news--2020-02-06--Coronavirus: Britain must reverse advice telling UK nationals to leave China, diplomats warn

Chinese diplomats in London have urged Britain to reconsider advice to UK nationals to leave China because of coronavirus , warning against any `` overreaction '' to the epidemic .
Liu Xiaoming , the ambassador , also revealed that cases of discrimination towards Chinese people in the UK - including at primary and middle schools - following the outbreak of the disease have been reported to the British government and the police .
He used a news conference at the embassy on Thursday to insist the whole of China was mobilised to combat the virus , which has killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted the World Health Organization ( WHO ) to declare a global health emergency .
`` On the whole , the epidemic is preventable , controllable and curable , '' Ambassador Liu said .
`` Currently in China the number of cured cases is rising and we are fully confident in defeating the virus . ''
But he was critical of countries such as Britain that have chosen to advise its nationals to leave mainland China , noting that this went against the head of the WHO 's own advice .
Three people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK .
His criticism of the UK government was muted though , with the ambassador stressing repeatedly what he said was a very good and open channel of communication at all levels between the two countries .
This was in contrast to his rebukes of Britain in the past over its comments about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong .
On coronavirus , he said British officials had praised Chinese efforts to contain the spread of the disease and agreed to follow WHO advice on travel .
However , the Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationals in the country , who were able to , to leave '' It seems to me the facts are not entirely square , the words do not match with the deeds , '' Ambassador Liu said .
`` I say again , in private and public , I hope the British government and British public should take an objective and cool-headed view of what is going on in China . ''
Asked if he had formally or informally approached the Foreign Office to ask it to review the China travel advice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think overreaction is not helpful .
We asked them to take advice of WHO to make a reasonable response , do not overreact . ''
He was also asked for his thoughts on reports of a rise in hate crimes against Chinese nationals living in the UK in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak .
`` There are some cases of hatred , discrimination against Chinese nationals , '' he said .
`` We have raised these issues with the British government and the police . ''
The embassy has issued advice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the potential for insults and discrimination , the ambassador said .
He urged anyone who suffers such treatment to report it to the police and to contact the embassy for support .
The top diplomat said , though , that in general the British public was very supportive of Chinese nationals and China 's plight .
He even played a montage of video messages of support from school children in the UK to China .
The ambassador said the abuse suffered by Chinese nationals was in part caused by what he described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media about the coronavirus .
He said : `` At a crisis like this countries should stand together , we have a common enemy , we should say no to discriminatory words and behaviours . ''
The comments came after Mr Johnson 's government risked damaging its key relationship with the United States last week by deciding to allow the Chinese technology company Huawei to play a part in Britain 's next generation 5G communications network .
The move came despite intense lobbying by Washington to keep Huawei out .

Chinese diplomats in London have urged Britain to reconsider advice to UK nationals to leave China because of coronavirus, warning against any "overreaction" to the epidemic.
Liu Xiaoming, the ambassador, also revealed that cases of discrimination towards Chinese people in the UK - including at primary and middle schools - following the outbreak of the disease have been reported to the British government and the police.
He used a news conference at the embassy on Thursday to insist the whole of China was mobilised to combat the virus, which has killed more than 500 people on the mainland and prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 What it's like in coronavirus quarantine
"On the whole, the epidemic is preventable, controllable and curable," Ambassador Liu said.
"Currently in China the number of cured cases is rising and we are fully confident in defeating the virus."
But he was critical of countries such as Britain that have chosen to advise its nationals to leave mainland China, noting that this went against the head of the WHO's own advice.
Three people have so far tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:19 Officials in hazmat suits enter York hotel
His criticism of the UK government was muted though, with the ambassador stressing repeatedly what he said was a very good and open channel of communication at all levels between the two countries.
This was in contrast to his rebukes of Britain in the past over its comments about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
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On coronavirus, he said British officials had praised Chinese efforts to contain the spread of the disease and agreed to follow WHO advice on travel.
Image: Women wear face masks in London
However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office subsequently urged all British nationals in the country, who were able to, to leave
"It seems to me the facts are not entirely square, the words do not match with the deeds," Ambassador Liu said.
"I say again, in private and public, I hope the British government and British public should take an objective and cool-headed view of what is going on in China."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Coronavirus quarantine: What happens now?
Asked if he had formally or informally approached the Foreign Office to ask it to review the China travel advice, the diplomat said: "Yes… we think overreaction is not helpful. We asked them to take advice of WHO to make a reasonable response, do not overreact."
He was also asked for his thoughts on reports of a rise in hate crimes against Chinese nationals living in the UK in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
"There are some cases of hatred, discrimination against Chinese nationals," he said.
"We have raised these issues with the British government and the police."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 'I'm just glad to be back' - virus evacuee
The embassy has issued advice to Chinese nationals in Britain and those visiting about the potential for insults and discrimination, the ambassador said.
He urged anyone who suffers such treatment to report it to the police and to contact the embassy for support.
The top diplomat said, though, that in general the British public was very supportive of Chinese nationals and China's plight.
He even played a montage of video messages of support from school children in the UK to China.
The ambassador said the abuse suffered by Chinese nationals was in part caused by what he described as mis-reporting in some parts of the media about the coronavirus.
Image: Two people who tested positive for coronavirus were staying at the Staycity hotel in York
He said: "At a crisis like this countries should stand together, we have a common enemy, we should say no to discriminatory words and behaviours."
The comments came after Mr Johnson's government risked damaging its key relationship with the United States last week by deciding to allow the Chinese technology company Huawei to play a part in Britain's next generation 5G communications network.
The move came despite intense lobbying by Washington to keep Huawei out.


news--2020-02-06--Coronavirus: Health bosses issue 'avoid contact' warning for some travellers returning to UK

Urgent advice from the Department of Health has been issued for anyone returning to the UK from China and eight other states in Asia .
The advice has been published for those coming back from China , Thailand , Japan , South Korea , Hong Kong , Taiwan , Singapore , Malaysia and Macau .
A notice from public health bosses said : `` If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath , you should immediately : '' Stay indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would with the flu , call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country .
: : Coronavirus : Third patient in UK being treated at London hospital : : Doctors fear pregnant women can pass on coronavirus after newborn baby is diagnosed : : Meet the 'virus hunters ' working 24/7 in the fight against coronavirus '' In Scotland , phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours If you are in Northern Ireland , call 0300 200 7885 .
`` Please follow this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It comes after a third case of the deadly coronavirus in the UK , where the patient - who has not been named - is being treated at St Thomas ' Hospital in London .
The patient is thought to have picked up the virus in Singapore .
There is not believed to be any connection between the latest case and the first two patients who fell ill in York and are being cared for at Newcastle 's Royal Victoria Infirmary .

Urgent advice from the Department of Health has been issued for anyone returning to the UK from China and eight other states in Asia.
The advice has been published for those coming back from China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau.
A notice from public health bosses said: "If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:
"Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu, call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country.
Image: The coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China
:: Coronavirus: Third patient in UK being treated at London hospital
:: Doctors fear pregnant women can pass on coronavirus after newborn baby is diagnosed
:: Meet the 'virus hunters' working 24/7 in the fight against coronavirus
"In Scotland, phone your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours If you are in Northern Ireland, call 0300 200 7885.
"Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor."
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It comes after a third case of the deadly coronavirus in the UK, where the patient - who has not been named - is being treated at St Thomas' Hospital in London.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:57 Coronavirus: What you need to know
The patient is thought to have picked up the virus in Singapore.
There is not believed to be any connection between the latest case and the first two patients who fell ill in York and are being cared for at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson joined by fiancee Carrie Symonds as they lead nationwide clap for carers

Boris Johnson was joined by his fiancee Carrie Symonds outside 10 Downing Street as they led the nationwide applause for key workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
It was believed to be the first time that Ms Symonds has been seen in public with the prime minister since the birth of their son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson on 29 April .
Thousands of people across the UK took part for an eighth week in the Thursday evening clap for carers who put their lives at risk in the COVID-19 epidemic .
The campaign was originally to show praise for NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other key workers , including care home staff , teachers , supermarket workers and delivery drivers .
On Thursday evening , Mr Johnson tweeted a video of him and his fiancee joining in the clap .
He wrote in the tweet : `` Thank you to those wonderful people who care for all of us when we need it the most .
Tonight , we clapped for all of you . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Both have shared their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent three nights in intensive care with coronavirus earlier in the pandemic .
Their son has been given the middle name Nicholas in tribute to two of the doctors who saved his life .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted : `` Thank you to the carers , NHS staff and the key workers who are saving lives and keeping the country going .
ClapForOurCarers . ''
Other people played their instruments during the applause .
Superman actor Dean Cain shared a video message for the staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hard work during the pandemic .
He said : `` I played Superman , sure fine , I played Superman , but healthcare staff from all over the world truly are superheroes .
Thank you so much . ''

