news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow postponed for a year

The UN summit on tackling climate change meant to be held in Britain this winter has been postponed because of coronavirus .
The gathering of world leaders - known as COP26 - was due to be the biggest the UK has ever hosted , taking place over four days in November in Glasgow .
Around 30,000 delegates including politicians , climate experts and campaigners had planned to attend to agree new co-ordinated plans to tackle climate change .
The conference has been pushed back to 2021 following a decision by the UN 's convention on climate change and the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plans for it had been put on the backburner for some weeks , as governments around the world diverted resources to fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
Preparatory meetings due to be held by officials from across the world were cancelled , in Columbia and Germany , due to international travel shutting down .
A minister involved in the preparations told Sky News : `` Even if the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted by November , it 's an international negotiation , and if none of the preparatory meetings can go ahead you are negotiating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business department are understood to have been diverted to other tasks , as speculation mounted that the summit would have to be cancelled .
Sky News understands that the budget for the event , for which the UK holds the rotating presidency , is £350 million - of which around half had been committed to venues .
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier this year called 2020 `` a pivotal year for how we address climate change '' .
Business Secretary Alok Sharma was put in charge of organising the conference in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battling COVID-19 are `` rightly focusing their efforts on saving lives '' so `` that is why we have decided to reschedule COP26 '' .
`` We will continue working tirelessly with our partners to deliver the ambition needed to tackle the climate , '' he added .
Patricia Espinosa , the UN 's climate change executive secretary , said COVID-19 is `` the most urgent threat facing humanity today , but we can not forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long-term '' .
She added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a chance for nations to recover better , to include the most vulnerable in those plans , and a chance to shape the 21st century economy in ways that are clean , green , healthy , just , safe and more resilient . ''
Greenpeace said the delay `` was inevitable given the health emergency the world is currently facing '' .
But it added in a statement that `` while the summit has been delayed , the climate emergency ca n't be put on hold '' .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is possible starts to dramatically shift , '' the environmental group said .
`` The health of the planet and individual health need to be looked at as a whole .
`` The pandemic has clearly shown that we are all affected and that we can only solve these challenges if we act together as a global community .
Neither the pandemic nor the climate crisis stops at national borders . ''

The UN summit on tackling climate change meant to be held in Britain this winter has been postponed because of coronavirus.
The gathering of world leaders - known as COP26 - was due to be the biggest the UK has ever hosted, taking place over four days in November in Glasgow.
Around 30,000 delegates including politicians, climate experts and campaigners had planned to attend to agree new co-ordinated plans to tackle climate change.
Image: The new event will take place on an unspecified date next year
The conference has been pushed back to 2021 following a decision by the UN's convention on climate change and the UK, but no specific date named.
Plans for it had been put on the backburner for some weeks, as governments around the world diverted resources to fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Preparatory meetings due to be held by officials from across the world were cancelled, in Columbia and Germany, due to international travel shutting down.
A minister involved in the preparations told Sky News: "Even if the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted by November, it's an international negotiation, and if none of the preparatory meetings can go ahead you are negotiating blind."
Image: Business Secretary Alok Sharma was put in charge of organising it
UK officials from the business department are understood to have been diverted to other tasks, as speculation mounted that the summit would have to be cancelled.
Sky News understands that the budget for the event, for which the UK holds the rotating presidency, is £350 million - of which around half had been committed to venues.
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The UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier this year called 2020 "a pivotal year for how we address climate change".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Birmingham announces plans to go car-free
Business Secretary Alok Sharma was put in charge of organising the conference in February's cabinet reshuffle.
He said countries battling COVID-19 are "rightly focusing their efforts on saving lives" so "that is why we have decided to reschedule COP26".
"We will continue working tirelessly with our partners to deliver the ambition needed to tackle the climate," he added.
Patricia Espinosa, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said COVID-19 is "the most urgent threat facing humanity today, but we cannot forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long-term".
She added: "Soon, economies will restart. This is a chance for nations to recover better, to include the most vulnerable in those plans, and a chance to shape the 21st century economy in ways that are clean, green, healthy, just, safe and more resilient."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:50 Scotland could miss its own climate targets
Greenpeace said the delay "was inevitable given the health emergency the world is currently facing".
But it added in a statement that "while the summit has been delayed, the climate emergency can't be put on hold".
"It's during moments of crisis like this that what is possible starts to dramatically shift," the environmental group said.
"The health of the planet and individual health need to be looked at as a whole.
"The pandemic has clearly shown that we are all affected and that we can only solve these challenges if we act together as a global community. Neither the pandemic nor the climate crisis stops at national borders."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: How to keep your husband happy in lockdown posters condemned

The Malaysian government 's department for women has apologised after it released a series of online posters telling women how to keep their men happy during the COVID-19 lockdown .
Titled `` Household Happiness '' , the tips posted on Facebook and Instagram included giggling coyly instead of nagging , not allowing your appearance to slip and making sure the home is clean .
One suggested women avoid being sarcastic if their partner was not helping with the housework .
The online posters , with the hashtag # WanitaCegahCOVID19 ( Women Prevent COVID-19 ) , were condemned by women 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsen gender stereotypes and possibly encourage domestic violence .
The Women 's Centre for Change ( WCC ) said the Facebook and Instagram posts reinforced negative gender stereotypes of both women and men .
`` It implies that women are ultimately responsible for getting domestic chores done when the duty should be a shared one , '' it said in a statement .
`` It makes women the ones who need to persuade their partners to chip in , and worse , asks that women downplay a rightful request by using infantile language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offend the apparent sensitivities of men .
`` The implicit message is that men are allowed to slack off on domestic work and it 's women who must follow up with them - but they should only do so nicely .
`` In short , it sends the message that women are subordinate in the home and are not allowed to function as equals to men . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
In a statement the Women , Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been to share methods and practices to sustain positive relationship within a family while women are working from home .
Director-general Datuk Saidatu Akhma Hassan said : `` We are sorry if some of tips shared were inappropriate and touched on the sensitivities of some parties , and we will be more careful in the future . ''
Three of the four posters have now been removed from social media .
Malaysia has shut schools and non-essential shops and imposed tight restrictions on travel and movement in a bid to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest a government helpline to aid domestic abuse victims and vulnerable children has had double its usual number of calls since the start of the lockdown .

The Malaysian government's department for women has apologised after it released a series of online posters telling women how to keep their men happy during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Titled "Household Happiness", the tips posted on Facebook and Instagram included giggling coyly instead of nagging, not allowing your appearance to slip and making sure the home is clean.
One suggested women avoid being sarcastic if their partner was not helping with the housework.
Image: This poster says women should not be sarcastic if they are not getting help with the housework
The online posters, with the hashtag #WanitaCegahCOVID19 (Women Prevent COVID-19), were condemned by women's rights groups who said the campaign could worsen gender stereotypes and possibly encourage domestic violence.
The Women's Centre for Change (WCC) said the Facebook and Instagram posts reinforced negative gender stereotypes of both women and men.
"It implies that women are ultimately responsible for getting domestic chores done when the duty should be a shared one," it said in a statement.
"It makes women the ones who need to persuade their partners to chip in, and worse, asks that women downplay a rightful request by using infantile language and mannerisms - so as not to offend the apparent sensitivities of men.
"The implicit message is that men are allowed to slack off on domestic work and it's women who must follow up with them - but they should only do so nicely.
"In short, it sends the message that women are subordinate in the home and are not allowed to function as equals to men."
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In a statement the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said the aim had been to share methods and practices to sustain positive relationship within a family while women are working from home.
Director-general Datuk Saidatu Akhma Hassan said: "We are sorry if some of tips shared were inappropriate and touched on the sensitivities of some parties, and we will be more careful in the future."
Three of the four posters have now been removed from social media.
Malaysia has shut schools and non-essential shops and imposed tight restrictions on travel and movement in a bid to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
Local media reports suggest a government helpline to aid domestic abuse victims and vulnerable children has had double its usual number of calls since the start of the lockdown.


