news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: US lacks 'master plan' in tackling pandemic, says whistleblower Rick Bright

A top US government virologist turned whistleblower has accused the Trump administration of failing to tell the truth , meaning Americans were `` not as prepared as they could have been '' in tackling coronavirus .
Dr Rick Bright once ran the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority , the government agency overseeing vaccine efforts .
The Trump administration abruptly removed him from the position last month .
During three hours of testimony on Capitol Hill , the government scientist said the US lacks a `` master plan '' and gave a stark warning to members of Congress .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resurgence of COVID-19 this fall and be greatly compounded about the challenges of seasonal influenza .
`` Without better planning , 2020 could be the darkest winter in modern history .
`` First and foremost , we need to be truthful with the American people .
Americans deserve the truth .
The truth must be based on science .
We have the world 's greatest scientists .
Let us lead . ''
His testimony highlighted the ongoing battle between science and politics as America remains in the grip of coronavirus .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials say the actual number is likely higher .
Dr Bright claims he became the target of criticism when he raised the alarm about the seriousness of the pandemic back in January .
He says his repeated early warnings about lack of crucial medical equipment were ignored .
`` Lives were in danger and I believe lives were lost , '' he said .
He cited emails he received from a top US medical supplier `` indicating that our mask supply , our N-95 respirator supply was completely decimated .
And he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s*** .
The world is . ''
' He added : `` From that moment I knew that we were going to have a crisis for healthcare workers because we were not taking action .
That was our last window of opportunity to turn on that production to save the lives of our healthcare workers , and we did n't act . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The government virologist also believes he was pushed out of his job because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote unproven COVID-19 treatments like the anti-malarial drug , Hydroxychloroquine .
Mr Trump has dismissed Dr Bright 's complaint as that of a `` disgruntled employee '' .
For Democrats he was a star witness to the Trump administration 's failures .
His testimony before Congress gave an insight into the president 's handling of the coronavirus which has been widely criticised as being political and too slow .
Dr Bright said time is running out and that the outbreak will `` get worse and be prolonged '' if the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy and devise a plan for distributing a vaccine .
The US government virologist was asked how long he believed it will take to get a vaccine .
He said : `` A lot of optimism is swirling around a 12 to 18 month timeframe if everything goes perfectly .
We have never seen everything go perfectly .
`` My concern is that if we rush too quickly , and consider cutting out critical steps , we may not have a full assessment of the safety of that vaccine .
So it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 to 18 months is an aggressive schedule and I think it will take longer than that to do so . ''
Wildly differing questions from members of Congress revealed just how politicised the coronavirus has become in the United States .
Mr Trump was in Pennsylvania today as he continues his push for states to reopen with the aim of getting the economy back on track .

A top US government virologist turned whistleblower has accused the Trump administration of failing to tell the truth, meaning Americans were "not as prepared as they could have been" in tackling coronavirus.
Dr Rick Bright once ran the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, the government agency overseeing vaccine efforts. The Trump administration abruptly removed him from the position last month.
During three hours of testimony on Capitol Hill, the government scientist said the US lacks a "master plan" and gave a stark warning to members of Congress.
Image: Dr Rick Bright
He said: "There will likely be a resurgence of COVID-19 this fall and be greatly compounded about the challenges of seasonal influenza.
"Without better planning, 2020 could be the darkest winter in modern history.
"First and foremost, we need to be truthful with the American people. Americans deserve the truth. The truth must be based on science. We have the world's greatest scientists. Let us lead."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 White House criticises Obama pandemic plan
His testimony highlighted the ongoing battle between science and politics as America remains in the grip of coronavirus. More than 80,000 people have died - but officials say the actual number is likely higher.
Dr Bright claims he became the target of criticism when he raised the alarm about the seriousness of the pandemic back in January.
He says his repeated early warnings about lack of crucial medical equipment were ignored.
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"Lives were in danger and I believe lives were lost," he said.
Image: Dr Rick Bright discussed protecting scientific integrity in response to the coronavirus outbreak
He cited emails he received from a top US medical supplier "indicating that our mask supply, our N-95 respirator supply was completely decimated. And he said, '"We're in deep s***. The world is."'
He added: "From that moment I knew that we were going to have a crisis for healthcare workers because we were not taking action. That was our last window of opportunity to turn on that production to save the lives of our healthcare workers, and we didn't act."
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The government virologist also believes he was pushed out of his job because he resisted President Donald Trump's efforts to promote unproven COVID-19 treatments like the anti-malarial drug, Hydroxychloroquine.
Mr Trump has dismissed Dr Bright's complaint as that of a "disgruntled employee".
For Democrats he was a star witness to the Trump administration's failures. His testimony before Congress gave an insight into the president's handling of the coronavirus which has been widely criticised as being political and too slow.
Dr Bright said time is running out and that the outbreak will "get worse and be prolonged" if the United States does not quickly develop a national testing strategy and devise a plan for distributing a vaccine.
The US government virologist was asked how long he believed it will take to get a vaccine.
He said: "A lot of optimism is swirling around a 12 to 18 month timeframe if everything goes perfectly. We have never seen everything go perfectly.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:57 Trump eager for the US to leave lockdown
"My concern is that if we rush too quickly, and consider cutting out critical steps, we may not have a full assessment of the safety of that vaccine. So it will still take some time. I think 12 to 18 months is an aggressive schedule and I think it will take longer than that to do so."
Wildly differing questions from members of Congress revealed just how politicised the coronavirus has become in the United States.
Mr Trump was in Pennsylvania today as he continues his push for states to reopen with the aim of getting the economy back on track.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Dozens may have been infected with COVID-19 at Wisconsin anti-lockdown rally

