news--2020-06-16--Foreign Office and International Development merger will curb 'giant cashpoint' of UK aid, PM pledge

Foreign Office and International Development merger will curb 'giant cashpoint' of UK aid, PM pledges

A new government department will be created to run all foreign policy and control billions of pounds of international aid , the prime minister has announced .
The Foreign , Commonwealth and Development Office is set to be up and running in September .
It will be a merger of the historic Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) and the Department For International Development ( DFID ) .
Boris Johnson revealed the significant shakeup to the UK 's worldwide footprint in a speech on `` global Britain '' in the House of Commons .
`` We tolerate an inherent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working independently '' , he said , lamenting a lack of co-ordination between the two current departments , whose roles date back to 1997 .
`` We must strengthen our position in an intensely competitive world by making sensible changes , '' he told MPs on Tuesday .
`` This will unite our aid with our diplomacy and bring them together in our international effort . ''
He added : `` For too long frankly UK overseas aid has been treated as some giant cashpoint in the sky that arrives without any reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Keir Starmer said the announcement was only `` tactics of pure distraction '' to divert attention away from the government 's free school meals U-turn , news more than 600,000 workers lost their jobs during lockdown and that the UK has one of the highest coronavirus death tolls in the world .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He accused the government of ripping up `` cross-party consensus '' on international aid .
While former Conservative prime minister David Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the merger `` a mistake '' that will lead to `` less expertise , less voice for development at the top table and ultimately less respect for the UK overseas '' .
Tory MP and former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell also said it is a `` quite extraordinary mistake '' that will `` destroy one of the most effective and respected engines of international development anywhere in the world '' .
`` Many of the senior figures who are key to Britain 's role as a development superpower will likely leave and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a stroke destroying a key aspect of global Britain , '' he added .
Christine Allen , director of the aid agency CAFOD , said the prime minister 's announcement was `` seriously misguided '' .
`` We believe the aid budget 's sole focus should be on helping the world 's poorest people , and that is how Britain will get the respect of other countries and their people , '' she said .
`` Our support for our brothers and sisters living in poverty should n't be contingent on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it - we must have a clear distinction between our aid budget and money spent on British interests . ''
Dominic Raab , the foreign secretary , will be the minister in charge of the new department .
Anne Marie Trevelyan , the international development secretary , will stay in post for now but is expected to lose her cabinet position once the new ministry opens .
There are not set to be any compulsory redundancies as a result of the merger , though there will only one secretary of state and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two departments will also have to be settled .
Foreign office staff have long complained that their opposite numbers in DFID are often better paid and have better conditions Officials say the merger is designed to make UK foreign policy and aid spending more coherent and effective in an increasingly competitive world .
Britain has the third largest international development budget and the third largest diplomatic network .
But the timing of the announcement will raise eyebrows as it is coming ahead of rather than as a result of a major review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been delayed because of coronavirus - expected to conclude next month .
With national income plunging because of coronavirus , the need to focus UK spending more efficiently appears to have been a factor in the timing of the merger announcement .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It is understood that a commitment to spend 0.7 percent of national income of international aid will not change .
The definition of what the UK counts as aid will for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however this will all be considered as part of the review , opening up the possibility of the UK changing that definition and perhaps allowing its aid budget to be spent on more projects that have a greater benefit to UK foreign policy goals than on international humanitarian goals .
Officials say the timing of announcement was also because of the need to have the new department ready before the UN General Assembly in September and ahead of the 75th anniversary of the UN next year .
Another factor is thought to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK hosts a major conference on climate change .
Critics may question the validity of these justifications however .

A new government department will be created to run all foreign policy and control billions of pounds of international aid, the prime minister has announced.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is set to be up and running in September.
It will be a merger of the historic Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department For International Development (DFID).
Image: Dominic Raab will be in charge of the new department
Boris Johnson revealed the significant shakeup to the UK's worldwide footprint in a speech on "global Britain" in the House of Commons.
"We tolerate an inherent risk of our left and right hands working independently", he said, lamenting a lack of co-ordination between the two current departments, whose roles date back to 1997.
"We must strengthen our position in an intensely competitive world by making sensible changes," he told MPs on Tuesday.
"This will unite our aid with our diplomacy and bring them together in our international effort."
He added: "For too long frankly UK overseas aid has been treated as some giant cashpoint in the sky that arrives without any reference to UK interest."
Labour's Sir Keir Starmer said the announcement was only "tactics of pure distraction" to divert attention away from the government's free school meals U-turn, news more than 600,000 workers lost their jobs during lockdown and that the UK has one of the highest coronavirus death tolls in the world.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He accused the government of ripping up "cross-party consensus" on international aid.
While former Conservative prime minister David Cameron made a rare public intervention to call the merger "a mistake" that will lead to "less expertise, less voice for development at the top table and ultimately less respect for the UK overseas".
Image: The former PM said it would mean 'less respect for the UK overseas'
Tory MP and former international development secretary Andrew Mitchell also said it is a "quite extraordinary mistake" that will "destroy one of the most effective and respected engines of international development anywhere in the world".
"Many of the senior figures who are key to Britain's role as a development superpower will likely leave and go elsewhere in the international system - at a stroke destroying a key aspect of global Britain," he added.
Image: The two departments' relationship was set up in 1997
Christine Allen, director of the aid agency CAFOD, said the prime minister's announcement was "seriously misguided".
"We believe the aid budget's sole focus should be on helping the world's poorest people, and that is how Britain will get the respect of other countries and their people," she said.
"Our support for our brothers and sisters living in poverty shouldn't be contingent on what we as Britain can get out of it - we must have a clear distinction between our aid budget and money spent on British interests."
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, will be the minister in charge of the new department.
Anne Marie Trevelyan, the international development secretary, will stay in post for now but is expected to lose her cabinet position once the new ministry opens.
There are not set to be any compulsory redundancies as a result of the merger, though there will only one secretary of state and one permanent secretary.
Discrepancies in salaries between the two departments will also have to be settled. Foreign office staff have long complained that their opposite numbers in DFID are often better paid and have better conditions
Officials say the merger is designed to make UK foreign policy and aid spending more coherent and effective in an increasingly competitive world.
Image: Ms Trevelyan is set to lose her job as a cabinet minister
Britain has the third largest international development budget and the third largest diplomatic network.
But the timing of the announcement will raise eyebrows as it is coming ahead of rather than as a result of a major review of foreign, defence and aid policy that has been delayed because of coronavirus - expected to conclude next month.
With national income plunging because of coronavirus, the need to focus UK spending more efficiently appears to have been a factor in the timing of the merger announcement.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It is understood that a commitment to spend 0.7 percent of national income of international aid will not change.
The definition of what the UK counts as aid will for now remain the internationally recognised definition.
Crucially however this will all be considered as part of the review, opening up the possibility of the UK changing that definition and perhaps allowing its aid budget to be spent on more projects that have a greater benefit to UK foreign policy goals than on international humanitarian goals.
Officials say the timing of announcement was also because of the need to have the new department ready before the UN General Assembly in September and ahead of the 75th anniversary of the UN next year.
Another factor is thought to be the need to do the shakeup before the UK hosts a major conference on climate change.
Critics may question the validity of these justifications however.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Racism a factor in disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups, official review

Coronavirus: Racism a factor in disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups, official review finds

The disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black , Asian and minority ethnic ( BAME ) people is due - in part - to racism and social and economic inequalities , according to a new report .
The Public Health England ( PHE ) report , published on Tuesday , builds on its previous study of COVID-19 data .
After that study found there was a `` disproportionate '' impact of coronavirus on people from BAME groups , PHE spoke with more than 4,000 people who represent the views of those communities .
The new report says that `` stakeholders pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more specifically by BAME key workers as a root cause affecting health , and exposure risk and disease progression risk '' .
This part of the document had already been obtained by Sky News ahead of the report 's publication .
`` Racial discrimination affects people 's life chances - and the stress associated with being discriminated against based on race/ethnicity affects mental and physical health , '' the report adds .
`` Issues of stigma with COVID-19 were identified as negatively impacting health-seeking behaviours .
`` Fear of diagnosis and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how BAME groups took up opportunities to get tested and their likelihood of presenting early for treatment and care .
`` For many BAME groups , lack of trust of NHS services and healthcare treatment resulted in their reluctance to seek care on a timely basis , and late presentation with disease . ''
In its conclusions , the report found : `` The unequal impact of COVID-19 on BAME communities may be explained by a number of factors ranging from social and economic inequalities , racism , discrimination and stigma , occupational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions that increase the severity of disease including obesity , diabetes , CVD and asthma .
`` Unpacking the relative contributions made by different factors is challenging as they do not all act independently . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Those people who PHE spoke to were said to have `` both clearly and consistently expressed '' that a failure to explicitly consider ethnicity , racism and structural disadvantage in the response to coronavirus would risk a `` partial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ineffective intervention .
The PHE document listed a series of recommendations for future action .
These included the comprehensive collection and recording of ethnicity data as part of routine NHS and social care systems ; the funding and development of `` culturally competent '' COVID-19 education and prevention campaigns ; and an effort to ensure that coronavirus recovery strategies actively reduce inequalities .
In a letter to the government 's equalities minister Kemi Badenoch , PHE chief executive Duncan Selbie said the report 's insights `` make for humbling reading '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirement for tangible actions , provided at scale and pace , with a commitment to address the underlying factors of inequality , '' he added .
Marsha de Cordova , Labour 's shadow women and equalities secretary , said : `` This report provides even more evidence of the structural and racial inequalities which have led to the COVID-19 pandemic hitting BAME communities across the UK so very hard .
`` Thousands of people and organisations have made it clear that urgent , collaborative and decisive action is needed .
`` The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a second wave of coronavirus . ''
Race and Revolution : Is Change Going to Come ?
On Tuesday night at 8pm , Sky News will broadcast global debate show Race and Revolution : Is Change Going to Come ?
It will look at the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter protests , and examine institutional racism and how we fix it .

The disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people is due - in part - to racism and social and economic inequalities, according to a new report.
The Public Health England (PHE) report, published on Tuesday, builds on its previous study of COVID-19 data.
After that study found there was a "disproportionate" impact of coronavirus on people from BAME groups, PHE spoke with more than 4,000 people who represent the views of those communities.
The new report says that "stakeholders pointed to racism and discrimination experienced by communities and more specifically by BAME key workers as a root cause affecting health, and exposure risk and disease progression risk".
This part of the document had already been obtained by Sky News ahead of the report's publication.
"Racial discrimination affects people's life chances - and the stress associated with being discriminated against based on race/ethnicity affects mental and physical health," the report adds.
"Issues of stigma with COVID-19 were identified as negatively impacting health-seeking behaviours.
"Fear of diagnosis and death from COVID-19 was identified as negatively impacting how BAME groups took up opportunities to get tested and their likelihood of presenting early for treatment and care.
"For many BAME groups, lack of trust of NHS services and healthcare treatment resulted in their reluctance to seek care on a timely basis, and late presentation with disease."
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Image: Some of those from BAME backgrounds who have died with coronavirus in the UK
In its conclusions, the report found: "The unequal impact of COVID-19 on BAME communities may be explained by a number of factors ranging from social and economic inequalities, racism, discrimination and stigma, occupational risk, inequalities in the prevalence of conditions that increase the severity of disease including obesity, diabetes, CVD and asthma.
"Unpacking the relative contributions made by different factors is challenging as they do not all act independently."
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Those people who PHE spoke to were said to have "both clearly and consistently expressed" that a failure to explicitly consider ethnicity, racism and structural disadvantage in the response to coronavirus would risk a "partial understanding" of poor health outcomes and ineffective intervention.
The PHE document listed a series of recommendations for future action.
These included the comprehensive collection and recording of ethnicity data as part of routine NHS and social care systems; the funding and development of "culturally competent" COVID-19 education and prevention campaigns; and an effort to ensure that coronavirus recovery strategies actively reduce inequalities.
Image: A previous report already found there is a 'disproportionate' impact on people from BAME groups
In a letter to the government's equalities minister Kemi Badenoch, PHE chief executive Duncan Selbie said the report's insights "make for humbling reading".
"The clear message from stakeholders was the requirement for tangible actions, provided at scale and pace, with a commitment to address the underlying factors of inequality," he added.
Marsha de Cordova, Labour's shadow women and equalities secretary, said: "This report provides even more evidence of the structural and racial inequalities which have led to the COVID-19 pandemic hitting BAME communities across the UK so very hard.
"Thousands of people and organisations have made it clear that urgent, collaborative and decisive action is needed.
"The government cannot make the same mistakes if there is a second wave of coronavirus."
Race and Revolution: Is Change Going to Come?
On Tuesday night at 8pm, Sky News will broadcast global debate show Race and Revolution: Is Change Going to Come?
It will look at the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter protests, and examine institutional racism and how we fix it.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Travellers from the UK take COVID-19 back into New Zealand after three weeks of no infe

Coronavirus: Travellers from the UK take COVID-19 back into New Zealand after three weeks of no infections

Two new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in New Zealand - both related to recent travel from the UK - after the country went more than three weeks with no confirmed new infections .
Both women , from the same family , one in her 30s and the other in her 40s , arrived in the country on 7 June via Australia and stayed in a hotel in Auckland under managed isolation .
They were given permission to leave quarantine early and travel to the capital Wellington to attend a parent 's funeral on 13 June - before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health Dr Ashley Bloomfield , told reporters .
The pair did n't use any public facilities and did n't have any contact with anyone else , except one family member , he said .
Before being tested in Wellington at a drive-though assessment centre as part of the approved plan , one of the women had experienced mild symptoms , while the other was symptom-free .
He said efforts were under way to trace those who may have come into contact with the women , including passengers and crew who were on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in the same managed isolation facility .
Dr Bloomfield told reporters `` the women did everything that was asked of them '' and are now self-isolating .
He said exemptions are permitted , but many more applications are received than are granted .
`` What I have asked for from today is that anyone who is being released on a compassionate exemption is tested and there is a negative test result received and confirmed before they are released , '' he said .
`` In this case , there was quite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died quite quickly , the exemption was granted and the plan was approved . ''
It comes after New Zealand lifted all social and economic restrictions last week , except border controls , becoming one of the first countries in the world to return to near pre-pandemic normality .
The country declared it had no new or active cases of COVID-19 , but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had warned cases could appear as New Zealanders return home .
She said on Tuesday : `` We have continuously highlighted that New Zealand will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border .
`` There are eight million cases worldwide .
We still have New Zealanders arriving home .
`` What this does prove is the importance of a rigorous system at our border , of us continuing to be very , very cautious in our management and taking the cautious approach that we have continued to take as a government . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The island nation has been praised for its response to the virus , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 deaths .
No one in the country is currently in hospital with COVID-19 .
Experts say a number of factors have helped the country 's success , including its isolated location in the South Pacific and Ms Ardern 's decisive action to impose a strict lockdown early in the outbreak .
New Zealand 's early lockdown saw most businesses closed and everyone except essential workers having to stay at home .
The UK has recorded nearly 42,000 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths and almost 297,000 infections .
The number of COVID-19 cases has passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 436,000 people have died .