news--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: Special body recovery teams set up for those who die at home

Special body recovery teams have begun work to deal with suspected coronavirus victims who die in their homes .
Small units of police , fire and health service staff will confirm death and the identity of the dead and remove their bodies to a mortuary .
Known as Pandemic Multi-Agency Response Teams , or PMART , they will be dispatched when victims die outside hospitals and there is a high probability they had COVID-19 .
The teams have been set up , initially in London , to relieve pressure on hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus emergency cases .
Each team consists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health service clinician , a police constable and a detective .
The death of a victim will be determined by the clinician , who may be a nurse , a medical student or some other health professional .
A death certificate would be issued after review by another medic .
A spokesman for London 's Strategic Co-ordination Group said : `` The teams are made up of police , fire and health services staff and will verify that a death has occurred , confirm identification of the deceased and ascertain there are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the necessary preparations for the deceased to be taken to a funeral home or mortuary until arrangements can be made for burial or cremation . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The teams will travel in unmarked vehicles and their work will include wrapping and sealing bodies before removing them to await burial or cremation .
Authorities believe around a third of coronavirus deaths in the capital will occur in the community .

Special body recovery teams have begun work to deal with suspected coronavirus victims who die in their homes.
Small units of police, fire and health service staff will confirm death and the identity of the dead and remove their bodies to a mortuary.
Known as Pandemic Multi-Agency Response Teams, or PMART, they will be dispatched when victims die outside hospitals and there is a high probability they had COVID-19.
The teams have been set up, initially in London, to relieve pressure on hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus emergency cases.
Each team consists of a fire service driver, a health service clinician, a police constable and a detective.
The death of a victim will be determined by the clinician, who may be a nurse, a medical student or some other health professional. A death certificate would be issued after review by another medic.
A spokesman for London's Strategic Co-ordination Group said: "The teams are made up of police, fire and health services staff and will verify that a death has occurred, confirm identification of the deceased and ascertain there are no suspicious circumstances.
"They will then make the necessary preparations for the deceased to be taken to a funeral home or mortuary until arrangements can be made for burial or cremation."
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The teams will travel in unmarked vehicles and their work will include wrapping and sealing bodies before removing them to await burial or cremation.
Authorities believe around a third of coronavirus deaths in the capital will occur in the community.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Woman fined £660 for refusing to tell police why she was out

A woman arrested by police for breaking a new coronavirus law has been fined £660 by magistrates .
According to police , Marie Dinou , 41 , refused to explain to officers her reason for essential travel when they found her on a platform at Newcastle railway station .
She was arrested for breaching the new Coronavirus Act and ticket fraud and appeared in court two days later , where she denied both offences .
She was found guilty .
The case was condemned by privacy campaigners who claimed police risked losing public support by their handling of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was fined £85 for ticket fraud , but £660 for breaking the new COVID-19 regulations on leaving home without a reasonable excuse .
She was also ordered to pay £80 costs .
British Transport Police said in a statement : `` On Saturday 28 March at around 8am , officers at Newcastle Central station received a report from rail staff of a woman loitering between platforms .
`` They approached Dinou and engaged with her in an attempt to understand her reasons for essential travel , but following several more attempts by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak to officers .
`` Having explored all options , Dinou was arrested on suspicion of travel fraud and breaching the restrictions imposed under the new Coronavirus Act 2020 . ''
Under the new law , police can issue £60 on-the-spot fines to anyone leaving their home without a reasonable excuse if they refuse a request to go home .
Reasonable excuses include shopping for basic needs , exercising and 'absolutely necessary ' travel to and from work .
But suspects can also be arrested and charged with breaking the new laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
If found guilty they face unlimited fines .
BTP 's Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said : `` While a ticket offence had also been committed in this case , enforcement of any sort under the new regulations really is a last resort , especially arrest .
`` In this case , officers tried their upmost best to engage with Dinou .
I can assure you we would much rather not have to take such action .
`` We strongly urge the public to do the right thing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and slowing the spread of the virus . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch said the case confirmed its worst fears .
Director Silkie Carlo said : `` The Coronavirus Act gives police huge powers to police to arbitrarily fine , detain and punish potentially anyone in this country .
`` The new law defines 'potentially infectious persons ' so loosely as to be meaningless and capture the entire British public .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give police their personal details has been classed as 'potentially infectious ' and criminalised as a result .
`` It 's so important that people follow the government guidance to protect themselves and others .
Extraordinary powers are needed in these circumstances to protect public health .
`` However , these emergency powers are the most draconian ever seen in peacetime Britain .
`` These breathtaking powers can even be used to detain and isolate our children .
If the police are to maintain credibility and public trust in their handling of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use them proportionately and in accordance with the law .
They appear to have fallen at the first hurdle . ''

A woman arrested by police for breaking a new coronavirus law has been fined £660 by magistrates.
According to police, Marie Dinou, 41, refused to explain to officers her reason for essential travel when they found her on a platform at Newcastle railway station.
She was arrested for breaching the new Coronavirus Act and ticket fraud and appeared in court two days later, where she denied both offences. She was found guilty.
The case was condemned by privacy campaigners who claimed police risked losing public support by their handling of the new emergency powers.
Dinou, from York, was fined £85 for ticket fraud, but £660 for breaking the new COVID-19 regulations on leaving home without a reasonable excuse. She was also ordered to pay £80 costs.
British Transport Police said in a statement: "On Saturday 28 March at around 8am, officers at Newcastle Central station received a report from rail staff of a woman loitering between platforms.
"They approached Dinou and engaged with her in an attempt to understand her reasons for essential travel, but following several more attempts by officers to explain and encourage she refused to speak to officers.
"Having explored all options, Dinou was arrested on suspicion of travel fraud and breaching the restrictions imposed under the new Coronavirus Act 2020."
Under the new law, police can issue £60 on-the-spot fines to anyone leaving their home without a reasonable excuse if they refuse a request to go home.
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Reasonable excuses include shopping for basic needs, exercising and 'absolutely necessary' travel to and from work.
But suspects can also be arrested and charged with breaking the new laws brought in last month in the wake of the pandemic. If found guilty they face unlimited fines.
BTP's Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "While a ticket offence had also been committed in this case, enforcement of any sort under the new regulations really is a last resort, especially arrest.
"In this case, officers tried their upmost best to engage with Dinou. I can assure you we would much rather not have to take such action.
"We strongly urge the public to do the right thing and help us save lives by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch said the case confirmed its worst fears.
Director Silkie Carlo said: "The Coronavirus Act gives police huge powers to police to arbitrarily fine, detain and punish potentially anyone in this country.
"The new law defines 'potentially infectious persons' so loosely as to be meaningless and capture the entire British public.
"It seems here that someone who declined to give police their personal details has been classed as 'potentially infectious' and criminalised as a result.
"It's so important that people follow the government guidance to protect themselves and others. Extraordinary powers are needed in these circumstances to protect public health.
"However, these emergency powers are the most draconian ever seen in peacetime Britain.
"These breathtaking powers can even be used to detain and isolate our children. If the police are to maintain credibility and public trust in their handling of these extreme emergency powers, they will need to use them proportionately and in accordance with the law. They appear to have fallen at the first hurdle."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: How London's NHS Nightingale Hospital was built in a fortnight