Seventy-two people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin are reported to have recently attended a `` large gathering '' .
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services ( DHS ) confirmed it had gathered tracing data on a number of individuals who had contracted the virus , according to US magazine The Progressive .
The findings came to light after hundreds of people in Wisconsin attended a mass rally against the governor 's stay-at-home order on 24 April , where social distancing rules were flouted and only around a third of protesters wore face masks .
However it can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted coronavirus at the protest as the health department is not tracking attendance of specific events .
`` Possible exposures during protests have n't been specifically added to the database because we already ask about large gatherings , '' DHS spokesperson Jennifer Miller wrote in an email to The Progressive .
`` We were able to pull some limited data out of 1,986 cases with onset/diagnosis on or after 4/26 , there were 72 cases who reported attending a large gathering . ''
She added : `` No , it does n't specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally , but this is the data we have . ''
In an earlier email to the magazine , Ms Miller clarified that the people doing contact tracing in Wisconsin were not asking people who tested positive if they attended the 24 April protest .
`` Contact tracers do ask if patients attended mass gatherings , but not specifically about protests , so there 's really no data on who may have contracted COVID-19 at a protest , '' she wrote .
Hundreds of people attended the protest outside Wisconsin 's capitol building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evers reopen the state and lift restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus .
Wisconsin Capitol Police said around 1,500 individuals attended the rally and that no arrests and no citations were issued .
Late on Wednesday , a court ruling in Wisconsin lifted the stay-at-home order , throwing communities into chaos on Thursday as some bars opened immediately and were packed with customers .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The conservative majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invalid and threw them out effective immediately .
President Donald Trump praised the court ruling , calling it a `` win '' on Twitter .
He tweeted : `` Its Democrat Governor was forced by the courts to let the State Open .
The people want to get on with their lives .
The place is bustling ! ''

Seventy-two people who tested positive for COVID-19 in Wisconsin are reported to have recently attended a "large gathering".
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) confirmed it had gathered tracing data on a number of individuals who had contracted the virus, according to US magazine The Progressive.
The findings came to light after hundreds of people in Wisconsin attended a mass rally against the governor's stay-at-home order on 24 April, where social distancing rules were flouted and only around a third of protesters wore face masks.
Image: Social distancing measures were flouted during the rally
However it cannot be proven how many of these people contracted coronavirus at the protest as the health department is not tracking attendance of specific events.
"Possible exposures during protests haven't been specifically added to the database because we already ask about large gatherings," DHS spokesperson Jennifer Miller wrote in an email to The Progressive.
"We were able to pull some limited data out of 1,986 cases with onset/diagnosis on or after 4/26, there were 72 cases who reported attending a large gathering."
She added: "No, it doesn't specifically state that the 72 were at a rally, but this is the data we have."
In an earlier email to the magazine, Ms Miller clarified that the people doing contact tracing in Wisconsin were not asking people who tested positive if they attended the 24 April protest.
"Contact tracers do ask if patients attended mass gatherings, but not specifically about protests, so there's really no data on who may have contracted COVID-19 at a protest," she wrote.
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Hundreds of people attended the protest outside Wisconsin's capitol building in Madison, demanding Democratic governor Tony Evers reopen the state and lift restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 Trump attacks COVID expert
Wisconsin Capitol Police said around 1,500 individuals attended the rally and that no arrests and no citations were issued.
Late on Wednesday, a court ruling in Wisconsin lifted the stay-at-home order, throwing communities into chaos on Thursday as some bars opened immediately and were packed with customers.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The conservative majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the restrictions made by Mr Evers were invalid and threw them out effective immediately.
President Donald Trump praised the court ruling, calling it a "win" on Twitter.
He tweeted: "Its Democrat Governor was forced by the courts to let the State Open. The people want to get on with their lives. The place is bustling!"


