thedailymirror--2020-11-06--No10 admits mistake in coronavirus forecasts used to justify England's lockdown

Downing Street has admitted there were mistakes in coronavirus forecasts used by Boris Johnson to justify England 's new lockdown .
Alarming slides shown at the No10 press conference on Saturday by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance predicting Covid deaths could hit 1,400 a day by early December have now been revised downwards .
The graph , based on forecasts by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling , projected a top-end range of more than 1,400 deaths a day by December 8 - well above the first-wave peak of almost 1,000 .
But on Tuesday , the slide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revised down to just over 1,000 deaths a day .
Another slide forecasting hospital admissions would reach nearly 9,000 at the top end has also been changed to just over 6,000 a day .
The central projections for daily hospital admissions was unchanged at just over 4,000 a day and the daily deaths remain the same at under 800 .
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the Government accepted there had been an error .
On the revised graphs , he said : `` We accept there was a mistake in plotting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue shaded areas , which we corrected as soon as identified , but there was no error in the underlying analysis . ''
Asked if this could undermine public confidence , the spokesman said : `` There was a mistake in plotting the confidence intervals but the data still shows - and I would highlight that the consensus remains - that without action we would breach the first wave of hospital admissions and deaths in a matter of weeks .
`` I would also point back to what the PM said yesterday about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear a way as possible . ''
Asked if the PM would apologise , the spokesman said the mistake had been acknowledged and the Government was committed to presenting data in a clear way .
He insisted Mr Johnson had confidence in the Chief Scientific Adviser .
It comes after the official statistics watchdog rebuked Sir Patrick over the Government 's use of data the pandemic .
In a letter to the chief scientist , the Office for Statistics Regulation warned that the lack of transparency surrounding some of the figures meant there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and undermine confidence in the statistics '' .
Professor Carl Heneghan , of Oxford University , tweeted : `` The Government 's use of data is not just confusing - the errors are positively misleading . ''
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said it was an `` irrefutable '' fact that hospital admissions are rising sharply and insisted the Government has to get the R number - representing the reproduction rate of the disease - down .
`` I take on board what the official statistics watchdog said .
We will always try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told Sky News .
`` But , at the same time , the facts are very clear that we had to make this very difficult decision .
`` I am certain that actually this decision is the right one but will also ultimately deliver what we all want to see , which is that reduction in the R number . ''

Slides presented at the Downing Street press conference predicting coronavirus deaths could hit 1,400 per day by December have been revised downwards
Downing Street has admitted there were mistakes in coronavirus forecasts used by Boris Johnson to justify England's new lockdown.
Alarming slides shown at the No10 press conference on Saturday by Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance predicting Covid deaths could hit 1,400 a day by early December have now been revised downwards.
The graph, based on forecasts by the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, projected a top-end range of more than 1,400 deaths a day by December 8 - well above the first-wave peak of almost 1,000.
But on Tuesday, the slide was quietly reissued with the top-end range revised down to just over 1,000 deaths a day.
Another slide forecasting hospital admissions would reach nearly 9,000 at the top end has also been changed to just over 6,000 a day.
Image: PA) PA)
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
The central projections for daily hospital admissions was unchanged at just over 4,000 a day and the daily deaths remain the same at under 800.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the Government accepted there had been an error.
On the revised graphs, he said: "We accept there was a mistake in plotting the confidence intervals, which are the blue shaded areas, which we corrected as soon as identified, but there was no error in the underlying analysis."
Asked if this could undermine public confidence, the spokesman said: "There was a mistake in plotting the confidence intervals but the data still shows - and I would highlight that the consensus remains - that without action we would breach the first wave of hospital admissions and deaths in a matter of weeks.
Image: PA) PA) Image: PA) PA)
"I would also point back to what the PM said yesterday about our desire to present data in as clear a way as possible."
Asked if the PM would apologise, the spokesman said the mistake had been acknowledged and the Government was committed to presenting data in a clear way.
He insisted Mr Johnson had confidence in the Chief Scientific Adviser.
It comes after the official statistics watchdog rebuked Sir Patrick over the Government's use of data the pandemic.
In a letter to the chief scientist, the Office for Statistics Regulation warned that the lack of transparency surrounding some of the figures meant there was "potential to confuse the public and undermine confidence in the statistics".
Professor Carl Heneghan, of Oxford University, tweeted: "The Government's use of data is not just confusing - the errors are positively misleading."
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi said it was an "irrefutable" fact that hospital admissions are rising sharply and insisted the Government has to get the R number - representing the reproduction rate of the disease - down.
"I take on board what the official statistics watchdog said. We will always try to improve our graphs and our presentations," he told Sky News.
"But, at the same time, the facts are very clear that we had to make this very difficult decision.
"I am certain that actually this decision is the right one but will also ultimately deliver what we all want to see, which is that reduction in the R number."


thedailymirror--2020-11-06--Liam Payne 'spending time away from son Bear' after making pact with Cheryl

Liam Payne has opened up about spending time away from his three-year-old son Bear , as he discussed his co-parenting agreement with former partner Cheryl in lockdown .
The singer , 27 , welcomed his only son Bear with the Girls Aloud hitmaker , 37 , in March 2017 with the couple announcing their split a year later .
Liam has now revealed that he is currently taking an extended break from his boy after he and Cheryl had concerns in the first coronavirus lockdown .
Speaking to Tings magazine , Liam said : `` [ Lockdown ] it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Bear ] in his life .
`` But we discussed from the start and for different reasons , me and Cheryl decided I should be away for a little bit .
`` It 's not unusual for me to be in and out of his life , '' admitting Liam , adding : `` He 's a quiet and chill child .
He does n't worry about things too much . ''
Liam explained that he and Chery agreed to keep Bear out of the public eye since his birth and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him across social media like many other celebrity parents .
The Strip That Down singer said the move meant that his time being a father was not often seen by fans .
I get to be a dad and have a family in that way , that 's complete opposite of that [ showbiz ] zone .
`` It 's mine for my own , expect for Cheryl and Bear , '' added the star .
Mum Cheryl delighted fans in April this year by sharing a rare video of son Bear - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera for the very first time .
The pop star was urging her followers to share their support for NHS charities when she was interrupted by Bear , who revealed his adorable Geordie accent .
`` I just wanted to come on here while Bear is occupied , '' began Cheryl before her son stole the limelight .
`` I want to eat !
I want to go to the park ! ''
cried Bear in an accent that suggested he is taking after his Newcastle native mum .
Dad Liam revealed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing his boy .
Liam said he had n't seen Bear in weeks as he quarantined in London .
`` Me and Cheryl had a very open conversation about visiting , but it ’ s difficult , '' the 26-year-old told The Sun , but said he keeps in touch by FaceTiming his boy .
`` It was right around his birthday that it ( lockdown ) happened .
It was one of the first times I was in the country for his birthday and I was ready to go over and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know how I feel about it ' .
`` It ’ s just been difficult having to put up with a lot of FaceTime , and sometimes he wants to talk on FaceTime , sometimes he doesn ’ t . ''
Liam and Cheryl split in July 2018 not long after Bear 's first birthday .
They had been together for two and a half years .
Liam is now engaged to model Maya Henry , 20 .

CHERYL INTERRUPTED ON INSTA BROADCAST BY ADORABLE BABY BEAR ASKING TO GO THE PARK
CHERYL INTERRUPTED ON INSTA BROADCAST BY ADORABLE BABY BEAR ASKING TO GO THE PARK
The One Direction star, 27 has opened up about co-parenting in lockdown with ex-partner Cheryl
Liam Payne agreed to spend 'time away' from son Bear in first lockdown after Cheryl pact
Liam Payne has opened up about spending time away from his three-year-old son Bear, as he discussed his co-parenting agreement with former partner Cheryl in lockdown.
The singer, 27, welcomed his only son Bear with the Girls Aloud hitmaker, 37, in March 2017 with the couple announcing their split a year later.
Liam has now revealed that during the first lockdown earlier this year, he agreed to take an extended break from his boy after he and Cheryl had concerns over the virus.
Speaking to Tings magazine, Liam said: "[Lockdown] it's the longest I haven't seen him [Bear] in his life.
"But we discussed from the start and for different reasons, me and Cheryl decided I should be away for a little bit.
Image: Instagram) Instagram)
"It's not unusual for me to be in and out of his life," admitting Liam, adding: "He's a quiet and chill child. He doesn't worry about things too much."
Liam explained that he and Chery agreed to keep Bear out of the public eye since his birth and also decided not to splash their time with him across social media like many other celebrity parents.
The Strip That Down singer said the move meant that his time being a father was not often seen by fans.
I get to be a dad and have a family in that way, that's complete opposite of that [showbiz] zone.
"It's mine for my own, expect for Cheryl and Bear," added the star.
Image: Getty) Getty)
Mum Cheryl delighted fans in April this year by sharing a rare video of son Bear - in which he was heard speaking on camera for the very first time.
The pop star was urging her followers to share their support for NHS charities when she was interrupted by Bear, who revealed his adorable Geordie accent.
"I just wanted to come on here while Bear is occupied," began Cheryl before her son stole the limelight.
Image: Instagram) Instagram) Image: Instagram) Instagram)
"I want to eat! I want to go to the park!" cried Bear in an accent that suggested he is taking after his Newcastle native mum.
Dad Liam revealed in the first lockdown how much he was missing his boy.
Liam said he hadn't seen Bear in weeks as he quarantined in London.
"Me and Cheryl had a very open conversation about visiting, but it’s difficult," the 26-year-old told The Sun, but said he keeps in touch by FaceTiming his boy.
Image: Instagram) Instagram) Image: INSTAGRAM) INSTAGRAM)
"It was right around his birthday that it (lockdown) happened. It was one of the first times I was in the country for his birthday and I was ready to go over and I just thought, 'I don’t know how I feel about it'.
"It’s just been difficult having to put up with a lot of FaceTime, and sometimes he wants to talk on FaceTime, sometimes he doesn’t."
Liam and Cheryl split in July 2018 not long after Bear's first birthday.
They had been together for two and a half years.
Liam is now engaged to model Maya Henry, 20.