From the outside there is not much to suggest that this east London riverside landmark is now the world 's largest critical care facility .
The new NHS logo only hints at what is inside .
Two weeks ago the first plans were drawn up to re-purpose this giant conference centre into a specialist COVID-19 field hospital called the NHS Nightingale .
As you make your way past the shuttered fast food stands , you notice the lines of masking tape on the floor , marking out designated areas .
The Costa Coffee stand will be a pharmacy next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hundreds of people busy making the final preparations as the NHS Nightingale gets ready to take on its first patient .
There are soldiers in full uniform , carpenters measuring and marking , stewards in fluorescent bibs marshalling volunteers through the crowded corridors .
Trucks unload ventilators and other life-saving medical machinery .
They will soon be plumbed into a four-mile long oxygen supply network .
Porters hurriedly wheel new beds towards the waiting wards .
Only very sick COVID-19 patients will be brought here for treatment .
But they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London and the south .
Emergency cases will still be taken to local hospitals in the first instance .
The movement of patients , staff and resources will be coordinated by response managers in a central command unit in the capital .
Dr Alan McGlennan , medical director for Nightingale Hospital , explained how it would work .
`` We 're an NHS facility within London so we take our resources from London , '' he said .
`` We want to re-coordinate from the centre so they know the best place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are producing a facility that makes best use of that so when we get to capacity and even over , it will be quite clear where to put those resources .
`` And at that point we will be ready to receive the equipment , the staff and then the patients , at scale and at pace , at the same standard occurring in the NHS . ''
This means patients with other serious underlying health conditions , or those who require specialist treatment that is not COVID-19-related , will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose hospital .
This weekend brides-to-be , their excited friends and families expected to make difficult decisions about wedding gowns and decoration at London 's ExCel .
But the National Wedding Show has been cancelled .
Instead the difficult decisions might be life and death ones taken by overworked front-line doctors .
A 21st century global pandemic requires an unprecedented response and the NHS Nightingale is just that .
It is a logistical and engineering marvel .
It has gone from a blank sheet to fully operational hospital in less than a fortnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of military expertise .
The language used by the prime minister and his aides is martial .
There 's much talk of battle lines being drawn .
So it is appropriate the Ministry of Defence was asked to help deliver this project .
Skills honed on the battlefields of Afghanistan have been deployed to the frontline in east London .
It is what Colonel Ashleigh Boreham does best .
`` People keep talking about a battle , '' he said .
`` It 's an unseen enemy .
It still is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you are working to .
`` It 's always trying to get ahead of the picture , of the enemy .
And in this case you are trying to get ahead of a virus .
`` So the whole idea about building at scale and pace is to build a really fantastic facility that delivers safe care at scale and keeping ahead of the battle , ahead of the virus .
That 's what we do .
`` The NHS have been absolutely fantastic , we 're here supporting them in delivering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan and think things through . ''
That expertise is telling .
The ward I stood in is more like an aircraft hangar .
There are rows after rows of beds as far as I can see .
This corridor is one-kilometre long .
And there are two wards like this .
When it is all up and running there will be capacity for 4,000 patients .
Colonel Boreham said : `` We came together about nine days ago , sat around , with social distancing , a coffee table and looked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We looked at how to re-purpose it into a design of a hospital system so it has a patient-flow system .
`` You literally design on a piece of paper what it looks like with the engineers and the NHS .
`` You then present that and you 've got a plan .
Once you 've got that and a timeline you can start to finesse it .
`` We can do that around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , literally bent over a table working it out .
That 's your start point . ''
That was the starting point but now the NHS Nightingale is ready to treat its first COVID-19 patient , less than a fortnight night later .
It is the most incredible achievement .
But that is no cause for celebration .
It will be though , when she treats her last .

From the outside there is not much to suggest that this east London riverside landmark is now the world's largest critical care facility. The new NHS logo only hints at what is inside.
Two weeks ago the first plans were drawn up to re-purpose this giant conference centre into a specialist COVID-19 field hospital called the NHS Nightingale.
The result is simply staggering.
Image: More than 16,000 members of staff could be needed to run NHS Nightingale. Pic: MoD
As you make your way past the shuttered fast food stands, you notice the lines of masking tape on the floor, marking out designated areas. The Costa Coffee stand will be a pharmacy next week.
There is a real buzz inside. Hundreds of people busy making the final preparations as the NHS Nightingale gets ready to take on its first patient.
There are soldiers in full uniform, carpenters measuring and marking, stewards in fluorescent bibs marshalling volunteers through the crowded corridors.
Trucks unload ventilators and other life-saving medical machinery. They will soon be plumbed into a four-mile long oxygen supply network.
Image: The Nighingale is split into more than 80 wards containing 42 beds each
Porters hurriedly wheel new beds towards the waiting wards.
Only very sick COVID-19 patients will be brought here for treatment. But they will be patients who are transferred from other hospitals in London and the south.
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Emergency cases will still be taken to local hospitals in the first instance.
The movement of patients, staff and resources will be coordinated by response managers in a central command unit in the capital.
Dr Alan McGlennan, medical director for Nightingale Hospital, explained how it would work.
Image: The new 4,000-bed temporary facility at the ExCel convention centre in east London. Pic: MoD
"We're an NHS facility within London so we take our resources from London," he said.
"We want to re-coordinate from the centre so they know the best place to deploy staff and resources.
"We are producing a facility that makes best use of that so when we get to capacity and even over, it will be quite clear where to put those resources.
"And at that point we will be ready to receive the equipment, the staff and then the patients, at scale and at pace, at the same standard occurring in the NHS."
Image: Military personnel have helped build NHS Nightingale
This means patients with other serious underlying health conditions, or those who require specialist treatment that is not COVID-19-related, will not be treated here. It is a single purpose hospital.
This weekend brides-to-be, their excited friends and families expected to make difficult decisions about wedding gowns and decoration at London's ExCel. But the National Wedding Show has been cancelled.
Instead the difficult decisions might be life and death ones taken by overworked front-line doctors.
Image: The facility will be used to treat COVID-19 patients
A 21st century global pandemic requires an unprecedented response and the NHS Nightingale is just that.
It is a logistical and engineering marvel.
It has gone from a blank sheet to fully operational hospital in less than a fortnight. And that has been made possible because of military expertise.
The language used by the prime minister and his aides is martial. There's much talk of battle lines being drawn.
Image: Ventilators are stored and ready to be used
So it is appropriate the Ministry of Defence was asked to help deliver this project. Skills honed on the battlefields of Afghanistan have been deployed to the frontline in east London.
It is what Colonel Ashleigh Boreham does best.
"People keep talking about a battle," he said.
"It's an unseen enemy. It still is a battle. And it is a timeline that you are working to.
"It's always trying to get ahead of the picture, of the enemy. And in this case you are trying to get ahead of a virus.
Image: The NHS Nightingale hospital is based at London's ExCel centre
"So the whole idea about building at scale and pace is to build a really fantastic facility that delivers safe care at scale and keeping ahead of the battle, ahead of the virus. That's what we do.
"The NHS have been absolutely fantastic, we're here supporting them in delivering an amazing facility, helping them to plan and think things through."
That expertise is telling. The ward I stood in is more like an aircraft hangar.
There are rows after rows of beds as far as I can see.
This corridor is one-kilometre long. And there are two wards like this.
When it is all up and running there will be capacity for 4,000 patients.
Colonel Boreham said: "We came together about nine days ago, sat around, with social distancing, a coffee table and looked at the designs of this facility and building
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
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"We looked at how to re-purpose it into a design of a hospital system so it has a patient-flow system.
"You literally design on a piece of paper what it looks like with the engineers and the NHS.
"You then present that and you've got a plan. Once you've got that and a timeline you can start to finesse it.
"We can do that around the world and do the same thing here, literally bent over a table working it out. That's your start point."
That was the starting point but now the NHS Nightingale is ready to treat its first COVID-19 patient, less than a fortnight night later. It is the most incredible achievement.
But that is no cause for celebration. It will be though, when she treats her last.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Can large doses of vitamin C prevent or help to treat COVID-19?