Two new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in New Zealand - both related to recent travel from the UK - after the country went more than three weeks with no confirmed new infections.
Both women, from the same family, one in her 30s and the other in her 40s, arrived in the country on 7 June via Australia and stayed in a hotel in Auckland under managed isolation.
They were given permission to leave quarantine early and travel to the capital Wellington to attend a parent's funeral on 13 June - before they were tested for COVID-19, director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield, told reporters.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 New Zealand returns to 'sense of normality'
The pair didn't use any public facilities and didn't have any contact with anyone else, except one family member, he said.
Before being tested in Wellington at a drive-though assessment centre as part of the approved plan, one of the women had experienced mild symptoms, while the other was symptom-free.
He said efforts were under way to trace those who may have come into contact with the women, including passengers and crew who were on the same flight, and others who had been in the same managed isolation facility.
Dr Bloomfield told reporters "the women did everything that was asked of them" and are now self-isolating.
He said exemptions are permitted, but many more applications are received than are granted.
"What I have asked for from today is that anyone who is being released on a compassionate exemption is tested and there is a negative test result received and confirmed before they are released," he said.
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"In this case, there was quite a short period of time. The relative died quite quickly, the exemption was granted and the plan was approved."
It comes after New Zealand lifted all social and economic restrictions last week, except border controls, becoming one of the first countries in the world to return to near pre-pandemic normality.
The country declared it had no new or active cases of COVID-19, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had warned cases could appear as New Zealanders return home.
Image: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern warned more cases could appear
She said on Tuesday: "We have continuously highlighted that New Zealand will have cases of COVID-19 particularly obviously at the border.
"There are eight million cases worldwide. We still have New Zealanders arriving home.
"What this does prove is the importance of a rigorous system at our border, of us continuing to be very, very cautious in our management and taking the cautious approach that we have continued to take as a government."
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The island nation has been praised for its response to the virus, and has recorded only around 1,500 cases and 22 deaths. No one in the country is currently in hospital with COVID-19.
Experts say a number of factors have helped the country's success, including its isolated location in the South Pacific and Ms Ardern's decisive action to impose a strict lockdown early in the outbreak.
New Zealand's early lockdown saw most businesses closed and everyone except essential workers having to stay at home.
The UK has recorded nearly 42,000 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths and almost 297,000 infections.
The number of COVID-19 cases has passed eight million across the globe, and more than 436,000 people have died.


news--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: Flushing the loo can create a cloud of virus particles which the next user might inhale

Coronavirus: Flushing the loo can create a cloud of virus particles which the next user might inhale, warns study

Flushing the toilet can create an aerosol cloud of coronavirus droplets more than a metre high which can be inhaled by others , spreading the infection , new research warns .
Physicists specialising in fluid dynamics are warning about the transmission method following studies which found coronavirus particles surviving in the faeces of the infected .
The danger that COVID-19 could be transmitted through the common use of toilets could impact how workplaces , restaurants and bars re-open as the world leaves lockdown .
According to the researchers , flushing things down the loo does n't necessarily mean that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the enormous turbulence caused by flushing water can spread bacteria and viruses , although the public appears to be largely unaware of this infection pathway .
Precise computer models were used to simulate water and air flows in a flushing toilet , and the resulting droplet cloud , in a study published in the journal Physics of Fluids .
The investigators tested a standard set of fluid dynamic formulas to simulate flushing in toilets with one and two inlets for flushing water .
`` The results of the simulations were striking , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which published the journal .
It found that as water pours into the toilet bowl is creates a number of vortices which continue upward into the air above the bowl , carrying droplets to a height of nearly three feet .
At this height the droplets are very likely to be inhaled or to settle on another surface in the lavatory .
What 's more , these droplets are so small they actually float and hang in the air for more than a minute - and for toilets with multiple inlets for flushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` One can foresee that the velocity will be even higher when a toilet is used frequently , such as in the case of a family toilet during a busy time or a public toilet serving a densely populated area , '' said co-author Ji-Xiang Wang , of Yangzhou University .
One key way to prevent this deadly problem is to close the toilet lid before flushing which will decrease the aerosol spread .
But in many countries , including the US , toilets in public restrooms often do n't have lids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health .
The researchers suggest a better toilet design would include a lid which automatically closed before flushing .

Flushing the toilet can create an aerosol cloud of coronavirus droplets more than a metre high which can be inhaled by others, spreading the infection, new research warns.
Physicists specialising in fluid dynamics are warning about the transmission method following studies which found coronavirus particles surviving in the faeces of the infected.
The danger that COVID-19 could be transmitted through the common use of toilets could impact how workplaces, restaurants and bars re-open as the world leaves lockdown.
According to the researchers, flushing things down the loo doesn't necessarily mean that they are simply leaving the premises.
Instead the enormous turbulence caused by flushing water can spread bacteria and viruses, although the public appears to be largely unaware of this infection pathway.
Precise computer models were used to simulate water and air flows in a flushing toilet, and the resulting droplet cloud, in a study published in the journal Physics of Fluids.
The investigators tested a standard set of fluid dynamic formulas to simulate flushing in toilets with one and two inlets for flushing water.
Image: Flushing the loo could cause aerosol virus particles to be inhaled
"The results of the simulations were striking," said the American Institute of Physics, which published the journal.
It found that as water pours into the toilet bowl is creates a number of vortices which continue upward into the air above the bowl, carrying droplets to a height of nearly three feet.
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At this height the droplets are very likely to be inhaled or to settle on another surface in the lavatory.
What's more, these droplets are so small they actually float and hang in the air for more than a minute - and for toilets with multiple inlets for flushing water, the distance is even greater.
"One can foresee that the velocity will be even higher when a toilet is used frequently, such as in the case of a family toilet during a busy time or a public toilet serving a densely populated area," said co-author Ji-Xiang Wang, of Yangzhou University.
One key way to prevent this deadly problem is to close the toilet lid before flushing which will decrease the aerosol spread.
But in many countries, including the US, toilets in public restrooms often don't have lids - posing a serious hazard to public health.
The researchers suggest a better toilet design would include a lid which automatically closed before flushing.


news--2020-05-07--UK and France step up efforts to curb migrant Channel crossings

The British and French governments have agreed to step up efforts to try stem the flow of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats .
Home Secretary Priti Patel held a telephone call with her French counterpart Christophe Castaner after the number of migrants reaching UK shores - or intercepted in UK territorial waters - surged to around 1,200 this year .
A total of 1,900 migrants arrived in the UK by small boat in the whole of 2019 .
Sky News has been told that around 700 men , women and children have been intercepted in small boats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the coronavirus lockdown began on March 23 .
A Home Office spokesman confirmed that the home secretary emphasised in her telephone call with the French interior minister that `` it was more important than ever to work closely together . ''
Mr Castaner agreed on the need to continue close cooperation and to explore a number of possible initiatives .
The home secretary said she believed the increase in small boat arrivals was , in part , due to restrictions on vehicle crossings by ferry and rail , because of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have agreed on three key areas to help combat the trade in illegal sea crossings .
There will be an `` increased deployment of forces , with adequate equipment , on the French coast , with UK financial support . ''
However , the Home Office has not confirmed how much additional funding will be given to French authorities .
The French interior minister also agreed on `` returning migrant boats at sea back to France when possible . ''
There will also be `` improved cooperation and intelligence sharing to tackle criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already engaged with law enforcement agencies on the other side of the Channel , in efforts to smash the people-smuggling rings responsible .
In just 24 hours over Sunday and Monday of this week , more than 130 migrants were intercepted as they tried to make it to the UK .
On Sunday , 49 migrants were found in small inflatable boats in UK waters , while French authorities stopped another 31 migrants in boats on their side of the Channel .
On Monday morning , 16 Iranian and Iraqi migrants were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Dover by Border Force officers .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Hours earlier , French authorities intercepted a number of boats containing 39 migrants , including seven children .
They were taken to Boulogne for processing by French immigration officials .
The British government has repeatedly warned immigrants not to attempt to make the dangerous crossing by small boat .
Last year , two migrants drowned in separate incidents , while trying to make the crossing .
At the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Javid declared a `` major incident '' in the Channel because of the increase in migrants trying to cross by small boat .
More Border Force vessels were assigned to patrol the waters between the UK and the continent .
But despite the extra resources - on both sides of the Channel - the numbers attempting the crossing have continued to grow , aided by a sophisticated people-smuggling network , which continues to thrive despite dozens of arrests across several European countries .