Boris Johnson was joined by his fiancee Carrie Symonds outside 10 Downing Street as they led the nationwide applause for key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
It was believed to be the first time that Ms Symonds has been seen in public with the prime minister since the birth of their son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson on 29 April.
Thousands of people across the UK took part for an eighth week in the Thursday evening clap for carers who put their lives at risk in the COVID-19 epidemic.
The campaign was originally to show praise for NHS staff but was later extended to many other key workers, including care home staff, teachers, supermarket workers and delivery drivers.
Image: People clapped outside the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London
On Thursday evening, Mr Johnson tweeted a video of him and his fiancee joining in the clap.
He wrote in the tweet: "Thank you to those wonderful people who care for all of us when we need it the most. Tonight, we clapped for all of you."
Image: Firefighters at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital clapped for fellow key workers
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Both have shared their gratitude to NHS staff after Mr Johnson spent three nights in intensive care with coronavirus earlier in the pandemic.
Their son has been given the middle name Nicholas in tribute to two of the doctors who saved his life.
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Image: Some people in Davenham played brass instruments on the street during the nationwide applause
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "Thank you to the carers, NHS staff and the key workers who are saving lives and keeping the country going. ClapForOurCarers."
Other people played their instruments during the applause.
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Superman actor Dean Cain shared a video message for the staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, thanking them for their hard work during the pandemic.
He said: "I played Superman, sure fine, I played Superman, but healthcare staff from all over the world truly are superheroes. Thank you so much."


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: McLaren eyes £275m from historic cars and HQ deal

The British Formula One team-owner McLaren Group is in talks to raise up to £275m by mortgaging its spectacular Surrey headquarters and one of the world 's most valuable historic car collections .
Sky News has learnt that McLaren and its advisers , the Wall Street bank JP Morgan , are working on the plan to shore up the supercar maker 's balance sheet during the coronavirus crisis .
Sources said it was looking to raise between £250m and £275m by borrowing against the value of its HQ and a company-owned collection of cars driven by the likes of Ayrton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Bruce McLaren , the group 's founder .
Some McLaren-owned cars are said to be valued at tens of millions of pounds each , with the entire portfolio thought to be worth more than £250m .
The company 's Woking HQ is also estimated to be worth more than £200m on a standalone basis .
McLaren could raise the money in the form of new bonds , with funding secured from existing or new bondholders , according to sources .
The funds would then be repaid `` at the earliest opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they added .
The drive to access new funding is understood to have accelerated in the wake of a request for a £150m loan from the government being rejected .
Sky News revealed last week that McLaren had approached the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) with the funding request after seeing sales of its supercars evaporate almost overnight as a result of the COVID-19 crisis .
The government is said to have rejected the initial approach from McLaren on the basis that it had not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of financing .
McLaren 's racing operations , including its F1 team , have also seen revenues severely impacted by the pandemic , although there remains an ambition for behind-closed-doors Grands Prix to get under way in July .
In March , the company 's shareholders , who are led by Mumtalakat , Bahrain 's sovereign wealth fund , injected £300m of equity into McLaren .
Smaller shareholders , including Mansour Ojjeh , a wealthy Saudi Arabian-born businessman , are also understood to have participated in the fundraising .
One insider said shareholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injection , and that it was not unreasonable to ask other stakeholders to inject more money into McLaren .
On a call with investors last month , Paul Buddin , McLaren 's chief financial officer , told investors : `` We are looking at a number of very credible sources , and that includes all [ those we ] might be expected to ask , including government , including third parties . ''
A spokesman for the company said : `` Like many other British businesses McLaren has been severely affected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a variety of different funding options to help navigate these short-term business interruptions . ''
McLaren employs about 4,000 people , a significant chunk of whom have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme .
The company is a major British exporter , supporting thousands of jobs across the UK supply chain .
It is also a major investor in UK technology research and development .
However , with the trajectory of a recovery in demand for top-end road cars and revenues across the rest of its businesses uncertain , McLaren has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sources said last week that there remained strong customer demand and an appetite for investment into McLaren 's Racing and Applied Technology businesses .
Talks between the company and Whitehall are said to be ongoing despite the initial snub , and it remains possible that some form of taxpayer funding agreement might be reached .
The discussions comes just weeks after McLaren appointed Paul Walsh , the heavyweight businessman , as its chairman .
Mr Walsh , who is due to step down as chairman of the FTSE 100 catering group Compass later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bin Essa Al Khalifa in the McLaren chairman 's seat .
His arrival has stoked speculation that McLaren 's principally Bahrain-based shareholders will eventually consider taking the company public - although such a move is unlikely for at least three years .
If any public listing does take place , McLaren 's investors are likely to pursue a valuation of well over £2bn .
McLaren 's on-track operations , which are headed by Zak Brown and include its participation in the Indianapolis 500 race , account for roughly 20 % of the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck sponsorship deals with companies including Darktrace , the cybersecurity software provider , and upgraded British American Tobacco to a `` principal partnership '' - despite the ban on tobacco advertising in the sport .
McLaren 's road-car division , which was previously a semi-independent company called McLaren Automotive , makes some of the world 's most expensive cars , with models including the Senna - named after its legendary former F1 driver .
The unit , which is run by Mike Flewitt , represents the majority of the group 's sales .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reunited following the departure in 2017 of Ron Dennis , the veteran McLaren boss who had steered its F1 team through the most successful period in its history .
He became one of Britain 's best-known businessmen , expanding McLaren 's technology ventures into a wide range of other industries through lucrative commercial partnerships .
Mr Dennis offloaded his stake in a £275m deal following a bitter dispute with fellow shareholders .
He had presented to McLaren 's board a £1.65bn takeover bid from a consortium of Chinese investors , but did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The British Formula One team-owner McLaren Group is in talks to raise up to £275m by mortgaging its spectacular Surrey headquarters and one of the world's most valuable historic car collections.
Sky News has learnt that McLaren and its advisers, the Wall Street bank JP Morgan, are working on the plan to shore up the supercar maker's balance sheet during the coronavirus crisis.
Sources said it was looking to raise between £250m and £275m by borrowing against the value of its HQ and a company-owned collection of cars driven by the likes of Ayrton Senna, the former F1 world champion, and Bruce McLaren, the group's founder.
Some McLaren-owned cars are said to be valued at tens of millions of pounds each, with the entire portfolio thought to be worth more than £250m.
The company's Woking HQ is also estimated to be worth more than £200m on a standalone basis.
McLaren could raise the money in the form of new bonds, with funding secured from existing or new bondholders, according to sources.
The funds would then be repaid "at the earliest opportunity" when revenues recover to normal levels, they added.
The drive to access new funding is understood to have accelerated in the wake of a request for a £150m loan from the government being rejected.
Sky News revealed last week that McLaren had approached the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with the funding request after seeing sales of its supercars evaporate almost overnight as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
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The government is said to have rejected the initial approach from McLaren on the basis that it had not yet demonstrated that it had exhausted alternative sources of financing.
McLaren's racing operations, including its F1 team, have also seen revenues severely impacted by the pandemic, although there remains an ambition for behind-closed-doors Grands Prix to get under way in July.
In March, the company's shareholders, who are led by Mumtalakat, Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, injected £300m of equity into McLaren.
Smaller shareholders, including Mansour Ojjeh, a wealthy Saudi Arabian-born businessman, are also understood to have participated in the fundraising.
One insider said shareholders had demonstrated their commitment with the capital injection, and that it was not unreasonable to ask other stakeholders to inject more money into McLaren.
On a call with investors last month, Paul Buddin, McLaren's chief financial officer, told investors: "We are looking at a number of very credible sources, and that includes all [those we] might be expected to ask, including government, including third parties."
Image: McLaren could borrow against the value of its HQ in Woking
A spokesman for the company said: "Like many other British businesses McLaren has been severely affected by the current pandemic and we are therefore exploring a variety of different funding options to help navigate these short-term business interruptions."
McLaren employs about 4,000 people, a significant chunk of whom have been furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
The company is a major British exporter, supporting thousands of jobs across the UK supply chain.
It is also a major investor in UK technology research and development.
However, with the trajectory of a recovery in demand for top-end road cars and revenues across the rest of its businesses uncertain, McLaren has been working on securing additional financing.
Sources said last week that there remained strong customer demand and an appetite for investment into McLaren's Racing and Applied Technology businesses.
Talks between the company and Whitehall are said to be ongoing despite the initial snub, and it remains possible that some form of taxpayer funding agreement might be reached.
The discussions comes just weeks after McLaren appointed Paul Walsh, the heavyweight businessman, as its chairman.
Mr Walsh, who is due to step down as chairman of the FTSE 100 catering group Compass later this year, has replaced Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa in the McLaren chairman's seat.
His arrival has stoked speculation that McLaren's principally Bahrain-based shareholders will eventually consider taking the company public - although such a move is unlikely for at least three years.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 'Very likely UK facing significant recession'
If any public listing does take place, McLaren's investors are likely to pursue a valuation of well over £2bn.
McLaren's on-track operations, which are headed by Zak Brown and include its participation in the Indianapolis 500 race, account for roughly 20% of the group's annual revenues.
It has recently struck sponsorship deals with companies including Darktrace, the cybersecurity software provider, and upgraded British American Tobacco to a "principal partnership" - despite the ban on tobacco advertising in the sport.
McLaren's road-car division, which was previously a semi-independent company called McLaren Automotive, makes some of the world's most expensive cars, with models including the Senna - named after its legendary former F1 driver.
The unit, which is run by Mike Flewitt, represents the majority of the group's sales.
The British company saw its separate divisions reunited following the departure in 2017 of Ron Dennis, the veteran McLaren boss who had steered its F1 team through the most successful period in its history.
He became one of Britain's best-known businessmen, expanding McLaren's technology ventures into a wide range of other industries through lucrative commercial partnerships.
Mr Dennis offloaded his stake in a £275m deal following a bitter dispute with fellow shareholders.
He had presented to McLaren's board a £1.65bn takeover bid from a consortium of Chinese investors, but did not attract support for it from boardroom colleagues.