Doctors in New York have been prescribing critically ill coronavirus patients large doses of vitamin C , and it is also being trialled in hard-hit China where COVID-19 originated .
But the results of a study at Wuhan University - where 140 patients are being given big amounts of the antioxidant intravenously to establish if it could improve outcomes - will not be completed until September .
At the moment , there is no evidence that taking vitamin C supplements could prevent or cure the respiratory illness COVID-19 , a UK health expert has told Sky News .
Posts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed wonders of vitamin C , including one of a quote by the late doctor Robert F Cathcart , who said : `` I have not seen any flu yet that was not cured or markedly ameliorated by massive doses of vitamin C. '' Medical health experts say there is limited evidence that vitamin C can even prevent the common cold , let alone fight off the new and unique COVID-19 that emerged in Wuhan , China , in December 2019 .
Harriet Smith , an award-winning registered dietitian based in Surrey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does play an important role in immunity .
A great example of this is in sailors who developed scurvy due to vitamin C deficiencies .
`` However , there 's some very limited evidence that vitamin C supplements may reduce severity and duration of common colds , but only by approximately half a day .
`` Obviously , coronavirus and common colds are very different viruses , so the results do n't apply to coronavirus . ''
She debunked the claim that large doses of vitamin C could make a difference , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intake ] is 40 milligrams a day , which you can easily get from eating one large orange or a kiwi fruit .
`` Vitamin C is water-soluble , so consuming more than the body needs will result in it being excreted in urine . ''
She continued : `` I would not recommend people take high doses of vitamin C at home , as it can cause digestive issues , such as diarrhoea . ''
Ms Smith advised those thinking about upping their dosage of vitamin C to stick to a whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of fruit and vegetables such as citrus fruits , green leafy vegetables and even potatoes .
She added : `` There is some research going on to see the effects of extremely high doses of IV vitamin C on coronavirus , however these trials are in the early stages and no conclusions can be drawn .
Definitely do n't try this at home ! ''
While food can play an important role in optimising immunity , vitamin C can not prevent nor treat coronavirus , Ms Smith explained .
The British Nutrition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplement , can protect you from getting the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) '' , but added that `` having a healthy diet is important in supporting our immune function and many nutrients influence the body 's ability to fight infection . ''
Last week , Dr Andrew Weber , a pulmonologist and critical-care specialist in Long Island , said he had been giving his intensive care coronavirus patients 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C. Identical amounts of the dosage are then re-administered three or four times a day , he told the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received vitamin C did significantly better than those who did not get vitamin C , '' he said .
`` It helps a tremendous amount , but it is not highlighted because it 's not a sexy drug . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker To strengthen the immune system naturally , Ms Smith said it is `` better to get vitamin C from whole foods as opposed to supplements due to added benefits of nutrients such as antioxidants , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Doctors in New York have been prescribing critically ill coronavirus patients large doses of vitamin C, and it is also being trialled in hard-hit China where COVID-19 originated.
But the results of a study at Wuhan University - where 140 patients are being given big amounts of the antioxidant intravenously to establish if it could improve outcomes - will not be completed until September.
At the moment, there is no evidence that taking vitamin C supplements could prevent or cure the respiratory illness COVID-19, a UK health expert has told Sky News.
Posts have also been widely shared online about the supposed wonders of vitamin C, including one of a quote by the late doctor Robert F Cathcart, who said: "I have not seen any flu yet that was not cured or markedly ameliorated by massive doses of vitamin C."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:17 US coronavirus deaths exceed China's after rising to 3,393
Medical health experts say there is limited evidence that vitamin C can even prevent the common cold, let alone fight off the new and unique COVID-19 that emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
Harriet Smith, an award-winning registered dietitian based in Surrey, told Sky News: "Vitamin C does play an important role in immunity. A great example of this is in sailors who developed scurvy due to vitamin C deficiencies.
"However, there's some very limited evidence that vitamin C supplements may reduce severity and duration of common colds, but only by approximately half a day.
"Obviously, coronavirus and common colds are very different viruses, so the results don't apply to coronavirus."
She debunked the claim that large doses of vitamin C could make a difference, adding: "The RNI [Reference Nutrient Intake] is 40 milligrams a day, which you can easily get from eating one large orange or a kiwi fruit.
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"Vitamin C is water-soluble, so consuming more than the body needs will result in it being excreted in urine."
Image: Harriet Smith is a Surrey-based dietitian
She continued: "I would not recommend people take high doses of vitamin C at home, as it can cause digestive issues, such as diarrhoea."
Ms Smith advised those thinking about upping their dosage of vitamin C to stick to a whole foods, healthy and balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables and even potatoes.
She added: "There is some research going on to see the effects of extremely high doses of IV vitamin C on coronavirus, however these trials are in the early stages and no conclusions can be drawn. Definitely don't try this at home!"
Image: Health experts recommend getting vitamin C from foods rather than supplements
While food can play an important role in optimising immunity, vitamin C cannot prevent nor treat coronavirus, Ms Smith explained.
The British Nutrition Foundation say that "no food or supplement, can protect you from getting the coronavirus (COVID-19)", but added that "having a healthy diet is important in supporting our immune function and many nutrients influence the body's ability to fight infection."
Last week, Dr Andrew Weber, a pulmonologist and critical-care specialist in Long Island, said he had been giving his intensive care coronavirus patients 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C.
Identical amounts of the dosage are then re-administered three or four times a day, he told the New York Post.
"The patients who received vitamin C did significantly better than those who did not get vitamin C," he said.
"It helps a tremendous amount, but it is not highlighted because it's not a sexy drug."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
To strengthen the immune system naturally, Ms Smith said it is "better to get vitamin C from whole foods as opposed to supplements due to added benefits of nutrients such as antioxidants, which you can't replicate in a supplement."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: 'Sub-standard' protective equipment leaves paramedics 'vulnerable'

A paramedic is concerned he is unwittingly spreading coronavirus between patients because of a lack of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) .
Speaking under condition of anonymity , the paramedic - who works as both a solo rapid responder and part of an ambulance crew - told Sky News although supplies of PPE were now coming in , they seemed `` sub-standard '' and `` inappropriate '' .
`` If we are responding to a suspected COVID-19 case , unless it 's something like a cardiac arrest or where we have to intubate someone , we are provided with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgical mask .
`` The apron is just thin PVC , normally it is what we wear when we 're cleaning out the ambulance , and it does n't cover the full uniform .
`` We wear a uniform for a 12-hour shift , and when you 've entered someone 's house a lot of us feel like that uniform has not been covered properly .
`` You do n't want to leave one patient , to walk into a care home and then plant that virus for it to spread around elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably going to happen , '' he added .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
Public Health England told Sky News that their current guidelines follow those recommended by the World Health Organization .
But Martin Berry , from the College of Paramedics , says Ambulance Services have found themselves left behind other parts of the NHS when it comes to PPE .
`` We have been finding that PPE has been distributed to a wide sector of the healthcare sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been struggling to get that personal supply of healthcare equipment .
`` We are talking about a work force that passionately cares about the general public , and seeing them very concerned about the lack of appropriate personal equipment to allow them to do their jobs safely . ''
The government has said the provision of adequate PPE is a priority .
On Tuesday , it announced a new hotline number for NHS staff to call , if they felt they did n't have adequate provision .
Responding to this , the paramedic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure it will come through eventually but that 's the unfortunate thing : we 're already in the middle of this '' .
`` It should have been there in the first place .
And we should n't be having to muddle our way through it , feeling unprotected , '' they added .
`` It does make you feel vulnerable . ''

