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| UK Covid live news: alert level drops from 5 down to 4 as threat of NHS being overwhelmed reduces | UK Covid live news: alert level drops from 5 down to 4 as threat of NHS being overwhelmed reduces |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: UK medical officers agree to reduce Covid threat level but stress health services remains under severe pressure | Latest updates: UK medical officers agree to reduce Covid threat level but stress health services remains under severe pressure |
| The latest Covid figures for the UK have now been uploaded onto the government’s dashboard. Here are the key statistics. | |
| The UK has recorded 323 further deaths. A week ago today the equivalent figure was 454. And the total number of deaths for the last seven days is down 30.4% on the total for the previous week. | |
| The UK has recorded 9,985 more cases. That is a tiny rise on the total for yesterday (9,938) but it is still only the fourth day this year the reported total has been below 10,000. Week on week, new cases are down 15.7%. | |
| There were 448,962 first doses of vaccine administered yesterday. That is the highest daily total for almost a week, and well above the current seven-day average. | |
| Sky has released a picture of Sir Kenneth Branagh playing Boris Johnson in This Sceptred Isle, a drama about the coronavirus pandemic due to be broadcast next year. My colleague Caroline Davies has the story here. | Sky has released a picture of Sir Kenneth Branagh playing Boris Johnson in This Sceptred Isle, a drama about the coronavirus pandemic due to be broadcast next year. My colleague Caroline Davies has the story here. |
| The Covid alert level is being moved down from level 5, the most serious level, to level 4, the four UK chief medical officers have decided. They have just issued this statement: | |
| The four chief medical officers are: Prof Chris Whitty (England), Dr Michael McBride (Northern Ireland), Dr Gregor Smith (Scotland) and Dr Frank Atherton (Wales). Prof Stephen Powis, the NHS England national medical director, has also signed the statement now. | The four chief medical officers are: Prof Chris Whitty (England), Dr Michael McBride (Northern Ireland), Dr Gregor Smith (Scotland) and Dr Frank Atherton (Wales). Prof Stephen Powis, the NHS England national medical director, has also signed the statement now. |
| Given what has been happening to Covid case numbers are deaths in recent weeks, this decision is not surprising. The Covid alert system was set up in May last year and at that point the UK was at level 4, meaning “a Covid-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially”. It went down to level 3 in June, back up to level 4 in September and only went up to level 5 in January, as England entered its third lockdown. Level 5 means the virus is in general circulation, transmission is high or rising and “there is a material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed”. | Given what has been happening to Covid case numbers are deaths in recent weeks, this decision is not surprising. The Covid alert system was set up in May last year and at that point the UK was at level 4, meaning “a Covid-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially”. It went down to level 3 in June, back up to level 4 in September and only went up to level 5 in January, as England entered its third lockdown. Level 5 means the virus is in general circulation, transmission is high or rising and “there is a material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed”. |
| When the alert system was set up, it was envisaged that the lifting of lockdown measures would be linked to the UK’s progress down the alert scale. But in practice there has been little linkage, and the roadmap for lifting lockdown measures in England published on Monday contains no mention of alert levels, and only one mention of the JBC. | When the alert system was set up, it was envisaged that the lifting of lockdown measures would be linked to the UK’s progress down the alert scale. But in practice there has been little linkage, and the roadmap for lifting lockdown measures in England published on Monday contains no mention of alert levels, and only one mention of the JBC. |
| One in five adults in England under 70 have had their first dose of Covid-19 vaccines, PA Media reports. PA says: | One in five adults in England under 70 have had their first dose of Covid-19 vaccines, PA Media reports. PA says: |
| Here are the main lines from the No 10 lobby briefing. | Here are the main lines from the No 10 lobby briefing. |
| Downing Street has said that votes on the budget will be treated as a confidence matter, meaning that if Conservative MPs rebel, they will lose the whip. Asked if budget votes would be a confidence matter, Allegra Stratton, the PM’s press secretary, said yes. | Downing Street has said that votes on the budget will be treated as a confidence matter, meaning that if Conservative MPs rebel, they will lose the whip. Asked if budget votes would be a confidence matter, Allegra Stratton, the PM’s press secretary, said yes. |
