen.
Churches and places of worship will resume services.
Local authority services will resume but based on local circumstances.
Community centres will be available for small groups to meet safely indoors in the winter months.
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.