The British and French governments have agreed to step up efforts to try stem the flow of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.
Home Secretary Priti Patel held a telephone call with her French counterpart Christophe Castaner after the number of migrants reaching UK shores - or intercepted in UK territorial waters - surged to around 1,200 this year.
A total of 1,900 migrants arrived in the UK by small boat in the whole of 2019.
Sky News has been told that around 700 men, women and children have been intercepted in small boats in British waters and on south coast beaches since the coronavirus lockdown began on March 23.
Image: Priti Patel believes the increase in boat crossings is due to other transport restrictions amid the pandemic
A Home Office spokesman confirmed that the home secretary emphasised in her telephone call with the French interior minister that "it was more important than ever to work closely together."
Mr Castaner agreed on the need to continue close cooperation and to explore a number of possible initiatives.
The home secretary said she believed the increase in small boat arrivals was, in part, due to restrictions on vehicle crossings by ferry and rail, because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The UK and French governments have agreed on three key areas to help combat the trade in illegal sea crossings.
There will be an "increased deployment of forces, with adequate equipment, on the French coast, with UK financial support."
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However, the Home Office has not confirmed how much additional funding will be given to French authorities.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 Migrants intercepted at UK border
The French interior minister also agreed on "returning migrant boats at sea back to France when possible."
There will also be "improved cooperation and intelligence sharing to tackle criminal gangs."
The National Crime Agency is already engaged with law enforcement agencies on the other side of the Channel, in efforts to smash the people-smuggling rings responsible.
In just 24 hours over Sunday and Monday of this week, more than 130 migrants were intercepted as they tried to make it to the UK.
On Sunday, 49 migrants were found in small inflatable boats in UK waters, while French authorities stopped another 31 migrants in boats on their side of the Channel.
On Monday morning, 16 Iranian and Iraqi migrants were taken off a small boat and transported to Dover by Border Force officers.
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Hours earlier, French authorities intercepted a number of boats containing 39 migrants, including seven children. They were taken to Boulogne for processing by French immigration officials.
The British government has repeatedly warned immigrants not to attempt to make the dangerous crossing by small boat. Last year, two migrants drowned in separate incidents, while trying to make the crossing.
At the end of 2018, then home secretary Sajid Javid declared a "major incident" in the Channel because of the increase in migrants trying to cross by small boat.
More Border Force vessels were assigned to patrol the waters between the UK and the continent.
But despite the extra resources - on both sides of the Channel - the numbers attempting the crossing have continued to grow, aided by a sophisticated people-smuggling network, which continues to thrive despite dozens of arrests across several European countries.


news--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: BA owner sees 'meaningful return' of flights from July

The owner of British Airways is planning for a `` meaningful return '' of flights from July - but says it does not see a recovery in passenger traffic until 2023. International Airlines Group ( IAG ) , which also has Aer Lingus and Spanish carrier Iberia in its stable , updated investors on its timetable just over a week after Sky News revealed it was plotting 12,000 job losses at BA to manage the collapse in demand from the coronavirus crisis .
The company said its schedule would depend entirely on restrictions still in place designed to limit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it backed temperature screening at airports to assist those efforts .
But it warned that passenger capacity would still be running at no more than 50 % - even if services were able to resume in July in time for the traditional summer holiday peak as demand for flights would also likely be severely dented .
Capacity was 94 % down from late March , the company said , and it had cut the group 's weekly cost base by more than half to €200m ( £175m ) in that time to preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the crisis , that it had a strong balance sheet with €10bn ( £8.7bn ) available .
Its Spanish airlines have received commercial loans from the government in Madrid .
IAG has also tapped the Bank of England 's loan scheme for £300m in support of BA .
It has argued that plans for 12,000 job cuts at the flagship British carrier reflects the projection that passenger traffic will not return to normal until 2023 .
A total of 68 planes due for delivery are now likely to be deferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which included previously disclosed operating losses of €535m , IAG pointed to a `` devastating impact '' on the industry as a whole from COVID-19 .
Sky News also revealed on Tuesday how Virgin Atlantic was planning to cut more than 3,000 jobs as it faces a battle for survival that could yet see the airline agree a bailout loan from the UK taxpayer .
IAG also revealed on Thursday that Iberia boss Luis Gallego would succeed Willie Walsh as chief executive from 24 September - the latter having delayed his planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Mr Walsh told investors : `` We are planning for a meaningful return to service in July 2020 at the earliest , depending on the easing of lockdowns and travel restrictions around the world .
`` We will adapt our operating procedures to ensure our customers and our people are properly protected in this new environment .
`` However , we do not expect passenger demand to recover to the level of 2019 before 2023 at the earliest .
`` This means group-wide restructuring is essential in order to get through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of liquidity .
We intend to come out of the crisis as a stronger group . ''

The owner of British Airways is planning for a "meaningful return" of flights from July - but says it does not see a recovery in passenger traffic until 2023.
International Airlines Group (IAG), which also has Aer Lingus and Spanish carrier Iberia in its stable, updated investors on its timetable just over a week after Sky News revealed it was plotting 12,000 job losses at BA to manage the collapse in demand from the coronavirus crisis.
The company said its schedule would depend entirely on restrictions still in place designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 and told investors that it backed temperature screening at airports to assist those efforts.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:38 British Airways considers redundancies
But it warned that passenger capacity would still be running at no more than 50% - even if services were able to resume in July in time for the traditional summer holiday peak as demand for flights would also likely be severely dented.
Capacity was 94% down from late March, the company said, and it had cut the group's weekly cost base by more than half to €200m (£175m) in that time to preserve cash.
IAG had said, at the start of the crisis, that it had a strong balance sheet with €10bn (£8.7bn) available.
Its Spanish airlines have received commercial loans from the government in Madrid.
IAG has also tapped the Bank of England's loan scheme for £300m in support of BA.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:03 How airlines are responding to COVID challenge
It has argued that plans for 12,000 job cuts at the flagship British carrier reflects the projection that passenger traffic will not return to normal until 2023.
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A total of 68 planes due for delivery are now likely to be deferred.
In its first quarter results statement, which included previously disclosed operating losses of €535m, IAG pointed to a "devastating impact" on the industry as a whole from COVID-19.
Sky News also revealed on Tuesday how Virgin Atlantic was planning to cut more than 3,000 jobs as it faces a battle for survival that could yet see the airline agree a bailout loan from the UK taxpayer.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:19 'Branson can bail himself out'
IAG also revealed on Thursday that Iberia boss Luis Gallego would succeed Willie Walsh as chief executive from 24 September - the latter having delayed his planned retirement amid the chaos of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Walsh told investors: "We are planning for a meaningful return to service in July 2020 at the earliest, depending on the easing of lockdowns and travel restrictions around the world.
Image: Willie Walsh led Aer Lingus, British Airways and later the expanded IAG parent firm
"We will adapt our operating procedures to ensure our customers and our people are properly protected in this new environment.
"However, we do not expect passenger demand to recover to the level of 2019 before 2023 at the earliest.
"This means group-wide restructuring is essential in order to get through the crisis and preserve an adequate level of liquidity. We intend to come out of the crisis as a stronger group."


news--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Some restrictions could be eased within days - which ones?

