news--2020-05-22--Blippar co-founder pitches for top job at Duke's venture

One of the co-founders of Blippar , the augmented reality start-up , is vying to replace the Duke of York 's former private secretary at the helm of the venture he set up to help fast-growing companies .
Sky News understands that Jess Butcher is among the final candidates to become chief executive of the company , which has operated since its launch in 2014 as Pitch @ Palace .
A decision about a successor to Amanda Thirsk is expected in the coming weeks , with several people , including Ms Butcher , in contention .
Ms Butcher is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , having helped to launch Blippar , a prominent British start-up that eventually went through a brief period in administration .
She has since founded a social video platform called Tick .
The process of recruiting her successor is being led by Johan Eliasch , the wealthy businessman who chairs Pitch .
Ms Thirsk 's departure in April came three months after she reached a financial settlement to leave Buckingham Palace .
The Pitch @ Palace project has faced an uncertain future since Prince Andrew 's BBC interview last autumn about his relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and convicted paedophile , who was found dead in his American prison cell last August .
The Duke has stepped back from involvement with Pitch , which has relocated from Buckingham Palace to a WeWork building in nearby Victoria .
Ms Thirsk had signalled that the venture would be relaunched under the name Pitch Connect , although that decision is understood to remain under review .
Pitch , which connects start-up companies to mentors and investors around the world , says it has helped nearly 1,000 start-ups since being set up in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 6,000 jobs since its inception and generated more than £1.1bn of new economic activity .
A number of Pitch 's corporate partners , including Barclays , KPMG and Standard Chartered , ended their relationships with the project as the furore over the Duke 's interview grew .
Most of the directors of Pitch subsequently resigned , leaving only Ms Thirsk and Mr Eliasch on its board .
A slate of new directors is also likely to be recruited in the months ahead .
Events have been planned for this year in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world , although its schedule may have to be abandoned because of the coronavirus outbreak .
It is unclear where future events in London will be staged , with the most recent one having been held at a luxury London hotel .
A former banker , Ms Thirsk worked at Buckingham Palace for Prince Andrew from 2004 until this year , when she reached a settlement to terminate her role as his private secretary .
Ms Thirsk had played a key role in shaping his work after he was forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 .
His decision to give up the title of special representative for trade and investment followed earlier controversies involving Epstein .
While Ms Thirsk was partly blamed for the duke 's decision to conduct his November interview with the BBC , allies of the now-former royal aide praised her efforts to carve out a role for him that also benefited the UK economy .
Ms Butcher and Mr Eliasch both declined to comment .

One of the co-founders of Blippar, the augmented reality start-up, is vying to replace the Duke of York's former private secretary at the helm of the venture he set up to help fast-growing companies.
Sky News understands that Jess Butcher is among the final candidates to become chief executive of the company, which has operated since its launch in 2014 as Pitch@Palace.
A decision about a successor to Amanda Thirsk is expected in the coming weeks, with several people, including Ms Butcher, in contention.
Ms Butcher is a well-known figure in London's technology scene, having helped to launch Blippar, a prominent British start-up that eventually went through a brief period in administration.
She has since founded a social video platform called Tick.
The process of recruiting her successor is being led by Johan Eliasch, the wealthy businessman who chairs Pitch.
Ms Thirsk's departure in April came three months after she reached a financial settlement to leave Buckingham Palace.
The Pitch@Palace project has faced an uncertain future since Prince Andrew's BBC interview last autumn about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted paedophile, who was found dead in his American prison cell last August.
The Duke has stepped back from involvement with Pitch, which has relocated from Buckingham Palace to a WeWork building in nearby Victoria.
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Ms Thirsk had signalled that the venture would be relaunched under the name Pitch Connect, although that decision is understood to remain under review.
Pitch, which connects start-up companies to mentors and investors around the world, says it has helped nearly 1,000 start-ups since being set up in 2014.
It also claims to have created almost 6,000 jobs since its inception and generated more than £1.1bn of new economic activity.
A number of Pitch's corporate partners, including Barclays, KPMG and Standard Chartered, ended their relationships with the project as the furore over the Duke's interview grew.
Most of the directors of Pitch subsequently resigned, leaving only Ms Thirsk and Mr Eliasch on its board.
A slate of new directors is also likely to be recruited in the months ahead.
Events have been planned for this year in China, the Middle East and other parts of the world, although its schedule may have to be abandoned because of the coronavirus outbreak.
It is unclear where future events in London will be staged, with the most recent one having been held at a luxury London hotel.
A former banker, Ms Thirsk worked at Buckingham Palace for Prince Andrew from 2004 until this year, when she reached a settlement to terminate her role as his private secretary.
Ms Thirsk had played a key role in shaping his work after he was forced to step down as the UK trade envoy in 2011.
His decision to give up the title of special representative for trade and investment followed earlier controversies involving Epstein.
While Ms Thirsk was partly blamed for the duke's decision to conduct his November interview with the BBC, allies of the now-former royal aide praised her efforts to carve out a role for him that also benefited the UK economy.
Ms Butcher and Mr Eliasch both declined to comment.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Shearings collapses with loss of 2,500 jobs

The owner of Shearings , the coach holidays provider , has crashed into administration , resulting in the immediate loss of 2,500 jobs and thousands of customers ' holidays being cancelled .
EY , the administrator to Specialist Leisure Group ( SLG ) , confirmed late on Friday afternoon that it had made more than 2,000 staff redundant who had previously been furloughed under the government 's job retention scheme .
The news adds to the fast-growing toll of job losses across the economy as the coronavirus crisis continues to wreak havoc with industries such as leisure and travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK Breakaways , Coast & Country Hotels , Bay Hotels , Country Living Hotels , and Wallace Arnold Travel , has ceased trading with immediate effect .
The hotel chains will not reopen following the insolvency .
In a statement , EY said it had tried to find a buyer to maintain the travel group as a going concern but that it had not been possible .
It added that `` the vast majority of customers '' were expected to have financial protection from one of the Confederation of Passenger Transport , Bonded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or through their credit or debit card issuer .
Sky News reported last month that SLG was on the brink of collapse as its main lender , Lloyds Banking Group , and owner - the US-based private equity firm Lone Star Funds - tried to stitch together a rescue deal .
`` The group has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as all tours , trips and events have been cancelled and the hotels closed to the public , leading to a significant cash shortfall , '' Sam Woodward , the joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority is to advise and support those employees and customers that have been impacted by the group 's insolvency .
`` We are making every effort to contact all customers , who have had their bookings cancelled as a result of the administrations or COVID-19 , with information to assist them in making a claim .
`` Customers should be assured that claims do not need to be submitted immediately and refunds will continue to be accepted for up to six months .
SLG traces its origins to the establishment of the Happiways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holidays is one of the most prominent coach tour operators in the UK , serving more than 170 destinations in the UK , Europe and further afield .
The business was set up by Herbert Shearing , and marked its centenary last year .
Lone Star became the owner of the group through a wider portfolio of assets it took control of in 2015 .
The Texas-based private equity firm has explored a sale of the business on previous occasions .