thedailymirror--2020-11-06--Dancing On Ice's Joe Warren Plant finds clever way to practise as rinks shut

Dancing On Ice hopefuls are having to find clever ways to practise their routines now that the nationwide lockdown has shut down all the ice skating rinks until December .
Joe Warren Plant , 18 , has been pictured rehearsing one such routine on Blackpool seafront with the help of a resistance band worn around his ankle .
The Emmerdale star used the band to help strengthen his hamstrings and glutes while his DOI skating partner Vanessa Bauer , 24 , whizzed around him on rollerskates .
He missed the chance to practice on the ice one last time as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Joe , who plays Jacob Gallagher in Emmerdale , was dressed in a bright yellow hoodie and tight black jeans .
He teamed the look with some eye-catching red trainers as he worked on his routine .
The soap star had a serious look on his face as he concentrated hard on his training .
Vanessa braved the cold in a leopard print crop top and a pair of matching leggings .
The skimpy look clung to her toned figure , which she 's honed through years of professional ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her wrist and sported a pair of white rollerskates .
The brunette showed off her natural elegance as she skated around the seafront .
She had a huge grin on her face , suggesting she 's pleased with how Joe 's training his coming along .
Later it seemed the cold had become too much as she wrapped up warm in a brown furry jacket .
Vannessa was seen looking every inch the supportive professional partner as she held Joe 's hand while he practised .
At one point Joe left up his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch out properly .
Earlier this week Joe revealed he had to cancel training after injuring his knee .
Joe said he was `` absolutely gutted '' as the pair halted the practice for the novice to nurse his knee .
He told his Instagram followers : `` So we had to cancel today 's training session due to my ongoing knee injury !
`` It 's unbelievably frustrating as I really felt like it had healed !
`` I 'm not one to give up when I feel a little bit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on but it 's important for me to take a step back , not get too carried away with it and take it easy .
`` Kneed to get this under control… ''

Dancing On Ice hopeful Joe Warren Plant used a resistance band around his ankle to practise his moves and strengthen his muscles while his skating partner Vanessa Bauer used rollerskates
Dancing On Ice's Joe Warren Plant finds clever way to practise after skating rinks shut
Dancing On Ice hopefuls are having to find clever ways to practise their routines now that the nationwide lockdown has shut down all the ice skating rinks until December.
Joe Warren Plant, 18, has been pictured rehearsing one such routine on Blackpool seafront with the help of a resistance band worn around his ankle.
The Emmerdale star used the band to help strengthen his hamstrings and glutes while his DOI skating partner Vanessa Bauer, 24, whizzed around him on rollerskates.
He missed the chance to practice on the ice one last time as he suffered a knee injury while training on Tuesday.
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Joe, who plays Jacob Gallagher in Emmerdale, was dressed in a bright yellow hoodie and tight black jeans.
He teamed the look with some eye-catching red trainers as he worked on his routine.
The soap star had a serious look on his face as he concentrated hard on his training.
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Vanessa braved the cold in a leopard print crop top and a pair of matching leggings.
The skimpy look clung to her toned figure, which she's honed through years of professional ice skating
She wore a matching scrunchie on her wrist and sported a pair of white rollerskates.
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
The brunette showed off her natural elegance as she skated around the seafront.
She had a huge grin on her face, suggesting she's pleased with how Joe's training his coming along.
Later it seemed the cold had become too much as she wrapped up warm in a brown furry jacket.
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Vannessa was seen looking every inch the supportive professional partner as she held Joe's hand while he practised.
At one point Joe left up his leg to his chest so he could stretch out properly.
Earlier this week Joe revealed he had to cancel training after injuring his knee.
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
Joe said he was "absolutely gutted" as the pair halted the practice for the novice to nurse his knee.
He told his Instagram followers: "So we had to cancel today's training session due to my ongoing knee injury!
"It's unbelievably frustrating as I really felt like it had healed!
Image: SplashNews.com) SplashNews.com)
"I'm not one to give up when I feel a little bit of pain and I was willing to carry on but it's important for me to take a step back, not get too carried away with it and take it easy.
"Kneed to get this under control…"
*Dancing On Ice returns early 2021


thedailymirror--2020-11-06--No10 repeatedly refuses to say every vote in US election should be counted

Downing Street today repeatedly refused to say every vote in the US election - or even other elections around the world - should be counted .
A spokesman took the extraordinary position after Donald Trump tried to stop ballot-counting before Joe Biden can be named President .
Power looked to be slipping from Trump ’ s grasp today as mail-in ballots - which are still being counted - put Biden more than 1,000 votes ahead in Georgia .
The Democrat candidate was also close to pulling ahead in Pennsylvania - which if he wins will give him the 270 Electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
The sitting President has responded by demanding officials “ stop the count ” and launched legal actions in a string of swing states , claiming without evidence that mail-in ballots are fraudulent .
But UK Prime Minister ’ s office refused to disown the President ’ s claims , which he made at a rambling 17-minute White House statement last night .
Asked if US officials should continue counting votes , the UK PM ’ s deputy official spokesman replied : “ That is a matter for the US but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balances they ’ ve got.
” Asked if the UK wants to see the process completed , he replied : “ I would point you back to the Foreign Secretary ’ s words , that it ’ s important the US electoral process is given time to reach a conclusion.
” Asked if , as a fellow democracy , the UK expected the US to count all its votes , he replied : “ The electoral process is a matter for the US , and I ’ d point you back to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving it time to reach a conclusion.
” Asked to clarify that , if the process ends up with them not counting all the votes , the UK is happy with that as long as the US sorts it out amongst themselves , he replied : “ The electoral process is a matter for the relevant US authorities , and we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system.
” Asked to clarify if the UK believed , in general , that all votes should be counted in any election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system and as I ’ ve said the electoral process is a matter for the US authorities.
” It comes as the UK attempts to prepare for a handbrake turn in policy under a Biden Presidency - which could be all but confirmed as soon as today .
Fears are rising that Biden could pose more obstacles than Trump did over hopes for a UK-US trade deal , due to concerns over Boris Johnson ’ s actions over Northern Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate today warned Biden would be “ concerned ” over Britain honouring the Northern Ireland peace deal after Brexit .
Democratic Senator Chris Coons , who represents Mr Biden 's home state of Delaware and sits on the Senate 's Foreign Relations Committee , issued the alert as the White House hopeful prepared to claim victory over Donald Trump .
Mr Coons said that if Mr Biden becomes President , he would “ reengage , re-energise , reimagine our alliances and our relationships , particularly our special relationship with the United Kingdom ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I expect he would be concerned about making sure that the Good Friday accords are respected and protected , and the ways in which the UK/EU terms are negotiated does n't put at risk the stability of the border terms in Northern Ireland.
” The No10 spokesman insisted today that “ the US is our closest ally , and we are confident the relationship will go from strength to strength whichever candidate wins the election.
” Earlier a British minister also refused to condemn Mr Trump 's outlandish claims of electoral fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I think it ’ s good practice for a British minister and a British Government not to comment on the elections of a great democracy like the United States .
“ I think the important thing is for us to wait for the outcome of this closely contested election and I think it ’ s only wise , I hope you agree , that the British Government congratulates the winner when that outcome is clear.
” He added : “ I will not comment on a live election between two excellent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at the moment the outcome is unclear and until we have all the facts before us , it would be unwise for a British minister to comment on the great democratic processes of the United States of America . ''
Key questions and answers in the exchange in full Journalists : Has the UK seen any evidence of malpractice in US elections ?
No10 spokesman : “ As [ we have ] said a number of times over the last few days… We have confidence in the checks and balances of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing and you obviously wouldn ’ t expect us to speculate on the outcome.
” We have observers at these things , so have we seen any evidence of voting fraud in the US ?
“ We have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system ” .
What did the PM make of President Trump ’ s speech ?
“ The Foreign Secretary and others have said , it ’ s important that the US electoral process is given time to reach a conclusion .
We ’ re obviously of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing , and you wouldn ’ t expect us to comment at this stage .
Does the PM want the count to keep going ?
President Trump obviously doesn ’ t .
“ That is a matter for the US , but we ’ re confident in the checks and balances they ’ ve got.
” Do we want to see the process completed ?
Do we want to see the votes counted ?
“ I would point you back to the Foreign Secretary ’ s words , that it ’ s important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach a conclusion.
” As a fellow democracy , do we expect them to count all the votes ?
“ The electoral process is a matter for the US , and I ’ d point you back to what the Foreign Secretary said in terms of giving it time to reach a conclusion.
” So if the process ends up with them not counting all the votes , we ’ d be happy with that , as long as they sorted it out themselves ?
“ As I say , the electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US authorities , and we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system.
” Heiko Maas of Germany accused Trump of going against the country 's democratic culture .
Would we agree with that ?
“ We ’ ve been clear the electoral process is a matter for the US authorities , we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system .
And I ’ d point you back to what the Foreign Secretary said earlier this week.
” Do we agree with the OSCE that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office ” ?
“ We have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system and the electoral process is a matter for the relevant US authorities ” .
Does the PM regret calling President Obama “ part Kenyan ” in 2016 ?
“ That obviously pre-dates me and pre-dates him being the Prime Minister ” .
Should all votes be counted in any election ?
“ As I said we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system and as I ’ ve said the electoral process is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