Boris Johnson will set out the government 's plan this evening for lifting coronavirus lockdown measures .
The prime minister has promised some COVID-19 restrictions in England could be eased as soon as Monday .
However , cabinet minister Brandon Lewis warned people `` it would be wrong to get too carried away '' at the prospect of lockdown measures being lifted .
He told Sky News the government would be `` very cautious '' due to the risk of a second spike in coronavirus infections .
So , what ( if anything ) might change from next week ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , manufacturing and farming , have been able to continue working during the UK 's lockdown .
And essential retailers , largely supermarkets and food shops , have also been allowed to remain open .
However , with more than six million Britons furloughed from their jobs , the prime minister has told MPs he wants to `` enable people safely and securely to go back to work and earn their pay packets '' .
Watch Sky News at 7pm tonight for the prime minister 's pre-recorded address to the nation over ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employers and trade unions have received draft government guidelines setting out how companies can resume working safely .
The guidance includes requirements to maintain social distancing of two metres , demarcating office space with tape on floors and desks , and restricting access to lifts .
To reduce congestion , shifts are likely to be staggered and many staff who can work from home will be required to do so for many months to come .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not possible however , the guidelines say that the use of personal protective equipment should be considered , along with extra cleaning measures , and the use of screens as in supermarkets .
However , it is still unclear how many workers might be encouraged to return to their workplaces as early as next week .
Outdoor retail and some offices may be among the first to be allowed to reopen , with customer-facing businesses such as pubs , entertainment venues and restaurants likely to face a longer wait .
The government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow garden centres to be among the first businesses to reopen .
They will be able to reopen on Wednesday .
As the government prepares to encourage more people to go back to their workplaces , the prime minister has spoken of running a `` bigger and more expansive '' London Underground service so that `` people can observe social distancing '' .
He also promised to set out `` mitigations to help people who , for reasons of social distancing , can not use mass transit '' .
`` There will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping people to get to work other than by mass transit , '' Mr Johnson added .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £250m package to boost cycling and walking , after warning that on some forms of public transport only one in 10 passengers will be able to travel to ensure social distancing .
Britons could be encouraged to wear face coverings , especially on public transport , when lockdown measures are eased .
The prime minister has previously said face coverings will be `` useful '' to `` give people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Mr Johnson has promised to say more about face coverings when he announces the next stage of coronavirus measures this weekend .
In Germany , which has begun lifting its lockdown , some states will initially allow restaurants to serve customers outside as they reopen .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock hinted at cafes in the UK being allowed to do the same , telling Sky News : `` We 're very careful to follow the clinical advice on the two-metre rule .
`` But there 's also very strong evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower so there may be workarounds that some businesses , for instance cafes - especially over the summer - might be able to put into place . ''
Mr Johnson is expected to announce that people can do as much exercise outdoors as they like from Monday .
Currently , Britons should only be exercising outdoors - alone or with a member of their household - once a day .
However , despite the possible easing of that restriction , gyms and playgrounds are expected to remain closed .
The prime minister might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips to the park and outings in the countryside .
But beaches are still likely to be out of bounds , it has been reported .
Ministers have previously hinted that golf , fishing and bowls - sports in which social distancing is easier to maintain - might be among the first to be permitted to resume .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has suggested the easing of the UK 's lockdown could include the possibility of Britons joining a social `` bubble '' containing small groups of friends and family from different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only possible outdoors .
A first step might be allowing two households to join up together as one such `` bubble '' .
One thing the government will be watching very closely in this decision will be the R number - the reproduction number of the virus , a measure of how fast it 's spreading .
At the start of the epidemic , R was 3 - meaning every infected person was passing the virus to around three other people .
Now it is somewhere between 0.5 and 0.9 .
Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except for the attendance of children of key workers - since 20 March , but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has told MPs the government is planning the `` phased '' reopening of English schools .
Ofsted 's chief inspector has told Sky News there is a `` great deal of logic '' in allowing younger children to return to school first .
And Mr Johnson has said : `` One of the things we want to do as fast as we can is get certainly primary schools back . ''
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might actually happen .
Mr Hancock told Sky News : `` I understand the frustration of people over will it be June , will it be September , what age groups will it be because of course other countries have taken different decisions for different age groups .
`` I 'm tempted to prejudge those decisions but we do n't yet have the data but we are coming to a position where relatively soon we might be able to say so . ''
The Welsh government has said schools will not reopen for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 June .
On Saturday , teaching unions wrote to the government with a list of key measures that must be met before pupils in England can safely return to their desks .
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has set out how courts could soon employ social distancing measures .
`` We 'll have to use , for example , two courts where we would have used one in the past , so that jurors can retire into a safe space and also be spaced out and distanced within the court , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see that happening in the next few weeks , but it will be a slow build-up . ''
Ahead of the UK 's lockdown , all criminal trials expected to last more than three days were postponed in England and Wales .
Up until now , the government has been urging Britons to `` stay home , protect the NHS , save lives '' .
The prime minister recently tweeted : `` Stay home , slow the spread , keep going '' , although on Saturday evening it appeared the decision was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , save lives '' .

Boris Johnson will set out the government's plan this evening for lifting coronavirus lockdown measures.
The prime minister has promised some COVID-19 restrictions in England could be eased as soon as Monday.
However, cabinet minister Brandon Lewis warned people "it would be wrong to get too carried away" at the prospect of lockdown measures being lifted.
He told Sky News the government would be "very cautious" due to the risk of a second spike in coronavirus infections.
So, what (if anything) might change from next week?
Workplaces
Companies in some sectors, including construction, manufacturing and farming, have been able to continue working during the UK's lockdown.
And essential retailers, largely supermarkets and food shops, have also been allowed to remain open.
However, with more than six million Britons furloughed from their jobs, the prime minister has told MPs he wants to "enable people safely and securely to go back to work and earn their pay packets".
Advertisement
Watch Sky News at 7pm tonight for the prime minister's pre-recorded address to the nation over ending the lockdown.
Image: Britons might be allowed to exercise outside as much as they like
Business groups, major employers and trade unions have received draft government guidelines setting out how companies can resume working safely.
The guidance includes requirements to maintain social distancing of two metres, demarcating office space with tape on floors and desks, and restricting access to lifts.
To reduce congestion, shifts are likely to be staggered and many staff who can work from home will be required to do so for many months to come.
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Where maintaining a two-metre gap is not possible however, the guidelines say that the use of personal protective equipment should be considered, along with extra cleaning measures, and the use of screens as in supermarkets.
However, it is still unclear how many workers might be encouraged to return to their workplaces as early as next week.
Garden centres
Outdoor retail and some offices may be among the first to be allowed to reopen, with customer-facing businesses such as pubs, entertainment venues and restaurants likely to face a longer wait.
The government has come under pressure from Conservative MPs to allow garden centres to be among the first businesses to reopen.
They will be able to reopen on Wednesday.
Transport
As the government prepares to encourage more people to go back to their workplaces, the prime minister has spoken of running a "bigger and more expansive" London Underground service so that "people can observe social distancing".
He also promised to set out "mitigations to help people who, for reasons of social distancing, cannot use mass transit".
Image: The PM has spoken of a 'new golden age of cycling'
"There will be a huge amount of planning going into helping people to get to work other than by mass transit," Mr Johnson added.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £250m package to boost cycling and walking, after warning that on some forms of public transport only one in 10 passengers will be able to travel to ensure social distancing.
Face masks
Britons could be encouraged to wear face coverings, especially on public transport, when lockdown measures are eased.
The prime minister has previously said face coverings will be "useful" to "give people confidence they can go back to work".
Mr Johnson has promised to say more about face coverings when he announces the next stage of coronavirus measures this weekend.
Cafes
In Germany, which has begun lifting its lockdown, some states will initially allow restaurants to serve customers outside as they reopen.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock hinted at cafes in the UK being allowed to do the same, telling Sky News: "We're very careful to follow the clinical advice on the two-metre rule.
"But there's also very strong evidence that outdoors the spread is much, much lower so there may be workarounds that some businesses, for instance cafes - especially over the summer - might be able to put into place."
Image: Britons could be encouraged to wear face masks when they return to work
Exercise
Mr Johnson is expected to announce that people can do as much exercise outdoors as they like from Monday.
Currently, Britons should only be exercising outdoors - alone or with a member of their household - once a day.
However, despite the possible easing of that restriction, gyms and playgrounds are expected to remain closed.
The prime minister might also give the go-ahead to picnics, trips to the park and outings in the countryside.
But beaches are still likely to be out of bounds, it has been reported.
Ministers have previously hinted that golf, fishing and bowls - sports in which social distancing is easier to maintain - might be among the first to be permitted to resume.
Social bubbles
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has suggested the easing of the UK's lockdown could include the possibility of Britons joining a social "bubble" containing small groups of friends and family from different households for gatherings, even if that was only possible outdoors.
A first step might be allowing two households to join up together as one such "bubble".
One thing the government will be watching very closely in this decision will be the R number - the reproduction number of the virus, a measure of how fast it's spreading.
At the start of the epidemic, R was 3 - meaning every infected person was passing the virus to around three other people. Now it is somewhere between 0.5 and 0.9.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 45:41 Ask the Health Secretary: Watch in full
Schools
Schools in the UK have been closed - except for the attendance of children of key workers - since 20 March, but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has told MPs the government is planning the "phased" reopening of English schools.
Ofsted's chief inspector has told Sky News there is a "great deal of logic" in allowing younger children to return to school first.
And Mr Johnson has said: "One of the things we want to do as fast as we can is get certainly primary schools back."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 'Normality' of school important for children
However, the government has been coy on when that might actually happen.
Mr Hancock told Sky News: "I understand the frustration of people over will it be June, will it be September, what age groups will it be because of course other countries have taken different decisions for different age groups.
"I'm tempted to prejudge those decisions but we don't yet have the data but we are coming to a position where relatively soon we might be able to say so."
The Welsh government has said schools will not reopen for the majority of pupils until at least 1 June.
On Saturday, teaching unions wrote to the government with a list of key measures that must be met before pupils in England can safely return to their desks.
Courts
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has set out how courts could soon employ social distancing measures.
"We'll have to use, for example, two courts where we would have used one in the past, so that jurors can retire into a safe space and also be spaced out and distanced within the court," he told ITV.
"We'll start to see that happening in the next few weeks, but it will be a slow build-up."
Ahead of the UK's lockdown, all criminal trials expected to last more than three days were postponed in England and Wales.
A new government slogan?
Up until now, the government has been urging Britons to "stay home, protect the NHS, save lives".
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The prime minister recently tweeted: "Stay home, slow the spread, keep going", although on Saturday evening it appeared the decision was made for "Stay alert, control the virus, save lives".