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Northern Ireland to ease lockdown restrictions in 'baby steps' from next week

Northern Ireland will begin to ease its coronavirus lockdown restrictions in `` baby steps '' from next week .
As of Monday , garden centres and household recycling centres will be able to reopen .
Marriage ceremonies involving someone who is suffering from a terminal illness can also go ahead from next week .
First Minister Arlene Foster said the region 's R rate had dropped to below 0.7 , representing `` very tentative first steps toward recovery '' .
The R rate is the number of people an infected person passes the disease on to .
The minor changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive on Thursday .
Mrs Foster said : `` It is important that everyone understands that the process of relaxing restrictions will be incremental and there wo n't be a dramatic shift in relation to the lifting of restrictions . ''
The total number of deaths in the region for those who have tested positive for coronavirus rose to 454 on Thursday , after a further five fatalities were announced .
Northern Ireland 's lockdown exit plan sets out a five-step process , but has not assigned projected dates for any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards step one '' of the exit plan on Monday when further relaxations would be announced , according to Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill .
She described Thursday 's announcement to ease the lockdown measures as `` baby steps '' .
The ministers have also committed to publishing their decision-making matrix each day onwards to be `` open and honest '' with the public on what factors were influencing the restrictions .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms O'Neill added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in place to save lives and the executive does not take decisions on whether to maintain or indeed to relax the restrictions lightly .
`` Every decision is carefully judged based on an evaluation of risks and potential benefits .
`` Our ability to recover from coronavirus will be a partnership and the partnership effort involves every single member of society . ''

Northern Ireland will begin to ease its coronavirus lockdown restrictions in "baby steps" from next week.
As of Monday, garden centres and household recycling centres will be able to reopen.
Marriage ceremonies involving someone who is suffering from a terminal illness can also go ahead from next week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:51 Arlene Foster: We need to prevent a second spike in NI
First Minister Arlene Foster said the region's R rate had dropped to below 0.7, representing "very tentative first steps toward recovery".
The R rate is the number of people an infected person passes the disease on to.
The minor changes come after a meeting of the powersharing executive on Thursday.
Mrs Foster said: "It is important that everyone understands that the process of relaxing restrictions will be incremental and there won't be a dramatic shift in relation to the lifting of restrictions."
The total number of deaths in the region for those who have tested positive for coronavirus rose to 454 on Thursday, after a further five fatalities were announced.
Northern Ireland's lockdown exit plan sets out a five-step process, but has not assigned projected dates for any of the stages.
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The executive would "move towards step one" of the exit plan on Monday when further relaxations would be announced, according to Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.
She described Thursday's announcement to ease the lockdown measures as "baby steps".
The ministers have also committed to publishing their decision-making matrix each day onwards to be "open and honest" with the public on what factors were influencing the restrictions.
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Ms O'Neill added: "We must remember that the regulations are in place to save lives and the executive does not take decisions on whether to maintain or indeed to relax the restrictions lightly.
"Every decision is carefully judged based on an evaluation of risks and potential benefits.
"Our ability to recover from coronavirus will be a partnership and the partnership effort involves every single member of society."


news--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Donald Trump tells Chinese-American reporter to 'ask China' in another press clash

Donald Trump told a Chinese-American reporter to `` ask China '' after she questioned him about why he was making the COVID-19 crisis into a competition .
Weijia Jiang , who has previously clashed with the president , was left astounded by Donald Trump 's answer as he then refused to allow another female reporter to ask a question because she gave Ms Jiang time to respond .
During Tuesday 's daily White House coronavirus press briefing , the CBS reporter asked : `` You 've said many times that the US is doing far better than any other country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why does that matter ?
Why is this a global competition to you when every day Americans are losing their lives and we 're still seeing more cases , every day ? ''
Mr Trump responded : `` They 're losing their lives everywhere in the world and maybe that 's a question you should ask China - do n't ask me , ask China that question .
`` When you ask them that question you may get a very unusual answer . ''
The reporter looked shocked by his answer as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who asked her colleague if she wanted a follow-up question .
Ms Jiang said to the president : `` Why are you saying that to me - specifically - that I should ask China ? ''
Mr Trump said : `` I 'm not saying it specifically to anybody , I 'm saying it to anybody that asks a nasty question . ''
The president then refused to let Ms Collins ask her questions , claiming she did not respond when pointed to , with fellow female reporter Yamiche Alcindor trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then shut down the press conference and walked out of the Rose Garden , leaving reporters open-mouthed .
The president has faced criticism over his treatment of the White House press corp , especially of female reporters .
Ms Jiang previously came to blows with the president in mid-April when he told her to `` keep your voice down '' after she asked him about what he did to warn Americans in February that COVID-19 was spreading `` like wildfire '' .
The president told her `` nice and easy , just relax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you with ? ''
and demanded she tell him the number of cases in the US when he implemented a ban on travel from China .
When Ms Jiang pressed him on whether he knew COVID-19 was going to spread and become a pandemic , he said : `` Keep your voice down , please .
Keep your voice down . ''
In a New York Post interview last week , Mr Trump said neither Ms Jiang or her colleague Paula Reid were a `` Donna Reed '' - the actress who played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Donna Reed Show .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker In late April , Ms Collins had a similar spat with Mr Trump when he cut off her question about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by saying : `` No , that 's enough .
The problem is , you do n't write the truth . ''
When she tried to interject , he said : `` No , not CNN .
I told you .
CNN is fake news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The next day she was ordered to move to the back of the room during a press conference and when she refused , she was told the Secret Service would get involved .
Mr Trump then cut the briefing short and did not take any questions .

