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| UK Covid live: NHS website overwhelmed by booster demand and runs out of lateral flow tests in England | UK Covid live: NHS website overwhelmed by booster demand and runs out of lateral flow tests in England |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: NHS website unable to meet demand for boosters while its website also suggests no LFTs are currently available | Latest updates: NHS website unable to meet demand for boosters while its website also suggests no LFTs are currently available |
| Here is the clip of Boris Johnson responding to questions about his participation in a Downing Street Christmas quiz on 15 December last year when he was interviewed this morning. In it, he clearly said that Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, would be able to look at this event in his review of No 10 parties, and whether they broke lockdown rules. | |
| But as Sky’s Beth Rigby, who interviewed Johnson, points out, the PM also seems to have shifted his line on wrongdoing at No 10 last Christmas. He is now stressing that he personally broke no rules. “I certainly broke no rules,” he said. | |
| Until now the line from No 10 has been that no rules were broken last year. Now Johnson seems to be implying that perhaps others did break the rules. Case was looking into “all these things’, Johnson said. | |
| Dominic Cummings, the PM’s former chief adviser who, since his departure from No 10, has become one of his most vehement critics, thinks this means Johnson is preparing to dump the blame for partygate on others. | |
| Almost half of “outstanding” schools in England have been downgraded by Ofsted following inspection this term, with more than one in 10 dropping to “requires improvement” or even “inadequate”, according to data published today. | Almost half of “outstanding” schools in England have been downgraded by Ofsted following inspection this term, with more than one in 10 dropping to “requires improvement” or even “inadequate”, according to data published today. |
| Outstanding schools were until recently exempt from regular inspection, so many have not been visited by the schools inspectorate for up to 10 years or more. | Outstanding schools were until recently exempt from regular inspection, so many have not been visited by the schools inspectorate for up to 10 years or more. |
| They are however likely to feel aggrieved at being downgraded at a time of widespread disruption in schools due to Covid. | They are however likely to feel aggrieved at being downgraded at a time of widespread disruption in schools due to Covid. |
| Data published by Ofsted today shows that during the three months up to the end of November 47% of schools previously rated outstanding have lost their top rating following inspection this term. Ofsted said the data relates to 99 previously outstanding schools visited by inspectors during the autumn term. | Data published by Ofsted today shows that during the three months up to the end of November 47% of schools previously rated outstanding have lost their top rating following inspection this term. Ofsted said the data relates to 99 previously outstanding schools visited by inspectors during the autumn term. |
| According to Ofsted, 36% of these schools were downgraded to “good”, 9% went down two rankings to “requires improvement” and 2% were judged “inadequate” which is the lowest possible ranking. | According to Ofsted, 36% of these schools were downgraded to “good”, 9% went down two rankings to “requires improvement” and 2% were judged “inadequate” which is the lowest possible ranking. |
| The overall grade profile for schools has, however, improved overall, Ofsted said, with 83% of schools judged good or outstanding between September and November this year, compared with 77% between September 2019 and March 2020 when inspections were suspended due to the pandemic. | |
| This is from Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government’s health secretary, on the lateral flow test supply problems. | This is from Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government’s health secretary, on the lateral flow test supply problems. |
| The Downing Street lobby briefing was dominated by questions about Covid this morning. Here are the key points. | The Downing Street lobby briefing was dominated by questions about Covid this morning. Here are the key points. |
| No 10 said that lateral flow tests have not run out, and that people could not order them today because of postal problems that were being addressed. (See 1pm.) | No 10 said that lateral flow tests have not run out, and that people could not order them today because of postal problems that were being addressed. (See 1pm.) |
| Downing Street said “further capacity” is being added to make it easier for people to book booster appointments on the NHS website. Asked about the problems being encountered today (see 10.46am), the PM’s spokesman said: | Downing Street said “further capacity” is being added to make it easier for people to book booster appointments on the NHS website. Asked about the problems being encountered today (see 10.46am), the PM’s spokesman said: |