news--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Meat shortages hit fast food restaurants amid US lockdown

One of the most popular fast food companies in the US has reported beef shortages as slaughterhouses across the country are shut during the coronavirus lockdown .
Some Wendy 's restaurants have temporarily pulled burgers from their menus , with more than 1,000 outfits - about 18 % of its US sites - reportedly being affected by disruption to the supply chain .
And retailers Kroger and Costco have also been hit as they limit the sales of some meat items .
The US and Canada are among the world 's biggest beef exporters .
But COVID-19 outbreaks have forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production , as they try to ensure worker safety .
Ryan Kasko , chairman of the Alberta Cattle Feeders ' Association , estimates there are up to 80,000 Canadian cattle awaiting slaughter , and the number may reach 250,000 by July .
Leighton Kolk , who normally sends 500 cattle to slaughter per week , said : `` It 's a horrible situation for us to watch . ''
Mr Kolk , from Iron Springs , Alberta , added : `` The consumer is going to pay a huge price and we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping in value . ''
The average unit price of fresh beef at US retailers was 6 % higher in the week ending 25 April than a year earlier , according to market research firm Nielsen .
Chief executive of Wendy 's , Todd Penegor , said : `` From time to time , there could be some items that we 're out of stock on .
`` It 's probably a couple of weeks of challenging tightness that we 'll have to work through . ''
: : Listen to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker Victor Colello , director of meat and fish at New York City grocery chain Morton Williams , said he has not had any trouble getting meat but that `` prices are crazy '' .
`` In the past two weeks , prices have gone up anywhere from $ 3 to $ 5 per pound .
I find myself changing prices every two or three days . ''
Production at some slaughterhouses has resumed after weeks-long shutdowns .
Canada and the United States have both announced aid packages for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the calves she will sell in the autumn are less than half of the usual price , as the people who buy them deal with large backlogs of cattle .
`` Each day we are on pins and needles to make sure those plants stay open . ''

One of the most popular fast food companies in the US has reported beef shortages as slaughterhouses across the country are shut during the coronavirus lockdown.
Some Wendy's restaurants have temporarily pulled burgers from their menus, with more than 1,000 outfits - about 18% of its US sites - reportedly being affected by disruption to the supply chain.
And retailers Kroger and Costco have also been hit as they limit the sales of some meat items.
The US and Canada are among the world's biggest beef exporters.
But COVID-19 outbreaks have forced meat-packing plants to temporarily close or slow production, as they try to ensure worker safety.
Ryan Kasko, chairman of the Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association, estimates there are up to 80,000 Canadian cattle
awaiting slaughter, and the number may reach 250,000 by July.
Image: Signs inform customers of the disruption
Leighton Kolk, who normally sends 500 cattle to slaughter per week, said: "It's a horrible situation for us to watch."
Mr Kolk, from Iron Springs, Alberta, added: "The consumer is going to pay a huge price and we could approach financial insolvency because these animals are dropping in value."
The average unit price of fresh beef at US retailers was 6% higher in the week ending 25 April than a year earlier, according to market research firm Nielsen.
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Chief executive of Wendy's, Todd Penegor, said: "From time to time, there could be some items that we're out of stock on.
"It's probably a couple of weeks of challenging tightness that we'll have to work through."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Victor Colello, director of meat and fish at New York City grocery chain Morton Williams, said he has not had any trouble getting meat but that "prices are crazy".
"In the past two weeks, prices have gone up anywhere from $3 to $5 per pound. I find myself changing prices every two or three days."
Production at some slaughterhouses has resumed after weeks-long shutdowns.
Canada and the United States have both announced aid packages for the food and agriculture sectors.
But Alberta rancher Kelly Smith-Fraser sees a long crisis ahead.
Price estimates for the calves she will sell in the autumn are less than half of the usual price, as the people who buy them deal with large backlogs of cattle.
"Each day we are on pins and needles to make sure those plants stay open."


news--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Breakdown call-outs nearly back at pre-lockdown levels, says AA

Breakdown call-outs are nearly back at levels seen before the coronavirus crisis , the AA 's boss has told Sky News .
Chief executive Simon Breakwell said there had been a 60 % drop in breakdowns at the start of the coronavirus lockdown but that recent weeks had seen a noticeable recovery .
By Wednesday , call-outs were only 6 % lower than usual , he told Sky 's Ian King Live .
However , he said a recovery in traffic was only part of the cause , with patrols also asked to help drivers experiencing problems when trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a while .
He said the motoring organisation had seen its biggest ever car battery sales last month as batteries left idle during the lockdown needed to be replaced .
Explaining the increase in call-outs , Mr Breakwell said : `` It 's not so much lots of people getting back on the roads - though there 's definitely been more people on the roads .
`` It 's us repairing members who are starting up their cars for the first time , so there 's been a definite , definite pick-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' It comes as the AA reported a doubling in pre-tax profits to £107m for the year to the end of January , helped by a return to growth for its roadside membership base and more sales of insurance policies .
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis it has acted to cut costs by freezing pay and hiring across its workforce , as well as applying for help from the government 's furlough scheme for some staff .
It is also offering free breakdown cover to NHS workers , and said 20,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on business , the company said its profits for the current financial year would only be slightly below the 2019/20 level .

Breakdown call-outs are nearly back at levels seen before the coronavirus crisis, the AA's boss has told Sky News.
Chief executive Simon Breakwell said there had been a 60% drop in breakdowns at the start of the coronavirus lockdown but that recent weeks had seen a noticeable recovery.
By Wednesday, call-outs were only 6% lower than usual, he told Sky's Ian King Live.
However, he said a recovery in traffic was only part of the cause, with patrols also asked to help drivers experiencing problems when trying to start their engines for the first time in a while.
He said the motoring organisation had seen its biggest ever car battery sales last month as batteries left idle during the lockdown needed to be replaced.
Image: The AA is offering free breakdown cover to NHS workers
Explaining the increase in call-outs, Mr Breakwell said: "It's not so much lots of people getting back on the roads - though there's definitely been more people on the roads.
"It's us repairing members who are starting up their cars for the first time, so there's been a definite, definite pick-up over the last couple of weeks."
It comes as the AA reported a doubling in pre-tax profits to £107m for the year to the end of January, helped by a return to growth for its roadside membership base and more sales of insurance policies.
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis it has acted to cut costs by freezing pay and hiring across its workforce, as well as applying for help from the government's furlough scheme for some staff.
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It is also offering free breakdown cover to NHS workers, and said 20,000 have signed up.
Despite acknowledging the impact on business, the company said its profits for the current financial year would only be slightly below the 2019/20 level.
That cheered investors, sending shares 8% higher.


news--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Bank of England warns of biggest annual slump in GDP since 1706

A Bank of England scenario sees UK GDP falling 14 % this year , its worst annual slump for more than 300 years , and the jobless rate hitting 8 % as the coronavirus crisis ravages the economy .
The Bank released its first work on the potential impact of the lockdown measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 as its monetary policy committee left interest rates unchanged at their record low level of 0.1 % .
However , two members voted in support of more bond-buying - indicating they felt more support was needed beyond the £645bn of asset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , already targeted by the Bank to boost liquidity .
At the same time , it released what it called an `` illustrative scenario '' based on the assumption of a gradual easing of the UK lockdown that shuttered scores of businesses from 23 March .
The expectation of a 14 % decline in economic growth this year would be the worst since 1706 .
It said the figure was also dependent on significant support from both the Bank and government with cash currently available from a range of schemes to support businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Despite the packages , scores of redundancies have been announced from household names including British Airways , Virgin Atlantic and Debenhams over the past week .
Official figures next week are expected to confirm negative growth for the economy for the first three months of the year .
The Bank 's projection included a 3 % hit between January and March before a 25 % decline in GDP in the second quarter .
Company sales are seen 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 50 % collapse in business investment .
But the scenario saw a rapid recovery from the slump ahead - as the cogs of the economy gradually picked up pace - with GDP surging by 15 % next year .
It said : `` The spread of COVID-19 and the measures to contain it are having a significant impact on the United Kingdom and many countries around the world .
`` Activity has fallen sharply since the beginning of the year and unemployment has risen markedly . ''
It added : `` UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a stronger position than they were before the 2008 financial crisis .
`` While the policy response will provide substantial support to households , the sharp fall in economic activity will put pressure on some households ' finance .
`` We are vigilant to risks that could emerge once payment holiday measures end , including borrowers seeking to refinance in the coming months . ''
The developments saw the pound gain 0.4 % against both the dollar and euro to $ 1.24 and €1.15 .