A paramedic is concerned he is unwittingly spreading coronavirus between patients because of a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Speaking under condition of anonymity, the paramedic - who works as both a solo rapid responder and part of an ambulance crew - told Sky News although supplies of PPE were now coming in, they seemed "sub-standard" and "inappropriate".
"If we are responding to a suspected COVID-19 case, unless it's something like a cardiac arrest or where we have to intubate someone, we are provided with an apron, gloves and a paper surgical mask.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Explainer: How to self-isolate
"The apron is just thin PVC, normally it is what we wear when we're cleaning out the ambulance, and it doesn't cover the full uniform.
"We wear a uniform for a 12-hour shift, and when you've entered someone's house a lot of us feel like that uniform has not been covered properly.
"You don't want to leave one patient, to walk into a care home and then plant that virus for it to spread around elderly, high-risk patients and unfortunately that's probably going to happen," he added.
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Public Health England told Sky News that their current guidelines follow those recommended by the World Health Organization.
Image: A patient might have to be intubated by a paramedic in just a paper surgical mask
But Martin Berry, from the College of Paramedics, says Ambulance Services have found themselves left behind other parts of the NHS when it comes to PPE.
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"We have been finding that PPE has been distributed to a wide sector of the healthcare sectors and ambulance services do seem to have been struggling to get that personal supply of healthcare equipment.
"We are talking about a work force that passionately cares about the general public, and seeing them very concerned about the lack of appropriate personal equipment to allow them to do their jobs safely."
The government has said the provision of adequate PPE is a priority.
On Tuesday, it announced a new hotline number for NHS staff to call, if they felt they didn't have adequate provision.
Responding to this, the paramedic we spoke to said "I'm sure it will come through eventually but that's the unfortunate thing: we're already in the middle of this".
"It should have been there in the first place. And we shouldn't be having to muddle our way through it, feeling unprotected," they added.
"It does make you feel vulnerable."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Spain reports highest daily increase in deaths as 4,000 die in France

Spain has reported its highest number of new coronavirus deaths in a single day , while the number of dead in France has passed 4,000 as Europe continues to struggle against the pandemic .
There were 864 new deaths reported in Spain on Wednesday , bringing the total to 9,053 since the COVID-19 outbreak began .
In France , authorities reported 509 fatalities from people who have tested positive for coronavirus , taking the national total to 4,032 and joing Italy , Spain and the United States in passing the 4,000 mark .
The number of confirmed cases in Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third country to reach this point , after the US and Italy .
There were 7,719 new cases in 24 hours - 1,500 fewer than the previous day 's increase .
It comes as Spain approaches the end of its third week in lockdown , with everyone ordered to stay home except those who work in healthcare , food production and distribution , and other essential sectors .
The country 's health emergency chief Fernando Simon said : `` The central issue is no longer whether we 've reached the peak or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
`` The key issue is to make sure that the national health system is capable of guaranteeing adequate coverage of all our patients and treatment . ''
Authorities are frantically trying to boost intensive care capacity and the number of hospital beds has been increased nationally by 20 % .
In the worst-hit regions of Madrid and northeast Catalonia , intensive care capacity has been almost tripled , with hotels turned into recovery rooms and sports centres and libraries being transformed into field hospitals .
Italy , meanwhile , has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any country , and among them are more than 60 doctors .
The country has more than 105,000 confirmed cases of the virus , which includes nearly 10,000 medical workers , putting strain on the healthcare professionals still able to work .
In Milan a field hospital , including a pharmacy and radiology wards , has been opened at what was a fairground .
In France , trains , helicopters and military planes are moving patients from overwhelmed cities to temporary hospitals elsewhere .
Hospitals in Paris are almost full , despite moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past week .
Paris emergency worker Christophe Prudhomme said : `` It feels like we are in a third world country .
We do n't have enough masks , enough protective equipment , and by the end of the week we might be in need of more medication too . ''
France , along with Italy , has called on medical students , retired doctors and even airline cabin crew to help .
Russia , Turkey and Cuba are among those to have sent aid to European countries , including medical equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 73,000 confirmed cases and 802 deaths .
Around 16,000 people have recovered from the virus , according to figures from US university Johns Hopkins .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A possible reason for Germany 's relatively low proportion of deaths is its high number of intensive care beds - 33.9 per 100,000 people , compared to Italy 's 8.6 .
Worldwide , more than 880,000 people have been confirmed infected and over 44,000 have died , according to data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the real case numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages and the fact that many cases of the virus are mild and , consequently , not reported .

Spain has reported its highest number of new coronavirus deaths in a single day, while the number of dead in France has passed 4,000 as Europe continues to struggle against the pandemic.
There were 864 new deaths reported in Spain on Wednesday, bringing the total to 9,053 since the COVID-19 outbreak began.
In France, authorities reported 509 fatalities from people who have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the national total to 4,032 and joing Italy, Spain and the United States in passing the 4,000 mark.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:07 Why hasn't Sweden gone into lockdown?
The number of confirmed cases in Spain has passed 100,000, making it only the third country to reach this point, after the US and Italy. There were 7,719 new cases in 24 hours - 1,500 fewer than the previous day's increase.
It comes as Spain approaches the end of its third week in lockdown, with everyone ordered to stay home except those who work in healthcare, food production and distribution, and other essential sectors.
The country's health emergency chief Fernando Simon said: "The central issue is no longer whether we've reached the peak or not, it seems like we are there.
"The key issue is to make sure that the national health system is capable of guaranteeing adequate coverage of all our patients and treatment."
Authorities are frantically trying to boost intensive care capacity and the number of hospital beds has been increased nationally by 20%.
In the worst-hit regions of Madrid and northeast Catalonia, intensive care capacity has been almost tripled, with hotels turned into recovery rooms and sports centres and libraries being transformed into field hospitals.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:40 Inside Italy's model hospital in Naples
Italy, meanwhile, has more than 12,400 dead, the most of any country, and among them are more than 60 doctors.
The country has more than 105,000 confirmed cases of the virus, which includes nearly 10,000 medical workers, putting strain on the healthcare professionals still able to work.
In Milan a field hospital, including a pharmacy and radiology wards, has been opened at what was a fairground.
In France, trains, helicopters and military planes are moving patients from overwhelmed cities to temporary hospitals elsewhere.
Hospitals in Paris are almost full, despite moves to double intensive care capacity in the past week.
Paris emergency worker Christophe Prudhomme said: "It feels like we are in a third world country. We don't have enough masks, enough protective equipment, and by the end of the week we might be in need of more medication too."
France, along with Italy, has called on medical students, retired doctors and even airline cabin crew to help.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:57 Italian medics' surprise birthday for patient
Russia, Turkey and Cuba are among those to have sent aid to European countries, including medical equipment and doctors.
Meanwhile, in Germany there are 73,000 confirmed cases and 802 deaths. Around 16,000 people have recovered from the virus, according to figures from US university Johns Hopkins.
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
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A possible reason for Germany's relatively low proportion of deaths is its high number of intensive care beds - 33.9 per 100,000 people, compared to Italy's 8.6.
Worldwide, more than 880,000 people have been confirmed infected and over 44,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
However, the real case numbers are believed to be much higher due to testing shortages and the fact that many cases of the virus are mild and, consequently, not reported.