A spokesman for the UK Prime Minister's office refused to be dragged into the row, despite Donald Trump making claims of fraud with no evidence and demanding legitimate votes stop being counted
No10 repeatedly refuses to say every vote in US election should be counted
Downing Street today repeatedly refused to say every vote in the US election - or even other elections around the world - should be counted.
A spokesman took the extraordinary position after Donald Trump tried to stop ballot-counting before Joe Biden can be named President.
Power looked to be slipping from Trump’s grasp today as mail-in ballots - which are still being counted - put Biden more than 1,000 votes ahead in Georgia. The Democrat candidate was also close to pulling ahead in Pennsylvania - which if he wins will give him the 270 Electoral College votes he needs for the White House.
The sitting President has responded by demanding officials “stop the count” and launched legal actions in a string of swing states, claiming without evidence that mail-in ballots are fraudulent.
But UK Prime Minister’s office refused to disown the President’s claims, which he made at a rambling 17-minute White House statement last night.
Asked if US officials should continue counting votes, the UK PM’s deputy official spokesman replied: “That is a matter for the US but we’re confident in the checks and balances they’ve got.”
Asked if the UK wants to see the process completed, he replied: “I would point you back to the Foreign Secretary’s words, that it’s important the US electoral process is given time to reach a conclusion.”
Asked if, as a fellow democracy, the UK expected the US to count all its votes, he replied: “The electoral process is a matter for the US, and I’d point you back to what the Foreign Secretary said in terms of giving it time to reach a conclusion.”
Asked to clarify that, if the process ends up with them not counting all the votes, the UK is happy with that as long as the US sorts it out amongst themselves, he replied: “The electoral process is a matter for the relevant US authorities, and we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system.”
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
Asked to clarify if the UK believed, in general, that all votes should be counted in any election, he replied: “As I said we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system and as I’ve said the electoral process is a matter for the US authorities.”
Boris Johnson said he would work "very, very closely" with whoever wins the election.
Speaking on a visit to the East Midlands, he said: “The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is always going to work very, very closely with whoever is the President of the United States, and that's going to be the case whatever the outcome of this election.
“I don't think at this stage you'd expect any foreign, international leader to comment on the democratic processes of a very friendly country, that's just not what we do.”
Despite an outcry over Mr Trump's claims of electoral fraud, the PM added: “I think while the votes are being counted we should wait and see.
“I have every confidence in the checks and balances of the American constitution. "
It comes as the UK attempts to prepare for a handbrake turn in policy under a Biden Presidency - which could be all but confirmed as soon as today.
Fears are rising that Biden could pose more obstacles than Trump did over hopes for a UK-US trade deal, due to concerns over Boris Johnson ’s actions over Northern Ireland.
A top ally of the US presidential candidate today warned Biden would be “concerned” over Britain honouring the Northern Ireland peace deal after Brexit.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who represents Mr Biden's home state of Delaware and sits on the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, issued the alert as the White House hopeful prepared to claim victory over Donald Trump.
Mr Coons said that if Mr Biden becomes President, he would “reengage, re-energise, reimagine our alliances and our relationships, particularly our special relationship with the United Kingdom”.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
He told the BBC: “I expect he would be concerned about making sure that the Good Friday accords are respected and protected, and the ways in which the UK/EU terms are negotiated doesn't put at risk the stability of the border terms in Northern Ireland.”
The No10 spokesman insisted today that “the US is our closest ally, and we are confident the relationship will go from strength to strength whichever candidate wins the election.”
Earlier a British minister also refused to condemn Mr Trump's outlandish claims of electoral fraud.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News: “I think it’s good practice for a British minister and a British Government not to comment on the elections of a great democracy like the United States.
“I think the important thing is for us to wait for the outcome of this closely contested election and I think it’s only wise, I hope you agree, that the British Government congratulates the winner when that outcome is clear.”
He added: “I will not comment on a live election between two excellent candidates in a very closely fought contest that at the moment the outcome is unclear and until we have all the facts before us, it would be unwise for a British minister to comment on the great democratic processes of the United States of America."
Key questions and answers in the exchange in full
Journalists: Has the UK seen any evidence of malpractice in US elections? No10 spokesman: “As [we have] said a number of times over the last few days… We have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system, but the count is ongoing and you obviously wouldn’t expect us to speculate on the outcome.”
We have observers at these things, so have we seen any evidence of voting fraud in the US? “We have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system”.
What did the PM make of President Trump’s speech? “The Foreign Secretary and others have said, it’s important that the US electoral process is given time to reach a conclusion. We’re obviously of course watching closely but the count is ongoing, and you wouldn’t expect us to comment at this stage.
Does the PM want the count to keep going? President Trump obviously doesn’t. “That is a matter for the US, but we’re confident in the checks and balances they’ve got.”
…
Do we want to see the process completed? Do we want to see the votes counted? “I would point you back to the Foreign Secretary’s words, that it’s important the US electoral process is given time to reach a conclusion.”
As a fellow democracy, do we expect them to count all the votes? “The electoral process is a matter for the US, and I’d point you back to what the Foreign Secretary said in terms of giving it time to reach a conclusion.”
So if the process ends up with them not counting all the votes, we’d be happy with that, as long as they sorted it out themselves? “As I say, the electoral process is a matter for the relevant US authorities, and we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system.”
Heiko Maas of Germany accused Trump of going against the country's democratic culture. Would we agree with that? “We’ve been clear the electoral process is a matter for the US authorities, we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system. And I’d point you back to what the Foreign Secretary said earlier this week.”
Do we agree with the OSCE that it’s a “gross abuse of office”? “We have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system and the electoral process is a matter for the relevant US authorities”.
Does the PM regret calling President Obama “part Kenyan” in 2016? “That obviously pre-dates me and pre-dates him being the Prime Minister”.
…
Should all votes be counted in any election? “As I said we have confidence in the checks and balances of the US system and as I’ve said the electoral process is a matter for the US authorities.”


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--US election worker 'in hiding' after false vote fraud claim video goes viral

An election count worker in Georgia is 'in hiding ' , after a video falsely accusing him of fraud went viral .
The video revealed his personal information , including his car registration - leaving him fearful to use the vehicle , a local official said .
He had been accused - wrongly - of screwing up and tossing out a ballot in the clip , which spread widely on Twitter .
The video claimed the man had destroyed and discarded a ballot - after the employee was seen at a letter opening machine with a piece of paper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know is that those ballots are 8 ½ by 19 inches long , '' Barron said .
`` At no time did you see him extract anything from the envelope and that crumbled piece of paper , they were instructions and it was a smaller piece of paper . ''
He added : `` He is having to leave his house and go stay with friends .
He ’ s afraid to drive his car because the information about his car , about his license plate are out there . ''
County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional security protection following the video .
Democratic candidate Mr Biden took the lead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia on Friday in what could prove to be the decisive moments in a fraught election .
In a further indication that the country is preparing for a change of personnel at the White House , CNN reported that `` national defence airspace '' had been cleared above Mr Biden 's home and his secret service detail was being expanded .
But Mr Trump signalled he would not go quietly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off declaring victory in a speech due to be delivered on Friday evening in the US .
He tweeted : `` Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the president .
I could make that claim also .
Legal proceedings are just now beginning !
`` I had such a big lead in all of these states late into election night , only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by .
Perhaps these leads will return as our legal proceedings move forward ! ''

The man is reportedly staying with friends and fearful to use his car after his personal details were revealed in a Twitter video that went viral
An election count worker in Georgia is 'in hiding', after a video falsely accusing him of fraud went viral.
The video revealed his personal information, including his car registration - leaving him fearful to use the vehicle, a local official said.
He had been accused - wrongly - of screwing up and tossing out a ballot in the clip, which spread widely on Twitter.
Elections Supervisor Rick Barron said: "He's in hiding."
The video claimed the man had destroyed and discarded a ballot - after the employee was seen at a letter opening machine with a piece of paper.
"However one thing that you need to know is that those ballots are 8 ½ by 19 inches long," Barron said.
"At no time did you see him extract anything from the envelope and that crumbled piece of paper, they were instructions and it was a smaller piece of paper."
He added: "He is having to leave his house and go stay with friends. He’s afraid to drive his car because the information about his car, about his license plate are out there."
County officials are deciding whether the employee needs additional security protection following the video.
Democratic candidate Mr Biden took the lead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia on Friday in what could prove to be the decisive moments in a fraught election.
In a further indication that the country is preparing for a change of personnel at the White House, CNN reported that "national defence airspace" had been cleared above Mr Biden's home and his secret service detail was being expanded.
But Mr Trump signalled he would not go quietly from the Oval Office, warning his rival off declaring victory in a speech due to be delivered on Friday evening in the US.
He tweeted: " Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the president. I could make that claim also. Legal proceedings are just now beginning!
"I had such a big lead in all of these states late into election night, only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by. Perhaps these leads will return as our legal proceedings move forward!"