The owner of Shearings, the coach holidays provider, has crashed into administration, resulting in the immediate loss of 2,500 jobs and thousands of customers' holidays being cancelled.
EY, the administrator to Specialist Leisure Group (SLG), confirmed late on Friday afternoon that it had made more than 2,000 staff redundant who had previously been furloughed under the government's job retention scheme.
The news adds to the fast-growing toll of job losses across the economy as the coronavirus crisis continues to wreak havoc with industries such as leisure and travel.
SLG's operations include brands such as UK Breakaways, Coast & Country Hotels, Bay Hotels, Country Living Hotels, and Wallace Arnold Travel, has ceased trading with immediate effect.
The hotel chains will not reopen following the insolvency.
In a statement, EY said it had tried to find a buyer to maintain the travel group as a going concern but that it had not been possible.
It added that "the vast majority of customers" were expected to have financial protection from one of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, Bonded Coach Holidays, ATOL or ABTA, or through their credit or debit card issuer.
Sky News reported last month that SLG was on the brink of collapse as its main lender, Lloyds Banking Group, and owner - the US-based private equity firm Lone Star Funds - tried to stitch together a rescue deal.
"The group has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as all tours, trips and events have been cancelled and the hotels closed to the public, leading to a significant cash shortfall," Sam Woodward, the joint administrator, said.
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"Our immediate priority is to advise and support those employees and customers that have been impacted by the group's insolvency.
"We are making every effort to contact all customers, who have had their bookings cancelled as a result of the administrations or COVID-19, with information to assist them in making a claim.
"Customers should be assured that claims do not need to be submitted immediately and refunds will continue to be accepted for up to six months.
SLG traces its origins to the establishment of the Happiways escorted tours operation in 1903.
Shearings Holidays is one of the most prominent coach tour operators in the UK, serving more than 170 destinations in the UK, Europe and further afield.
The business was set up by Herbert Shearing, and marked its centenary last year.
Lone Star became the owner of the group through a wider portfolio of assets it took control of in 2015.
The Texas-based private equity firm has explored a sale of the business on previous occasions.
Lloyds and Lone Star Funds declined to comment.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Record government borrowing in April as UK tackles COVID-19 crisis

The government borrowed a record amount in April , adding £62.1bn to the country 's budget deficit .
The Office for National Statistics said government borrowing was £51.1bn higher than the same month last year .
It comes amid efforts by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to prevent mass job losses from the coronavirus pandemic by furloughing many of the country 's workers .
The figure is significantly higher than expected , with most economists having predicted £30.7bn for the month .
Public debt jumped to almost 98 % of GDP - the highest share of GDP by that measure since 1963 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was due to both higher borrowing and a lower estimate of the size of the economy .
Paul Craig , portfolio manager at Quilter Investors , said : `` Government revenue is dominated by income tax and national insurance , so the furloughing scheme will help mitigate any serious damage here and now .
`` However , the next biggest contributor is VAT , and this is where the worries will be for the Treasury .
Consumption has collapsed and will take a considerable amount of time to return to levels seen prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the previous 10 years to balance the books has been undone in one fell swoop .
`` However , the bottom line of all of this is that the amount of borrowing simply just is n't important today or in the coming months .
`` The amount of debt is not necessarily what matters , but the cost to service this debt .
While debt to GDP ratios will climb , the ability to pay this down will also increase , particularly given the Bank of England and the Treasury have never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gilts are being sold with negative yields , and the BoE being the most prominent buyer of this debt , the government will be fairly comfortable with the borrowing that is required currently . ''
Alex Tuckett , senior economist at PwC , said the April borrowing figure was `` dramatic '' , adding that it was almost as much as the figure for the whole of the 2019/20 financial year .
`` The dramatic deterioration in public finances was driven both by a more than 25 % fall ( relative to April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy contracted in response to the COVID-19 crisis , and an even more dramatic increase in expenditure ( over 50 % relative to April 2019 ) , as the government has spent heavily on schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme .
`` Large monthly borrowing figures will continue until the economy recovers and some aspects of fiscal support can be scaled back . ''
Mr Sunak , said : `` Our top priority is to support people , jobs and businesses through this crisis and ensure our economic recovery is as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's why we 've taken unprecedented steps to provide lifelines to people and businesses with our furlough scheme , grants , loans and tax cuts .
`` If we had n't provided this support , more livelihoods would be at risk , and the economic and financial cost would have been much worse . ''

The government borrowed a record amount in April, adding £62.1bn to the country's budget deficit.
The Office for National Statistics said government borrowing was £51.1bn higher than the same month last year.
It comes amid efforts by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to prevent mass job losses from the coronavirus pandemic by furloughing many of the country's workers.
The figure is significantly higher than expected, with most economists having predicted £30.7bn for the month.
Public debt jumped to almost 98% of GDP - the highest share of GDP by that measure since 1963, according to the ONS.
This was due to both higher borrowing and a lower estimate of the size of the economy.
Paul Craig, portfolio manager at Quilter Investors, said: "Government revenue is dominated by income tax and national insurance, so the furloughing scheme will help mitigate any serious damage here and now.
"However, the next biggest contributor is VAT, and this is where the worries will be for the Treasury. Consumption has collapsed and will take a considerable amount of time to return to levels seen prior to this crisis. All the work of the previous 10 years to balance the books has been undone in one fell swoop.
"However, the bottom line of all of this is that the amount of borrowing simply just isn't important today or in the coming months.
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"The amount of debt is not necessarily what matters, but the cost to service this debt. While debt to GDP ratios will climb, the ability to pay this down will also increase, particularly given the Bank of England and the Treasury have never been more aligned.
"So while gilts are being sold with negative yields, and the BoE being the most prominent buyer of this debt, the government will be fairly comfortable with the borrowing that is required currently."
Alex Tuckett, senior economist at PwC, said the April borrowing figure was "dramatic", adding that it was almost as much as the figure for the whole of the 2019/20 financial year.
"The dramatic deterioration in public finances was driven both by a more than 25% fall (relative to April 2019) in tax receipts as the economy contracted in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and an even more dramatic increase in expenditure (over 50% relative to April 2019), as the government has spent heavily on schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
"Large monthly borrowing figures will continue until the economy recovers and some aspects of fiscal support can be scaled back."
Mr Sunak, said: "Our top priority is to support people, jobs and businesses through this crisis and ensure our economic recovery is as strong and as swift as possible. That's why we've taken unprecedented steps to provide lifelines to people and businesses with our furlough scheme, grants, loans and tax cuts.
"If we hadn't provided this support, more livelihoods would be at risk, and the economic and financial cost would have been much worse."


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: New COVID-19 test could make mass screening possible in 'weeks'

Mass screening of public service workers for COVID-19 could be weeks away , according to an Oxford biotech company which is preparing to release a portable test it says gives results in little over an hour .
Oxford Nanopore says the device could be used to test every police officer , care home worker or teacher once a week , allowing them to go to work knowing they do not have the virus .
Like existing tests for the presence of the virus , the device analyses swabs , but because it is portable it can be brought to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swabs are sent to the laboratory .
The test has been validated internally by Oxford Nanopore and is now going through further testing before it is shown to regulators .
The company 's CEO says it could be in the field in a matter of weeks .
`` In the next six to eight weeks , we will be able to hit one million [ tests ] a month , and we can double that and double it again , '' Gordon Sanghera told Sky News .
`` You have to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near real time , at the point of infection and close it down rapidly .
So I think it 's a game-changer . ''
The test can be used on surfaces as well as people , so it could detect coronavirus on hospital door handles or bed rails .
It can process as many as 30,000 samples a day , according to the company , which claims it is as accurate as existing tests for the presence of the virus .
The government has high hopes for the devices , which could solve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it difficult to test large numbers of people with the speed necessary to outpace the virus .
Speaking yesterday at the government 's daily press conference , Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailed the test as one of a number of innovations that could `` deliver testing with a rapid turnaround '' .
Although Mr Hancock added that `` like all R & D , lots of projects do n't come off '' and said he was backing research efforts `` before you know for sure if they are going to work '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ called LamPORE , which can be run using two devices : a desktop machine called GridION and a handheld machine called MinION .
The portable machine is the size of a disc drive and costs around £1,000 .
Dr Sanghera said the small machine could be used in a school or a care home .
The desktop machine , which is the size of a home printer , could sit permanently in a factory or an office .
Unlike existing tests , which add fluorescent markers to samples of the virus , LamPORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not necessary to use the complex PCR machine involved in fluorescent marking .
The method is known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification , or LAMP for short , which gives the test its name .
Oxford Nanopore says it is possible to analyse thousands of samples at the same time , because each one is given a `` barcode '' which can identify it later .
The company , which is valued at over £1bn , is known for its portable DNA sequencer , which was hailed as a breakthrough by scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine years of development .
Professor Andrew Beggs , who is testing Oxford Nanopore 's machine at his lab in the University of Birmingham , said the technology could offer a route to mass screening .
`` It would be much easier than what we currently do , '' he told Sky News .
`` You can devolve these devices down to very local level , like a GP surgery , and everyone could be tested there , rather than having mass at scale testing . ''