| The spokesman also said 110,000 people booked a booster before 9am this morning. | The spokesman also said 110,000 people booked a booster before 9am this morning. |
| The spokesman did not rule out the government was not ruling out introducing tougher restrictions over Christmas during the parliamentary recess. He said that all options were kept under review and that “in extremis” the government could introduce public health measures without a vote in parliament first. | The spokesman did not rule out the government was not ruling out introducing tougher restrictions over Christmas during the parliamentary recess. He said that all options were kept under review and that “in extremis” the government could introduce public health measures without a vote in parliament first. |
| He said that the the government’s aim was for all adults to get a booster jab before the end of the year, not just to be able to book one. | He said that the the government’s aim was for all adults to get a booster jab before the end of the year, not just to be able to book one. |
| He said booster jabs should be available on Christmas Day. He said: | He said booster jabs should be available on Christmas Day. He said: |
| Last year vaccines were available on Christmas Day, he said, although “we didn’t see a huge demand”. | Last year vaccines were available on Christmas Day, he said, although “we didn’t see a huge demand”. |
| The spokesman said around 750 troops have now been mobilised to support the booster programme, as well as 50 military planning experts working centrally. | The spokesman said around 750 troops have now been mobilised to support the booster programme, as well as 50 military planning experts working centrally. |
| He said the government was still waiting for approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency before going ahead with vaccines for under-12s. | He said the government was still waiting for approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency before going ahead with vaccines for under-12s. |
| Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, has claimed the problems people are having ordering lateral flow tests from the government website today show Boris Johnson has got his priorities wrong. | Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, has claimed the problems people are having ordering lateral flow tests from the government website today show Boris Johnson has got his priorities wrong. |
| This is what the UK Health Security Agency said about the problems people are having today ordering lateral flow tests from the government’s website. A spokesperson said: | This is what the UK Health Security Agency said about the problems people are having today ordering lateral flow tests from the government’s website. A spokesperson said: |
| Information about how to collect a lateral flow test from a nearby pharmacy is available on the NHS website here. | Information about how to collect a lateral flow test from a nearby pharmacy is available on the NHS website here. |
| In the Commons a Home Office minister will respond to an urgent question from Labour’s Dame Margaret Hodge at 3.30pm about the Met failings in the Stephen Port case. That means the Sajid Javid statement on Covid will start at about 4.15pm. | In the Commons a Home Office minister will respond to an urgent question from Labour’s Dame Margaret Hodge at 3.30pm about the Met failings in the Stephen Port case. That means the Sajid Javid statement on Covid will start at about 4.15pm. |
| The number of people using 16 major railway stations in England and Scotland between 6am and 9.30am on Monday was down compared with the previous week, PA Media reports. PA says: | The number of people using 16 major railway stations in England and Scotland between 6am and 9.30am on Monday was down compared with the previous week, PA Media reports. PA says: |
| Today the new advice in England to work from home if possible came into effect. | Today the new advice in England to work from home if possible came into effect. |
| Nigel Farage, the former Ukip and Brexit party who is now a GB News presenter, but who claims to be mulling over a politcal comeback, claims that Boris Johnson is just talking up the threat from Omicron as a “cynical ploy” to save his career. | Nigel Farage, the former Ukip and Brexit party who is now a GB News presenter, but who claims to be mulling over a politcal comeback, claims that Boris Johnson is just talking up the threat from Omicron as a “cynical ploy” to save his career. |
| At the Downing Street lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman said that a shortage of postal slots, not a shortage of lateral flow tests, has been the reason for people not being able to order lateral flow tests on the government’s website this morning. (See 11.29am.) The spokesman said: | At the Downing Street lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman said that a shortage of postal slots, not a shortage of lateral flow tests, has been the reason for people not being able to order lateral flow tests on the government’s website this morning. (See 11.29am.) The spokesman said: |