Donald Trump told a Chinese-American reporter to "ask China" after she questioned him about why he was making the COVID-19 crisis into a competition.
Weijia Jiang, who has previously clashed with the president, was left astounded by Donald Trump's answer as he then refused to allow another female reporter to ask a question because she gave Ms Jiang time to respond.
During Tuesday's daily White House coronavirus press briefing, the CBS reporter asked: "You've said many times that the US is doing far better than any other country when it comes to testing.
"Why does that matter? Why is this a global competition to you when every day Americans are losing their lives and we're still seeing more cases, every day?"
Image: Donald Trump has come to blows with several White House reporters for asking questions he does not like
Mr Trump responded: "They're losing their lives everywhere in the world and maybe that's a question you should ask China - don't ask me, ask China that question.
"When you ask them that question you may get a very unusual answer."
The reporter looked shocked by his answer as the president pointed to CNN's Kaitlan Collins, who asked her colleague if she wanted a follow-up question.
Ms Jiang said to the president: "Why are you saying that to me - specifically - that I should ask China?"
Mr Trump said: "I'm not saying it specifically to anybody, I'm saying it to anybody that asks a nasty question."
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"That's not a nasty question," Ms Jiang answered.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 Trump hits back at Obama criticism
The president then refused to let Ms Collins ask her questions, claiming she did not respond when pointed to, with fellow female reporter Yamiche Alcindor trying to let Ms Collins speak.
Mr Trump then shut down the press conference and walked out of the Rose Garden, leaving reporters open-mouthed.
The president has faced criticism over his treatment of the White House press corp, especially of female reporters.
Ms Jiang previously came to blows with the president in mid-April when he told her to "keep your voice down" after she asked him about what he did to warn Americans in February that COVID-19 was spreading "like wildfire".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 Trump blames China for outbreak
The president told her "nice and easy, just relax" then asked her "who are you with?" and demanded she tell him the number of cases in the US when he implemented a ban on travel from China.
When Ms Jiang pressed him on whether he knew COVID-19 was going to spread and become a pandemic, he said: "Keep your voice down, please. Keep your voice down."
In a New York Post interview last week, Mr Trump said neither Ms Jiang or her colleague Paula Reid were a "Donna Reed" - the actress who played a small town housewife in 60s sitcom The Donna Reed Show.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
In late April, Ms Collins had a similar spat with Mr Trump when he cut off her question about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by saying: "No, that's enough. The problem is, you don't write the truth."
When she tried to interject, he said: "No, not CNN. I told you. CNN is fake news. Don't talk to me."
The next day she was ordered to move to the back of the room during a press conference and when she refused, she was told the Secret Service would get involved.
Mr Trump then cut the briefing short and did not take any questions.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: COVID-19 patients 'could have been discharged back to care homes due to lack of testing

Coronavirus: COVID-19 patients 'could have been discharged back to care homes due to lack of testing'