Mass screening of public service workers for COVID-19 could be weeks away, according to an Oxford biotech company which is preparing to release a portable test it says gives results in little over an hour.
Oxford Nanopore says the device could be used to test every police officer, care home worker or teacher once a week, allowing them to go to work knowing they do not have the virus.
Like existing tests for the presence of the virus, the device analyses swabs, but because it is portable it can be brought to the infection, avoiding the time-consuming process where swabs are sent to the laboratory.
The test has been validated internally by Oxford Nanopore and is now going through further testing before it is shown to regulators.
The company's CEO says it could be in the field in a matter of weeks.
"In the next six to eight weeks, we will be able to hit one million [tests] a month, and we can double that and double it again," Gordon Sanghera told Sky News.
"You have to be able to test in real time, or near real time, at the point of infection and close it down rapidly. So I think it's a game-changer."
The test can be used on surfaces as well as people, so it could detect coronavirus on hospital door handles or bed rails.
It can process as many as 30,000 samples a day, according to the company, which claims it is as accurate as existing tests for the presence of the virus.
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The government has high hopes for the devices, which could solve many of the problems that have made it difficult to test large numbers of people with the speed necessary to outpace the virus.
Image: Oxford Nanospore headquarters
Speaking yesterday at the government's daily press conference, Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailed the test as one of a number of innovations that could "deliver testing with a rapid turnaround".
Although Mr Hancock added that "like all R&D, lots of projects don't come off" and said he was backing research efforts "before you know for sure if they are going to work".
Oxford Nanopore's test uses a test called LamPORE, which can be run using two devices: a desktop machine called GridION and a handheld machine called MinION. The portable machine is the size of a disc drive and costs around £1,000.
Dr Sanghera said the small machine could be used in a school or a care home. The desktop machine, which is the size of a home printer, could sit permanently in a factory or an office.
Unlike existing tests, which add fluorescent markers to samples of the virus, LamPORE uses an electronic method, which means it is not necessary to use the complex PCR machine involved in fluorescent marking.
The method is known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification, or LAMP for short, which gives the test its name.
Oxford Nanopore says it is possible to analyse thousands of samples at the same time, because each one is given a "barcode" which can identify it later.
The company, which is valued at over £1bn, is known for its portable DNA sequencer, which was hailed as a breakthrough by scientists when it was released in 2015 after nine years of development.
Professor Andrew Beggs, who is testing Oxford Nanopore's machine at his lab in the University of Birmingham, said the technology could offer a route to mass screening.
"It would be much easier than what we currently do," he told Sky News.
"You can devolve these devices down to very local level, like a GP surgery, and everyone could be tested there, rather than having mass at scale testing."


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Policeman attacked by group of youths he was investigating for breach of social distanc

Coronavirus: Policeman attacked by group of youths he was investigating for breach of social distancing rules

A police officer has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a group of young adults he was investigating @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus guidelines .
The policeman , who was working alone , was called to West @ @ @ @ @ at 7.40pm on Thursday after a report that the group may have been flouting social @ @ @ @ @ said .
The attack happened as the officer was speaking to the men , and @ @ @ @ @ minor injuries to the wrist and head , the force said .
Three people , @ @ @ @ @ youths , were arrested a short time later and have been taken into custody .
@ @ @ @ @ to be circulating on social media , with the police urging the public to refrain @ @ @ @ @

A police officer has been taken to hospital after being attacked by a group of young adults he was investigating for a possible breach of coronavirus guidelines.
The policeman, who was working alone, was called to West Byfleet Park outside southwest London at 7.40pm on Thursday after a report that the group may have been flouting social distancing guidelines, Surrey Police said.
The attack happened as the officer was speaking to the men, and was taken to hospital with minor injuries to the wrist and head, the force said.
Three people, including one adult and two youths, were arrested a short time later and have been taken into custody.
Footage of the incident appears to be circulating on social media, with the police urging the public to refrain from sharing it wider.
Any witnesses should call 101 quoting PR/ 45200052505


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Rush to give away 15,000 Easter eggs after events cancelled

Homes are needed for thousands of chocolate eggs left over after coronavirus forced the cancellation of Easter events , a heritage charity has said .
The National Trust for Scotland ( NTS ) were given more than 30,000 boxed eggs by Cadbury for its egg hunts before the lockdown was imposed .
Around half of the eggs have been donated to hospitals , food banks and community groups around Scotland .
But with the treats ' use-by date of July looming , groups are being urged to contact the charity if they can use them .
Mark Bishop , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was absolutely heart-breaking to have to cancel our Easter egg hunts this year and not be able to welcome the tens of thousands of people who we usually see .
`` As well as being our biggest weekend of the year , Easter marks the start of the season for many of our properties but given the unprecedented global situation , everything had to be put on hold .
In the midst of all this , though , we saw that some good could come out of the situation .
`` Thirty thousand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our operations teams have been finding places for them to go .
`` It 's wonderful that so many have gone to the NHS and to other groups and organisations doing incredible work in our communities . ''
NTS estimated that if stacked on top of each other , the 30,000 eggs would have been three times the height of the tallest trust peak , Ben Lawers , which is a 3,984ft mountain .
A total of 32,000 people took part in the trust 's Easter egg hunts last year and an even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event at 41 sites across Scotland .
Organisations which could take the chocolate can be suggested through the NTS social media pages .
Hospitals around the country are among those already given eggs , including paediatric wards in NHS Lanarkshire , the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow , Perth Royal Infirmary , Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy , and Borders General Hospital .
In Tayside , eggs have been donated to sites such as Stracathro Hospital in Angus , Kingsway Care Centre in Dundee , the Murray Royal Hospital and community mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arbroath , Brechin and Forfar .
Culzean Castle , Brodick Castle , Pollok House , Threave Garden and Tenement House all gave their eggs to local foodbanks , while Bannockburn gave its treats to Women 's Aid in Alloa and The Bellfield Centre in Stirling .
Eggs were also handed to community groups and charities such as the Community Pantry in Larbert , Fullarton Connexions in Irvine , homelessness charity Seascape in Ayr , 10:10 Trust in Ayrshire , Centrestage in Kilmarnock , Peace Childcare and the Royal Blind home in Edinburgh .

Homes are needed for thousands of chocolate eggs left over after coronavirus forced the cancellation of Easter events, a heritage charity has said.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) were given more than 30,000 boxed eggs by Cadbury for its egg hunts before the lockdown was imposed.
Around half of the eggs have been donated to hospitals, food banks and community groups around Scotland.
Image: Easter eggs sit on the fire place in the Drawing Room in the National Trust for Scotland's Georgian House in Edinburgh
But with the treats' use-by date of July looming, groups are being urged to contact the charity if they can use them.
Mark Bishop, of the NTS, said: "It was absolutely heart-breaking to have to cancel our Easter egg hunts this year and not be able to welcome the tens of thousands of people who we usually see.
"As well as being our biggest weekend of the year, Easter marks the start of the season for many of our properties but given the unprecedented global situation, everything had to be put on hold. In the midst of all this, though, we saw that some good could come out of the situation.
"Thirty thousand Easter eggs don't eat themselves and our operations teams have been finding places for them to go.
"It's wonderful that so many have gone to the NHS and to other groups and organisations doing incredible work in our communities."
NTS estimated that if stacked on top of each other, the 30,000 eggs would have been three times the height of the tallest trust peak, Ben Lawers, which is a 3,984ft mountain.
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A total of 32,000 people took part in the trust's Easter egg hunts last year and an even bigger response was expected for the 2020 event at 41 sites across Scotland.
Organisations which could take the chocolate can be suggested through the NTS social media pages.
Hospitals around the country are among those already given eggs, including paediatric wards in NHS Lanarkshire, the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow, Perth Royal Infirmary, Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, and Borders General Hospital.
In Tayside, eggs have been donated to sites such as Stracathro Hospital in Angus, Kingsway Care Centre in Dundee, the Murray Royal Hospital and community mental health teams in Perth, Kinross, Arbroath, Brechin and Forfar.
Culzean Castle, Brodick Castle, Pollok House, Threave Garden and Tenement House all gave their eggs to local foodbanks, while Bannockburn gave its treats to Women's Aid in Alloa and The Bellfield Centre in Stirling.
Eggs were also handed to community groups and charities such as the Community Pantry in Larbert, Fullarton Connexions in Irvine, homelessness charity Seascape in Ayr, 10:10 Trust in Ayrshire, Centrestage in Kilmarnock, Peace Childcare and the Royal Blind home in Edinburgh.