news--2020-05-14--Petrofac chair Medori faces shareholder ire on two fronts

Petrofac , the FTSE-250 oilfield services company , is facing a backlash at its annual meeting over executive diversity and its public stance on a Serious Fraud Office ( SFO ) probe into its chief executive .
Sky News understands that the influential Investment Association 's voting advisory service IVIS has issued a red-top alert over the dearth of women among Petrofac 's senior managers - which is expected to result in a number of shareholders opposing the re-election of Rene Medori , its chairman .
Mr Medori , a former finance director of Anglo American , the miner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has been a board member for eight years .
He is also facing lukewarm support from Institutional Shareholder Services ( ISS ) , another leading proxy adviser , which has recommended that investors abstain on his re-election at Friday 's annual meeting .
In a report to clients , ISS said it had adopted that position because Petrofac had provided `` little disclosure '' in relation to ongoing legal proceedings against Ayman Asfari , its chief executive .
The SFO has been investigating the company since 2017 , with ISS also recommending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reappointment .
IVIS 's red-top against Petrofac reflects an adjustment of policy this year from the IA , which counts the world 's biggest fund managers among its members .
It now gives its strongest possible warning to shareholders when women account for 20 % or less of board members , or the same proportion of a company 's executive committee and their direct reports .
The alert underlines the IA 's continued focus on diversity and governance issues at a time when boards are focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its shares slump by nearly 60 % during the last year , said : `` Petrofac is one of the most diverse groups in the FTSE-250 in terms of ethnicity and nationality , but our progress on gender diversity has been slower than we would like .
`` In 2019 we took decisive action to address this , tying the incentive compensation of all managers to our diversity strategy which targets doubling the number of women in our senior leadership team by the end of 2021 .
`` We are making progress across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 hired 169 graduates ( 165 engineers ) , of which 46 % were women . ''

Petrofac, the FTSE-250 oilfield services company, is facing a backlash at its annual meeting over executive diversity and its public stance on a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) probe into its chief executive.
Sky News understands that the influential Investment Association's voting advisory service IVIS has issued a red-top alert over the dearth of women among Petrofac's senior managers - which is expected to result in a number of shareholders opposing the re-election of Rene Medori, its chairman.
Mr Medori, a former finance director of Anglo American, the miner, has chaired Petrofac since 2018, although he has been a board member for eight years.
He is also facing lukewarm support from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), another leading proxy adviser, which has recommended that investors abstain on his re-election at Friday's annual meeting.
In a report to clients, ISS said it had adopted that position because Petrofac had provided "little disclosure" in relation to ongoing legal proceedings against Ayman Asfari, its chief executive.
The SFO has been investigating the company since 2017, with ISS also recommending that investors abstain on Mr Asfari's reappointment.
IVIS's red-top against Petrofac reflects an adjustment of policy this year from the IA, which counts the world's biggest fund managers among its members.
It now gives its strongest possible warning to shareholders when women account for 20% or less of board members, or the same proportion of a company's executive committee and their direct reports.
The alert underlines the IA's continued focus on diversity and governance issues at a time when boards are focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic
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A spokesperson for Petrofac, which has seen its shares slump by nearly 60% during the last year, said: "Petrofac is one of the most diverse groups in the FTSE-250 in terms of ethnicity and nationality, but our progress on gender diversity has been slower than we would like.
"In 2019 we took decisive action to address this, tying the incentive compensation of all managers to our diversity strategy which targets doubling the number of women in our senior leadership team by the end of 2021.
"We are making progress across all levels of the business and in 2019 hired 169 graduates (165 engineers), of which 46% were women."


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Restaurant experiment shows how quickly COVID-19 spreads

An experiment using a black light has shown how quickly germs and viruses can be spread in restaurants when just one person is infected .
Hundreds of tourists were infected with COVID-19 on a cruise ship in Japan , with a buffet on the ship believed to be where most people got it .
The new experiment simulates how far a virus can spread at a buffet venue by using a paint invisible to the naked eye to represent the virus .
Conducted by Japanese state broadcaster NHK in liaison with infection experts , the video shows 10 people coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them `` infected '' with the paint .
The group sits down at a table before going to the buffet table to dish out food onto their plates before sitting back down to eat .
Black lights are then turned on , illuminating where the `` virus '' has spread from the one person .
The paint , which shines white under the light , can be seen on the hands of all the participants and on the faces of most of them , especially around their mouths .
It is also on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the food containers , the handle of a drink jug , all the crockery , the table cloth and the bill .
John Nichols , professor in pathology at Hong Kong University , told CNN the video `` really highlights the need of what people have been saying about hand hygiene to stop the spread of disease '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The video was released as research by Stanford University found speaking transmits the virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dispersed , the study found .
Researchers said with just one minute of loud speaking , at least 1,000 infected droplets remain in the air for more than eight minutes .
These can then be inhaled by other people , triggering a new COVID-19 infection .

An experiment using a black light has shown how quickly germs and viruses can be spread in restaurants when just one person is infected.
Hundreds of tourists were infected with COVID-19 on a cruise ship in Japan, with a buffet on the ship believed to be where most people got it.
The new experiment simulates how far a virus can spread at a buffet venue by using a paint invisible to the naked eye to represent the virus.
Image: The participants put food on their plates from a buffet. Pic: NHK
Conducted by Japanese state broadcaster NHK in liaison with infection experts, the video shows 10 people coming into the restaurant, with one of them "infected" with the paint.
The group sits down at a table before going to the buffet table to dish out food onto their plates before sitting back down to eat.
Image: The paint had spread to everyone's hands and food. Pic: NHK
Image: The paint also showed up on the bill. Pic: NHK
Black lights are then turned on, illuminating where the "virus" has spread from the one person.
The paint, which shines white under the light, can be seen on the hands of all the participants and on the faces of most of them, especially around their mouths.
It is also on the food, tongs, the lid of the food containers, the handle of a drink jug, all the crockery, the table cloth and the bill.
John Nichols, professor in pathology at Hong Kong University, told CNN the video "really highlights the need of what people have been saying about hand hygiene to stop the spread of disease".
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The video was released as research by Stanford University found speaking transmits the virus.
The louder people speak, the more droplets are dispersed, the study found.
Researchers said with just one minute of loud speaking, at least 1,000 infected droplets remain in the air for more than eight minutes.
These can then be inhaled by other people, triggering a new COVID-19 infection.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Lloyd's of London to pay out up to £3.5bn over pandemic