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Trump's old tweet resurfaces claiming 'one must lose with dignity'

An old tweet by Donald Trump , in which the US president claimed that `` one must be able to lose with dignity '' , has resurfaced tonight .
The message , published shortly after Trump was elected president in 2016 , endorsed a comment made by Vladimir Putin about Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party .
It reads : `` Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems : 'In my opinion , it is humiliating .
One must be able to lose with dignity . '
So true ! ''
The tweet - initially published on December 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media , with people pointing out that Trump should now accept it is unlikely he will win a second term in the White House as Biden is edging closer to victory .
On the fourth day of vote counting , former Vice President Biden had a 253 to 214 lead in the state-by-state Electoral College vote that determines the winner , according to Edison Research .
Securing Pennsylvania 's 20 electoral votes would put Biden over the 270 he needs to win the presidency .
Biden would also win if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key states where he was narrowly ahead on Friday - Georgia , Arizona and Nevada .
These are the states where the remaining few thousands of ballots are still being counted .
Nationwide , Biden led Trump by 4.1 million votes out of a record 147 million cast .
However , his lead was much smaller in those four contested states : just 84,670 votes out of more than 16 million cast .
In Georgia , he led by a mere 3,974 votes .
Since Tuesday 's election , Trump has claimed - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are trying to `` steal the election '' and has vowed to fight its results in court .
He has alleged fraud relating to mail-in ballots , but has not been able to show any evidence of this either .
It also emerged that the President 's campaign has been sending emails begging supporters to donate money to fight the election in court .
A screenshot posted on social media showed a `` warning '' the Trump campaign sent a newsletter subscriber who had not donated money .
According to sources , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to fight the election 's result in court .
A Trump adviser , who wanted to remain anonymous , described the campaign 's legal strategy as chaotic , disorganised and a `` disservice to the president '' .
Mr Biden is preparing to address the nation after he took the lead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia in what could prove to be decisive moments in the election .
When conceding defeat to Donald Trump in 2016 , Hillary Clinton called on supporters to accept the outcome of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handover of power .
The former first lady said the election race had revealed that `` our nation is more deeply divided than we thought '' , but said she hoped that Mr Trump would be `` a successful president for all Americans '' .
During an address in New York , the Democratic candidate told supporters : `` We must accept this result and then look to the future .
`` Donald Trump is going to be our president .
We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead .
@

In a tweet posted in December 2016, Trump endorsed a comment made by Vladimir Putin about Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. People are now calling on Trump to accept the election's results
Trump's tweet resurfaces claiming 'one must lose with dignity' as he refuses to concede
An old tweet by Donald Trump, in which the US president claimed that "one must be able to lose with dignity", has resurfaced tonight.
The message, published shortly after Trump was elected president in 2016, endorsed a comment made by Vladimir Putin about Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party.
It reads: "Vladimir Putin said today about Hillary and Dems: 'In my opinion, it is humiliating. One must be able to lose with dignity.' So true!"
The tweet - initially published on December 24, 2016 - has been widely shared on social media, with people pointing out that Trump should now accept it is unlikely he will win a second term in the White House as Biden is edging closer to victory.
On the fourth day of vote counting, former Vice President Biden had a 253 to 214 lead in the state-by-state Electoral College vote that determines the winner, according to Edison Research.
Securing Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes would put Biden over the 270 he needs to win the presidency.
Biden would also win if he prevails in two of the three other key states where he was narrowly ahead on Friday - Georgia, Arizona and Nevada.
These are the states where the remaining few thousands of ballots are still being counted.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
Nationwide, Biden led Trump by 4.1 million votes out of a record 147 million cast.
However, his lead was much smaller in those four contested states: just 84,670 votes out of more than 16 million cast.
In Georgia, he led by a mere 3,974 votes.
Since Tuesday's election, Trump has claimed - despite having no evidence - that Democrats are trying to "steal the election" and has vowed to fight its results in court.
He has alleged fraud relating to mail-in ballots, but has not been able to show any evidence of this either.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS) Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
It also emerged that the President's campaign has been sending emails begging supporters to donate money to fight the election in court.
A screenshot posted on social media showed a "warning" the Trump campaign sent a newsletter subscriber who had not donated money.
According to sources, the campaign is trying to raise $60 million to fight the election's result in court.
A Trump adviser, who wanted to remain anonymous, described the campaign's legal strategy as chaotic, disorganised and a "disservice to the president".
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Mr Biden is preparing to address the nation after he took the lead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia in what could prove to be decisive moments in the election.
When conceding defeat to Donald Trump in 2016, Hillary Clinton called on supporters to accept the outcome of the election and ensure a smooth and peaceful handover of power.
The former first lady said the election race had revealed that "our nation is more deeply divided than we thought", but said she hoped that Mr Trump would be "a successful president for all Americans".
During an address in New York, the Democratic candidate told supporters: "We must accept this result and then look to the future.
"Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead."


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Trump warns Biden not to claim presidency - just days after doing so himself

Donald Trump has warned Joe Biden not to claim the presidency just days after falsely doing so himself .
On Election Day , with the Trump campaign ahead in several key states , the President came out and claimed he 'd won them - despite not all the votes being counted .
Now , as they 're counted and it becomes increasingly unlikely Trump will win reelection , he has baselessly claimed there is voter fraud .
Firing off his latest tweet - this one not flagged as incorrect by Twitter ( yet ) - he said : `` Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the President .
I could make that claim also .
Legal proceedings are just now beginning ! ''
Most of the Trump campaign 's legal efforts thus far have been thrown out of the courts , bar one concession in Pennsylvania about allowing poll-watchers to stand closer to where votes are counted .
Trump followed up that tweet with another : `` I had such a big lead in all of these states late into election night , only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal proceedings move forward ! ''
.
According to CNN , Trump reportedly has not prepared a concession speech and 'in conversations with allies in recent days has said he has no intention of conceding the election . '
Trump and Biden are yet to even speak since Election Day .
Trump 's chief of staff Mark Meadows ( his fourth in four years ) 'has not attempted to come to terms with the president about the reality of what is happening ' .
The Trump campaign is reportedly trying to raise $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts .
Today Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said that the former Vice President ’ s staff wasn ’ t worried about Trump refusing to leave the White House because security will simply escort him from the premises .
`` The US government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House , '' he said .
The president appears unable to grasp the idea of being ahead on Election Day but then losing the state once mail-in or absentee ballots are counted .
Biden is on 263 Electoral College votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
He needs : Pennsylvania ( 20 ) or two of Arizona ( 11 ) , Georgia ( 16 ) , Nevada ( 6 ) and North Carolina ( 15 ) .
Trump needs to win Pennsylvania to stand any hope of remaining President - and even that is unlikely to be enough now .

Donald Trump announces he will go to the Supreme Court after 'major fraud'
Donald Trump announces he will go to the Supreme Court after 'major fraud'
The furious President of the United States has threatened legal action and wants to win reelection in the courts with the democratic process going against him
Donald Trump warns Biden not to claim presidency just days after doing so himself
Donald Trump has warned Joe Biden not to claim the presidency just days after falsely doing so himself.
On Election Day, with the Trump campaign ahead in several key states, the President came out and claimed he'd won them - despite not all the votes being counted.
Now, as they're counted and it becomes increasingly unlikely Trump will win reelection, he has baselessly claimed there is voter fraud.
Firing off his latest tweet - this one not flagged as incorrect by Twitter (yet) - he said: "Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President. I could make that claim also. Legal proceedings are just now beginning!"
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
Most of the Trump campaign's legal efforts thus far have been thrown out of the courts, bar one concession in Pennsylvania about allowing poll-watchers to stand closer to where votes are counted.
Trump followed up that tweet with another: "I had such a big lead in all of these states late into election night, only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by.
"Perhaps these leads will return as our legal proceedings move forward!".
According to CNN, Trump reportedly has not prepared a concession speech and 'in conversations with allies in recent days has said he has no intention of conceding the election.'
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
Trump and Biden are yet to even speak since Election Day.
Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows (his fourth in four years) 'has not attempted to come to terms with the president about the reality of what is happening'.
The Trump campaign is reportedly trying to raise $60m to fight the election in the courts.
Today Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said that the former Vice President’s staff wasn’t worried about Trump refusing to leave the White House because security will simply escort him from the premises.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images) Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
"The US government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House," he said.
The president appears unable to grasp the idea of being ahead on Election Day but then losing the state once mail-in or absentee ballots are counted.
Biden is on 263 Electoral College votes in the race to 270 and the White House.
He needs: Pennsylvania (20) or two of Arizona (11), Georgia (16), Nevada (6) and North Carolina (15).
Trump needs to win Pennsylvania to stand any hope of remaining President - and even that is unlikely to be enough now.