news--2020-05-21--Coronavirus: Ten football clubs could go bust in weeks without urgent govt bailout, MP warns

Up to 10 football clubs could go into administration within weeks unless they receive an urgent and substantial government bailout , it has been claimed .
Damian Collins , the former chair of the digital , culture , media and sport select committee , said many League 1 and 2 teams in the English Football League were in a parlous state even before the coronavirus crisis began .
The MP says the pandemic is making the plight of vulnerable clubs more acute - and called on the government to provide financial support quickly .
He told Sky Sports News : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could see five to 10 EFL League clubs going into administration .
`` We saw the outcry last summer when two clubs , Bury and Bolton , were in trouble .
If that happens there will be huge public demand to do something .
`` Without the government stepping in , those clubs could go to the wall and there maybe others that follow . ''
Although Mr Collins said it would be more ideal for footballing organisations to help themselves , he warned that this is not possible .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to stump up the cash needed ... it requires leadership from the government here , '' he added .
Mr Collins , along with Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven , have drafted a six-point plan to `` rescue football and protect community assets for future generations to enjoy '' .
They believe the EFL is not fit for purpose in its current structure - and warned that , without reforms , clubs would continue to be run so badly that they would need more cash .
Mr Collins also said taxpayers ' money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and should solely be used to ensure clubs are financially sustainable .
Earlier this month , EFL chairman Rick Parry told the Commons select committee that the league would face a `` black hole of £200m '' by September - but added that he doubted whether any government would provide a bailout amounting to that figure .
Last month , Culture , Media & Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden announced a £16m package to help Rugby League through its financial problems .
The six-point plan to support the EFL has received backing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Damian Collins and Charlie Methven have clearly devoted considerable thought to the financial and social crises facing football .
`` They have identified some very practical routes through to a more secure future and I welcome this wholeheartedly .
`` It is a pity that football so seldom does the work needed itself .
But it does n't .
This is therefore an especially important intervention . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Malcolm Clarke , chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative on the FA Council , added : `` The necessary restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have made government support for football clubs - a vital part of our communities and culture - an urgent necessity .
`` We welcome the call for that assistance to be both prompt and linked to future sustainability .
`` Football now has a unique opportunity to reset and adopt new ideas , which not only secure the short-term future of clubs , but help them thrive in the seasons ahead . ''

Up to 10 football clubs could go into administration within weeks unless they receive an urgent and substantial government bailout, it has been claimed.
Damian Collins, the former chair of the digital, culture, media and sport select committee, said many League 1 and 2 teams in the English Football League were in a parlous state even before the coronavirus crisis began.
The MP says the pandemic is making the plight of vulnerable clubs more acute - and called on the government to provide financial support quickly.
Image: Damian Collins has warned clubs will go into administration unless they get a bailout
He told Sky Sports News: "In the next few weeks, we could see five to 10 EFL League clubs going into administration.
"We saw the outcry last summer when two clubs, Bury and Bolton, were in trouble. If that happens there will be huge public demand to do something.
"Without the government stepping in, those clubs could go to the wall and there maybe others that follow."
Although Mr Collins said it would be more ideal for footballing organisations to help themselves, he warned that this is not possible.
"I don't think there is a body able to stump up the cash needed... it requires leadership from the government here," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:27 Barnes supports football return despite cases
Mr Collins, along with Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven, have drafted a six-point plan to "rescue football and protect community assets for future generations to enjoy".
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They believe the EFL is not fit for purpose in its current structure - and warned that, without reforms, clubs would continue to be run so badly that they would need more cash.
Mr Collins also said taxpayers' money must not be used to buy players - and should solely be used to ensure clubs are financially sustainable.
Earlier this month, EFL chairman Rick Parry told the Commons select committee that the league would face a "black hole of £200m" by September - but added that he doubted whether any government would provide a bailout amounting to that figure.
Last month, Culture, Media & Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden announced a £16m package to help Rugby League through its financial problems.
The six-point plan to support the EFL has received backing from former FA chairman David Triesman, who said: "Damian Collins and Charlie Methven have clearly devoted considerable thought to the financial and social crises facing football.
"They have identified some very practical routes through to a more secure future and I welcome this wholeheartedly.
"It is a pity that football so seldom does the work needed itself. But it doesn't. This is therefore an especially important intervention."
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Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters' Association and supporter representative on the FA Council, added: "The necessary restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have made government support for football clubs - a vital part of our communities and culture - an urgent necessity.
"We welcome the call for that assistance to be both prompt and linked to future sustainability.
"Football now has a unique opportunity to reset and adopt new ideas, which not only secure the short-term future of clubs, but help them thrive in the seasons ahead."


news--2020-05-21--China: An important piece of political theatre has begun. This is what to expect

The National People 's Congress , the annual meeting of China 's legislature , has begun .
Although the NPC is largely toothless , the meeting is still an important piece of political theatre where Chinese leaders publicly summarise the work of the last year and set goals for the next .
This year 's meeting was delayed - for the first time since the Cultural Revolution - by two months because of COVID-19 and will be a truncated session .
Delegates have undergone nucleic acid testing and quarantine to meet in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic will be front and centre .
But the economy , including GDP targets , and the unrest in Hong Kong will also feature .
What can we expect over the course of the week ?
What is the NPC ?
The NPC is formally the most powerful organ in the Chinese state .
In practice , it does little more than publicly ratify plans already devised by the Communist Party - bills are rarely amended , let alone rejected .
Nearly 3,000 delegates from China 's provinces and armed forces constitute the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is itself going ahead is a deliberate , public signal that China is getting back to business .
By now , Beijing has settled on its preferred narrative - that after some initial mistakes , by local , not central government , China was able to tame the outbreak thanks to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the sacrifices of the Chinese people .
Or as Premier Li Keqiang put it in his Work Report , the public address that kicks off the NPC : `` General Secretary Xi Jinping , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people before everything else , has personally taken charge and planned our response '' , achieving `` a decisive victory in the battle to defend Hubei province '' .
The NPC will likely draw a contrast between China 's response and that of Western countries .
What about the economy ?
Li Keqiang said China 's response to COVID-19 has come at a `` a great price '' .
In the first quarter of this year , GDP shrunk by 6.8 % year on year - the first contraction since the 1970s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the economy : domestic consumption is still lower than it should be and the global pandemic means demand for China 's exports is weak .
As a result , China has made the important move to scrap its GDP targets because of `` the great uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the world economic and trade environment '' , Li announced .
No other country uses a target : GDP is instead a measure of growth .
Every year since 1990 , though , the NPC has set the target for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , China has officially achieved this .
Setting a low target this year may not have been politically appetising , though , so it was junked altogether .
`` Not setting a specific target for economic growth will enable all of us to concentrate on ensuring stability , '' Li said .
This is something many have long argued China should do anyway : targets encourage local officials to do everything in their means to achieve the required growth , even if it means wasteful spending and excessive borrowing , or environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ?
Unrest in Hong Kong is a priority for the Chinese leadership after last year 's protests .
This year , the Hong Kong government , with the backing of Beijing , has been trying to reassert its grip while COVID-19 restrictions have been keeping people off the streets .
The NPC looks set to go much further , though .
China has proposed new national security legislation for Hong Kong .
The legislation would proscribe secessionist and subversive activity , and foreign interference and terrorism in the city `` or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This would be a huge and doubtless incendiary step .
Article 23 of Hong Kong 's Basic Law - the mini-constitution adopted at the time of its handover from the UK in 1997 - stipulates that a national security law should be passed .
This has never come to pass and attempts to do so in 2003 prompted huge protests .
Critics fear that national security laws could jeopardise other rights enshrined in the Basic Law , especially freedom of speech , association and assembly .
Beijing had been content to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Basic Law says that Chinese national laws shall not be applied to Hong Kong apart from some limited exceptions .
To intervene so directly would be deeply significant and seen by many as further erosion of Hong Kong 's unique rights .