Lloyd 's of London is set to pay out up to £3.5bn to customers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The insurance market said it was on a par with the impact of 9/11 but that it expects the eventual overall cost of COVID-19 to the industry to be `` far in excess '' of that and other catastrophes .
Lloyd 's estimates that overall , when taking into account falling investment values as well as the cost of paying claims , the global insurance industry stands to lose £164bn this year .
Chief executive John Neal said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying out on a very wide range of policies to support businesses and people affected by COVID-19 .
`` The Lloyd 's market alone is currently expected to pay claims amounting to some $ 4.3bn ( £3.5bn ) , making it one of the market 's largest pay-outs ever .
`` What makes COVID-19 unique is the not just the devastating continuing human and social impact , but also the economic shock .
`` Taking all those factors together will challenge the industry as never before , but we will keep focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims over the weeks and months ahead . ''
Lloyd 's said its preliminary pay-out estimate was in the range of £2.4bn-£3.5bn based on the assumption of `` material social distancing rules and restrictions '' lasting until the end of June , and that this could rise further if the current lockdown continues into another quarter .
It said 15 % of the pay-outs covered the UK with the remainder covering the rest of the world .
Nearly a third of the claims ( 31 % ) were for cancellations of major events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas such as property insurance and trade credit .
The level of total pay-outs expected by Lloyd 's compares to a $ 4.8bn ( £3.9bn ) total following hurricanes Harvey , Irma and Maria in 2017 and $ 4.7bn ( £3.8bn ) resulting from the terror attacks of 11 September 2001 .
`` Lloyd 's believes that once the scale and complexity of the social and economic impact of COVID-19 is fully understood , the overall cost to the global insurance non-life industry is likely to be far in excess of those historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the insurance market as a whole , Lloyd 's estimates losses on claims totalling £86bn , plus an additional £77bn hit as the value of investments collapses .
In the UK , small businesses are challenging insurers who they say have denied them payments for disruption .
The insurers say most small business policies do not cover the pandemic .
Among those under scrutiny is Lloyd 's of London insurer Hiscox .
Mr Neal said the UK domestic property sector accounted for less than 2 % of the Lloyd 's market , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid '' .

Lloyd's of London is set to pay out up to £3.5bn to customers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The insurance market said it was on a par with the impact of 9/11 but that it expects the eventual overall cost of COVID-19 to the industry to be "far in excess" of that and other catastrophes.
Lloyd's estimates that overall, when taking into account falling investment values as well as the cost of paying claims, the global insurance industry stands to lose £164bn this year.
Chief executive John Neal said: "The global insurance industry is paying out on a very wide range of policies to support businesses and people affected by COVID-19.
"The Lloyd's market alone is currently expected to pay claims amounting to some $4.3bn (£3.5bn), making it one of the market's largest pay-outs ever.
"What makes COVID-19 unique is the not just the devastating continuing human and social impact, but also the economic shock.
"Taking all those factors together will challenge the industry as never before, but we will keep focused on supporting our customers and continuing to pay claims over the weeks and months ahead."
Lloyd's said its preliminary pay-out estimate was in the range of £2.4bn-£3.5bn based on the assumption of "material social distancing rules and restrictions" lasting until the end of June, and that this could rise further if the current lockdown continues into another quarter.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:59 Action group makes case for Hiscox payout fight
It said 15% of the pay-outs covered the UK with the remainder covering the rest of the world.
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Nearly a third of the claims (31%) were for cancellations of major events such as the Olympics with others covering areas such as property insurance and trade credit.
The level of total pay-outs expected by Lloyd's compares to a $4.8bn (£3.9bn) total following hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017 and $4.7bn (£3.8bn) resulting from the terror attacks of 11 September 2001.
"Lloyd's believes that once the scale and complexity of the social and economic impact of COVID-19 is fully understood, the overall cost to the global insurance non-life industry is likely to be far in excess of those historical events," it said.
For the insurance market as a whole, Lloyd's estimates losses on claims totalling £86bn, plus an additional £77bn hit as the value of investments collapses.
In the UK, small businesses are challenging insurers who they say have denied them payments for disruption.
The insurers say most small business policies do not cover the pandemic.
Among those under scrutiny is Lloyd's of London insurer Hiscox.
Mr Neal said the UK domestic property sector accounted for less than 2% of the Lloyd's market, adding that "any valid claims should be paid".


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: 'Superhuman' GP who served patients for decades dies of COVID-19

Hundreds of people have lined the streets of a seaside town to pay their respects to a `` superhuman '' GP who died of COVID-19 after decades serving his community .
Dr Karamat Ullah Mirza continued seeing patients in Clacton-on-Sea , Essex , until just a fortnight before his death on Sunday .
The 84-year-old , who came to the UK in 1966 , had `` enormous determination '' , his wife Estelle Mirza said .
The couple were married for 48 years .
`` He would fight to the end of the earth for his patients and was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The funeral procession passed the Old Road Medical Practice where he worked .
Dr Mirza , who was brought up in a family of doctors in his native Pakistan , had lived and worked in Clacton since 1974 .
`` He was superhuman , '' his wife told Sky News .
`` Someone who came from a completely different culture , but embraced the English culture wholly .
I 've never met anyone to equal this man . ''
Mrs Mirza , who also worked at the medical practice , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangers of COVID-19 .
She said : `` He was taking the precautions and he was being careful , but he would say , ' I ca n't leave my patients at this time , I need to be there for them ' . ''
Mrs Mirza continued : `` He was n't a negative man .
He wanted to think positively about everything .
I never thought it would get him , because he 's cheated death so many times .
`` I had a faith that it would n't touch him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were told to do , but he would n't have accepted not working .
He was a man with enormous determination . ''
Also speaking to Sky News on the day of Dr Mirza 's funeral , his grandson Joseph said : `` I was hugely worried when I found out he became ill. '' I had faith he would pull through .
But now he leaves an amazing legacy and I 'm so proud of him .
He 's one of my role models .
`` He had sheer will to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love for everyone he met . ''
NHS England has recommended health trusts assess black , Asian and ethnic minority ( BAME ) workers as `` at potentially greater risk '' from coronavirus .
Last month , Sky News analysis found that nearly three quarters of all NHS and social care staff who had died with coronavirus were from a BAME background .

Hundreds of people have lined the streets of a seaside town to pay their respects to a "superhuman" GP who died of COVID-19 after decades serving his community.
Dr Karamat Ullah Mirza continued seeing patients in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, until just a fortnight before his death on Sunday.
The 84-year-old, who came to the UK in 1966, had "enormous determination", his wife Estelle Mirza said.
Image: The funeral cortege passed Dr Mirza's medical practice
The couple were married for 48 years. "He would fight to the end of the earth for his patients and was so dedicated to them," Mrs Mirza said.
The funeral procession passed the Old Road Medical Practice where he worked.
Dr Mirza, who was brought up in a family of doctors in his native Pakistan, had lived and worked in Clacton since 1974.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 'I must look after my patients'
"He was superhuman," his wife told Sky News. "Someone who came from a completely different culture, but embraced the English culture wholly. I've never met anyone to equal this man."
Mrs Mirza, who also worked at the medical practice, said her husband had been aware of the dangers of COVID-19.
Image: People lined the streets of Clacton-on-Sea to pay their respects
She said: "He was taking the precautions and he was being careful, but he would say, 'I can't leave my patients at this time, I need to be there for them'."
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Mrs Mirza continued: "He wasn't a negative man. He wanted to think positively about everything. I never thought it would get him, because he's cheated death so many times.
"I had a faith that it wouldn't touch him. We were doing all the things we were told to do, but he wouldn't have accepted not working. He was a man with enormous determination."
Image: Dr Mirza had lived and worked in Clacton since 1974
Also speaking to Sky News on the day of Dr Mirza's funeral, his grandson Joseph said: "I was hugely worried when I found out he became ill.
"I had faith he would pull through. But now he leaves an amazing legacy and I'm so proud of him. He's one of my role models.
"He had sheer will to look after his patients, and a love for everyone he met."
NHS England has recommended health trusts assess black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) workers as "at potentially greater risk" from coronavirus.
Last month, Sky News analysis found that nearly three quarters of all NHS and social care staff who had died with coronavirus were from a BAME background.


news--2020-05-14--Richard Burr: Senator quitting as intelligence committee chairman as FBI seizes phone

A US politician is stepping down as chairman of the Senate intelligence committee after his mobile phone was seized by FBI agents .
Republican senator Richard Burr is being investigated over his share dealings before the US stock market crashed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
There are reports that Mr Burr and other senators sold shares after being briefed privately on the risks of the COVID-19 crisis .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The FBI is apparently investigating whether Mr Burr broke any laws over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any wrongdoing and said he relied solely on news reports to guide decisions on stock sales .
He told reporters on Thursday he decided to step aside because he did not want the investigation to distract the intelligence committee from its work .
`` I thought this was the best thing to do , '' Mr Burr said .
Since March , the US Justice Department has reportedly been looking into trades Mr Burr made in mid-February .
He apparently sold shares in dozens of companies , including many in sectors hard-hit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restaurant and shipping industries .
Mr Burr turned over his phone to agents after they served a search warrant on him at his Washington home .
The FBI also served a warrant recently to Apple to get information from Mr Burr 's cloud storage for his iPhone , a law enforcement official told the Los Angeles Times .
Law enforcement agents used data from the technology company as part of evidence to get the phone warrant , the report added .
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said Mr Burr `` contacted me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to step aside as chairman of the intelligence committee during the pendency of the investigation '' .
`` We agreed that this decision would be in the best interests of the committee and will be effective at the end of the day tomorrow . ''
President Trump said he did not know anything about Mr Burr 's decision to quit .
`` I know nothing about it ... That 's too bad , '' he told reporters .