The body that represents NHS trusts says a lack of testing could have meant some patients with COVID-19 were discharged from hospitals into care homes .
NHS Providers denied that trusts knowingly moved patients with the coronavirus into social care .
But the group 's chief executive , Chris Hopson , said hospitals were only asked to `` systematically test every single patient due for discharge to social care '' on 15 April - after the peak of the virus had hit .
Mr Hopson said this meant it was possible `` that a very small number of asymptomatic COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test prior to that date , were discharged to social care '' .
Sky News has reported extensively on the situation in care homes throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
This includes highlighting fears elderly patients were being discharged from hospital before they were well enough to return , as well as reporting that a number of councils threatening to withhold funding to help care homes deal with the virus if they did not agree to take in COVID-19 patients .
Boris Johnson yesterday said there was a system of testing in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pledged a further £600m for infection control in care homes .
Speaking to Kay Burley @ Breakfast , Health Minister Edward Argar said the suggestion that care homes had been `` abandoned '' or `` deprioritised '' was `` completely wrong '' .
But Mr Argar did say that initially testing was focused on `` frontline NHS staff to make sure the NHS was there to care for people '' .
`` You 're right to talk about… mid-April , when the capacity was there in the testing system to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tested and indeed all care home staff , '' said the minister .
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was `` very clear '' that testing for COVID-19 should have been ramped up earlier .
Speaking to the same programme , he said : `` That led to one of the issues that 's affected care homes , which is people being discharged from hospital without being tested for COVID .
`` Anyone who had symptoms would n't have been discharged from hospital , but we know that around half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have symptoms .
`` Now we 've ramped up the testing capability , we 're able to address those problems . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Labour has called for the prime minister to account for official figures showing 10,000 `` unexplained '' excess deaths in care homes last month .
The party 's shadow social care minister Liz Kendall said the government needed to `` get a grip of this crisis , implement a full strategy for supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care services the priority and resources they deserve '' .
Speaking to Sky News , shadow communities and local government secretary Steve Reed said the situation in care homes was `` intolerable '' .
He said councils are facing a `` £10bn black hole '' because of COVID-19 and this could mean billions will be cut from adult social care unless ministers step in .
Niall Dickson , chief executive of the NHS Confederation , which represents organisations across the healthcare sector , said care homes are where the `` major battle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector had been `` neglected '' for too long .
`` When this is over , it will be time to tackle our collective failure to address social care , which is nothing short of a national disgrace '' , said Mr Dickson .
Mr Hopson said any public inquiry `` will need to look at the role that the lack of testing capacity and PPE has played in the high number of care home deaths '' .
He added that `` the scandal here is the repeated failure of politicians to solve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The PM 's spokesperson said yesterday there is a `` regime in place that people being discharged from hospital are being tested and care homes have clear guidance to say they should take all necessary precautions against the spread of coronavirus in their premises '' .

The body that represents NHS trusts says a lack of testing could have meant some patients with COVID-19 were discharged from hospitals into care homes.
NHS Providers denied that trusts knowingly moved patients with the coronavirus into social care.
But the group's chief executive, Chris Hopson, said hospitals were only asked to "systematically test every single patient due for discharge to social care" on 15 April - after the peak of the virus had hit.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:16 PM accused of misleading Commons on care homes advice
Mr Hopson said this meant it was possible "that a very small number of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, who trusts were unable to test prior to that date, were discharged to social care".
Sky News has reported extensively on the situation in care homes throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
This includes highlighting fears elderly patients were being discharged from hospital before they were well enough to return, as well as reporting that a number of councils threatening to withhold funding to help care homes deal with the virus if they did not agree to take in COVID-19 patients.
Boris Johnson yesterday said there was a system of testing in place for patients going from hospitals to social care and pledged a further £600m for infection control in care homes.
Speaking to Kay Burley@Breakfast, Health Minister Edward Argar said the suggestion that care homes had been "abandoned" or "deprioritised" was "completely wrong".
But Mr Argar did say that initially testing was focused on "frontline NHS staff to make sure the NHS was there to care for people".
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 22:43 Special report: The killer in our care homes
"You're right to talk about… mid-April, when the capacity was there in the testing system to make sure that those going into care homes could be tested and indeed all care home staff," said the minister.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was "very clear" that testing for COVID-19 should have been ramped up earlier.
Speaking to the same programme, he said: "That led to one of the issues that's affected care homes, which is people being discharged from hospital without being tested for COVID.
"Anyone who had symptoms wouldn't have been discharged from hospital, but we know that around half of the shedding of the virus happens before people have symptoms.
"Now we've ramped up the testing capability, we're able to address those problems."
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Labour has called for the prime minister to account for official figures showing 10,000 "unexplained" excess deaths in care homes last month.
The party's shadow social care minister Liz Kendall said the government needed to "get a grip of this crisis, implement a full strategy for supporting care homes, and give all social care services the priority and resources they deserve".
Speaking to Sky News, shadow communities and local government secretary Steve Reed said the situation in care homes was "intolerable".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:33 Care homes faced funding cut threats
He said councils are facing a "£10bn black hole" because of COVID-19 and this could mean billions will be cut from adult social care unless ministers step in.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, said care homes are where the "major battle with COVID-19 is now raging" and the sector had been "neglected" for too long.
"When this is over, it will be time to tackle our collective failure to address social care, which is nothing short of a national disgrace", said Mr Dickson.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:07 Confusion over care home guidance
Mr Hopson said any public inquiry "will need to look at the role that the lack of testing capacity and PPE has played in the high number of care home deaths".
He added that "the scandal here is the repeated failure of politicians to solve our long running social care crisis".
The PM's spokesperson said yesterday there is a "regime in place that people being discharged from hospital are being tested and care homes have clear guidance to say they should take all necessary precautions against the spread of coronavirus in their premises".