The National People's Congress, the annual meeting of China's legislature, has begun.
Although the NPC is largely toothless, the meeting is still an important piece of political theatre where Chinese leaders publicly summarise the work of the last year and set goals for the next.
This year's meeting was delayed - for the first time since the Cultural Revolution - by two months because of COVID-19 and will be a truncated session. Delegates have undergone nucleic acid testing and quarantine to meet in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square.
China's response to the pandemic will be front and centre. But the economy, including GDP targets, and the unrest in Hong Kong will also feature. What can we expect over the course of the week?
Image: Delegates for the NPC outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing
What is the NPC?
The NPC is formally the most powerful organ in the Chinese state.
In practice, it does little more than publicly ratify plans already devised by the Communist Party - bills are rarely amended, let alone rejected.
Nearly 3,000 delegates from China's provinces and armed forces constitute the congress.
Image: Xi Jinping at a session of the NPC earlier this month
Will COVID-19 feature?
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The fact that the NPC is itself going ahead is a deliberate, public signal that China is getting back to business.
China's response to coronavirus will feature heavily.
By now, Beijing has settled on its preferred narrative - that after some initial mistakes, by local, not central government, China was able to tame the outbreak thanks to the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the sacrifices of the Chinese people.
Or as Premier Li Keqiang put it in his Work Report, the public address that kicks off the NPC: "General Secretary Xi Jinping, putting the health and safety of our people before everything else, has personally taken charge and planned our response", achieving "a decisive victory in the battle to defend Hubei province".
The NPC will likely draw a contrast between China's response and that of Western countries.
Image: The NPC is an important piece of political theatre in China and the COVID-19 response will be at the forefront
What about the economy?
Li Keqiang said China's response to COVID-19 has come at a "a great price".
In the first quarter of this year, GDP shrunk by 6.8% year on year - the first contraction since the 1970s.
And COVID-19 is still taking its toll on the economy: domestic consumption is still lower than it should be and the global pandemic means demand for China's exports is weak.
As a result, China has made the important move to scrap its GDP targets because of "the great uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the world economic and trade environment", Li announced.
No other country uses a target: GDP is instead a measure of growth. Every year since 1990, though, the NPC has set the target for the next year's growth and, every year, China has officially achieved this. Setting a low target this year may not have been politically appetising, though, so it was junked altogether.
"Not setting a specific target for economic growth will enable all of us to concentrate on ensuring stability," Li said.
This is something many have long argued China should do anyway: targets encourage local officials to do everything in their means to achieve the required growth, even if it means wasteful spending and excessive borrowing, or environmental destruction.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 November: Protesters defy order and clash with police in Hong Kong
Where does Hong Kong fit in?
Unrest in Hong Kong is a priority for the Chinese leadership after last year's protests. This year, the Hong Kong government, with the backing of Beijing, has been trying to reassert its grip while COVID-19 restrictions have been keeping people off the streets.
The NPC looks set to go much further, though. China has proposed new national security legislation for Hong Kong. The legislation would proscribe secessionist and subversive activity, and foreign interference and terrorism in the city "or any acts that severely endanger national security".
This would be a huge and doubtless incendiary step. Article 23 of Hong Kong's Basic Law - the mini-constitution adopted at the time of its handover from the UK in 1997 - stipulates that a national security law should be passed.
This has never come to pass and attempts to do so in 2003 prompted huge protests. Critics fear that national security laws could jeopardise other rights enshrined in the Basic Law, especially freedom of speech, association and assembly.
Beijing had been content to leave the legislation to Hong Kong itself - and the Basic Law says that Chinese national laws shall not be applied to Hong Kong apart from some limited exceptions.
To intervene so directly would be deeply significant and seen by many as further erosion of Hong Kong's unique rights.


news--2020-05-21--Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon relies on public trust as she plans to ease lockdown in Scotland

Nothing 's easy in the search for the sweet spot between lockdown and its lifting .
A matter of life and death for the economy .
And actual life and death .
We spent the morning filming in a garden centre , where no-one was claiming their business should be more important to politicians than the business of saving lives .
What the business needs , though , is a strategy that can help save their future .
Scotland 's garden centres are the last in Europe to reopen .
In some places , they never closed .
Managers wonder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell garden products when supermarkets and the like have been able to service the spring planting season .
They argue their stores have the space , while gardens are good for mental health .
With more measured judgement , they say , why have n't they been allowed to keep their doors open ?
Keeping them closed , of course , meant fewer people were drawn outdoors .
Garden centres were , perhaps , another necessary casualty of blanket closure - a decision simplified by its uniformity .
What these businesses need now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of thinking that pulls divergent strands of the economy into a framework that offers a future .
In easing the lockdown north of the border until later , Nicola Sturgeon stirred consternation in parts of Scotland 's business community at a sense of progress over the border .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Sturgeon emphasised the importance of erring on the side of caution .
She has bought patience with her performance so far - that much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she carries a country forward now depends on safety , yes , but also a sureness of touch that the public can trust .
That trust will be underpinned , as will progress itself , by the effectiveness of coronavirus testing , and Scotland 's first minister knows it .
Her government 's numbers on testing have , so far , not been up to capacity .
`` Test and Protect '' , as it has now been coined north of the border , has been criticised - by Ms Sturgeon 's opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it needs to be for lifting the lockdown .
In politics , as in life , lifting might yet be as hard as locking down .

Nothing's easy in the search for the sweet spot between lockdown and its lifting.
A matter of life and death for the economy. And actual life and death.
We spent the morning filming in a garden centre, where no-one was claiming their business should be more important to politicians than the business of saving lives.
Image: Nicola Sturgeon has been prepared to do things differently
What the business needs, though, is a strategy that can help save their future.
Scotland's garden centres are the last in Europe to reopen. In some places, they never closed.
Managers wonder why they have not been able to sell garden products when supermarkets and the like have been able to service the spring planting season.
They argue their stores have the space, while gardens are good for mental health.
With more measured judgement, they say, why haven't they been allowed to keep their doors open?
Keeping them closed, of course, meant fewer people were drawn outdoors.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:04 Life in Lockdown: Scotland
Garden centres were, perhaps, another necessary casualty of blanket closure - a decision simplified by its uniformity.
What these businesses need now is political agility. They need the sort of thinking that pulls divergent strands of the economy into a framework that offers a future.
In easing the lockdown north of the border until later, Nicola Sturgeon stirred consternation in parts of Scotland's business community at a sense of progress over the border.
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Ms Sturgeon emphasised the importance of erring on the side of caution.
She has bought patience with her performance so far - that much is reflected in opinion polls.
How she carries a country forward now depends on safety, yes, but also a sureness of touch that the public can trust.
That trust will be underpinned, as will progress itself, by the effectiveness of coronavirus testing, and Scotland's first minister knows it.
Her government's numbers on testing have, so far, not been up to capacity.
"Test and Protect", as it has now been coined north of the border, has been criticised - by Ms Sturgeon's opponents at least - as far short of where it needs to be for lifting the lockdown.
In politics, as in life, lifting might yet be as hard as locking down.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Mortgage payment holidays extended by three months

The mortgage payment holiday scheme has been extended by three months , the government has announced .
The scheme was brought in to help homeowners who found themselves in financial difficulty due to coronavirus .
The COVID-19 pandemic , which has killed more than 36,000 people in the UK , has seen many business forced to close , resulting in job losses for some and furlough for many others .
More than 1.8 million mortgage payment holidays have been taken up since the scheme was launched in March .
The first of those holidays was due to end in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for three months .
The application deadline will also be moved to the end of October .
The extension also applies to a ban on repossessions of homes by lenders .
John Glen , economic secretary to the Treasury , said : `` Everyone 's circumstances will be different , so when homeowners can pay some or all of their mortgage , they should work with their lender on a plan .
`` But if they are still struggling , I want them to know that help is there . ''
A mortgage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as interest continues to build unless a lender agrees otherwise .
The borrower will still owe the outstanding debt and this may mean needing to extend the mortgage term if they want payments to remain at their pre-pandemic level .
Laura Suter , personal finance analyst at investment platform AJ Bell , said the extension would be a `` welcome relief '' for those struggling .
But she added : `` Based on the average mortgage in the country , UK banks were already set to make more than £800m more in additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that will leap up now the period has been extended .
`` While the break in payments will be a lifeline for some people , they should research all the options first , including extending their term to reduce monthly payments , seeing if they can switch to a lower rate or switching to interest-only for a period . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Christopher Woolard , interim chief executive at the Financial Conduct Authority , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak to their lender .
`` We expect firms to work with customers on the best options available for them , paying particular attention to the needs of their vulnerable customers , and to provide information on where to access help and advice .
`` Where consumers can afford to restart mortgage payments , it is in their best interests to do so .
But where they ca n't , a range of further support will be available . ''
Stephen Jones , chief executive for UK Finance , which represents the banking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported the extension .
But he added : `` A payment holiday may not be the right choice for everyone , and borrowers should only apply if they need one . ''