A US politician is stepping down as chairman of the Senate intelligence committee after his mobile phone was seized by FBI agents.
Republican senator Richard Burr is being investigated over his share dealings before the US stock market crashed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
There are reports that Mr Burr and other senators sold shares after being briefed privately on the risks of the COVID-19 crisis.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The FBI is apparently investigating whether Mr Burr broke any laws over these transactions.
Mr Burr has denied any wrongdoing and said he relied solely on news reports to guide decisions on stock sales.
Image: Mr Burr was questioned by reporters in Washington on Thursday
He told reporters on Thursday he decided to step aside because he did not want the investigation to distract the intelligence committee from its work.
"I thought this was the best thing to do," Mr Burr said.
Since March, the US Justice Department has reportedly been looking into trades Mr Burr made in mid-February.
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He apparently sold shares in dozens of companies, including many in sectors hard-hit by the pandemic, such as the hotel, restaurant and shipping industries.
Mr Burr turned over his phone to agents after they served a search warrant on him at his Washington home.
The FBI also served a warrant recently to Apple to get information from Mr Burr's cloud storage for his iPhone, a law enforcement official told the Los Angeles Times.
Law enforcement agents used data from the technology company as part of evidence to get the phone warrant, the report added.
Image: Mr Burr apparently sold shares in companies hard-hit by the pandemic, such as in the hotel, restaurant and shipping industries
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said Mr Burr "contacted me this morning to inform me of his decision to step aside as chairman of the intelligence committee during the pendency of the investigation".
"We agreed that this decision would be in the best interests of the committee and will be effective at the end of the day tomorrow."
President Trump said he did not know anything about Mr Burr's decision to quit.
"I know nothing about it... That's too bad," he told reporters.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Comfy clothes boost sales for fashion retailer Boohoo

Online retailer Boohoo said it has enjoyed a sales bounce as the lockdown takes hold - helped by demand for comfortable clothes such as hoodies and tracksuit bottoms .
The group , which also owns brands including PrettyLittleThing and NastyGal , has also been boosted by the popularity of smart tops for those working remotely via video conferencing .
Boohoo said it had initially seen a `` marked decrease '' in sales after the lockdown was announced last month but was seeing an upturn in April .
The company said it remained cautious about its outlook given the uncertainty created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of falling demand and warehouse closures .
But shares still surged 12 % on the update .
It came as Boohoo reported a 54 % rise in pre-tax profits to £92.2m for the year to the end of February , on sales up 44 % to £1.23bn .
Chief executive John Lyttle said impact of the coronavirus outbreak had `` understandably overshadowed what has been a great year for Boohoo '' .
The group 's main Boohoo brand saw sales rise 39 % , while demand more than doubled at Nasty Gal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently acquired fashion brands Karen Millen , Coast and MissPap put in an encouraging performance , with revenues of £19m according to the group .
Boohoo said the brands were `` resurging under new ownership and direction as online-only brands , with their great heritage intact '' .
Caroline Gulliver , an equity analyst at Jefferies , said Boohoo had `` once again exceeded expectations '' with its full-year figures .
`` Encouragingly , Boohoo has continued to grow sales in March/April as the company has adapted to the Covid-19-impacted environment , '' @ @ @

Online retailer Boohoo said it has enjoyed a sales bounce as the lockdown takes hold - helped by demand for comfortable clothes such as hoodies and tracksuit bottoms.
The group, which also owns brands including PrettyLittleThing and NastyGal, has also been boosted by the popularity of smart tops for those working remotely via video conferencing.
Boohoo said it had initially seen a "marked decrease" in sales after the lockdown was announced last month but was seeing an upturn in April.
The company said it remained cautious about its outlook given the uncertainty created by the pandemic - with the possibilities of falling demand and warehouse closures.
But shares still surged 12% on the update.
It came as Boohoo reported a 54% rise in pre-tax profits to £92.2m for the year to the end of February, on sales up 44% to £1.23bn.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 The York high street adapting to lockdown
Chief executive John Lyttle said impact of the coronavirus outbreak had "understandably overshadowed what has been a great year for Boohoo".
The group's main Boohoo brand saw sales rise 39%, while demand more than doubled at Nasty Gal and rose 37% at PrettyLittleThing.
Its recently acquired fashion brands Karen Millen, Coast and MissPap put in an encouraging performance, with revenues of £19m according to the group.
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Boohoo said the brands were "resurging under new ownership and direction as online-only brands, with their great heritage intact".
Caroline Gulliver, an equity analyst at Jefferies, said Boohoo had "once again exceeded expectations" with its full-year figures.
"Encouragingly, Boohoo has continued to grow sales in March/April as the company has adapted to the Covid-19-impacted environment," she added.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Disney heir criticises company's $1.5bn bonuses as theme park staff laid off

Abigail Disney has hit out at The Walt Disney Company for protecting executive bonuses and dividends , while at the same time laying off nearly half its workforce .
The American filmmaker said she had been `` holding her tongue '' due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic but felt now was the time to speak out .
Abigail is the granddaughter of Roy Disney , who co-founded The Walt Disney Company with his older brother Walt in 1923 .
Due to the impact of COVID-19 , The Walt Disney Company has furloughed more than 100,000 workers in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The suspensions in Europe , the US and Asia will save the company around $ 500m ( £406m ) a month .
However , incentive schemes of more than $ 1.5bn ( £1.2bn ) will still be given out to company executives .
In a damning chain of messages on her official Twitter page , Abigail said `` the company must do better '' .
The thread of 25 posts began : `` OK , I 've been holding my tongue on the theory that a pandemic is no time to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing us in a public health sense .
I thought it might be a moment for peace and reconciliation .
But I feel a thread coming on ... . ''
She has previously been critical of the `` insane '' pay and compensation received by ex-Disney chief executive Bob Iger .
In 2018 he was paid $ 65.7m ( £53m ) .
She has also claimed that chief executives are generally `` paid far too much '' .
Her tweets went on : `` Look , dividends are n't ALL bad , given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on them .
But still 80 % of shares are owned by the wealthiest 10 % .
So that excuse only goes so far .
`` But the REAL outrage is , of course , those bonuses .
All 1.5 billion of them .
1.5 BILLION .
That 'd pay for three months ' salary to front line workers . ''
While Abigail does n't have a role at the company , she is an heir to the Disney family fortune .
Calling attention to her connection , she wrote : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I think that makes me free to say what I believe .
But I am an heir .
And I do carry this name with me everywhere .
And I have a conscience which makes it very difficult for me to sit by when I see abuses taking place with that name attached to them . ''
Other capitalised instructions to the company later in her posts included `` choose to lead '' and `` be decent '' .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Disney chief executive Bob Chapek have both made salary sacrifices this year amid the COVID-19 crisis .
Mr Iger gave up the remainder of his $ 3m ( £2.4m ) salary for 2020 , and Mr Chapek is set to forgo half his $ 2.5m ( £2m ) base salary .
Abigail - who herself has a net worth of around $ 120m ( £97m ) - referred to the sacrifices as `` a drop in the bucket to these guys '' .
The Disney family is now understood to own just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business .