| No 10 has ruled out prioritising prisoners in the next wave of the vaccination programme. According to a report in today’s Times, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is advising that, in the next phase, people under 50 should be vaccinated by age bands, with no attempt to prioritise key workers. But it is also saying officials should have the option of vaccinating a whole prison in one go. The Times says: | No 10 has ruled out prioritising prisoners in the next wave of the vaccination programme. According to a report in today’s Times, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is advising that, in the next phase, people under 50 should be vaccinated by age bands, with no attempt to prioritise key workers. But it is also saying officials should have the option of vaccinating a whole prison in one go. The Times says: |
| But Downing Street said prisoners would not get prioritised, and they would be vaccinated in line with the JCVI recommendations for the whole population (ie by age). “Prisoners won’t be prioritised for vaccines,” the PM’s spokesman said. | But Downing Street said prisoners would not get prioritised, and they would be vaccinated in line with the JCVI recommendations for the whole population (ie by age). “Prisoners won’t be prioritised for vaccines,” the PM’s spokesman said. |
| Downing Street rejected a claim from the former French ambassador to the UK that Boris Johnson is “an unrepentant and inveterate liar”. The PM’s spokesman said: | Downing Street rejected a claim from the former French ambassador to the UK that Boris Johnson is “an unrepentant and inveterate liar”. The PM’s spokesman said: |
| (The day Johnson agreed the trade deal with the EU was the day when he also claimed it involved “no non-tariff barriers” to trade. This was completely untrue.) | (The day Johnson agreed the trade deal with the EU was the day when he also claimed it involved “no non-tariff barriers” to trade. This was completely untrue.) |
| Downing Street rejected a suggestion that the creation of a new cabinet committee on the union led by PM was a sign of “confusion and panic”. When this was put to the spokesman, he replied: | Downing Street rejected a suggestion that the creation of a new cabinet committee on the union led by PM was a sign of “confusion and panic”. When this was put to the spokesman, he replied: |
| Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, has announced further sanctions against members of the Myanmar military for their part in the coup that has deposed the democratic leadership. Six more military figures of the state administration council face sanctions for serious human rights violations, on top of the 19 previously listed by the UK, the Foreign Office said. | Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, has announced further sanctions against members of the Myanmar military for their part in the coup that has deposed the democratic leadership. Six more military figures of the state administration council face sanctions for serious human rights violations, on top of the 19 previously listed by the UK, the Foreign Office said. |
| Sir Keir Starmer has posted a tweet saying it is “outrageous” that Serco is paying a dividend to shareholders. (See 9.47am and 11.20am.) | Sir Keir Starmer has posted a tweet saying it is “outrageous” that Serco is paying a dividend to shareholders. (See 9.47am and 11.20am.) |
| Louise Haigh, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, has criticised the Conservative European Research Group for calling for the Northern Ireland protocol to be abandoned. (See 11.32am.) She said: | Louise Haigh, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, has criticised the Conservative European Research Group for calling for the Northern Ireland protocol to be abandoned. (See 11.32am.) She said: |
| Boris Johnson has described the plans for school exam grades in England to be based on teacher assessments as a good compromise. Speaking on a visit to Accrington academy in Lancashire, he said: | Boris Johnson has described the plans for school exam grades in England to be based on teacher assessments as a good compromise. Speaking on a visit to Accrington academy in Lancashire, he said: |
| He also insisted he had confidence in the much-criticised education secretary, Gavin Williamson. Asked if he did, he replied: “Of course, and I think that what we are doing is the right thing to get all our students, our pupils, back on March 8. | He also insisted he had confidence in the much-criticised education secretary, Gavin Williamson. Asked if he did, he replied: “Of course, and I think that what we are doing is the right thing to get all our students, our pupils, back on March 8. |
| Here are two tweets on first minister’s questions from opposition MSPs. | Here are two tweets on first minister’s questions from opposition MSPs. |
| From Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader | From Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader |
| From Adam Tomkins, a Scottish Conservative and convenor of the parliament’s justice committee | From Adam Tomkins, a Scottish Conservative and convenor of the parliament’s justice committee |
| And this is from the SNP’s Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government’s justice minister | And this is from the SNP’s Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government’s justice minister |