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--If Joe Biden wins the US election, here's what happens next

Joe Biden is likely be the 46th President of the United States as he looked certain to deny Donald Trump a second term in the White House .
But he would n't take over straight away .
The President-elect has to wait until January to take the oath of office at the huge inauguration .
But between now and then , there 's a number of things that are supposed to happen .
Biden will set up his transition team .
There are usually Oval Office meetings between the President and President-elect .
And there 's a number of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who 's vacating the White House is Donald Trump .
Lawsuits , recounts , vote certification and the gathering of state electors are all on the calendar .
Here 's a timeline of what should - and what could - happen in the next few days , weeks and months after the US election .
Every state has a different cut off point for postal ballots to arrive .
For most states it was Tuesday .
Others give two or three days grace as long as the ballot was postmarked by election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots to arrive up to November 10 , Ohio until November 13 and for some reason Washington State has decided to leave things open until November 23 .
In this particular election , there are expected to be some lawsuits - and they could go on for a while .
They 'll start in individual states , where Trump 's team have already begun lodging complaints about `` irregularities '' in vote counting .
Many of them have already been thrown out due to lack of evidence .
But in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts - right up to the Supreme court .
The Biden team has already set up its transition team website .
Usually there 's an Oval Office meeting between the President and President-elect within a few days of the election - but we honestly ca n't see that happening .
The transition team will set up an office somewhere and start making appointments to key White House staff roles and cabinet positions , so the new President can hit the ground running .
Starting on November 10 , state governments will start to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the official release of ballot tallies after all provisional , contested and postal ballots have been checked .
With the exception of California , all states have to do this by December 8 .
California 's deadline is December 11 .
Recounts can start once a vote count has been certified .
So far at least one state - Georgia - is likely to go to a recount .
There are different rules for each state .
Some recounts are triggered automatically if the result is within 0.5 % .
Others allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is below a certain threshold - but makes them bear the cost themselves .
December 8 is the final date that all counts , recounts and disputes are to be settled .
Electors are supposed to meet in their states six days after all disputes are resolved to cast their electoral college votes for President .
In all but two states they 're supposed to vote winner takes all .
Maine and Nebraska split them by congressional district .
Some , but not all , states legally require electors to back the candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
If they do n't , they get the wonderful title `` faithless electors '' - and can usually be fined .
The votes have to be in by December 23 .
New members of the House and senate will start being sworn in at noon .
You would n't think it would take much to count 538 votes - but they make a big thing of it .
They 're officially read and counted in the House Chamber , with the President of the Senate - Vice President Mike Pence - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elect are both supposed to attend the enormous , lengthy ceremony - which sees the new President take the oath at noon and watch a parade along Pennsylvania Avenue .
There usually follow a series of balls and parties which run long into the night .

The President-elect will take the oath in January - but here's what happens in the days, weeks and months between now and then. At least, this is what is supposed to happen
What happens next after Joe Biden wins US election? Timeline of how he'll replace Donald Trump
Joe Biden will be the 46th President of the United States, denying Donald Trump a second term in the White House.
But he doesn't take over straight away.
The President-elect has to wait until January to take the oath of office at the huge inauguration.
But between now and then, there's a number of things that are supposed to happen.
Biden will set up his transition team. There are usually Oval Office meetings between the President and President-elect.
And there's a number of things that will probably happen purely because the man who's vacating the White House is Donald Trump.
Lawsuits, recounts, vote certification and the gathering of state electors are all on the calendar.
Here's a timeline of what should - and what could - happen in the next few days, weeks and months after the US election.
Days
More counting
Every state has a different cut off point for postal ballots to arrive. For most states it was Tuesday.
Others give two or three days grace as long as the ballot was postmarked by election day.
Minnesota and Ohio are allowing ballots to arrive up to November 10, Ohio until November 13 and for some reason Washington State has decided to leave things open until November 23.
Lawsuits
In this particular election, there are expected to be some lawsuits - and they could go on for a while. They'll start in individual states, where Trump's team have already begun lodging complaints about "irregularities" in vote counting.
Many of them have already been thrown out due to lack of evidence.
But in the coming days, they may be appealed to higher courts - right up to the Supreme court.
Transition begins
The Biden team has already set up its transition team website. Usually there's an Oval Office meeting between the President and President-elect within a few days of the election - but we honestly can't see that happening.
The transition team will set up an office somewhere and start making appointments to key White House staff roles and cabinet positions, so the new President can hit the ground running.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images) Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
Weeks
Certification of results
Starting on November 10, state governments will start to 'certify' their election results. This is the official release of ballot tallies after all provisional, contested and postal ballots have been checked. With the exception of California, all states have to do this by December 8. California's deadline is December 11.
Recounts
Recounts can start once a vote count has been certified. So far at least one state - Georgia - is likely to go to a recount. There are different rules for each state. Some recounts are triggered automatically if the result is within 0.5%. Others allow campaigns to demand one if the result is below a certain threshold - but makes them bear the cost themselves.
'Safe Harbour' date
December 8 is the final date that all counts, recounts and disputes are to be settled.
Months
Electoral votes cast
Electors are supposed to meet in their states six days after all disputes are resolved to cast their electoral college votes for President. In all but two states they're supposed to vote winner takes all. Maine and Nebraska split them by congressional district.
Some, but not all, states legally require electors to back the candidate who won the popular vote in the election. If they don't, they get the wonderful title "faithless electors" - and can usually be fined.
The votes have to be in by December 23.
Congress sworn in - January 3
New members of the House and senate will start being sworn in at noon.
Electoral votes counted - January 9
You wouldn't think it would take much to count 538 votes - but they make a big thing of it. They're officially read and counted in the House Chamber, with the President of the Senate - Vice President Mike Pence - presiding.
Inauguration Day - January 20
The outgoing President and President elect are both supposed to attend the enormous, lengthy ceremony - which sees the new President take the oath at noon and watch a parade along Pennsylvania Avenue.
There usually follow a series of balls and parties which run long into the night.


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Desperate Trump campaign sends begging email for more cash to fight election

The Trump campaign is sending supporters begging emails to ask for more donations to fight the presidential election 's result in court .
Screenshots emerged on social media showing an email warning a subscriber the message would be their `` last notice '' after they `` ignored all the emails asking to defend the election '' .
The email , sent by Trump 's campaign , continues : `` You 've ignored Team Trump , Eric , Lara , Don , the Vice President AND you 've even ignored the President of the United States .
`` Tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very first time in the last 48 hours - why have n't you ? ''
It comes as sources revealed the Trump campaign is plotting to raise at least $ 60 million ( £45 million ) to fund legal challenges over the US presidential election results .
President Donald Trump has claimed the Democrats are trying to `` steal the election '' and has called for some key battleground states , such as Georgia , to count `` legal ballots '' once again .
`` From the beginning we have said that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal ballots should not be counted , yet we have met resistance to this basic principle by Democrats at every turn , '' he said in a statement released by his campaign .
The US president has also repeatedly tweeted about an alleged fraud by the Democrats over mail-in ballots , despite having no evidence of this - and Twitter has branded his comments as misleading .
As Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden edges closer to winning the White House , Trump 's campaign has filed lawsuits in several states , challenging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Republican donor who received solicitations from the campaign and the Republican National Committee said they are trying to raise $ 60 million to fund the lawsuits .
Two other sources told Reuters the campaign wanted as much as $ 100 million ( £76 million ) for the joint fundraising committee it maintains with the RNC .
Since voting ended on Tuesday , the Trump campaign has sent out email and text solicitations alleging foul play and seeking donations - but have been unable to provide any evidence of the fraud they claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legal votes , I easily won .
If you count the illegal votes , they can try to steal the election from us , '' Donald Trump said while speaking in the White House press briefing room .
A Trump adviser , who wanted to remain anonymous , described the campaign 's legal strategy as chaotic , disorganised and a `` disservice to the president '' .
The adviser added Trump seemed to have been caught by surprise by the election results and had not been prepared to embark in a legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court rulings in closely contested states including Georgia .
The former vice president overhauled the Republican incumbent 's leads by more than 9,000 votes in Pennsylvania and 4,235 in Georgia , where a recount has been ordered .
Counters could also be redeployed in Pennsylvania where a recount is expected under state law if there is less than half a percentage point between the two candidates .
As Biden 's lead grew in Pennsylvania , hundreds of Democrats gathered outside Philadelphia 's downtown vote-counting site , wearing yellow shirts reading `` Count Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ordered election officials to set aside provisional ballots cast on Election Day by voters whose absentee or mail-in ballots were received on time .
Georgia , which the president won by more than 200,000 votes in 2016 , has not been won by the Democrats since 1992 .
Pennsylvania , Mr Biden 's birth state , was narrowly seized from the Democrats by Mr Trump in the last election .
Trump campaign senior advisor David Bossie , a prominent conservative activist who leads advocacy group Citizens United , has been chosen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a source familiar with Trump 's campaign strategy .
Bossie was part of a group of Trump loyalists who were in Las Vegas this week challenging the count in Nevada and is a fixture among Trump 's inner circle .
A Republican official said it was doubtful the strategy of challenging the ballot count in various states would produce a victory for Trump and added it was time for the president to `` move on '' .
The official said : `` The math is what it is , you look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn an outcome and we are well outside those numbers .
`` This race is over , and the only person who does n't see it is Donald Trump . ''
The Biden campaign on Wednesday launched a new `` Biden Fight Fund '' to help raise money for the legal battle , according to emails seen by Reuters .
Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon in an email : `` The president threatened to go to court to prevent the proper tabulation of votes . ''
Mr Biden is preparing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia in what could prove to be decisive moments in the election .