| I will post more from the briefing soon. | I will post more from the briefing soon. |
| The Scottish parliament is to suspend all in-person committee meetings after the Christmas and New Year holidays, in a preemptive measure to limit the expected surge in Omicron cases. | The Scottish parliament is to suspend all in-person committee meetings after the Christmas and New Year holidays, in a preemptive measure to limit the expected surge in Omicron cases. |
| Instead, Holyrood will shift to remote committee meetings unless MSPs believe there is a compelling reason to meet in person or in hybrid form, the parliament’s business bureau has decided. The new rules will come into force on 17 January, when Holyrood resumes business after the holidays. | Instead, Holyrood will shift to remote committee meetings unless MSPs believe there is a compelling reason to meet in person or in hybrid form, the parliament’s business bureau has decided. The new rules will come into force on 17 January, when Holyrood resumes business after the holidays. |
| A parliament spokesperson said that staging chamber business, including first minister’s questions, in hybrid form will remain under close review. | A parliament spokesperson said that staging chamber business, including first minister’s questions, in hybrid form will remain under close review. |
| The Holyrood authorities plan to make hybrid meetings the norm in future, and are investigating options for a more sophisticated system after procedural problems emerged during FMQs last week. | The Holyrood authorities plan to make hybrid meetings the norm in future, and are investigating options for a more sophisticated system after procedural problems emerged during FMQs last week. |
| Alison Johnstone, the presiding officer, had to repeatedly warn Scottish National party MSPs in the chamber to stop interrupting opposition speakers working remotely, particularly Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, who was self-isolating at home after coming into contact with a positive case. | Alison Johnstone, the presiding officer, had to repeatedly warn Scottish National party MSPs in the chamber to stop interrupting opposition speakers working remotely, particularly Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, who was self-isolating at home after coming into contact with a positive case. |
| The current hybrid system means the public cannot see or hear what is being said in the chamber if an MSP working remotely is talking. Johnstone believes making hybrid meetings and remote voting permanent will improve Holyrood’s flexibility. | The current hybrid system means the public cannot see or hear what is being said in the chamber if an MSP working remotely is talking. Johnstone believes making hybrid meetings and remote voting permanent will improve Holyrood’s flexibility. |
| Here is a summary of the news lines from Boris Johnson’s pooled TV interview this morning. | Here is a summary of the news lines from Boris Johnson’s pooled TV interview this morning. |
| Johnson said at least one patient in the UK has now died with the Omicron variant. (See 11.55am.) | Johnson said at least one patient in the UK has now died with the Omicron variant. (See 11.55am.) |
| He urged people to “set aside” reports that Omicron is a milder version of coronavirus than Delta. He said: | He urged people to “set aside” reports that Omicron is a milder version of coronavirus than Delta. He said: |
| He was not denying reports that Omicron is milder than previous variants. There is evidence from South Africa suggesting it is. Instead, he was making an argument about the threat it poses because of its ability to spread so quickly. | He was not denying reports that Omicron is milder than previous variants. There is evidence from South Africa suggesting it is. Instead, he was making an argument about the threat it poses because of its ability to spread so quickly. |
| He repeatedly refused to rule out introducing further Covid restrictions before Christmas. He said: | |
| He said there was no shortage of lateral flow tests. Although they have not been available for order on the government’s website (see 11.29am), Johnson said: | He said there was no shortage of lateral flow tests. Although they have not been available for order on the government’s website (see 11.29am), Johnson said: |
| Commenting on the demand for tests, he said: “What I think, if I may say so, what that also shows is that people are doing the sensible thing, and getting tests as well.” | Commenting on the demand for tests, he said: “What I think, if I may say so, what that also shows is that people are doing the sensible thing, and getting tests as well.” |
| He urged Tory MPs to vote for the new Covid measures tomorrow, saying they were “balanced and proportionate” and that there was “no room for complacency”. | He urged Tory MPs to vote for the new Covid measures tomorrow, saying they were “balanced and proportionate” and that there was “no room for complacency”. |