A Bank of England scenario sees UK GDP falling 14% this year, its worst annual slump for more than 300 years, and the jobless rate hitting 8% as the coronavirus crisis ravages the economy.
The Bank released its first work on the potential impact of the lockdown measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 as its monetary policy committee left interest rates unchanged at their record low level of 0.1%.
However, two members voted in support of more bond-buying - indicating they felt more support was needed beyond the £645bn of asset purchases, also known as quantitative easing, already targeted by the Bank to boost liquidity.
Image: Andrew Bailey took over as governor of the Bank of England in mid-March
At the same time, it released what it called an "illustrative scenario" based on the assumption of a gradual easing of the UK lockdown that shuttered scores of businesses from 23 March.
The expectation of a 14% decline in economic growth this year would be the worst since 1706.
It said the figure was also dependent on significant support from both the Bank and government with cash currently available from a range of schemes to support businesses, employment and wages.
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Despite the packages, scores of redundancies have been announced from household names including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Debenhams over the past week.
Official figures next week are expected to confirm negative growth for the economy for the first three months of the year.
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The Bank's projection included a 3% hit between January and March before a 25% decline in GDP in the second quarter.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:48 Ministers meet to discuss easing the lockdown
Company sales are seen 45% down between April and June with a 50% collapse in business investment.
But the scenario saw a rapid recovery from the slump ahead - as the cogs of the economy gradually picked up pace - with GDP surging by 15% next year.
It said: "The spread of COVID-19 and the measures to contain it are having a significant impact on the United Kingdom and many countries around the world.
"Activity has fallen sharply since the beginning of the year and unemployment has risen markedly."
It added: "UK households entered this period of economic disruption in a stronger position than they were before the 2008 financial crisis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:41 Hancock hints at 'workarounds' for businesses
"While the policy response will provide substantial support to households, the sharp fall in economic activity will put pressure on some households' finance.
"We are vigilant to risks that could emerge once payment holiday measures end, including borrowers seeking to refinance in the coming months."
The developments saw the pound gain 0.4% against both the dollar and euro to $1.24 and €1.15.


news--2020-05-06--Outrage over video of unarmed black jogger shot dead as jury to consider charges

A grand jury is set to decide if a white former police officer and his son should be charged over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man who was out jogging .
Ahmaud Arbery was killed in Brunswick , Georgia , in February , but a newly emerged video of the shooting has caused outrage .
Prosecutors had previously signalled reluctance to file charges against Gregory McMichael and his son , Travis .
But prosecutor Tom Durden , the acting district attorney for a neighbouring district , said in a letter on Facebook : `` I am of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the grand jury of Glynn County for consideration of criminal charges against those involved in the death of Mr Arbery . ''
Mr Durden was assigned to investigate the 25-year-old 's death after prosecutors in Brunswick and another neighbouring district recused themselves due to potential conflicts of interest .
He said he would present the case to the next available grand jury in Glynn County , although that may not be until mid-June or later because courts are under restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic .
: : Listen to Divided States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , and Spreaker In the video , which was taken by an unidentified witness in another car , Mr Arbery can be seen jogging down a narrow two-lane road and around a white pickup truck stopped in the right lane with its driver 's door open .
As he crosses back in front of the vehicle a gun is fired .
Mr Arbery can then be seen struggling with a man holding a rifle as a second man stands in the bed of the truck brandishing a revolver .
Two more shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-down onto the ground .
Shared by journalist and campaigner Shaun King , the video has led to an outpouring of anger .
Presidential candidate Joe Biden said : `` The video is clear : Ahmaud Arbery was killed in cold blood .
`` My heart goes out to his family , who deserve justice and deserve it now .
It is time for a swift , full , and transparent investigation into his murder . ''
Gregory McMichael - a former police officer and district attorney 's investigator - told detectives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his front yard `` hauling ass '' down the street .
Mr McMichael said he summoned his son to help chase Mr Arbery in the truck because he suspected him of being behind a series of burglaries in the area .
Gregory McMichael was carrying a .357 Magnum revolver and his son had a shotgun .
Gregory McMichael claimed Mr Arbery began to `` violently attack '' Travis and fought him over the shotgun , prompting his son to open fire .
It is not clear from the police report or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots at Mr Arbery .
A letter obtained by the New York Times indicates the prosecutor in Brunswick argued there was not probable cause to arrest the McMichaels because they were legally carrying firearms , had a right to pursue a burglary suspect and use deadly force to protect themselves .

A grand jury is set to decide if a white former police officer and his son should be charged over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man who was out jogging.
Ahmaud Arbery was killed in Brunswick, Georgia, in February, but a newly emerged video of the shooting has caused outrage.
Prosecutors had previously signalled reluctance to file charges against Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis.
Image: Ahmaud Arbery was killed in Brunswick, Georgia
But prosecutor Tom Durden, the acting district attorney for a neighbouring district, said in a letter on Facebook: "I am of the opinion that the case should be presented to the grand jury of Glynn County for consideration of criminal charges against those involved in the death of Mr Arbery."
Mr Durden was assigned to investigate the 25-year-old's death after prosecutors in Brunswick and another neighbouring district recused themselves due to potential conflicts of interest.
He said he would present the case to the next available grand jury in Glynn County, although that may not be until mid-June or later because courts are under restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
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In the video, which was taken by an unidentified witness in another car, Mr Arbery can be seen jogging down a narrow two-lane road and around a white pickup truck stopped in the right lane with its driver's door open.
As he crosses back in front of the vehicle a gun is fired.
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Mr Arbery can then be seen struggling with a man holding a rifle as a second man stands in the bed of the truck brandishing a revolver.
Two more shots are heard before he stumbles and falls face-down onto the ground.
Shared by journalist and campaigner Shaun King, the video has led to an outpouring of anger.
Presidential candidate Joe Biden said: "The video is clear: Ahmaud Arbery was killed in cold blood.
"My heart goes out to his family, who deserve justice and deserve it now. It is time for a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his murder."
Image: Joe Biden has called for a 'swift, full, and transparent investigation'
Gregory McMichael - a former police officer and district attorney's investigator - told detectives the incident began when he spotted Mr Arbery from his front yard "hauling ass" down the street.
Mr McMichael said he summoned his son to help chase Mr Arbery in the truck because he suspected him of being behind a series of burglaries in the area.
Gregory McMichael was carrying a .357 Magnum revolver and his son had a shotgun.
Gregory McMichael claimed Mr Arbery began to "violently attack" Travis and fought him over the shotgun, prompting his son to open fire.
It is not clear from the police report or the video if Gregory McMichael also fired any shots at Mr Arbery.
A letter obtained by the New York Times indicates the prosecutor in Brunswick argued there was not probable cause to arrest the McMichaels because they were legally carrying firearms, had a right to pursue a burglary suspect and use deadly force to protect themselves.


news--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Key R rate of measuring COVID-19 spread rises due to care home infections, say experts