Trump's campaign has filed lawsuits in several states, challenging the results of Tuesday's election. The president has claimed the Democrats are trying to 'steal the election'
Desperate Trump campaign sends begging email for more cash to fight election in court
The Trump campaign is sending supporters begging emails to ask for more donations to fight the presidential election's result in court.
Screenshots emerged on social media showing an email warning a subscriber the message would be their "last notice" after they "ignored all the emails asking to defend the election".
The email, sent by Trump's campaign, continues: "You've ignored Team Trump, Eric, Lara, Don, the Vice President AND you've even ignored the President of the United States.
"Tens of thousands of Patriots have stepped up for the very first time in the last 48 hours - why haven't you?"
It comes as sources revealed the Trump campaign is plotting to raise at least $60 million (£45 million) to fund legal challenges over the US presidential election results.
President Donald Trump has claimed the Democrats are trying to "steal the election" and has called for some key battleground states, such as Georgia, to count "legal ballots" once again.
"From the beginning we have said that all legal ballots must be counted and all illegal ballots should not be counted, yet we have met resistance to this basic principle by Democrats at every turn," he said in a statement released by his campaign.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
The US president has also repeatedly tweeted about an alleged fraud by the Democrats over mail-in ballots, despite having no evidence of this - and Twitter has branded his comments as misleading.
As Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden edges closer to winning the White House, Trump's campaign has filed lawsuits in several states, challenging the results of Tuesday's presidential election.
A Republican donor who received solicitations from the campaign and the Republican National Committee said they are trying to raise $60 million to fund the lawsuits.
Two other sources told Reuters the campaign wanted as much as $100 million (£76 million) for the joint fundraising committee it maintains with the RNC.
Since voting ended on Tuesday, the Trump campaign has sent out email and text solicitations alleging foul play and seeking donations - but have been unable to provide any evidence of the fraud they claim has happened.
"If you count the legal votes, I easily won. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us," Donald Trump said while speaking in the White House press briefing room.
A Trump adviser, who wanted to remain anonymous, described the campaign's legal strategy as chaotic, disorganised and a "disservice to the president".
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
The adviser added Trump seemed to have been caught by surprise by the election results and had not been prepared to embark in a legal fight.
The campaign has already lost court rulings in closely contested states including Georgia.
The former vice president overhauled the Republican incumbent's leads by more than 9,000 votes in Pennsylvania and 4,235 in Georgia, where a recount has been ordered.
Counters could also be redeployed in Pennsylvania where a recount is expected under state law if there is less than half a percentage point between the two candidates.
Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
As Biden's lead grew in Pennsylvania, hundreds of Democrats gathered outside Philadelphia's downtown vote-counting site, wearing yellow shirts reading "Count Every Vote."
In Pennsylvania, a court ordered election officials to set aside provisional ballots cast on Election Day by voters whose absentee or mail-in ballots were received on time.
Georgia, which the president won by more than 200,000 votes in 2016, has not been won by the Democrats since 1992.
Pennsylvania, Mr Biden's birth state, was narrowly seized from the Democrats by Mr Trump in the last election.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
Trump campaign senior advisor David Bossie, a prominent conservative activist who leads advocacy group Citizens United, has been chosen to lead the post-election legal challenges, according to a source familiar with Trump's campaign strategy.
Bossie was part of a group of Trump loyalists who were in Las Vegas this week challenging the count in Nevada and is a fixture among Trump's inner circle.
A Republican official said it was doubtful the strategy of challenging the ballot count in various states would produce a victory for Trump and added it was time for the president to "move on".
The official said: "The math is what it is, you look at what it would take for a recount to overturn an outcome and we are well outside those numbers.
"This race is over, and the only person who doesn't see it is Donald Trump."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The Biden campaign on Wednesday launched a new "Biden Fight Fund" to help raise money for the legal battle, according to emails seen by Reuters.
Biden campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon in an email: "The president threatened to go to court to prevent the proper tabulation of votes."
Mr Biden is preparing to address the nation after he took the lead in the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia in what could prove to be decisive moments in the election.


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Toxic Trump's attempted coup confirms everything his critics think about him

Nothing becomes him more than the way he refuses to leave the stage .
By ignoring the will of the people he drags down a country he vowed to make great again to the level of a tin-pot dictatorship .
His attempted coup confirming everything his critics ever thought about him .
That he is a self-worshipping , bullying , bleating , cheating , cretinous lout , consumed with a conviction held since he was a little rich boy that he has a divine right to win .
Actor Bryan Cranston branded him “ a Shakespearean demagogue whose time on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy.
” As the final act plays out , what did we learn ?
That he chose to brutally disregard human life to seduce his redneck base .
Pulling America out of the UN ’ s Human Rights Council because it “ makes a mockery of human rights ” in the same week 2,000 distraught children were forcibly separated from their parents at the Mexican border .
Then there are the recent rallies he held without masks or distancing .
That he was the genitalia-grabbing misogynist who humiliated female leaders such as Merkel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Putin .
That he was a pathological liar who wore ignorance as a mark of genius .
That someone else always took the rap for his failings .
The voters reject him ?
Blame fraud .
Over 235,000 Americans dead due to coronavirus ?
Blame China .
Black people murdered by racists ?
Blame both sides .
Everything else ?
Fake news .
He vowed to drain the Washington swamp but turned it into a more toxic cesspool .
He wanted Hillary Clinton jailed but faces criminal investigation when he leaves office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud .
He persuaded tens of millions of Americans to buy into his bigoted vision but they were never the “ silent majority ” he claimed .
Twice he lost the popular vote by big margins and he ’ s only the fourth president in over a century to fail to win a second term .
As the votes now fail to stack up in his favour he is baiting Americans to sink their country into a bloody civil war .
The day after his inauguration I saw these words on a banner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s March in Washington : SUPER CALLOUS FRAGILE RACIST SEXIST LYING POTUS .
Four years later it is the perfect epitaph .

By ignoring the will of the people he drags down a country he vowed to make great again to the level of a tin-pot dictatorship, says Brian Reade
Toxic Donald Trump's attempted coup confirms everything his critics think about him
Nothing becomes him more than the way he refuses to leave the stage.
By ignoring the will of the people he drags down a country he vowed to make great again to the level of a tin-pot dictatorship. His attempted coup confirming everything his critics ever thought about him.
That he is a self-worshipping, bullying, bleating, cheating, cretinous lout, consumed with a conviction held since he was a little rich boy that he has a divine right to win.
Actor Bryan Cranston branded him “a Shakespearean demagogue whose time on the world stage can only end in tragedy.” As the final act plays out, what did we learn?
That he chose to brutally disregard human life to seduce his redneck base. Pulling America out of the UN’s Human Rights Council because it “makes a mockery of human rights” in the same week 2,000 distraught children were forcibly separated from their parents at the Mexican border.
Then there are the recent rallies he held without masks or distancing.
That he was the genitalia-grabbing misogynist who humiliated female leaders such as Merkel and May while sucking up to hard-men like Putin. That he was a pathological liar who wore ignorance as a mark of genius.
That someone else always took the rap for his failings. The voters reject him? Blame fraud. Over 235,000 Americans dead due to coronavirus? Blame China. Black people murdered by racists? Blame both sides. Everything else? Fake news.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
He vowed to drain the Washington swamp but turned it into a more toxic cesspool. He wanted Hillary Clinton jailed but faces criminal investigation when he leaves office into suspected bank, insurance and tax fraud.
He persuaded tens of millions of Americans to buy into his bigoted vision but they were never the “silent majority” he claimed. Twice he lost the popular vote by big margins and he’s only the fourth president in over a century to fail to win a second term.
As the votes now fail to stack up in his favour he is baiting Americans to sink their country into a bloody civil war.
The day after his inauguration I saw these words on a banner as I reported on the Women’s March in Washington: SUPER CALLOUS FRAGILE RACIST SEXIST LYING POTUS.
Four years later it is the perfect epitaph.