| He claimed he “certainly broke no rules” in relation to events at No 10 last Christmas. And he indicated his participation in a No 10 quiz event last Christmas might be included in the investigation by Simon Case, the cabinet secretary. He went on: | He claimed he “certainly broke no rules” in relation to events at No 10 last Christmas. And he indicated his participation in a No 10 quiz event last Christmas might be included in the investigation by Simon Case, the cabinet secretary. He went on: |
| He said Case would report back as soon as “reasonably” possible. He went on: | He said Case would report back as soon as “reasonably” possible. He went on: |
| He claimed that by tomorrow Omicron would be the dominant variant in London. He said: | He claimed that by tomorrow Omicron would be the dominant variant in London. He said: |
| The Northern Ireland first minister, Paul Givan, said this morning - perhaps more realistically - that Omicron is already dominant in London. (See 11.48am.) | The Northern Ireland first minister, Paul Givan, said this morning - perhaps more realistically - that Omicron is already dominant in London. (See 11.48am.) |
| Johnson praised those delivering the booster rollout. He said: | Johnson praised those delivering the booster rollout. He said: |
| As expected, Sajid Javid, the health secretary, will make a statement to MPs this afternoon. | As expected, Sajid Javid, the health secretary, will make a statement to MPs this afternoon. |
| Boris Johnson has confirmed that at least one patient in the UK has now died with the Omicron variant. In an interview during a visit to a vaccination centre in London, he said: | Boris Johnson has confirmed that at least one patient in the UK has now died with the Omicron variant. In an interview during a visit to a vaccination centre in London, he said: |
| I will post more from his interview shortly. | I will post more from his interview shortly. |
| Earlier Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said around 10 people were in hospital with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in England. (See 9.31am.) | Earlier Sajid Javid, the health secretary, said around 10 people were in hospital with confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in England. (See 9.31am.) |
| Paul Givan, the Northern Ireland first minister, has said Northern Ireland must prepare for a “storm” of Omicron cases. He told BBC Radio Ulster: | Paul Givan, the Northern Ireland first minister, has said Northern Ireland must prepare for a “storm” of Omicron cases. He told BBC Radio Ulster: |
| As PA Media reports, Northern Ireland’s Covid certification scheme became legally enforceable today. The scheme requiring people to prove Covid status to gain entry to a range of hospitality venues and larges attendance events was introduced late last month with a two-week grace period to allow businesses adjust. Patrons wishing to enter nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises will need proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test or evidence of a previous Covid-19 infection. | As PA Media reports, Northern Ireland’s Covid certification scheme became legally enforceable today. The scheme requiring people to prove Covid status to gain entry to a range of hospitality venues and larges attendance events was introduced late last month with a two-week grace period to allow businesses adjust. Patrons wishing to enter nightclubs, pubs, restaurants and other licensed premises will need proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow test or evidence of a previous Covid-19 infection. |
| On Friday the UK Health Security Agency released a report (pdf) saying that 41% of Covid cases in London were Omicron. That was was double the rate for the region with the next highest Omicron levels, the south-east, where they accounted for 21% of cases. But those figures were from 6 December. Given the doubling rate of Omicron, it is now thought to be dominant in London. | On Friday the UK Health Security Agency released a report (pdf) saying that 41% of Covid cases in London were Omicron. That was was double the rate for the region with the next highest Omicron levels, the south-east, where they accounted for 21% of cases. But those figures were from 6 December. Given the doubling rate of Omicron, it is now thought to be dominant in London. |
| Here is my colleague Jamie Grierson’s story about lateral flow tests not being available for order on the government’s website in England. | Here is my colleague Jamie Grierson’s story about lateral flow tests not being available for order on the government’s website in England. |
| ITV’s Paul Brand says the Met is still not planning to investigate parties as No 10, despite the picture published yesterday of Boris Johnson taking part in a quiz night. | ITV’s Paul Brand says the Met is still not planning to investigate parties as No 10, despite the picture published yesterday of Boris Johnson taking part in a quiz night. |
| Here is the Met statement on this from last week. | Here is the Met statement on this from last week. |
| Boris Johnson’s TV address to the nation last night was watched by more than 12 million people, Darren McCaffrey from GB News reports. | Boris Johnson’s TV address to the nation last night was watched by more than 12 million people, Darren McCaffrey from GB News reports. |