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Set up virtual parliament until pandemic over, Commons Speaker urges

A virtual parliament should be set up if the coronavirus crisis lasts much longer , the government has been urged .
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the unprecedented intervention to urge that MPs be able to quiz ministers on the country 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Parliament is currently in recess , having broken up a week early over fears about the virus spreading in Westminster and infecting politicians including a health minister .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his health secretary have now both contracted COVID-19 , raising questions about whether MPs will be allowed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 April .
Sir Lindsay said MPs should still be able to raise constituents ' concerns about coronavirus - which could include being stranded abroad or struggling to access government support schemes - during the remaining three-week break .
He called on Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to devise some kind of `` forum '' for ministers to answer urgent queries .
If parliament sits again in a few weeks and the UK is still in lockdown , Sir Lindsay said MPs `` should be able to participate in key parliamentary proceedings virtually '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson at Prime Minister 's Questions .
Some committees have been taking evidence sessions using videolink and Sir Lindsay said : `` I have asked officials to investigate how they would apply similar technology to the types of business listed above . ''
Mr Rees-Mogg , known for his knowledge of parliament 's centuries-old rules and procedures , signaled he was open to discussing the ideas .
`` Parliament 's role of scrutinising government , authorising spending and making laws must be fulfilled and in these unprecedented times that means considering every technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are exploring options with the parliamentary authorities in readiness for parliament 's return . ''
She tweeted : `` In a time of national crisis , MPs have more questions than we have answers and limited ways to raise these with Ministers when Parliament is in recess to advocate for our constituents as effectively as they deserve . ''

A virtual parliament should be set up if the coronavirus crisis lasts much longer, the government has been urged.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the unprecedented intervention to urge that MPs be able to quiz ministers on the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parliament is currently in recess, having broken up a week early over fears about the virus spreading in Westminster and infecting politicians including a health minister.
Image: The regular PMQs joust with Boris Johnson could go online
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his health secretary have now both contracted COVID-19, raising questions about whether MPs will be allowed back when their Easter break officially ends on 21 April.
Sir Lindsay said MPs should still be able to raise constituents' concerns about coronavirus - which could include being stranded abroad or struggling to access government support schemes - during the remaining three-week break.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:29 'It's time to ramp up the tests'
He called on Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to devise some kind of "forum" for ministers to answer urgent queries.
If parliament sits again in a few weeks and the UK is still in lockdown, Sir Lindsay said MPs "should be able to participate in key parliamentary proceedings virtually" - including the weekly grilling of Mr Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions.
Image: Sir Lindsay said MPs called for MPs to ask questions virtually
Some committees have been taking evidence sessions using videolink and Sir Lindsay said: "I have asked officials to investigate how they would apply similar technology to the types of business listed above."
Mr Rees-Mogg, known for his knowledge of parliament's centuries-old rules and procedures, signaled he was open to discussing the ideas.
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"Parliament's role of scrutinising government, authorising spending and making laws must be fulfilled and in these unprecedented times that means considering every technological solution available," he said.
"We are exploring options with the parliamentary authorities in readiness for parliament's return."
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols welcomed Sir Lindsay's suggestions.
She tweeted: "In a time of national crisis, MPs have more questions than we have answers and limited ways to raise these with Ministers when Parliament is in recess to advocate for our constituents as effectively as they deserve."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Generation of start-ups could be 'wiped out' without government bailout

Seven tech industry bodies are calling on the government to provide £300m to keep start-ups going during the coronavirus crisis .
A generation of them will be `` wiped out '' if they are not helped quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic , the Chancellor , Rishi Sunak has been warned .
This includes several medical start-ups which could directly , or indirectly , ease the burden on the NHS as it struggles to cope with the outbreak .
In a letter seen by Sky News , seven of the UK 's leading tech industry lobby groups warn the Treasury that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect `` the future of British innovation '' .
Mr Sunak created the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CBILS ) in early March to provide loans of up to £5m to smaller businesses across the UK .
But the industry bodies say loss-making companies - a category which includes almost all early stage and fast-growing start-ups - do not qualify for these facilities , a fact it claims to have confirmed with lenders on the CBILS scheme .
Dom Hallas , executive director of The Coalition for a Digital Economy ( Coadec @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has told Sky News that he believes as many as 1,300 firms were at risk , because they were unable to raise new funding from venture capitalists .
`` It 's a huge problem right now , no one will do new deals , '' he said .
`` An entire cohort of start-ups will be wiped out . ''
One company at risk is Juno , which was in the process of raising seed funding for the technology it has developed to `` decode '' vaginal microbiomes , when the virus crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a really tricky environment , trying to navigate the seed stage during a pandemic , '' the company 's co-founder Hana Janebdar told Sky News .
He added : `` It would be such a shame if start-ups actively trying to close the gender health gap , making an innovation that 's much needed for women 's health , did n't come to fruition . ''
Another medical start-up , which did not want to reveal its name for fear of upsetting venture capitalists , confirmed to Sky News that its funding had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its telemedicine service was higher than ever .
The industry groups , which include Tech Nation , a start-up-supporting body which receives £7.1m in government funding , are calling for a new `` Runway Fund '' to be created by the Treasury .
The plan would include investing £300m through the British Business Bank , which would give the bank equity in start-ups , meaning the government could potentially make a profit from this bailout .
Alongside Coadec , the industry bodies that have signed the open letter are : Innovate Finance ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chair ; InsurTech UK ; Tech London Advocates ; TechUK ; and Global Tech Advocates .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A spokesperson for HM Treasury told Sky News : `` The Chancellor has been clear that we all must play our part in the national effort to support businesses and protect jobs .
`` That is why we 're taking unprecedented action and have announced £330bn in business loans and guarantees , paying 80 % of the wages of furloughed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax deferrals , introducing cash grants of up to £25,000 for small companies and covering the cost of statutory sick pay .
`` We 're working with the financial services sector to ensure that companies feel the full benefits from this support . ''

Seven tech industry bodies are calling on the government to provide £300m to keep start-ups going during the coronavirus crisis.
A generation of them will be "wiped out" if they are not helped quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak has been warned.
Image: The tech industry is warning a generation of start-ups will be 'wiped out' without assistance from ministers. File pic
This includes several medical start-ups which could directly, or indirectly, ease the burden on the NHS as it struggles to cope with the outbreak.
In a letter seen by Sky News, seven of the UK's leading tech industry lobby groups warn the Treasury that a £300m funding package is necessary to protect "the future of British innovation".
Mr Sunak created the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) in early March to provide loans of up to £5m to smaller businesses across the UK.
Image: Rishi Sunak has created a scheme to provide loans of up to £5m to smaller businesses
But the industry bodies say loss-making companies - a category which includes almost all early stage and fast-growing start-ups - do not qualify for these facilities, a fact it claims to have confirmed with lenders on the CBILS scheme.
Dom Hallas, executive director of The Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec), which represents smaller start-ups, has told Sky News that he believes as many as 1,300 firms were at risk, because they were unable to raise new funding from venture capitalists.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Rishi Sunak lays out huge economic measures
"It's a huge problem right now, no one will do new deals," he said.
"An entire cohort of start-ups will be wiped out."
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One company at risk is Juno, which was in the process of raising seed funding for the technology it has developed to "decode" vaginal microbiomes, when the virus crisis struck.
"We find ourselves in a really tricky environment, trying to navigate the seed stage during a pandemic," the company's co-founder Hana Janebdar told Sky News.
He added: "It would be such a shame if start-ups actively trying to close the gender health gap, making an innovation that's much needed for women's health, didn't come to fruition."
Another medical start-up, which did not want to reveal its name for fear of upsetting venture capitalists, confirmed to Sky News that its funding had been pulled, even though demand for its telemedicine service was higher than ever.
The industry groups, which include Tech Nation, a start-up-supporting body which receives £7.1m in government funding, are calling for a new "Runway Fund" to be created by the Treasury.
The plan would include investing £300m through the British Business Bank, which would give the bank equity in start-ups, meaning the government could potentially make a profit from this bailout.
Alongside Coadec, the industry bodies that have signed the open letter are: Innovate Finance; Tech Nation; UK Tech Cluster Group Chair; InsurTech UK; Tech London Advocates; TechUK; and Global Tech Advocates.
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A spokesperson for HM Treasury told Sky News: "The Chancellor has been clear that we all must play our part in the national effort to support businesses and protect jobs.
"That is why we're taking unprecedented action and have announced £330bn in business loans and guarantees, paying 80% of the wages of furloughed workers for three months, VAT and tax deferrals, introducing cash grants of up to £25,000 for small companies and covering the cost of statutory sick pay.
"We're working with the financial services sector to ensure that companies feel the full benefits from this support."


