News

Main points from today The PM led the briefing today. He announced that the government has immediately authorised the NHS to use the world’s first coronavirus treatment proven to reduce the risk of death.  The new steroid treatment reduces deaths by one third for patients on a ventilator and one fifth for patients on oxygen. … Read more

Main points from today Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, led the briefing today. He confirmed that from today it is mandatory to wear face coverings (not surgical masks) on public transport. Non-essential shops also opened. On Saturday, measures were taken to allow individual prayer at places of worship. It was allowed for single-adult households to form … Read more

Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing today. He confirmed that from Monday it is mandatory to wear face coverings (not surgical masks) on public transport. Department of Health data shows the UK R rate is between 0.7 and 0.9.  The R rate in England is between 0.8 and 1 and … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing today. He confirmed that figures from the first week of test and trace (28th May to 3rd June) showed as follows:- 8,117 people who tested positive were referred to test and trace. Of those 5,407 (67%) were contacted and provided details of people they … Read more

Main points from today The PM led the briefing today. He stated that the Government’s 5 tests were still being met. Therefore, from the weekend single adult households will be able to form a support bubble with one other household, which could include overnight stays if necessary. Retail shops can open from Monday 15th June … Read more

Main points from today Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, led the briefing today. He stated that retail outlets that had previously been required to close, can open from Monday 15th June 2020, provided they comply with guidelines. Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, told MP’s the Government was prepared to shut ‘clusters’ of schools if Covid-19 cases emerge … Read more

Today (Wednesday 10th June 2020), is the last day in which employers can place employees on furlough for the first time and be eligible to claim the relevant grant payment. The Scheme will be closed to new entrants from 1 July 2020 and, from that point onwards, employers will only be able to furlough employees … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing today. He stated that the latest guidance from SAGE was that the R rate was ‘below 1 in all regions.’ No deaths in hospitals in London or Scotland. He said ‘we are winning the battle but there is further to go.’ 287,399 positive tests … Read more

Main points from today Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, led the briefing today. He announced that from 15th June all staff in hospitals will be required to wear surgical face masks. All hospital visitors and outpatients must wear face coverings. The R rate is between 0.7 and 0.9 as of 5th June. The R rate may … Read more

Main points from today Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, led the briefing today. He announced that from 15th June it will be mandatory for passengers to wear face coverings (not necessarily surgical masks) on public transport. 281,661 confirmed cases as of yesterday, an increase of 1,805.  39,904 deaths, an increase of 176 from yesterday (lowest weekday … Read more