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Roche antibody test to be rolled out to health and social care staff 'within days and w

Coronavirus: Roche antibody test to be rolled out to health and social care staff 'within days and weeks'

Health and social care workers will be prioritised for new `` incredibly important '' coronavirus antibody tests and could receive them within weeks .
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam , England ’ s deputy chief medical officer , promised the tests that show if someone has previously had COVID-19 will be rolled out `` rapidly '' .
The blood tests by Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche have been approved for widespread distribution in the UK by Public Health England , which has found they have an accuracy of 100 % .
They were cleared by Porton Down and should help indicate if a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the virus , helping ease lockdown measures .
Prof Van-Tam confirmed at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing : `` I anticipate that it will be rapidly rolled out in the days and weeks to come - as soon as it is practical to do so .
`` I also anticipate that the focus will be on the national health service and on carers in the first instance . ''
He added `` the chances of a false positive are extremely low with this test '' so `` this is a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stead moving forwards '' .
Prof Van-Tam cautioned it could take up to 28 days after someone is infected before the test can properly confirm if a person did have the virus .
It will `` take time '' to monitor how much people with antibodies have immunity from the virus and if they do , how long that immunity lasts for , he explained .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also said the news the tests could be distributed soon was `` very exciting '' given they are `` very , very reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Boris Johnson as being a `` game-changer '' for lifting lockdown because someone who finds out they have COVID-19 antibodies can be `` safe and confident in the knowledge that you are most unlikely to get it again '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street has confirmed when the tests are rolled out they will `` certainly '' be available on the NHS .
Asked on Thursday if those with antibodies could get `` immunity passports '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was mulling the idea of health certificates .
He said it was an `` important breakthrough that we have a test that highly specific but work will continue '' to check the length and level of immunity antibodies might offer .
But a report prepared by the government 's top scientific advisers sitting on the body SAGE warned if antibody tests come into widespread use some employers might start discriminating against those who have n't had the virus .
`` This might include not permitting those testing antibody negative to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff with antibody positive test results , '' a paper compiled on 13 April said .
Roche says it can supply hundreds of thousands of the tests each week .
They can be checked on fully-automated equipment already widely installed at NHS sites across the UK .

Health and social care workers will be prioritised for new "incredibly important" coronavirus antibody tests and could receive them within weeks.
Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, promised the tests that show if someone has previously had COVID-19 will be rolled out "rapidly".
The blood tests by Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche have been approved for widespread distribution in the UK by Public Health England, which has found they have an accuracy of 100%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 What does 'staying alert' mean?
They were cleared by Porton Down and should help indicate if a person has gained some degree of immunity against the virus, helping ease lockdown measures.
Prof Van-Tam confirmed at the daily Downing Street coronavirus briefing: "I anticipate that it will be rapidly rolled out in the days and weeks to come - as soon as it is practical to do so.
"I also anticipate that the focus will be on the national health service and on carers in the first instance."
Image: A finger prick is needed to complete the test
He added "the chances of a false positive are extremely low with this test" so "this is a good test that will stand us in good stead moving forwards".
Prof Van-Tam cautioned it could take up to 28 days after someone is infected before the test can properly confirm if a person did have the virus.
It will "take time" to monitor how much people with antibodies have immunity from the virus and if they do, how long that immunity lasts for, he explained.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also said the news the tests could be distributed soon was "very exciting" given they are "very, very reliable".
They were heralded by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as being a "game-changer" for lifting lockdown because someone who finds out they have COVID-19 antibodies can be "safe and confident in the knowledge that you are most unlikely to get it again".
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Downing Street has confirmed when the tests are rolled out they will "certainly" be available on the NHS.
Asked on Thursday if those with antibodies could get "immunity passports", Mr Johnson’s spokesman said the government was mulling the idea of health certificates.
He said it was an "important breakthrough that we have a test that highly specific but work will continue" to check the length and level of immunity antibodies might offer.
But a report prepared by the government's top scientific advisers sitting on the body SAGE warned if antibody tests come into widespread use some employers might start discriminating against those who haven't had the virus.
"This might include not permitting those testing antibody negative to return to work, or only taking on new staff with antibody positive test results," a paper compiled on 13 April said.
Roche says it can supply hundreds of thousands of the tests each week. They can be checked on fully-automated equipment already widely installed at NHS sites across the UK.


news--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: Headteacher writes to parents asking them to ignore government plan and not send kids b

Coronavirus: Headteacher writes to parents asking them to ignore government plan and not send kids back to school