news--2020-04-01--Coronavirus: Entire street joins together for 'socially-distant' dancing outside homes

Families in a Cheshire street have been sharing a novel form of daily exercise during the coronavirus lockdown , by assembling outside their homes each morning for some `` socially-distant '' dancing .
Video shows people living on the road in Frodsham demonstrating their best moves after venturing out of their front doors for the bout of communal activity to music .
Elsa Williams is among the street 's residents and posted the footage on Twitter .
`` Socially distant dancing happens every day on our road at 11am during # lockdown .
This was day seven , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by local fitness instructor Janet Woodcock , which she said only last 10 minutes so it causes `` minimal disturbance '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' It was only meant to be a one time thing , but it lifted people round here up a bit and they wanted more .
It 's also worth noting that our road hardly spoke to each other before all this !
`` Mostly our road is kids and elderly residents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to it . ''

Families in a Cheshire street have been sharing a novel form of daily exercise during the coronavirus lockdown, by assembling outside their homes each morning for some "socially-distant" dancing.
Video shows people living on the road in Frodsham demonstrating their best moves after venturing out of their front doors for the bout of communal activity to music.
Elsa Williams is among the street's residents and posted the footage on Twitter.
"Socially distant dancing happens every day on our road at 11am during #lockdown. This was day seven," she said.
She explained the sessions were led by local fitness instructor Janet Woodcock, which she said only last 10 minutes so it causes "minimal disturbance".
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"It was only meant to be a one time thing, but it lifted people round here up a bit and they wanted more. It's also worth noting that our road hardly spoke to each other before all this!
"Mostly our road is kids and elderly residents who are self isolating, so they look forward to it."


news--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: Alex Horne and Greg Davies are Hometasking the nation through lockdown boredom

The creator of Taskmaster is on a mission to entertain a world stuck in lockdown , one 20 second video at a time .
Faced with the prospect of spending months at home due to coronavirus , comedian Alex Horne is challenging the public to complete a series of tasks , using nothing but themselves and things they can find in their house .
Christening the project `` Hometasking '' , Horne tells Sky News he 's been impressed by the result : `` A lot of the public are far better than any of the comedians we 've ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praise indeed , as the quirky comedy which ran for eight series on Freeview channel Dave has featured top stand ups including Bob Mortimer , Frank Skinner and Jo Brand .
So , what sparked the idea for a home-based Taskmaster ?
Horne says it 's thanks to a mother who contacted him on Twitter : `` She got in touch saying , 'Please , could you send us a task ?
Because we 're facing weeks of being in the house with the kids ' . ''
A father-of-three himself , Horne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home with a trio of bored children also played a part in Hometasking 's birth .
`` Last Monday I definitely woke up with a sense of dread .
I think a lot of parents did .
That was the first day of home-schooling , and we 're all thinking : ' I do n't know how to do that ' . ''
So Horne , who admits he 's `` fairly useless '' at entertaining his own kids but good at coming up with ideas to inspire others , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do each day '' .
Tasks are set every Monday and Wednesday at 9am , with a time limit of 30 hours to complete each challenge .
So far , families and individuals , adults and children ( and pets ) have taken the tasks in their stride , with two videos being sent in every minute of each challenge on average via Twitter .
Horne says he 's been `` amazed '' at the response .
`` Every video is watched '' , he explains , `` but I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
A top 10 compilation is then sent to the Taskmaster , Greg Davies , to select each task 's winner .
Horne says if in doubt , his kids ( three boys aged seven , nine and 10 ) help make the call : `` I 'm using them as little judges .
So if they say yes , that video has to make it into the montage . ''
And it 's not just English Taskmaster fans taking part - around one third of entries come from overseas .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , but also Norway , China , a lot of places across Europe , lots from Italy and from the hardest hit countries , which is it 's very moving but also pleasing .
`` People everywhere are just trying to have some fun in whichever situation they 're in . ''
It turns out one nation in particular are upping the ante : `` Australians are particularly competitive .
I should say that they 're in it to win it rather than to have fun . ''
And parents have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid to win too : `` Quite a few people are employing their babies to try to sneak into the montage using the cute factor . ''
However , Horne says it 's not really all about taking the top spot : `` This sounds very cheesy , but it really is n't about winning .
`` It 's about taking part because you 're then doing something that other people in the country and around the world are doing .
You 're sharing a moment . ''
Horne worked on the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he admits helped foster his love of challenges .
`` I was just a lowly member of the team , but we did get to go in the house and test some of the games before the before the inmates went in .
It definitely rubbed off on me a little bit . ''
So how does Horne come up with the quirky tasks , which have included creating a dancing elephant , throwing paper into a bin and camouflaging yourself ?
`` The second task was to convert your bathroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to for a great night out .
`` That was literally seeing my wife singing in the shower and thinking : 'There 's something in that ' . ''
However , there are rules .
Instructions listed by Horne on Twitter include : `` All tasks must take place in your homes or gardens , please obey the social distancing advice , do n't break the law and do n't hurt anyone . ''
And there are additional practicalities : `` They need to be achievable by anyone - if you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five of you , if you 're stuck in a top floor flat or if you 're on a farm . ''
Horne admits that getting to peek into people 's homes around the world is an added perk .
And despite the light-hearted nature of the challenges , participants are encouraged to be mindful of resources in their attempts : `` You ca n't waste stuff .
They ca n't involve pasta or loo roll .
I do n't want people chucking food away . ''
Plus Horne says the limitations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sky is not the limit .
The ceiling is the limit… I just set a very general thing , and then it 's up to people to interpret that however they want .
`` We ca n't go out and play football .
We ca n't even watch the football .
So , we 're forced to be slightly more creative and that 's hopefully one of the upsides of this whole thing . ''
Like many self-employed artists , Horne has had to cancel work because of the virus .
A tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fusion of stand up and live music called The Horne Section - has had to be postponed , leaving them all in the same position as five million self-employed people across the UK - without a regular income .
Horne says the chancellor 's financial aid should tide them through , when it eventually arrives : `` Money wise , I think the self-employed offerings from the government seems to be giving people hope .
`` But I think the timing is difficult .
It 's going to take a while for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping that the end is three months away rather than a year . ''
However , for Taskmaster fans , Hometasking is a welcome bit of fun amid the COVID-19 disruption .
Horne says : `` A lot of people got in touch saying , ' I 've always wanted to be on that show , and now I know I can ' '' .
Meanwhile , Taskmaster Greg Davies will only be playing Mr Nice Guy for so long .
Horne says : `` I can see him holding himself back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a matter of time before he unleashes himself .
`` I think he 's been really touched , because the lengths people go to impress him . ''
Normally sat together on the show in adjacent thrones , he says Davies will also be missing having him `` within striking distance '' , having to make do instead with having him `` at the other end of Twitter '' .
Judging from his living room , a black suited Davies passes the final verdict on each challenge .
Horne says : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations that he 's not wearing trousers .
But I have nothing to corroborate that . ''
He also says Davies resolutely refuses to film in landscape , the preferred aspect ratio for mobile phone videos on Twitter : `` I do n't know if that 's deliberately to wind me up , but it 's working '' .
With prizes on the TV show including such delights as `` most awkward item for somebody else to take home '' and `` most unusual autograph of the most unusual vegetable '' , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Horne says : `` They will get something money ca n't buy .
Something personal rather than physical .
Greg and I will come round and cook them dinner or we 'll give them a Taskmaster experience they 'll never forget . ''
However , if the winner 's heart is set on something a little more tangible , Horne adds : `` My dad 's got an old Saab , which I think 's broken so I could chuck that into it too . ''
Alex Horne will be setting new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on the Taskmaster YouTube page .
Series nine of Taskmaster is set to come to Channel 4 later this year , despite the outbreak .
Horne promises fans : `` We have recorded loads of brilliant and useless task attempts so we ca n't wait to show people the results ... ''