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Ruth Langsford told colleague who pinched her bum 'I'll break your f*****g arm'

Ruth Langsford warned a male colleague who pinched her bum with the words , `` I 'll break your f***ing arm '' .
The This Morning host , 60 , has been discussing sexism in the workplace .
Candid Ruth opened up about her personal experience from her youth to fellow presenter Kate Thornton on her White Wine Question Time podcast .
The subject soon turned to sexual harassment and the star was about to shock her fans .
Ruth admitted she vowed to break the arm of a male she was working with when she was younger while she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tray of tea on set just moments before the colleague touched her inappropriately .
Brave Ruth told Kate how she refused to let the male get away with it .
She recalled : `` I remember years ago when I had to take these big trays of tea around at certain times in the day for the VT engineers .
It was all men .
`` For some reason it was deemed to be my job as a woman .
I remember taking this tray round and a guy pinched my a** @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I slapped his tea down , and said : 'If you ever touch me again , I 'll break your f***ing arm . ''
Ruth also shared her thoughts on how woman are n't still totally are n't equal in the workplace .
`` I mean if you were a guy and the editor of a magazine , they 'd go 'he 's so dynamic and young and amazing ' .
`` Why is it like : 'She 's really bossy and annoying . '
I think women have had to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
It will keep changing . ''
It comes after Ruth shared she always defends her husband Eamonn against trolls making “ vile ” comments about him .
She told Woman Magazine : “ I love Instagram .
I stalk people as much as the next person .
“ I get such amazing messages and the odd troll who I just ignore .
“ Well unless they say anything vile about Eamonn and then I can ’ t hold back .
”

RUTH LANGSFORD LOOKS SERIOUSLY GLAM IN THROWBACK FROM EARLY TV CAREER
RUTH LANGSFORD LOOKS SERIOUSLY GLAM IN THROWBACK FROM EARLY TV CAREER
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This Morning favourite Ruth, 60, revealed she once threatened a male colleague who pinched her bum on set with the words "I'll break your f***ing arm"
Ruth Langsford told colleague who pinched her bum 'I'll break your f*****g arm'
Ruth Langsford warned a male colleague who pinched her bum with the words, "I'll break your f***ing arm".
The This Morning host, 60, has been discussing sexism in the workplace.
Candid Ruth opened up about her personal experience from her youth to fellow presenter Kate Thornton on her White Wine Question Time podcast.
The subject soon turned to sexual harassment and the star was about to shock her fans.
Ruth admitted she vowed to break the arm of a male she was working with when she was younger while she was on set.
She was carrying a tray of tea on set just moments before the colleague touched her inappropriately.
Image: ruthlangsford/Instagram) ruthlangsford/Instagram)
Brave Ruth told Kate how she refused to let the male get away with it.
She recalled: "I remember years ago when I had to take these big trays of tea around at certain times in the day for the VT engineers. It was all men.
"For some reason it was deemed to be my job as a woman. I remember taking this tray round and a guy pinched my a**.
"I put the tray down, I slapped his tea down, and said: 'If you ever touch me again, I'll break your f***ing arm.''
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
Ruth also shared her thoughts on how woman aren't still totally aren't equal in the workplace.
The telly veteran added: "You'd never call a man bossy.
"I mean if you were a guy and the editor of a magazine, they'd go 'he's so dynamic and young and amazing'.
Image: REX/Shutterstock) REX/Shutterstock)
"Why is it like: 'She's really bossy and annoying.' I think women have had to fight that and to some extent, still do. It will keep changing."
It comes after Ruth shared she always defends her husband Eamonn against trolls making “vile” comments about him.
She told Woman Magazine: “I love Instagram. I stalk people as much as the next person.
“I get such amazing messages and the odd troll who I just ignore.
“Well unless they say anything vile about Eamonn and then I can’t hold back.”


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Perishers - 7th November 2020

Perishers - 7th November 2020

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Perishers - 7th November 2020 Perishers originally ran from 1959 to 2006. The strip is still so popular today that we decided to reprint the best of the strips by Maurice Dodd and Dennis Collins
Perishers originally ran from 1959 to 2006. The strip is still so popular today that we decided to reprint the best of the strips by Maurice Dodd and Dennis Collins
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thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Andy Capp - 7th November 2020

Andy Capp - 7th November 2020

Andy Capp - 7th November 2020 Andy Capp has been a favourite part of the Daily Mirror since 1957. Enjoy the adventures of Andy Capp and wife Flo every day
Andy Capp has been a favourite part of the Daily Mirror since 1957. Enjoy the adventures of Andy Capp and wife Flo every day. See previous Andy Capp's or visit his Facebook page.
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thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Donald Trump 'will barricade himself in Oval Office if Joe Biden wins election'

Donald Trump will barricade himself inside the Oval Office and refuse to come out if Joe Biden wins the election , according to a US media report .
The President of the United states looks increasingly unlikely to win reelection and has baselessly attempted to undermine the democratic process .
Trump has vowed to throw the election to the courts because he has been 'cheated ' .
There is no evidence of any widespread voter fraud and Biden currently leads the popular vote by roughly 4m votes .
Rather than accept defeat gracefully , as presidents have done in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight tooth and nail to stay in the White House .
According to CNN , Trump reportedly has not prepared a concession speech and 'in conversations with allies in recent days has said he has no intention of conceding the election . '
Trump and Biden are yet to even speak since Election Day .
Trump 's chief of staff Mark Meadows ( his fourth in four years ) 'has not attempted to come to terms with the president about the reality of what is happening ' .
The Trump campaign is reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election in the courts .
According to American media some of his more moderate aides are trying to sell him on the idea of going quietly in order to preserve the Trump brand : 'explaining that dragging out an election he clearly lost would ruin his businesses and forestall whatever political future he ’ s hoping for ' .
Today Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said that the former Vice President ’ s staff wasn ’ t worried about Trump refusing to leave the White House because security will simply escort him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House , '' he said .
The president appears unable to grasp the idea of being ahead on Election Day but then losing the state once mail-in or absentee ballots are counted .
He 's called those being counted after Election Day 'illegal ' even though they are not .
Biden is on 263 Electoral College votes in the race to 270 and the White House .
He needs : Pennsylvania ( 20 ) or two of Arizona ( 11 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 ) and North Carolina ( 15 ) .
Trump needs to win Pennsylvania to stand any hope of remaining President - and even that is unlikely to be enough now .
Trump will suddenly be vulnerable to a barrage of legal actions – both criminal and civil – if he loses the presidency .
Until now Trump has used “ executive privilege ” to prevent people from testifying against him but that changes if he loses to Biden , as now seems likely .
The Trump Organisation is already at the centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces a case over his taxes .
White House insiders have claimed to the Mirror his outbursts that the election has been “ stolen ” from him are in part fuelled by his fear of going to prison .

The President of the United states has repeatedly attempted to undermine the democratic process and his campaign surrogates are repeating conspiracy theories about being 'cheated'
Donald Trump 'will barricade himself in Oval Office if Joe Biden wins election'
Donald Trump will barricade himself inside the Oval Office and refuse to come out if Joe Biden wins the election, according to a US media report.
The President of the United states looks increasingly unlikely to win reelection and has baselessly attempted to undermine the democratic process.
Trump has vowed to throw the election to the courts because he has been 'cheated'. There is no evidence of any widespread voter fraud and Biden currently leads the popular vote by roughly 4m votes.
Rather than accept defeat gracefully, as presidents have done in the past, Trump has indicated he will fight tooth and nail to stay in the White House.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images) Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
According to CNN, Trump reportedly has not prepared a concession speech and 'in conversations with allies in recent days has said he has no intention of conceding the election.'
Trump and Biden are yet to even speak since Election Day.
Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows (his fourth in four years) 'has not attempted to come to terms with the president about the reality of what is happening'.
The Trump campaign is reportedly trying to raise $60m to fight the election in the courts.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
According to American media some of his more moderate aides are trying to sell him on the idea of going quietly in order to preserve the Trump brand: 'explaining that dragging out an election he clearly lost would ruin his businesses and forestall whatever political future he’s hoping for'.
Today Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said that the former Vice President’s staff wasn’t worried about Trump refusing to leave the White House because security will simply escort him from the premises.
"The US government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House," he said.
The president appears unable to grasp the idea of being ahead on Election Day but then losing the state once mail-in or absentee ballots are counted.
Image: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
He's called those being counted after Election Day 'illegal' even though they are not.
Biden is on 263 Electoral College votes in the race to 270 and the White House.
He needs: Pennsylvania (20) or two of Arizona (11), Georgia (16), Nevada (6) and North Carolina (15).
Trump needs to win Pennsylvania to stand any hope of remaining President - and even that is unlikely to be enough now.
Trump will suddenly be vulnerable to a barrage of legal actions – both criminal and civil – if he loses the presidency.
Until now Trump has used “executive privilege” to prevent people from testifying against him but that changes if he loses to Biden, as now seems likely.
The Trump Organisation is already at the centre of a criminal probe. Trump also faces a case over his taxes.
White House insiders have claimed to the Mirror his outbursts that the election has been “stolen” from him are in part fuelled by his fear of going to prison.