Abigail Disney has hit out at The Walt Disney Company for protecting executive bonuses and dividends, while at the same time laying off nearly half its workforce.
The American filmmaker said she had been "holding her tongue" due to the severity of the coronavirus pandemic but felt now was the time to speak out.
Image: Abigail Disney calls on the company to 'be decent' and 'choose to lead'
Abigail is the granddaughter of Roy Disney, who co-founded The Walt Disney Company with his older brother Walt in 1923.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, The Walt Disney Company has furloughed more than 100,000 workers in its theme parks and hotels across the world.
The suspensions in Europe, the US and Asia will save the company around $500m (£406m) a month.
Image: The Disney resort in Shanghai has closed due to coronavirus
However, incentive schemes of more than $1.5bn (£1.2bn) will still be given out to company executives.
In a damning chain of messages on her official Twitter page, Abigail said "the company must do better".
The thread of 25 posts began: "OK, I've been holding my tongue on the theory that a pandemic is no time to be calling people out on anything other than failing us in a public health sense. I thought it might be a moment for peace and reconciliation. But I feel a thread coming on...."
She has previously been critical of the "insane" pay and compensation received by ex-Disney chief executive Bob Iger. In 2018 he was paid $65.7m (£53m).
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She has also claimed that chief executives are generally "paid far too much".
Image: The Hong Kong Disneyland theme park is also closed
Her tweets went on: "Look, dividends aren't ALL bad, given the number of fixed income folks who rely on them. But still 80% of shares are owned by the wealthiest 10%. So that excuse only goes so far.
"But the REAL outrage is, of course, those bonuses. All 1.5 billion of them. 1.5 BILLION. That'd pay for three months' salary to front line workers."
While Abigail doesn't have a role at the company, she is an heir to the Disney family fortune.
Calling attention to her connection, she wrote: "I'm just a citizen who cares and I think that makes me free to say what I believe. But I am an heir. And I do carry this name with me everywhere. And I have a conscience which makes it very difficult for me to sit by when I see abuses taking place with that name attached to them."
Other capitalised instructions to the company later in her posts included "choose to lead" and "be decent".
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Iger and new Disney chief executive Bob Chapek have both made salary sacrifices this year amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr Iger gave up the remainder of his $3m (£2.4m) salary for 2020, and Mr Chapek is set to forgo half his $2.5m (£2m) base salary.
Abigail - who herself has a net worth of around $120m (£97m) - referred to the sacrifices as "a drop in the bucket to these guys".
The Disney family is now understood to own just a small percentage of the previously family-run business.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Ex-deputy PM David Lidington calls for Brexit transition period extension

Theresa May ’ s ex-deputy has become one of the first Tory voices to openly call for the Brexit transition period to be extended .
David Lidington , who was the former prime minister ’ s de facto number two , said the coronavirus crisis meant trying to push back the 31 December deadline was “ inevitable ” .
The former MP , who stepped down at last year ’ s general election , suggested officials could not cope with trying to negotiate a trade deal while dealing with the pandemic .
“ There is not enough bandwidth to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Commission and the major capitals.
” Downing Street is adamant no extension will be asked for , which has to be agreed by both sides by the end of June .
The UK and Brussels have recommenced negotiations virtually given the unfolding public health crisis and both publicly insist some form of trade deal can be done by the end of the year .
If none is , then the UK will stop following EU trade rules and fall on to base-level World Trade Organisation terms with it and any other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolled-over .
Mark Francois , chair of the pro-Brexiteer lobby known as the “ European Research Group ” , told Sky News Mr Lidington ’ s suggestion would be “ extremely costly to the British taxpayer ” .
“ I am confident we will have a free trade agreement by year end , so no extension is necessary , '' he added .
Tory MP Ben Bradley also said : “ As in the past , extending the deadline will not be the solution .
We need to be firm and deliver what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : “ I don ’ t think this is the right time for Sir David to be making comments like this .
I think it ’ s the worst possible idea that at this stage we delay the end of the transition period .
“ He is out ot step with most Conservatives on this .
”

Theresa May’s ex-deputy has become one of the first Tory voices to openly call for the Brexit transition period to be extended.
David Lidington, who was the former prime minister’s de facto number two, said the coronavirus crisis meant trying to push back the 31 December deadline was “inevitable”.
Image: David Lidington stepped down as an MP last year
The former MP, who stepped down at last year’s general election, suggested officials could not cope with trying to negotiate a trade deal while dealing with the pandemic.
Image: The UK is in a Brexit transition period with the EU until the end of 2020
“COVID-19 makes renewal inevitable,” he told Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad.
“There is not enough bandwidth to pay attention to Brexit in Whitehall, the European Commission and the major capitals.”
Image: He served as Theresa May's de facto deputy
Downing Street is adamant no extension will be asked for, which has to be agreed by both sides by the end of June.
The UK and Brussels have recommenced negotiations virtually given the unfolding public health crisis and both publicly insist some form of trade deal can be done by the end of the year.
If none is, then the UK will stop following EU trade rules and fall on to base-level World Trade Organisation terms with it and any other countries Brussels has trade deals with not already rolled-over.
Image: Boris Johnson's government still says a trade deal can be done in time
Mark Francois, chair of the pro-Brexiteer lobby known as the “European Research Group”, told Sky News Mr Lidington’s suggestion would be “extremely costly to the British taxpayer”.
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“I am confident we will have a free trade agreement by year end, so no extension is necessary," he added.
Tory MP Ben Bradley also said: “As in the past, extending the deadline will not be the solution. We need to be firm and deliver what we promised.”
While backbencher Andrew Rosindell added: “I don’t think this is the right time for Sir David to be making comments like this. I think it’s the worst possible idea that at this stage we delay the end of the transition period.
“He is out ot step with most Conservatives on this.”
Another Brexiteer MP offered pithily: “Not now, David. We’re a bit busy.”


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Singapore state fund exhibits interest in Informa

An Asian sovereign wealth fund has snapped up a stake in Informa as part of the world 's largest exhibitions operator 's effort to shore up its balance sheet amid the coronavirus crisis .
Sky News has learnt that Singapore 's Government Investment Corporation ( GIC ) agreed to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in Informa last week .
The deal , which formed part of a £1bn share placing by Informa , underlines how powerful state-backed investors are looking to capitalise on the slump in global equity valuations to acquire stakes in strongly capitalised companies .
In recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund has bought a stake in the embattled cruise operator Carnival Corporation , while other Gulf-based sovereign funds are also plotting substantial investments in listed companies , according to bankers .
Informa , which has seen its shares almost halve in the last 12 months , organises thousands of events around the world each year , including the Monaco Yacht Show and the World Tea Expo .
It is run by Lord Carter , the former boss of Ofcom , the media regulator .
Last week , the company said it would suspend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside the £1bn equity-raise .
It added that it had secured `` strong support from existing shareholders and from a long-term cornerstone institution '' , without naming GIC .
Informa has been forced to cancel events around the world as the pandemic has spread , with little prospect of a short-term resumption in Europe or the US .
The company declined to comment on Wednesday .

An Asian sovereign wealth fund has snapped up a stake in Informa as part of the world's largest exhibitions operator's effort to shore up its balance sheet amid the coronavirus crisis.
Sky News has learnt that Singapore's Government Investment Corporation (GIC) agreed to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in Informa last week.
The deal, which formed part of a £1bn share placing by Informa, underlines how powerful state-backed investors are looking to capitalise on the slump in global equity valuations to acquire stakes in strongly capitalised companies.
In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has bought a stake in the embattled cruise operator Carnival Corporation, while other Gulf-based sovereign funds are also plotting substantial investments in listed companies, according to bankers.
Informa, which has seen its shares almost halve in the last 12 months, organises thousands of events around the world each year, including the Monaco Yacht Show and the World Tea Expo.
It is run by Lord Carter, the former boss of Ofcom, the media regulator.
Last week, the company said it would suspend its dividend and accelerate cost-cutting plans, alongside the £1bn equity-raise.
It added that it had secured "strong support from existing shareholders and from a long-term cornerstone institution", without naming GIC.
Informa has been forced to cancel events around the world as the pandemic has spread, with little prospect of a short-term resumption in Europe or the US.
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The company declined to comment on Wednesday.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Nissan pilots new safety measures as 50 return to work in Sunderland