The mortgage payment holiday scheme has been extended by three months, the government has announced.
The scheme was brought in to help homeowners who found themselves in financial difficulty due to coronavirus.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 36,000 people in the UK, has seen many business forced to close, resulting in job losses for some and furlough for many others.
More than 1.8 million mortgage payment holidays have been taken up since the scheme was launched in March.
The first of those holidays was due to end in June, but they can now be extended for three months.
The application deadline will also be moved to the end of October.
The extension also applies to a ban on repossessions of homes by lenders.
John Glen, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: "Everyone's circumstances will be different, so when homeowners can pay some or all of their mortgage, they should work with their lender on a plan.
"But if they are still struggling, I want them to know that help is there."
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A mortgage holiday is only a temporary measure, as interest continues to build unless a lender agrees otherwise.
The borrower will still owe the outstanding debt and this may mean needing to extend the mortgage term if they want payments to remain at their pre-pandemic level.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 How you can move house during pandemic
Laura Suter, personal finance analyst at investment platform AJ Bell, said the extension would be a "welcome relief" for those struggling.
But she added: "Based on the average mortgage in the country, UK banks were already set to make more than £800m more in additional interest by people taking a mortgage holiday and that will leap up now the period has been extended.
"While the break in payments will be a lifeline for some people, they should research all the options first, including extending their term to reduce monthly payments, seeing if they can switch to a lower rate or switching to interest-only for a period."
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Christopher Woolard, interim chief executive at the Financial Conduct Authority, said anyone who continues to need help should speak to their lender.
"We expect firms to work with customers on the best options available for them, paying particular attention to the needs of their vulnerable customers, and to provide information on where to access help and advice.
"Where consumers can afford to restart mortgage payments, it is in their best interests to do so. But where they can't, a range of further support will be available."
Stephen Jones, chief executive for UK Finance, which represents the banking and finance industry, said the industry supported the extension.
But he added: "A payment holiday may not be the right choice for everyone, and borrowers should only apply if they need one."


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: PM says it was 'reasonable' for Cummings to travel 260 miles during lockdown

Boris Johnson has backed his top aide Dominic Cummings after it emerged he travelled 260 miles from London to Durham during lockdown .
The prime minister 's chief adviser , who played a big role in drawing up the UK 's lockdown rules , travelled from his London home with his wife and son to stay with his elderly parents - even after developing coronavirus symptoms .
Durham Police confirmed they spoke to the owners of a property on 31 March - a week after the prime minister imposed the lockdown - after a call from someone reporting they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Downing Street says nobody related to Mr Cummings was spoken to by police , and insists his actions were reasonable .
`` Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell , it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for , '' Number 10 said in a statement .
`` His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopped for the family and left everything outside .
At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter , as is being reported .
His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines .
Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally . ''
It 's very hard to see how Mr Cummings has complied with coronavirus guidelines when rule number one is to stay at home and self-isolate if anyone in your household has symptoms .
Families who have struggled with the virus may wonder why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get help with shopping from family and friends at his London home , rather than making the 260-mile trip to Durham .
Downing Street has also not addressed who cared for Mr Cummings 's young son after he had travelled to the North East .
Anonymous allies suggested last night that grandparents had helped .
If true , that would be a further breach of lockdown rules , potentially exposing two vulnerable individuals to the virus .
Then there is the tacit accusation from Number 10 that Durham Constabulary lied to the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Cummings 's family about the trip .
Sir Ed Davey , acting leader of the Liberal Democrats , told Sky News : `` He must go .
He should either resign or the prime minister should sack him .
`` When millions of people have sacrificed so much ... it looks quite outrageous that the prime minister 's top adviser should breach the rules .
The prime minister has got to make his position clear .
I ca n't see that this is anything other than a breach of the guidelines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would choose to self-isolate with his elderly parents , who are in the `` vulnerable category '' .
`` I do n't think there can be one rule for everyone else and a different rule for the prime minister 's top team , '' said Mr Davey .
`` I ca n't see how Dominic Cummings is going to wriggle out of this one . ''
A Labour spokesperson said : `` The lockdown rules were very clear : if you or anyone in your household was suspected of having COVID-19 you must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Number 10 's statement also raises more questions than it answers .
We are still unclear who knew about this decision and when , whether this was sanctioned by the prime minister and whether Number 10 is now questioning the validity of the statement from Durham Police . ''
A joint investigation by The Guardian and the Daily Mirror revealed that Mr Cummings escaped the capital at the same time as the PM was instructing people to stay at home and not travel to their second homes - with fines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Number 10 spokesperson had confirmed on 30 March that Mr Cummings was self-isolating after suffering COVID-19 symptoms .
The newspapers said a local resident saw Mr Cummings at the doorstep of his parents ' home with a child , believed to be his son , on 5 April .
Sky 's deputy political editor Sam Coates said after the news broke : `` Dominic Cummings is an essential person in this government in the view of many people in Downing Street .
They will fight very hard to keep him . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an almighty fight in the days to come over Dominic Cummings 's future but do n't expect Boris Johnson to lose him in a hurry . ''
Sources close to Mr Cummings earlier cited comments made by deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries , who suggested in `` exceptional circumstances '' parents too unwell to look after a child could rely on family support , among other options .
But Dr Harries made her remarks almost two weeks after Mr Cummings travelled north .
Senior members of government have put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Gove , who said : `` Caring for your wife and child is not a crime . ''
Dominic Raab tweeted : `` It 's reasonable and fair to ask for an explanation on this .
And it has been provided : two parents with Coronavirus , were anxiously taking care of their young child .
Those now seeking to politicise it should take a long hard look in the mirror . ''
But the Scottish National Party 's ( SNP ) Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mr Cummings 's position was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He must resign or be sacked . ''
Breaches of lockdown restrictions have recently led to some high-profile resignations .
Scotland 's chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood quit her post after it emerged she had twice visited a second home in Fife .
Professor Neil Ferguson , one of the government 's most high-profile scientific advisers , resigned from the SAGE committee after it emerged a woman from outside his household had visited his home on two occasions .
Durham Police said given the `` whole ethos of the guidance was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when known to be infected was most unwise '' .
`` To beat this crisis we need to be selfless as millions have been , '' acting commissioner Steve White said .
`` Incidents such as this do not help . ''
18 March : At his Downing Street briefing the PM said : `` Children should not be left with older grandparents , or older relatives , who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups . ''
22 March : Government advice is that people must remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their second homes : `` Leaving your home - the place you live - to stay at another home is not allowed . ''
23 March : Strict lockdown rules are imposed which mean people can only leave their houses for essential travel .
27 March : Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus .
Mr Cummings is seen running along Downing Street .
Weekend of 28 and 29 March : Over this weekend , Mr Cummings developed coronavirus symptoms , Downing Street later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelled to his family 's farm in Durham - and it was on this date that Mr Cummings 's family were spoken to by police .
10 April : Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said being too ill to look after a small child was an `` exceptional circumstance '' and she pointed to accessing family support , among other options .
14 April : Mr Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus .

Boris Johnson has backed his top aide Dominic Cummings after it emerged he travelled 260 miles from London to Durham during lockdown.
The prime minister's chief adviser, who played a big role in drawing up the UK's lockdown rules, travelled from his London home with his wife and son to stay with his elderly parents - even after developing coronavirus symptoms.
Durham Police confirmed they spoke to the owners of a property on 31 March - a week after the prime minister imposed the lockdown - after a call from someone reporting they had seen Mr Cummings in the area.
But Downing Street says nobody related to Mr Cummings was spoken to by police, and insists his actions were reasonable.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 SNP Westminster leader: Cummings should resign
"Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for," Number 10 said in a statement.
"His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed. His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside. At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported. His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally."
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Analysis: Number 10 statement raises more questions
By Rob Powell, political correspondent
It's very hard to see how Mr Cummings has complied with coronavirus guidelines when rule number one is to stay at home and self-isolate if anyone in your household has symptoms.
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Families who have struggled with the virus may wonder why the top adviser was not able to get help with shopping from family and friends at his London home, rather than making the 260-mile trip to Durham.
Downing Street has also not addressed who cared for Mr Cummings's young son after he had travelled to the North East.
Anonymous allies suggested last night that grandparents had helped. If true, that would be a further breach of lockdown rules, potentially exposing two vulnerable individuals to the virus.
Then there is the tacit accusation from Number 10 that Durham Constabulary lied to the press when it said officers had spoken to Mr Cummings's family about the trip.
Opposition parties said Mr Cummings's position is "untenable".
Sir Ed Davey, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, told Sky News: "He must go. He should either resign or the prime minister should sack him.
"When millions of people have sacrificed so much... it looks quite outrageous that the prime minister's top adviser should breach the rules. The prime minister has got to make his position clear. I can't see that this is anything other than a breach of the guidelines."
He also questioned why Mr Cummings would choose to self-isolate with his elderly parents, who are in the "vulnerable category".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:15 PM's chief adviser seen running from Number 10
"I don't think there can be one rule for everyone else and a different rule for the prime minister's top team," said Mr Davey.
"I can't see how Dominic Cummings is going to wriggle out of this one."
A Labour spokesperson said: "The lockdown rules were very clear: if you or anyone in your household was suspected of having COVID-19 you must immediately self-isolate and not leave the house.
"Number 10's statement also raises more questions than it answers. We are still unclear who knew about this decision and when, whether this was sanctioned by the prime minister and whether Number 10 is now questioning the validity of the statement from Durham Police."
A joint investigation by The Guardian and the Daily Mirror revealed that Mr Cummings escaped the capital at the same time as the PM was instructing people to stay at home and not travel to their second homes - with fines in place for those flouting the rules.
A Number 10 spokesperson had confirmed on 30 March that Mr Cummings was self-isolating after suffering COVID-19 symptoms.
The newspapers said a local resident saw Mr Cummings at the doorstep of his parents' home with a child, believed to be his son, on 5 April.
Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates said after the news broke: "Dominic Cummings is an essential person in this government in the view of many people in Downing Street. They will fight very hard to keep him."
He added: "There is going to be an almighty fight in the days to come over Dominic Cummings's future but don't expect Boris Johnson to lose him in a hurry."
Sources close to Mr Cummings earlier cited comments made by deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries, who suggested in "exceptional circumstances" parents too unwell to look after a child could rely on family support, among other options.
But Dr Harries made her remarks almost two weeks after Mr Cummings travelled north.
Senior members of government have put their support behind Mr Cummings, including Michael Gove, who said: "Caring for your wife and child is not a crime."
Dominic Raab tweeted: "It's reasonable and fair to ask for an explanation on this. And it has been provided: two parents with Coronavirus, were anxiously taking care of their young child. Those now seeking to politicise it should take a long hard look in the mirror."
But the Scottish National Party's (SNP) Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Mr Cummings's position was "completely untenable", adding: "He must resign or be sacked."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 'If it's true, Cummings must resign or be sacked'
Breaches of lockdown restrictions have recently led to some high-profile resignations.
Scotland's chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood quit her post after it emerged she had twice visited a second home in Fife.
Professor Neil Ferguson, one of the government's most high-profile scientific advisers, resigned from the SAGE committee after it emerged a woman from outside his household had visited his home on two occasions.
Durham Police said given the "whole ethos of the guidance was to reduce spread... travelling to County Durham when known to be infected was most unwise".
"To beat this crisis we need to be selfless as millions have been," acting commissioner Steve White said.
"Incidents such as this do not help."
A timeline of Dominic Cummings during lockdown:
18 March: At his Downing Street briefing the PM said: "Children should not be left with older grandparents, or older relatives, who may be particularly vulnerable or fall into some of the vulnerable groups."
22 March: Government advice is that people must remain in their primary residence and not travel to their second homes: "Leaving your home - the place you live - to stay at another home is not allowed."
23 March: Strict lockdown rules are imposed which mean people can only leave their houses for essential travel.
27 March: Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock are confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus. Mr Cummings is seen running along Downing Street.
Image: Mr Cummings walks along Downing Street at the end of April
Weekend of 28 and 29 March: Over this weekend, Mr Cummings developed coronavirus symptoms, Downing Street later confirmed.
31 March: Mr Cummings travelled to his family's farm in Durham - and it was on this date that Mr Cummings's family were spoken to by police.
10 April: Deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries said being too ill to look after a small child was an "exceptional circumstance" and she pointed to accessing family support, among other options.
14 April: Mr Cummings is pictured in Downing Street after recovering from coronavirus.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Facebook will allow half its staff to work from home permanently, but it will come at a

Coronavirus: Facebook will allow half its staff to work from home permanently, but it will come at a cost

Facebook says it is going to permanently embrace remote working once the coronavirus pandemic ends - but this could come at a cost for employees .
The world 's biggest social network is going to start `` aggressively opening up remote hiring '' - with chief executive Mark Zuckerberg revealing that he expects about 50 % of its workforce will end up doing their jobs outside of Facebook 's offices within 10 years .
However , the generous compensation packages that accompany a job in Silicon Valley could end up becoming a thing of the past .
Mr Zuckerberg said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive areas of the country could end up seeing their pay adjusted .
`` We pay very well , basically at the top of the market , but we pay a market rate .
And that varies by location , so we 're going to continue that principle here , '' the CEO added .
Facebook has almost 50,000 employees , and the announcement could have a significant impact on the Californian city of San Francisco , where rapid growth in the tech sector has put the housing market and transport infrastructure under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build three new `` hubs '' in the cities of Atlanta , Dallas and Denver so workers who live nearby can occasionally gather .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It is unclear what the mass move to homeworking would mean for Facebook 's finances .
Although some savings would be made on property and food - and potentially salaries - ensuring staff have the equipment they need for home working could prove expensive .
The company 's plush headquarters in Menlo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would be kept under the radical proposals .
According to Mr Zuckerberg , about 60 % of Facebook employees prefer a flexible approach to work that offers a blend of time in the office and at home .
Of this group , roughly 50 % would move to another region given the chance .
Other , smaller tech companies - including rival social media platform Twitter - have also said they plan to allow employees to continue working remotely indefinitely .

Facebook says it is going to permanently embrace remote working once the coronavirus pandemic ends - but this could come at a cost for employees.
The world's biggest social network is going to start "aggressively opening up remote hiring" - with chief executive Mark Zuckerberg revealing that he expects about 50% of its workforce will end up doing their jobs outside of Facebook's offices within 10 years.
However, the generous compensation packages that accompany a job in Silicon Valley could end up becoming a thing of the past.
Image: Mark Zuckerberg says about 60% of Facebook employees prefer a flexible approach to work
Mr Zuckerberg said employees who choose to live in less expensive areas of the country could end up seeing their pay adjusted.
"We pay very well, basically at the top of the market, but we pay a market rate. And that varies by location, so we're going to continue that principle here," the CEO added.
Facebook has almost 50,000 employees, and the announcement could have a significant impact on the Californian city of San Francisco, where rapid growth in the tech sector has put the housing market and transport infrastructure under strain.
The company is planning to build three new "hubs" in the cities of Atlanta, Dallas and Denver so workers who live nearby can occasionally gather.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It is unclear what the mass move to homeworking would mean for Facebook's finances.
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Although some savings would be made on property and food - and potentially salaries - ensuring staff have the equipment they need for home working could prove expensive.
The company's plush headquarters in Menlo Park, complete with a rooftop garden, would be kept under the radical proposals.
According to Mr Zuckerberg, about 60% of Facebook employees prefer a flexible approach to work that offers a blend of time in the office and at home.
Of this group, roughly 50% would move to another region given the chance.
Other, smaller tech companies - including rival social media platform Twitter - have also said they plan to allow employees to continue working remotely indefinitely.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Blood test could show how the immune system responds to COVID-19, researchers say