A primary headteacher has written to parents urging them not to send their children back to school on 1 June because social distancing is `` impossible '' .
Howard Fisher , head of St George 's Church of England Primary School in Sheerness , Kent , says he would `` rather a child repeats the year '' than die .
The government 's plan is to send reception , year one and year six pupils in England back on 1 June .
But Mr Fisher wrote : `` I can be truthful here and categorically tell you there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school ; it does not exist and would never exist .
`` The reason childhood illnesses spread in a school is we are all in contact with each other .
I can put two children in opposite classrooms and they will still get chicken pox because that 's how it is in a school .
This virus we are led to believe is a super spreader . ''
The government 's 50-page COVID-19 recovery strategy advises schools in England to stagger break , drop-off and pick-up times , reduce class sizes to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupil-to-pupil contact .
Teachers will not be offered PPE .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Fisher said that in the absence of a reliable test or a vaccine `` there is just the possibility that things will be okay '' and that `` okay is not good enough when it comes to the precious gift that is your child '' .
In the letter dated 11 May , he added : `` Believe me , I would rather any child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon and have to lose a child . ''
It comes after the Department for Education 's chief scientific adviser , Osama Rahman , admitted to a Commons committee that there was `` low confidence '' children will not spread coronavirus at school and cause a second wave of the disease .
Schools across the UK are trialling social distancing measures before they are due to reopen .
Orton Wistow Primary School in Peterborough shared a picture of their set-up on social media , describing it as `` stark and empty '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her classroom with social distancing measures in place , saying she is `` terrified of what our new normal will become '' .
Families who do not send their children back to school next month will not be fined , but parents are being strongly encouraged to take up places .
The Department for Education told Sky News Mr Rahman had clarified his position , saying he did have faith in the government 's schools plan , subject to their five tests .

A primary headteacher has written to parents urging them not to send their children back to school on 1 June because social distancing is "impossible".
Howard Fisher, head of St George's Church of England Primary School in Sheerness, Kent, says he would "rather a child repeats the year" than die.
The government's plan is to send reception, year one and year six pupils in England back on 1 June.
But Mr Fisher wrote: "I can be truthful here and categorically tell you there is no such thing as social distancing in a school; it does not exist and would never exist.
"The reason childhood illnesses spread in a school is we are all in contact with each other. I can put two children in opposite classrooms and they will still get chicken pox because that's how it is in a school. This virus we are led to believe is a super spreader."
The government's 50-page COVID-19 recovery strategy advises schools in England to stagger break, drop-off and pick-up times, reduce class sizes to just 15 and create one-way systems to avoid pupil-to-pupil contact. Teachers will not be offered PPE.
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Mr Fisher said that in the absence of a reliable test or a vaccine "there is just the possibility that things will be okay" and that "okay is not good enough when it comes to the precious gift that is your child".
In the letter dated 11 May, he added: "Believe me, I would rather any child repeats a year than go back too soon and have to lose a child."
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It comes after the Department for Education's chief scientific adviser, Osama Rahman, admitted to a Commons committee that there was "low confidence" children will not spread coronavirus at school and cause a second wave of the disease.
Schools across the UK are trialling social distancing measures before they are due to reopen.
Orton Wistow Primary School in Peterborough shared a picture of their set-up on social media, describing it as "stark and empty".
A year one teacher posted a picture of her classroom with social distancing measures in place, saying she is "terrified of what our new normal will become".
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Families who do not send their children back to school next month will not be fined, but parents are being strongly encouraged to take up places.
The Department for Education told Sky News Mr Rahman had clarified his position, saying he did have faith in the government's schools plan, subject to their five tests.


news--2020-04-12--Coronavirus: PM Boris Johnson 'focusing on recovery' after shaking coronavirus