Nissan is piloting new safety measures which will see around 50 staff return to work at Britain 's biggest car plant this week .
The Japanese manufacturer said `` some activities are now being planned '' after its operations across Europe were shut down last month because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It has not set a date for the resumption of vehicle manufacturing at the site - though it did announce it was restarting production at its Barcelona factory from 4 May .
Nissan said it was `` looking forward to resuming business '' as soon as conditions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place `` a comprehensive set of safety measures to protect the health and wellbeing of employees '' .
In Sunderland , where Nissan employs about 6,000 workers , the new safety regime will be implemented in a pilot scheme beginning this week initially involving 50 people .
Nissan said : `` Regular reviews will take place throughout each phase of this pilot , taking into account the feedback from the teams involved .
`` This will inform the return to work protocols for the rest of the factory in the coming weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ - from factories to the high street - is expected to result in a severe hit to GDP , with the government 's fiscal watchdog mapping out an unprecedented 35 % slump in the second quarter .
However , Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned against declaring a premature end to the restrictions which could ultimately `` damage people 's confidence very severely '' .
Health secretary Matt Hancock told MPs on Wednesday that the UK had reached the peak of the outbreak - but that social distancing measures were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Nissan is piloting new safety measures which will see around 50 staff return to work at Britain's biggest car plant this week.
The Japanese manufacturer said "some activities are now being planned" after its operations across Europe were shut down last month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It has not set a date for the resumption of vehicle manufacturing at the site - though it did announce it was restarting production at its Barcelona factory from 4 May.
Nissan said it was "looking forward to resuming business" as soon as conditions in Europe allow and has been putting in place "a comprehensive set of safety measures to protect the health and wellbeing of employees".
In Sunderland, where Nissan employs about 6,000 workers, the new safety regime will be implemented in a pilot scheme beginning this week initially involving 50 people.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Workers laid off despite furlough scheme
Nissan said: "Regular reviews will take place throughout each phase of this pilot, taking into account the feedback from the teams involved.
"This will inform the return to work protocols for the rest of the factory in the coming weeks."
The shutdown of the UK economy - from factories to the high street - is expected to result in a severe hit to GDP, with the government's fiscal watchdog mapping out an unprecedented 35% slump in the second quarter.
However, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned against declaring a premature end to the restrictions which could ultimately "damage people's confidence very severely".
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Health secretary Matt Hancock told MPs on Wednesday that the UK had reached the peak of the outbreak - but that social distancing measures were not allowed to be relaxed or changed.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Malaria drug pushed by Trump as COVID-19 cure has no benefit, research finds

A drug championed by the US president as a possible cure for COVID-19 has been shown to provide no benefit and possibly a higher risk of death .
Hydroxychloroquine had been championed by Mr Trump after anecdotal reports that the drug , which is also used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis , could help coronavirus patients .
However the new study found it might actually be harmful to those with the disease .
The American research analysed the records of 368 male patients with confirmed coronavirus .
They were all at veterans ' hospitals in the US and died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a version of the study posted online .
Some 28 % of 97 patients given hydroxychloroquine and standard care died , while 22 % of the 113 patients who were given hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin died .
But the death rate among the 158 patients who received only standard care - without hydroxychloroquine - was 11 % .
The study , which took patients ' individual characteristics into account , has not yet been accepted for publication in a medical journal but it has been submitted for expert review .
Hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether a patient needed breathing support : 13 % of those who got the drug needed ventilation , versus 14 % of those who received only supportive care .
Only 7 % of those given the hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin needed help to breathe .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Jeremy Falk , a pulmonary specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles , said the study was one of a few in the past few weeks to have placed doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falk , who was not involved in the study , said : `` We were using it on just about everybody early on .
Now we are using it more sparingly . ''
There are no proven treatments for COVID-19 , but hydroxychloroquine , an old malaria drug , has been getting a lot of attention after Mr Trump promoted it as a `` game changer '' .
`` What do you have to lose ?
Take it , '' he said earlier this month , adding that - while he has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common sense '' qualified him to make such claims .
However , because of a lack of conclusive scientific studies , the US government 's top infectious disease specialist , Dr Anthony Fauci , had urged caution .

A drug championed by the US president as a possible cure for COVID-19 has been shown to provide no benefit and possibly a higher risk of death.
Hydroxychloroquine had been championed by Mr Trump after anecdotal reports that the drug, which is also used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, could help coronavirus patients.
However the new study found it might actually be harmful to those with the disease.
The American research analysed the records of 368 male patients with confirmed coronavirus.
They were all at veterans' hospitals in the US and died or were discharged by 11 April, according to a version of the study posted online.
Some 28% of 97 patients given hydroxychloroquine and standard care died, while 22% of the 113 patients who were given hydroxychloroquine and antibiotic azithromycin died.
But the death rate among the 158 patients who received only standard care - without hydroxychloroquine - was 11%.
The study, which took patients' individual characteristics into account, has not yet been accepted for publication in a medical journal but it has been submitted for expert review.
Hydroxychloroquine also appeared to have no effect on whether a patient needed breathing support: 13% of those who got the drug needed ventilation, versus 14% of those who received only supportive care.
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Only 7% of those given the hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin needed help to breathe.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dr Jeremy Falk, a pulmonary specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said the study was one of a few in the past few weeks to have placed doubt on whether hydroxychloroquine is beneficial.
Dr Falk, who was not involved in the study, said: "We were using it on just about everybody early on. Now we are using it more sparingly."
There are no proven treatments for COVID-19, but hydroxychloroquine, an old malaria drug, has been getting a lot of attention after Mr Trump promoted it as a "game changer".
"What do you have to lose? Take it," he said earlier this month, adding that - while he has no medical or scientific training - his "common sense" qualified him to make such claims.
However, because of a lack of conclusive scientific studies, the US government's top infectious disease specialist, Dr Anthony Fauci, had urged caution.


news--2020-05-20--Boris Johnson rejects calls to exempt foreign health workers from NHS surcharge

The prime minister has rejected calls to scrap the health surcharge for overseas NHS and social care workers .
Workers coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area have to pay a fee to use the health service .
All adult migrants from outside of the EEA have to pay £400 a year - irrespective of whether they use the health service or not .
The immigration health surcharge ( IHS ) is going to be increased to £624 a year in October , with parents also expected to pay £470 a year for each dependent child .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unjust '' by opponents , with renewed focus being placed on it during the coronavirus outbreak given the numbers of overseas staff who work in the NHS and social care .
Dame Donna Kinnair , chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing , said the union has received `` devastating accounts from members who are struggling to pay the charge , and the impact that it is having on their families ' lives '' .
She said there are a total of 77,065 non-EEA nurses who work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` The current pandemic has served to reaffirm the importance of our internationally educated staff .
`` Without them here , patient care would be at risk .
`` This charge undermines the dedicated care overseas health and care staff provide to us all . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue at Prime Minister 's Questions , saying : `` Every Thursday we go out and clap for our carers .
Many of them are risking their lives for the sake of all of us .
`` Does the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers coming from abroad and working on our frontline should have to pay a surcharge of hundreds - sometimes thousands of pounds - to use the NHS themselves ? ''
Boris Johnson replied : `` I 've thought a great deal about this and I do accept and understand the difficulties faced by our amazing NHS staff and , like him , I 've been a personal beneficiary of carers who have come from abroad and , frankly , saved my life . ''
He added : `` On the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a great national service , it 's a national institution , it needs funding and those contributions actually help us to raise about £900m , and it 's very difficult in the current circumstances to find alternative sources .
`` So with great respect to the point [ Sir Keir Starmer ] makes , I do think that is the right way forward . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sir Keir said he was disappointed with the PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how raw '' the issue is .
Referencing the proposed increase in the surcharge to £624 , he said : `` For a care worker on the national living wage that will require working for 70 hours to pay off the fee .
The Labour leader said his party would table an amendment to the Immigration Bill , seeking to exempt NHS and care workers from the charge .
Ministers said last month that they were expanding a scheme to help NHS workers , giving migrant midwives , social workers , pharmacists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a year .
All of their visas due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for another year .
The Home Office said it `` will apply to those working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members '' .
Workers who qualify will also be exempt from the IHS during the extension .
The policy is unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes , however .
According to the Home Office , this is because such staff were more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa .

The prime minister has rejected calls to scrap the health surcharge for overseas NHS and social care workers.
Workers coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area have to pay a fee to use the health service.
All adult migrants from outside of the EEA have to pay £400 a year - irrespective of whether they use the health service or not.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 'We did decide to focus on the NHS'
The immigration health surcharge (IHS) is going to be increased to £624 a year in October, with parents also expected to pay £470 a year for each dependent child.
The policy has been labelled "unfair and unjust" by opponents, with renewed focus being placed on it during the coronavirus outbreak given the numbers of overseas staff who work in the NHS and social care.
Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said the union has received "devastating accounts from members who are struggling to pay the charge, and the impact that it is having on their families' lives".
She said there are a total of 77,065 non-EEA nurses who work in health and care nationwide.
She added: "The current pandemic has served to reaffirm the importance of our internationally educated staff.
"Without them here, patient care would be at risk.
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"This charge undermines the dedicated care overseas health and care staff provide to us all."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Government advisers: 'Don't open schools'
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions, saying: "Every Thursday we go out and clap for our carers. Many of them are risking their lives for the sake of all of us.
"Does the prime minister think it's right that care workers coming from abroad and working on our frontline should have to pay a surcharge of hundreds - sometimes thousands of pounds - to use the NHS themselves?"
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:21 Speaker threatens to eject Hancock from Commons
Boris Johnson replied: "I've thought a great deal about this and I do accept and understand the difficulties faced by our amazing NHS staff and, like him, I've been a personal beneficiary of carers who have come from abroad and, frankly, saved my life."
He added: "On the other hand we must look at the realities - this is a great national service, it's a national institution, it needs funding and those contributions actually help us to raise about £900m, and it's very difficult in the current circumstances to find alternative sources.
"So with great respect to the point [Sir Keir Starmer] makes, I do think that is the right way forward."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sir Keir said he was disappointed with the PM's response, as he knows "how raw" the issue is.
Referencing the proposed increase in the surcharge to £624, he said: "For a care worker on the national living wage that will require working for 70 hours to pay off the fee.
The Labour leader said his party would table an amendment to the Immigration Bill, seeking to exempt NHS and care workers from the charge.
Ministers said last month that they were expanding a scheme to help NHS workers, giving migrant midwives, social workers, pharmacists and other frontline health staff free visa extensions for a year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 PM urged to build up contact tracing
All of their visas due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for another year.
The Home Office said it "will apply to those working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members".
Workers who qualify will also be exempt from the IHS during the extension.
The policy is unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes, however.
According to the Home Office, this is because such staff were more likely to already possess a long-term visa allowing them to work, rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa.


