News

Main points from today The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, led the briefing. He announced changes to the CJRS as follows:- From 1st July an employee can come back to work part time as part of a flexible furlough scheme.  In the example he gave relating to a five day a week worker, if a worker came … Read more

Main points from today The Prime Minister led the briefing. He confirmed that the 5 tests to ease lockdown were currently being met. Therefore, from Monday 1st June up to 6 people from different households can mix outdoors, including in private gardens, providing social distancing rules are observed. Those who were advised to shield should … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Announced that contracts signed to manufacture 2 billion items of PPE in the UK. The drug Remdesivir is being used to treat coronavirus, shortening recovery by 4 days.  Matt Hancock said it was ‘the biggest step forward in the treatment of the virus’. 265,227 … Read more

Main points from today Home Secretary, Priti Patel, led the briefing. Announced that international arrivals to the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from 8th June with a £1,000 fine for non- compliance. Government scientific advisers confirm that the R rate of Covid-19 remains between 0.7 to 1.0. 140,497 tests yesterday. 254,195 … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. Announced £4.2 million to assist mental health charities. Possible swab test soon to be available that shows if a person has the virus in 20 mins. Deal agreed to provide 10 million anti-body tests phased from next week with health and care workers first … Read more

Main points from today Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, led the briefing. PM says he is confident the UK will have test and trace in place by 1st June 2020 as 24,000 tracers have been recruited. 177,216 tests yesterday (highest ever). 248,293 positive tests, an increase of 2,472 from yesterday.  35,704 deaths, an increase of 363 … Read more

Main points from today Environment Secretary, George Eustice, led the briefing. He urged furloughed workers to take a second job picking fruit or harvesting crops as only one third of the usual seasonal agricultural workforce from abroad was available. In response to a question regarding schools he said the Government ‘was working very closely with … Read more

Main points from today Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, led the briefing. He confirmed, as per the announcement from the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, that 21,000 contact tracers (one third of which are doctors and nurses) have been recruited in England. From today anyone age 5 or over, with symptoms, is entitled to a test. Anosmia … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing. The R rate was revised to between 0.7-1.0. More testing for residents and staff in care homes. 133,784 tests yesterday. 236,711 positive tests, an increase of 3,560 from yesterday.  33,998 deaths, an increase of 384 from yesterday. Latest Guidance (employment and business) As from … Read more

Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing. Downing St spokesperson has said today that those with Covid-19 antibodies could obtain a Health Certificate but more needs to be understood about immunology. 126.064 test yesterday. 233,151 positive tests, an increase of 3,446 from yesterday.  33,614 deaths, an increase of 428 from yesterday. … Read more