The R reproduction rate - a key measure of how much COVID-19 is spreading - has gone up in the UK in the past fortnight due to the epidemic in care homes , two leading experts have suggested .
It is a measure of how many people , on average , will be infected for every one person who has the disease .
If the R is one , then one person with the disease infects one other person .
As long as the R value is below one , the number of daily cases will continue to fall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Statistics chief , said he agreed with earlier comments by scientist Professor John Edmunds who claimed it has risen from around 0.6 a few weeks ago because of the rapid spread in nursing homes .
`` That is driven by the epidemic in care homes , he would say and I would not demur from that , '' Sir Ian told the Downing Street COVID-19 news conference .
Professor Edmunds earlier told MPs on the Science and Technology Committee that the R value is currently between 0.75 and one .
It means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room to ease the lockdown without risking an increase in transmission and a bounce-back in coronavirus cases .
And Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , speaking at the government 's daily briefing , said the R value was between 0.5 and 0.9. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We have to lift measures gradually and monitor what happens , '' Prof Edmunds said .
`` It would be damaging to have to go back into lockdown .
`` We ca n't rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be imposed locally if an outbreak is spreading but I very much hope to avoid that . ''
Mr Raab said a `` very significant issue '' remains in care homes but the overall number of daily new infections and deaths were both `` steadily falling '' .
However he cautioned : `` The virus is not beaten yet , it remains deadly and infectious . ''
Prof Edmunds , who sits on the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , also warned cases need to fall substantially before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help prevent a second wave .
He said the system would be quickly overwhelmed if ministers relied on contact tracing once the lockdown is eased next week .
Social distancing will be essential to reduce the transmission of the virus , he added .
Prof Edmunds said : `` We have perhaps 20,000 cases a day .
To contact trace ( the contacts of ) all those would be an enormous undertaking .
It 's probably impossible at the moment .
`` The incidence has to come right down for contact tracing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing in an attempt to control the spread of the virus at the start of the UK outbreak .
But each case had been in close proximity with around 40 people , who needed to be urgently traced and isolated as a precaution .
The system was quickly overwhelmed , with large numbers of contacts who had been missed going on to develop COVID-19 .
The policy was abandoned on 12 March .
`` If you were to get the incidence right down now then contact tracing would have a role , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not want to rely on it alone so there will need to be other social distancing measures in place , so we do n't go back to a situation where contact tracing is just scratching at the surface and the epidemic is out of control . ''
Also , new research shows that people are beginning to move around more as they anticipate a relaxation in the social distancing rules .
Scientists at University College London said the number of unique mobile phones used in any given area - a guide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing since 20 April after a prolonged period of decline since the lockdown was announced in March .
Nationally , activity is now at 60 % of pre-lockdown levels - up from 50 % in mid-April .
Professor James Cheshire , deputy director of the ESRC Consumer Data Research Centre at UCL , said : `` Our analysis suggests that people have been adhering to the lockdown rules and taking them very seriously over the first month or so .
`` But by early May we 've started to see a shift with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It may be that people have started to increase their movements in anticipation of the government announcement expected this weekend for easing lockdown . ''
Analysis : Why a rise in R does not necessarily mean we 're heading for a second peak The evidence given to the science and tech committee suggests the R rate has increased because of what is happening in care homes .
We effectively have two outbreaks at the moment , which is probably why new cases and deaths are taking such a long time to decline - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes while declining in the outside world .
So , to be clear , the rise in the R number does n't mean the virus is spreading in the community and it does n't mean the lockdown has failed .
In fact , the virus is spreading so slowly the Oxford vaccine team are worried they wo n't have enough field data to prove it works .
So we are not currently heading in to a second wave .
But the PM does n't have much wriggle room when easing the restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ above 1 and the outbreak expands again .
R is also currently an estimate .
Different modelling groups use different data sources - deaths , social behaviour/contacts , etc .
Twice a week the groups meet and come up with a consensus number .
Professor John Edmunds , from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , told the committee that it was currently 0.75 -1.0 - slightly different to the range given by Dominic Raab .
We will have a much better idea of what the virus is really doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surveillance study jointly run by the Office for National Statistics , Oxford University and Wellcome Trust , possibly next Thursday .

The R reproduction rate - a key measure of how much COVID-19 is spreading - has gone up in the UK in the past fortnight due to the epidemic in care homes, two leading experts have suggested.
It is a measure of how many people, on average, will be infected for every one person who has the disease.
If the R is one, then one person with the disease infects one other person.
As long as the R value is below one, the number of daily cases will continue to fall.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:53 30 April: Government video explains COVID-19 'rate of infection'
Sir Ian Diamond, the Office for National Statistics chief, said he agreed with earlier comments by scientist Professor John Edmunds who claimed it has risen from around 0.6 a few weeks ago because of the rapid spread in nursing homes.
"That is driven by the epidemic in care homes, he would say and I would not demur from that," Sir Ian told the Downing Street COVID-19 news conference.
Professor Edmunds earlier told MPs on the Science and Technology Committee that the R value is currently between 0.75 and one.
It means Prime Minister Boris Johnson has little wiggle room to ease the lockdown without risking an increase in transmission and a bounce-back in coronavirus cases.
And Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, speaking at the government's daily briefing, said the R value was between 0.5 and 0.9.
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"We have to lift measures gradually and monitor what happens," Prof Edmunds said. "It would be damaging to have to go back into lockdown.
"We can't rule it out. Measures might have to be imposed locally if an outbreak is spreading but I very much hope to avoid that."
Mr Raab said a "very significant issue" remains in care homes but the overall number of daily new infections and deaths were both "steadily falling".
However he cautioned: "The virus is not beaten yet, it remains deadly and infectious."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:57 Raab: Lockdown changes will be 'incremental'
Prof Edmunds, who sits on the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), also warned cases need to fall substantially before contact tracing can be relied on to help prevent a second wave.
He said the system would be quickly overwhelmed if ministers relied on contact tracing once the lockdown is eased next week.
Social distancing will be essential to reduce the transmission of the virus, he added.
Prof Edmunds said: "We have perhaps 20,000 cases a day. To contact trace (the contacts of) all those would be an enormous undertaking. It's probably impossible at the moment.
"The incidence has to come right down for contact tracing to be feasible."
The government used contact tracing in an attempt to control the spread of the virus at the start of the UK outbreak.
But each case had been in close proximity with around 40 people, who needed to be urgently traced and isolated as a precaution.
The system was quickly overwhelmed, with large numbers of contacts who had been missed going on to develop COVID-19. The policy was abandoned on 12 March.
"If you were to get the incidence right down now then contact tracing would have a role," Prof Edmunds said.
"I would not want to rely on it alone so there will need to be other social distancing measures in place, so we don't go back to a situation where contact tracing is just scratching at the surface and the epidemic is out of control."
Also, new research shows that people are beginning to move around more as they anticipate a relaxation in the social distancing rules.
Image: New research shows that people are beginning to move around more
Scientists at University College London said the number of unique mobile phones used in any given area - a guide to population movement - showed activity has been increasing since 20 April after a prolonged period of decline since the lockdown was announced in March.
Nationally, activity is now at 60% of pre-lockdown levels - up from 50% in mid-April.
Professor James Cheshire, deputy director of the ESRC Consumer Data Research Centre at UCL, said: "Our analysis suggests that people have been adhering to the lockdown rules and taking them very seriously over the first month or so.
"But by early May we've started to see a shift with more activity in recent days.
"It may be that people have started to increase their movements in anticipation of the government announcement expected this weekend for easing lockdown."
Analysis: Why a rise in R does not necessarily mean we're heading for a second peak
By Thomas Moore, Sky News science correspondent
The evidence given to the science and tech committee suggests the R rate has increased because of what is happening in care homes.
We effectively have two outbreaks at the moment, which is probably why new cases and deaths are taking such a long time to decline - the virus has been spreading in care homes while declining in the outside world.
So, to be clear, the rise in the R number doesn't mean the virus is spreading in the community and it doesn't mean the lockdown has failed. In fact, the virus is spreading so slowly the Oxford vaccine team are worried they won't have enough field data to prove it works.
So we are not currently heading in to a second wave. But the PM doesn't have much wriggle room when easing the restrictions. Go too fast and R will climb above 1 and the outbreak expands again.
R is also currently an estimate. Different modelling groups use different data sources - deaths, social behaviour/contacts, etc.
Twice a week the groups meet and come up with a consensus number. Professor John Edmunds, from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), told the committee that it was currently 0.75 -1.0 - slightly different to the range given by Dominic Raab.
We will have a much better idea of what the virus is really doing when the first results come back from the surveillance study jointly run by the Office for National Statistics, Oxford University and Wellcome Trust, possibly next Thursday.