news--2020-05-20--Coronavirus: Care assistant becomes 24th Filipino front line worker to die with COVID-19

A `` gentle and calming '' healthcare assistant has become the 24th Filipino NHS worker to die with COVID-19 .
Carlos Sia , who worked at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital , died on Friday after spending several weeks in intensive care there .
The 62-year-old had worked at the hospital for five years and was originally from Bacolod City in the Philippines .
It is claimed Filipinos are the nationality with the highest coronavirus death rate of staff across the NHS and care services .
Official figures indicate there are about 18,500 Filipinos working for the NHS in England as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the estimated 1.2 million workforce .
It is thought about 16 % of the 180 NHS health and care workers who have died during the pandemic have been Filipinos - of which there are more than 200,000 living in the UK .
Mr Sia 's wife , Cindy , is a healthcare assistant and his daughter , Clair , is a stroke nurse , both working at the same hospital .
In a letter to staff at the NHS Trust that runs the hospital Mr Sia worked at , chief executive Matthew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gentle and respectful nature , his generosity of spirit , his sense of humour and his calming influence also made him popular with patients .
`` We have lost a valued member of our trust family - and in Carlos 's case , the word 'family ' has a special relevance as his wife Cindy works on Avon 2 as a healthcare assistant and his daughter Clair is a nurse on our acute stroke unit .
`` Cindy and Clair are particularly in our thoughts at this sad time , as are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and those who cared for him through his illness . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The healthcare assistant 's colleagues have been offered specialist support from the trust .
Mr Sia also has three sons who live in the Philippines .
The Philippines ' ambassador to the UK has called for NHS workers to be `` properly protected '' .
Antonio Lagdameo said : `` I urge the NHS to ensure that those heroes who put their lives on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly protected and equipped as they do their job . ''

A "gentle and calming" healthcare assistant has become the 24th Filipino NHS worker to die with COVID-19.
Carlos Sia, who worked at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, died on Friday after spending several weeks in intensive care there.
The 62-year-old had worked at the hospital for five years and was originally from Bacolod City in the Philippines.
It is claimed Filipinos are the nationality with the highest coronavirus death rate of staff across the NHS and care services.
Official figures indicate there are about 18,500 Filipinos working for the NHS in England as of March 2019, roughly 1.5% of the estimated 1.2 million workforce.
It is thought about 16% of the 180 NHS health and care workers who have died during the pandemic have been Filipinos - of which there are more than 200,000 living in the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 Official statistics show black people are four times more likely to die from the virus than people with white backgrounds.
Mr Sia's wife, Cindy, is a healthcare assistant and his daughter, Clair, is a stroke nurse, both working at the same hospital.
In a letter to staff at the NHS Trust that runs the hospital Mr Sia worked at, chief executive Matthew Hopkins said: "Carlos's quiet, gentle and respectful nature, his generosity of spirit, his sense of humour and his calming influence also made him popular with patients.
"We have lost a valued member of our trust family - and in Carlos's case, the word 'family' has a special relevance as his wife Cindy works on Avon 2 as a healthcare assistant and his daughter Clair is a nurse on our acute stroke unit.
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"Cindy and Clair are particularly in our thoughts at this sad time, as are all Carlos's colleagues who worked alongside him and those who cared for him through his illness."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The healthcare assistant's colleagues have been offered specialist support from the trust.
Mr Sia also has three sons who live in the Philippines.
The Philippines' ambassador to the UK has called for NHS workers to be "properly protected".
Antonio Lagdameo said: "I urge the NHS to ensure that those heroes who put their lives on the line for all of us are properly protected and equipped as they do their job."


news--2020-05-20--England moves to 'opt out' organ donation system after change in law

All adults in England will be automatically considered organ donors from today , unless they opt out , after a change in the law .
A new system is now in force whereby all those over the age of 18 who are not in any excluded groups will have effectively agreed to donating their organs when they die .
People can still decide not to donate , and family consent will be required for organs to be retrieved .
A similar law was introduced in Wales in 2015 , while Scotland is due to have the same scheme in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has an opt in system .
The NHS claims the change will help save millions of lives , but health minister Lord Bethall said while it comes into force today , it may not come into practice until later `` due to the limitations of COVID-19 '' .
The number of transplants carried out in the UK has dropped dramatically because of the coronavirus pandemic , with just 99 operations performed in April compared with 244 in March , NHS Blood and Transplant ( NHSBT ) figures show .
The system change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a boy whose life was saved when he received the heart of a nine-year-old girl .
Keira Ball saved four lives , including that of Max Johnson , also nine , when her organs were donated after she died in a car crash in 2017 .
It is hoped the law will lead to an additional 700 transplants a year by 2023 , and spark conversations around organ donation .
Faizan Awan , of Blackburn , is one of thousands in the UK awaiting a transplant and has been on the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for his third kidney transplant , having received one as a child and , after that failed , another when he was a teenager .
He said : `` For many people like me , who are waiting for an organ , the law change is a sign of hope and a transplant would dramatically change my life in a number of ways . ''
Mr Awan said he needs a `` near-perfect '' match after his last two operations failed , which means it will likely have to be someone from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Asian and minority ethnic ( BAME ) backgrounds are considerably under-represented on the organ register , with Mr Awan urging people to consider how religion and ethnicity affects donation .
Anthony Clarkson , director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHSBT , added that people should be aware they will still have a choice of whether or not to donate and that families will still be consulted , and faith , beliefs and culture will continue to be respected .

All adults in England will be automatically considered organ donors from today, unless they opt out, after a change in the law.
A new system is now in force whereby all those over the age of 18 who are not in any excluded groups will have effectively agreed to donating their organs when they die.
People can still decide not to donate, and family consent will be required for organs to be retrieved.
A similar law was introduced in Wales in 2015, while Scotland is due to have the same scheme in place by autumn 2020. Northern Ireland still has an opt in system.
The NHS claims the change will help save millions of lives, but health minister Lord Bethall said while it comes into force today, it may not come into practice until later "due to the limitations of COVID-19".
The number of transplants carried out in the UK has dropped dramatically because of the coronavirus pandemic, with just 99 operations performed in April compared with 244 in March, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) figures show.
Image: Keira Ball, nine, saved four lives with her organs after her death in 2017
The system change is called Max and Keira's law, after a boy whose life was saved when he received the heart of a nine-year-old girl.
Keira Ball saved four lives, including that of Max Johnson, also nine, when her organs were donated after she died in a car crash in 2017.
It is hoped the law will lead to an additional 700 transplants a year by 2023, and spark conversations around organ donation.
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Faizan Awan, of Blackburn, is one of thousands in the UK awaiting a transplant and has been on the list for two-and-a-half years.
The 33-year-old is waiting for his third kidney transplant, having received one as a child and, after that failed, another when he was a teenager.
He said: "For many people like me, who are waiting for an organ, the law change is a sign of hope and a transplant would dramatically change my life in a number of ways."
Image: Max Johnson (pictured) received a new heart from nine-year-old Keira Ball after she died in a car crash
Mr Awan said he needs a "near-perfect" match after his last two operations failed, which means it will likely have to be someone from the Asian community.
People from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are considerably under-represented on the organ register, with Mr Awan urging people to consider how religion and ethnicity affects donation.
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHSBT, added that people should be aware they will still have a choice of whether or not to donate and that families will still be consulted, and faith, beliefs and culture will continue to be respected.