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Boris Johnson told to boost pay for hundreds of thousands of struggling carers

Boris Johnson has been told to boost pay for thousands of carers to put them on par with their NHS counterparts .
Charity campaigners said many care workers were struggling to make ends meet on the average £15,000 salary , earning 24p less per hour than a shop assistant .
In a new report , Age UK said the 1.65million care workforce had been left behind the NHS on PPE , testing , mental health support , priority access to shops and pay rises .
The charity is calling for pay parity between care workers and those in the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warns the sector in England will struggle to fill 122,000 job vacancies if staff are not offered better pay and support .
Caroline Abrahams , Charity Director at Age UK , said : “ We owe so much to the care workers of this country , who labour day in , day out to support millions of older and disabled people .
“ They have had a torrid time during the pandemic and now we need to properly reward them for their staying power and their commitment.
” She said lack of funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which undermine the quality of care for vulnerable people .
Fiona Carragher , of the Alzheimer ’ s Society , said the pandemic had laid bare the challenges faced by the underfunded care system , which is in a state of `` near collapse '' .
`` Overwhelmed care staff have had to bear the brunt of the catastrophic loss of life in care homes , 50 % of whom have been people living with dementia , often unsupported and under a huge amount of pressure , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care was on an equal footing with the NHS and Alzheimer ’ s Society has repeatedly called on the Government to honour their pledge to fix social care 'once and for all ' . ''
Shadow Care Minister Liz Kendall backed calls for a pay rise for carers who have made “ immense sacrifices ” to do their vital work during the pandemic .
“ Care workers have been undervalued and underpaid for too long , and it is time the Government took action to fix this , ” she said .
Unison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be a “ wake-up call ” to the Government .
“ Care staff can ’ t go on being ignored , undervalued and left to exist on poverty wages , ” she said .
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said : “ Care workers work incredibly hard all the time , but we owe them a particular debt for their heroics during the Coronavirus crisis .
They have put their lives in danger in order to care for vulnerable people in our society .
“ The government must pay them properly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are paid less than other key workers.
” The Mirror ’ s campaign “ Fair Care for All ” demands proper investment in the sector .

Campaigners said care workers were struggling to make ends meet - with many earning 24p less per hour than a shop assistant
Boris Johnson told to boost pay for hundreds of thousands of struggling carers
Boris Johnson has been told to boost pay for thousands of carers to put them on par with their NHS counterparts.
Charity campaigners said many care workers were struggling to make ends meet on the average £15,000 salary, earning 24p less per hour than a shop assistant.
In a new report, Age UK said the 1.65million care workforce had been left behind the NHS on PPE, testing, mental health support, priority access to shops and pay rises.
The charity is calling for pay parity between care workers and those in the NHS in the same roles.
And it warns the sector in England will struggle to fill 122,000 job vacancies if staff are not offered better pay and support.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “We owe so much to the care workers of this country, who labour day in, day out to support millions of older and disabled people.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
“They have had a torrid time during the pandemic and now we need to properly reward them for their staying power and their commitment.”
She said lack of funding often led to “exploitative working conditions” which undermine the quality of care for vulnerable people.
Fiona Carragher, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said the pandemic had laid bare the challenges faced by the underfunded care system, which is in a state of "near collapse".
"Overwhelmed care staff have had to bear the brunt of the catastrophic loss of life in care homes, 50% of whom have been people living with dementia, often unsupported and under a huge amount of pressure," she said.
"This would not have happened if social care was on an equal footing with the NHS and Alzheimer’s Society has repeatedly called on the Government to honour their pledge to fix social care 'once and for all'."
Shadow Care Minister Liz Kendall backed calls for a pay rise for carers who have made “immense sacrifices” to do their vital work during the pandemic.
“Care workers have been undervalued and underpaid for too long, and it is time the Government took action to fix this,” she said.
Unison Assistant General Secretary Christina McAnea said report should be a “wake-up call” to the Government.
“Care staff can’t go on being ignored, undervalued and left to exist on poverty wages,” she said.
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “Care workers work incredibly hard all the time, but we owe them a particular debt for their heroics during the Coronavirus crisis. They have put their lives in danger in order to care for vulnerable people in our society.
“The government must pay them properly, it simply cannot be right that they are paid less than other key workers.”
The Mirror’s campaign “Fair Care for All” demands proper investment in the sector.


thedailymirror--2020-11-07--Unions and think tank launch fight to save  £12m fund to help workers learn

Ministers were tonight urged to save a pot of cash which boosts workers ' skills .
The Trades Union Congress and a leading think tank launched a fight to save the Union Learning Fund , which helped 200,000 people last year .
They believe it is vital for helping employees scale the career ladder , with cash used to teach employees read , write and use computers .
Last year , 62,000 workers got basic English , maths and IT skills through union learning .
But the Government last month confirmed it plans to axe the fund , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running for 32 years .
In a report published tonight , the Learning and Work Institute calls on ministers to preserve the cash .
A 36-page study , 'Levelling up skills after coronavirus : The role of trade unions and social partnership in workforce training ' urges a rethink .
Report author Joe Dromey , the think tank 's deputy director of research and development , said : “ If the Government wants to boost employer investment in skills and level-up access to training , then unions are an ally .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with higher employer investment in training and they are particularly effective at engaging the workers who could most benefit from up-skilling .
“ The Government should not scrap the Union Learning Fund .
“ It helps hundreds of thousands of workers improve their skills every year and independent evaluations show it delivers real value for employers and for the economy too.
” TUC general secretary Frances O ’ Grady said : “ Union learning has a fantastic track record for levelling-up skills .
“ Many of our learners start out improving basic skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their confidence grows they move onto retraining for higher-paid work with more responsibility .
“ The partnerships between unions and employers , supported by the Union Learning Fund , is key to this success , and what it allows us to achieve together is important for workers , business and the economy right now.
” British Steel human resources director Derek Scott said : “ Personal and technical development is essential for the future of our company , and the industry as a whole .
“ We work closely with our trade union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the provision of the Union Learning Fund for many years has really helped us make good progress in this area .
“ The removal of this fund would , in our view , impact negatively the ongoing growth of our people , and therefore risk impacting our future business success.
” A Department for Education spokeswoman said : “ We have taken the decision not to continue to provide grant funding to Unionlearn in the next financial year .
“ We will instead be investing the money to directly support further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our new £2.5billion National Skills Fund to help more people learn new skills and prepare for the jobs of the future .
“ The Prime Minister also recently announced a new ‘ Lifetime Skills Guarantee ’ offering adults without an A-level or equivalent qualification a fully-funded course .
”

EXCLUSIVE: A study by the Learning and Work Institute reveals the benefits of the cash, with the Government wants to axe
Unions and think tank launch fight to save £12m fund to help workers learn
Ministers were tonight urged to save a pot of cash which boosts workers' skills.
The Trades Union Congress and a leading think tank launched a fight to save the Union Learning Fund, which helped 200,000 people last year.
They believe it is vital for helping employees scale the career ladder, with cash used to teach employees read, write and use computers.
Last year, 62,000 workers got basic English, maths and IT skills through union learning.
But the Government last month confirmed it plans to axe the fund, which is worth about £12million annually and has been running for 32 years.
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In a report published tonight, the Learning and Work Institute calls on ministers to preserve the cash.
A 36-page study, 'Levelling up skills after coronavirus : The role of trade unions and social partnership in workforce training' urges a rethink .
Report author Joe Dromey, the think tank's deputy director of research and development, said: “If the Government wants to boost employer investment in skills and level-up access to training, then unions are an ally.
“The evidence is clear; unions are associated with higher employer investment in training and they are particularly effective at engaging the workers who could most benefit from up-skilling.
Image: Learning and Work Institute) Learning and Work Institute)
“The Government should not scrap the Union Learning Fund.
“It helps hundreds of thousands of workers improve their skills every year and independent evaluations show it delivers real value for employers and for the economy too.”
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Union learning has a fantastic track record for levelling-up skills.
Image: Getty) Getty)
“Many of our learners start out improving basic skills like reading and numeracy, and as their confidence grows they move onto retraining for higher-paid work with more responsibility.
“The partnerships between unions and employers, supported by the Union Learning Fund, is key to this success, and what it allows us to achieve together is important for workers, business and the economy right now.”
Businesses said the scheme helped boost staff skills.
British Steel human resources director Derek Scott said: “Personal and technical development is essential for the future of our company, and the industry as a whole.
“We work closely with our trade union partners on delivering people growth and development, and the provision of the Union Learning Fund for many years has really helped us make good progress in this area.
“The removal of this fund would, in our view, impact negatively the ongoing growth of our people, and therefore risk impacting our future business success.”
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “We have taken the decision not to continue to provide grant funding to Unionlearn in the next financial year.
“We will instead be investing the money to directly support further education colleges, other training providers and our new £2.5billion National Skills Fund to help more people learn new skills and prepare for the jobs of the future.
“The Prime Minister also recently announced a new ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ offering adults without an A-level or equivalent qualification a fully-funded course.”