| Here is a clip of Jackie Baillie, the acting Scottish Labour leader at Holyrood, telling Nicola Sturgeon at FMQs there is “something rotten at the core of the SNP and it is poisoning our democratic institutions”. | Here is a clip of Jackie Baillie, the acting Scottish Labour leader at Holyrood, telling Nicola Sturgeon at FMQs there is “something rotten at the core of the SNP and it is poisoning our democratic institutions”. |
| Sturgeon said what was poisoning institutions was politicians “hurling assertions and accusations without a shred of evidence to back them up”. | Sturgeon said what was poisoning institutions was politicians “hurling assertions and accusations without a shred of evidence to back them up”. |
| She also said that Baillie was acting like a spokesperson for Alex Salmond. But when Salmond was in the Scottish parliament, Baillie did not believe a word he said, she said. | She also said that Baillie was acting like a spokesperson for Alex Salmond. But when Salmond was in the Scottish parliament, Baillie did not believe a word he said, she said. |
| Willie Rennie, the Lib Dem leader, asks Sturgeon if the name of a complainant was handed over to Alex Salmond. | Willie Rennie, the Lib Dem leader, asks Sturgeon if the name of a complainant was handed over to Alex Salmond. |
| Sturgeon says to the best of her knowledge that did not happen. | Sturgeon says to the best of her knowledge that did not happen. |
| So are people lying, Rennie asks. | So are people lying, Rennie asks. |
| Sturgeon says a process is underway that is investigating this. | Sturgeon says a process is underway that is investigating this. |
| Jackie Baillie, the acting Labour leader, asks who authorised a meeting with Alex Salmond’s former chief of staff. | Jackie Baillie, the acting Labour leader, asks who authorised a meeting with Alex Salmond’s former chief of staff. |
| Sturgeon says Baillie is accepting Salmond’s version of this. She doesn’t, she says. | Sturgeon says Baillie is accepting Salmond’s version of this. She doesn’t, she says. |
| She says she wants a culture where people feel able to come forward with sexual harassment allegations. Accepting Salmond’s account of events is not a good way of promoting that culture, she says. | She says she wants a culture where people feel able to come forward with sexual harassment allegations. Accepting Salmond’s account of events is not a good way of promoting that culture, she says. |
| Baillie says standing up for women takes more than warm words. She says it is beyond belief that anyone would pass on the name of a complainant. | Baillie says standing up for women takes more than warm words. She says it is beyond belief that anyone would pass on the name of a complainant. |
| Given what Sturgeon said about Salmond in her briefing yesterday, why did she agree to meet Salmond? | Given what Sturgeon said about Salmond in her briefing yesterday, why did she agree to meet Salmond? |
| Sturgeon says Salmond claims the name of a complainant was given. That does not mean it is true, she says. She says she did not seek to intervene. | Sturgeon says Salmond claims the name of a complainant was given. That does not mean it is true, she says. She says she did not seek to intervene. |
| She says some time ago Baillie gave an interview suggesting she should have intervened to promote mediation. Sometimes she is accused of intervening; sometimes of not intervening, she says. | She says some time ago Baillie gave an interview suggesting she should have intervened to promote mediation. Sometimes she is accused of intervening; sometimes of not intervening, she says. |
| She says in the past these allegations might have been “swept under the carpet”. But she does not regret not doing this. | She says in the past these allegations might have been “swept under the carpet”. But she does not regret not doing this. |
| Davidson says Sturgeon has been desperate to shut down comment on the secret meeting in her office, which suggests she misled parliament about when she first heard of the allegations against Alex Salmond. She says this looks like a cover-up. | Davidson says Sturgeon has been desperate to shut down comment on the secret meeting in her office, which suggests she misled parliament about when she first heard of the allegations against Alex Salmond. She says this looks like a cover-up. |
| Sturgeon says she has already submitted written evidence on this. So it cannot be a cover-up. The evidence is on the Scottish parliament’s website. She will give evidence on Wednesday. This was the sixth date given for this hearing, because it has been repeatedly postponed. | Sturgeon says she has already submitted written evidence on this. So it cannot be a cover-up. The evidence is on the Scottish parliament’s website. She will give evidence on Wednesday. This was the sixth date given for this hearing, because it has been repeatedly postponed. |
| Just because Davidson does not like this government, she should not trash the reputation of legal officers. She says their reputation is being sacrificed on the “altar of the ego of one man”. | Just because Davidson does not like this government, she should not trash the reputation of legal officers. She says their reputation is being sacrificed on the “altar of the ego of one man”. |