The creator of Taskmaster is on a mission to entertain a world stuck in lockdown, one 20 second video at a time.
Faced with the prospect of spending months at home due to coronavirus, comedian Alex Horne is challenging the public to complete a series of tasks, using nothing but themselves and things they can find in their house.
Image: Tasks are open to all forms of interpretation
Christening the project "Hometasking", Horne tells Sky News he's been impressed by the result: "A lot of the public are far better than any of the comedians we've ever had on the show".
High praise indeed, as the quirky comedy which ran for eight series on Freeview channel Dave has featured top stand ups including Bob Mortimer, Frank Skinner and Jo Brand.
So, what sparked the idea for a home-based Taskmaster?
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Horne says it's thanks to a mother who contacted him on Twitter: "She got in touch saying, 'Please, could you send us a task? Because we're facing weeks of being in the house with the kids'."
A father-of-three himself, Horne admits his own fear of being trapped at home with a trio of bored children also played a part in Hometasking's birth.
"Last Monday I definitely woke up with a sense of dread. I think a lot of parents did. That was the first day of home-schooling, and we're all thinking: 'I don't know how to do that'."
So Horne, who admits he's "fairly useless" at entertaining his own kids but good at coming up with ideas to inspire others, said he created Hometasking to give families "something to do each day".
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Tasks are set every Monday and Wednesday at 9am, with a time limit of 30 hours to complete each challenge.
So far, families and individuals, adults and children (and pets) have taken the tasks in their stride, with two videos being sent in every minute of each challenge on average via Twitter.
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Horne says he's been "amazed" at the response.
"Every video is watched", he explains, "but I have a team of 10 helping me out too".
A top 10 compilation is then sent to the Taskmaster, Greg Davies, to select each task's winner.
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Horne says if in doubt, his kids (three boys aged seven, nine and 10) help make the call: "I'm using them as little judges. So if they say yes, that video has to make it into the montage."
And it's not just English Taskmaster fans taking part - around one third of entries come from overseas.
"There's about 20 percent from North America, but also Norway, China, a lot of places across Europe, lots from Italy and from the hardest hit countries, which is it's very moving but also pleasing.
"People everywhere are just trying to have some fun in whichever situation they're in."
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It turns out one nation in particular are upping the ante: "Australians are particularly competitive. I should say that they're in it to win it rather than to have fun."
And parents have been making use of their kids in a bid to win too: "Quite a few people are employing their babies to try to sneak into the montage using the cute factor."
However, Horne says it's not really all about taking the top spot: "This sounds very cheesy, but it really isn't about winning.
"It's about taking part because you're then doing something that other people in the country and around the world are doing. You're sharing a moment."
Image: Rose Matafeo made Mount Rushmore from potatoes in series nine
Horne worked on the third series of Big Brother back in 2003, which he admits helped foster his love of challenges.
"I was just a lowly member of the team, but we did get to go in the house and test some of the games before the before the inmates went in. It definitely rubbed off on me a little bit."
So how does Horne come up with the quirky tasks, which have included creating a dancing elephant, throwing paper into a bin and camouflaging yourself?
"The second task was to convert your bathroom into a venue you'd like to go to for a great night out.
"That was literally seeing my wife singing in the shower and thinking: 'There's something in that'."
Image: Jo Brand, Kerry Godliman and Rose Matafeo compete in a studio task
However, there are rules.
Instructions listed by Horne on Twitter include: "All tasks must take place in your homes or gardens, please obey the social distancing advice, don't break the law and don't hurt anyone."
And there are additional practicalities: "They need to be achievable by anyone - if you're on your own or if there's five of you, if you're stuck in a top floor flat or if you're on a farm."
Horne admits that getting to peek into people's homes around the world is an added perk.
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And despite the light-hearted nature of the challenges, participants are encouraged to be mindful of resources in their attempts: "You can't waste stuff. They can't involve pasta or loo roll. I don't want people chucking food away."
Plus Horne says the limitations of lockdown are actually helpful: "The sky is not the limit. The ceiling is the limit… I just set a very general thing, and then it's up to people to interpret that however they want.
"We can't go out and play football. We can't even watch the football. So, we're forced to be slightly more creative and that's hopefully one of the upsides of this whole thing."
Like many self-employed artists, Horne has had to cancel work because of the virus.
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A tour featuring Horne and five musicians - a fusion of stand up and live music called The Horne Section - has had to be postponed, leaving them all in the same position as five million self-employed people across the UK - without a regular income.
Horne says the chancellor's financial aid should tide them through, when it eventually arrives: "Money wise, I think the self-employed offerings from the government seems to be giving people hope.
"But I think the timing is difficult. It's going to take a while for it to come through, I'm just hoping that the end is three months away rather than a year."
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However, for Taskmaster fans, Hometasking is a welcome bit of fun amid the COVID-19 disruption.
Horne says: "A lot of people got in touch saying, 'I've always wanted to be on that show, and now I know I can'".
Meanwhile, Taskmaster Greg Davies will only be playing Mr Nice Guy for so long.
Horne says: "I can see him holding himself back, but I think that's only going to be a matter of time before he unleashes himself.
"I think he's been really touched, because the lengths people go to impress him."
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Normally sat together on the show in adjacent thrones, he says Davies will also be missing having him "within striking distance", having to make do instead with having him "at the other end of Twitter".
Judging from his living room, a black suited Davies passes the final verdict on each challenge.
Horne says: "There's been a lot of accusations that he's not wearing trousers. But I have nothing to corroborate that."
He also says Davies resolutely refuses to film in landscape, the preferred aspect ratio for mobile phone videos on Twitter: "I don't know if that's deliberately to wind me up, but it's working".
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With prizes on the TV show including such delights as "most awkward item for somebody else to take home" and "most unusual autograph of the most unusual vegetable", the winner could be in for a treat.
Horne says: "They will get something money can't buy. Something personal rather than physical. Greg and I will come round and cook them dinner or we'll give them a Taskmaster experience they'll never forget."
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
However, if the winner's heart is set on something a little more tangible, Horne adds: "My dad's got an old Saab, which I think's broken so I could chuck that into it too."
Alex Horne will be setting new challenges every week on Twitter @AlexHorne and on the Taskmaster YouTube page.
Series nine of Taskmaster is set to come to Channel 4 later this year, despite the outbreak.
Horne promises fans: "We have recorded loads of brilliant and useless task attempts so we can't wait to show people the results..."