A blood test could show if a person will become seriously ill with coronavirus , with clinical trials set to begin on a treatment scientists hope could combat the effects of the illness .
A new study suggests the test could help track a person 's immune response to COVID-19 , allowing doctors to identify at an early stage who might need additional treatment or critical care .
It found people who suffered the most severe form of the illness had a problem with a specific type of T-cell that clears the body of virus-infected cells .
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Those involved in the research say clinical trials will now take place to establish the effectiveness of a drug called recombinant IL-7 ( interleukin 7 ) , which can increase a person 's number of T-cells , and in turn boost their immune response .
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute , King 's College London and Guy 's and St Thomas ' NHS Foundation Trust identified what they call the immunological signature of the disease , based on preliminary analysis of 60 coronavirus patients at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adrian Hayday , who heads the Crick 's Immunosurveillance Laboratory and is professor of immunobiology at King 's College London , said : `` The changes we 've observed in the blood are not subtle and patients with these features seem more likely to experience severe disease , requiring intensive management . ''
The researchers hope such a blood test could be more broadly applied in hospitals to seek early indications of patient condition , and to effectively help prioritise treatments .
They say their findings on how COVID-19 affects the body could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective treatments and vaccines .
As part of the ongoing study , called COVID-IP , patients at Guy 's and St Thomas ' who have agreed to donate to an infectious disease biobank provide regular blood samples during their treatment for the virus .
The samples are processed in secure containment at Guy 's Hospital before immune cells are analysed in the team 's laboratories at King 's College London and at the Crick .

A blood test could show if a person will become seriously ill with coronavirus, with clinical trials set to begin on a treatment scientists hope could combat the effects of the illness.
A new study suggests the test could help track a person's immune response to COVID-19, allowing doctors to identify at an early stage who might need additional treatment or critical care.
It found people who suffered the most severe form of the illness had a problem with a specific type of T-cell that clears the body of virus-infected cells.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Those involved in the research say clinical trials will now take place to establish the effectiveness of a drug called recombinant IL-7 (interleukin 7), which can increase a person's number of T-cells, and in turn boost their immune response.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust identified what they call the immunological signature of the disease, based on preliminary analysis of 60 coronavirus patients at St Thomas' Hospital.
Project lead Adrian Hayday, who heads the Crick's Immunosurveillance Laboratory and is professor of immunobiology at King's College London, said: "The changes we've observed in the blood are not subtle and patients with these features seem more likely to experience severe disease, requiring intensive management."
The researchers hope such a blood test could be more broadly applied in hospitals to seek early indications of patient condition, and to effectively help prioritise treatments.
They say their findings on how COVID-19 affects the body could also help inform studies looking to develop effective treatments and vaccines.
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As part of the ongoing study, called COVID-IP, patients at Guy's and St Thomas' who have agreed to donate to an infectious disease biobank provide regular blood samples during their treatment for the virus.
The samples are processed in secure containment at Guy's Hospital before immune cells are analysed in the team's laboratories at King's College London and at the Crick.


news--2020-05-22--Coronavirus: Retail sales fall by record 18.1% in April as shutdown takes hold

The volume of retail sales in April fell by a record 18.1 % as stores were forced to close their doors due to the coronavirus lockdown .
The figures from the Office for National Statistics follow a 5.2 % fall in March , which was a record at the time and came as many UK retail businesses shut down due to government measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Among the sectors to suffer was clothing , where sales plummeted by 50.2 % in April compared with March , which had seen a 34.9 % fall .
The volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45.4 % , on the back of an 8.7 % drop from February to March .
The only bright spots for retailers were a record increase in non-store retailing of 18 % and an increase in sales for alcohol stores of 2.3 % .
Almost all store types saw record online spending in April , as many retailers shifted to online-only trading to keep business ticking during the coronavirus crisis .
Jeremy Thomson Cook , chief economist at Equals , said : `` Today 's UK retail sales figures show the nature of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; you have to be online and food or booze-related or your sales have been crippled .
`` Coronavirus has put the High Street in stasis - and the reopening of shopping centres and areas will take a huge amount of time and planning with no guarantee of a full recovery .
`` Online fulfilment will remain crucial given shoppers may have the ability to return to shops soon but the desire to physically turn up will likely be lacking . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geddes , head of retail at Deloitte , said : `` Many non-food retailers will be looking to garden centres and hardware stores to see what challenges may be to come .
`` For food retailers , adapting to consumer behaviour will be key , be it a return to little-and-often shops , or a continuation of home deliveries at today 's levels . ''
Mr Geddes said Deloitte 's research showed half of food and non-food retailers `` expect to have at least 41 % of store estate open by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half planning to reopen `` between 81 % and 100 % '' .
Richard Green , retail partner at law firm Gowling WLG added a note of optimism : `` A projected post-lockdown spike in activity , and in planning terms , the Christmas and New Year period , should go some way to helping re-balance the position of many . ''
It comes as British fashion house Burberry reported a 27 % drop in comparable sales in the final quarter of its year .
The luxury brand said around 60 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the uncertain outlook has prompted it to pull its final dividend .
Burberry started to feel the pain as early as January , when the coronavirus pandemic hit China - one of its most important markets .
As the virus spread to Europe and North America , it saw significant losses in those regions , too .
Chief executive Marco Gobbetti said that before the virus , Burberry had been making strong progress , with sales growing ahead of expectations .
He added : `` Since then , the global health emergency has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our industry , and Burberry , but I am very proud of the way we have responded .
`` It will take time to heal but we are encouraged by our strong rebound in some parts of Asia and are well-prepared to navigate through this period . ''

The volume of retail sales in April fell by a record 18.1% as stores were forced to close their doors due to the coronavirus lockdown.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics follow a 5.2% fall in March, which was a record at the time and came as many UK retail businesses shut down due to government measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Among the sectors to suffer was clothing, where sales plummeted by 50.2% in April compared with March, which had seen a 34.9% fall.
The volume of goods sold by household stores fell 45.4%, on the back of an 8.7% drop from February to March.
Image: Clothing brands have been particularly badly hit
The only bright spots for retailers were a record increase in non-store retailing of 18% and an increase in sales for alcohol stores of 2.3%.
Almost all store types saw record online spending in April, as many retailers shifted to online-only trading to keep business ticking during the coronavirus crisis.
Jeremy Thomson Cook, chief economist at Equals, said: "Today's UK retail sales figures show the nature of consumer facing businesses through the COVID-19 crisis; you have to be online and food or booze-related or your sales have been crippled.
"Coronavirus has put the High Street in stasis - and the reopening of shopping centres and areas will take a huge amount of time and planning with no guarantee of a full recovery.
"Online fulfilment will remain crucial given shoppers may have the ability to return to shops soon but the desire to physically turn up will likely be lacking."
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Ian Geddes, head of retail at Deloitte, said: "Many non-food retailers will be looking to garden centres and hardware stores to see what challenges may be to come.
"For food retailers, adapting to consumer behaviour will be key, be it a return to little-and-often shops, or a continuation of home deliveries at today's levels."
Mr Geddes said Deloitte's research showed half of food and non-food retailers "expect to have at least 41% of store estate open by the end of June", with the remaining half planning to reopen "between 81% and 100%".
Richard Green, retail partner at law firm Gowling WLG added a note of optimism: "A projected post-lockdown spike in activity, and in planning terms, the Christmas and New Year period, should go some way to helping re-balance the position of many."
It comes as British fashion house Burberry reported a 27% drop in comparable sales in the final quarter of its year.
The luxury brand said around 60% of its retail stores were closed, and the uncertain outlook has prompted it to pull its final dividend.
Image: China is a vital market for Burberry so the brand was feeling the pain from the virus outbreak as early as January
Burberry started to feel the pain as early as January, when the coronavirus pandemic hit China - one of its most important markets.
As the virus spread to Europe and North America, it saw significant losses in those regions, too.
Chief executive Marco Gobbetti said that before the virus, Burberry had been making strong progress, with sales growing ahead of expectations.
He added: "Since then, the global health emergency has had a profound impact on the world, our industry, and Burberry, but I am very proud of the way we have responded.
"It will take time to heal but we are encouraged by our strong rebound in some parts of Asia and are well-prepared to navigate through this period."