| Davidson says a culture of secrets and cover-up is growing. “Is saving your own skin worth all the damage your are doing?” | Davidson says a culture of secrets and cover-up is growing. “Is saving your own skin worth all the damage your are doing?” |
| Sturgeon says what matters to her is the integrity of our institutions. She says Davidson’s own reputation is at risk. She has provided “a litany of nonsense”. It cannot be a cover-up if she is giving evidence. It used to be possible to have a proper debate “without a scorched earth policy of conspiracy theory”. | Sturgeon says what matters to her is the integrity of our institutions. She says Davidson’s own reputation is at risk. She has provided “a litany of nonsense”. It cannot be a cover-up if she is giving evidence. It used to be possible to have a proper debate “without a scorched earth policy of conspiracy theory”. |
| She says Davidson talks about democratic integrity. But she is about to take a seat in the House of Lords and pursue a political career without the endorsement of voters. | She says Davidson talks about democratic integrity. But she is about to take a seat in the House of Lords and pursue a political career without the endorsement of voters. |
| Ruth Davidson, the Tory leader at Holyrood, says Sturgeon said she had nothing to hide in relation to this affair. So will she publish her evidence to the Hamilton inquiry? | Ruth Davidson, the Tory leader at Holyrood, says Sturgeon said she had nothing to hide in relation to this affair. So will she publish her evidence to the Hamilton inquiry? |
| Sturgeon says she has no problem with that being published. But that is up to James Hamilton. | Sturgeon says she has no problem with that being published. But that is up to James Hamilton. |
| Davidson says on Monday Sturgeon summoned journalists to her office and challenged Alex Salmond to provide his evidence. But when Salmond did publish, bits of of evidence were removed. | Davidson says on Monday Sturgeon summoned journalists to her office and challenged Alex Salmond to provide his evidence. But when Salmond did publish, bits of of evidence were removed. |
| Sturgeon says the fact that Davidson is quoting Salmond’s claims means they are in the public realm. She says she expects to be questioned on these matters when she gives evidence to the comittee next week. | Sturgeon says the fact that Davidson is quoting Salmond’s claims means they are in the public realm. She says she expects to be questioned on these matters when she gives evidence to the comittee next week. |
| Scrutiny of her, and of the Scottish government, is not just legitimate; it is necessary, she says. She says she looks forward to giving her evidence. But anyone suggesting that there was political interference in prosecution decisions are wrong. It is a “deluded” theory, she says. | Scrutiny of her, and of the Scottish government, is not just legitimate; it is necessary, she says. She says she looks forward to giving her evidence. But anyone suggesting that there was political interference in prosecution decisions are wrong. It is a “deluded” theory, she says. |
| She says politics is not for the faint-hearted. But politicians should not trash the reputation of people doing their jobs. | She says politics is not for the faint-hearted. But politicians should not trash the reputation of people doing their jobs. |
| Nicola Sturgeon is taking first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament. | Nicola Sturgeon is taking first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament. |
| Here is our latest story about the latest in her feud with Alex Salmond. | Here is our latest story about the latest in her feud with Alex Salmond. |
| This is what Ealing council in London is saying about the decision to extend surge testing in the borough. (See 11.37am.) | This is what Ealing council in London is saying about the decision to extend surge testing in the borough. (See 11.37am.) |
| The new surge testing initiative in the borough will build on one launched at the start of the month, which just covered Hanwell and West Ealing. | The new surge testing initiative in the borough will build on one launched at the start of the month, which just covered Hanwell and West Ealing. |
| Responding to Williamson, Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, says Williamson blamed the algorithm for what happened last summer. But the algorithm was not responsible; he was. | Responding to Williamson, Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, says Williamson blamed the algorithm for what happened last summer. But the algorithm was not responsible; he was. |
| She says the government should have started training teachers to carry out the new assessments weeks ago. | She says the government should have started training teachers to carry out the new assessments weeks ago. |
| And she says the money announced for catch-up programmes is not enough. It amounts to just 43p per pupil per day, she says. | And she says the money announced for catch-up programmes is not enough. It amounts to just 43p per pupil per day, she says. |