Boris Johnson tested negative for coronavirus before leaving hospital for his country retreat and is now focused on his recovery .
The prime minister will not be doing any government work and only return to his office in Number 10 on the advice of his medical team , Downing Street said .
He is current at the 16th-century Buckinghamshire mansion known as Chequers after a seven-night stay in London 's St Thomas ' Hospital .
He had been taken to hospital after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened and spent three nights in intensive care .
So far more than 10,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK amid a warning by a member of the government 's scientific advice committee the UK could end up being the `` worst affected country in Europe '' .
Speaking in a video released shortly after he was discharged from hospital on Easter Sunday , Mr Johnson admitted there was a 48-hour period when `` things could have gone either way '' .
He paid tribute to the NHS , saying there is `` no question '' it saved his life .
He thanked the `` utterly brilliant '' doctors and praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , singling out two in particular - Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal - who stood by his bedside .
The PM said : `` I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life , no question .
`` It 's hard to find the words to express my debt - but before I come to that , I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making . ''
He thanked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate , saying : `` I do believe that your efforts are worth it , and are daily proving their worth . ''
While he said the `` the struggle is by no means over '' , he appeared to offer some hope .
`` We are making progress in this national battle because the British public formed a human shield around this country 's greatest national asset - our National Health Service , '' he said .
Mr Johnson will be enjoying Chequers and its 1,000-acre estate with his pregnant fiancee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the prime minister will be back at work but Number 10 has said he will `` not be returning to work immediately '' .
Up until his admission to hospital , Mr Johnson had been in isolation and conducting meetings remotely .
It comes after the official number of UK deaths from the coronavirus passed 10,000 on Easter Sunday , described by Health Secretary Matt Hancock as a `` sombre day '' .
The UK 's strict social distancing measures are due to be reviewed on Thursday and it is not known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those discussions .
Downing Street has said it will only consider lifting restrictions on the word of science and medical advisers .
But , according to the Telegraph and the Times , Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to present modelling on the economic impact of extending the restrictions .
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research produced a report suggesting 25 % of the UK economy could be lost by the summer due to the current controls , and the Times reported that Mr Sunak has told colleagues GDP could fall by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Meanwhile , nearly 200 members of the armed forces are being deployed to help NHS ambulance services in their work during the pandemic .
Their duties will include driving ambulances and taking calls from the public .
Eighty of the group will be sent to the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to drive emergency response vehicles , larger ambulances , and work at the response centre .
In London , 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport patients between intensive care units .
Army engineers will support the London Ambulance Service to maintain suction units in ambulances and 60 soldiers in Wales are ready to assist paramedics there with non-clinical tasks .
Thirty-seven military personnel have been deployed to the East of England Ambulance Service to assist with tasks including driving and logistics .
The group all volunteer as emergency responders in their free time and have trained with the service .

Boris Johnson tested negative for coronavirus before leaving hospital for his country retreat and is now focused on his recovery.
The prime minister will not be doing any government work and only return to his office in Number 10 on the advice of his medical team, Downing Street said.
He is current at the 16th-century Buckinghamshire mansion known as Chequers after a seven-night stay in London's St Thomas' Hospital.
He had been taken to hospital after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened and spent three nights in intensive care.
So far more than 10,000 people have already died with COVID-19 across the UK amid a warning by a member of the government's scientific advice committee the UK could end up being the "worst affected country in Europe".
Speaking in a video released shortly after he was discharged from hospital on Easter Sunday, Mr Johnson admitted there was a 48-hour period when "things could have gone either way".
He paid tribute to the NHS, saying there is "no question" it saved his life.
He thanked the "utterly brilliant" doctors and praised the nurses for their "astonishing" care, singling out two in particular - Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal - who stood by his bedside.
Image: Boris Johnson is continuing his recovery at Chequers
The PM said: "I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question.
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"It's hard to find the words to express my debt - but before I come to that, I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making."
He thanked the public for continuing to socially distance and to self-isolate, saying: "I do believe that your efforts are worth it, and are daily proving their worth."
While he said the "the struggle is by no means over", he appeared to offer some hope.
"We are making progress in this national battle because the British public formed a human shield around this country's greatest national asset - our National Health Service," he said.
Image: The prime minister was discharged from hospital over the weekend
Mr Johnson will be enjoying Chequers and its 1,000-acre estate with his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds.
It is not clear when the prime minister will be back at work but Number 10 has said he will "not be returning to work immediately".
Up until his admission to hospital, Mr Johnson had been in isolation and conducting meetings remotely.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Health Secretary tackled over lack of care home testing
It comes after the official number of UK deaths from the coronavirus passed 10,000 on Easter Sunday, described by Health Secretary Matt Hancock as a "sombre day".
The UK's strict social distancing measures are due to be reviewed on Thursday and it is not known what part Mr Johnson might have in those discussions.
Downing Street has said it will only consider lifting restrictions on the word of science and medical advisers.
But, according to the Telegraph and the Times, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to present modelling on the economic impact of extending the restrictions.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research produced a report suggesting 25% of the UK economy could be lost by the summer due to the current controls, and the Times reported that Mr Sunak has told colleagues GDP could fall by a third in the second quarter.
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Meanwhile, nearly 200 members of the armed forces are being deployed to help NHS ambulance services in their work during the pandemic.
Their duties will include driving ambulances and taking calls from the public.
Eighty of the group will be sent to the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to drive emergency response vehicles, larger ambulances, and work at the response centre.
In London, 21 medical personnel from the armed forces will transport patients between intensive care units.
Army engineers will support the London Ambulance Service to maintain suction units in ambulances and 60 soldiers in Wales are ready to assist paramedics there with non-clinical tasks.
Thirty-seven military personnel have been deployed to the East of England Ambulance Service to assist with tasks including driving and logistics.
The group all volunteer as emergency responders in their free time and have trained with the service.


news--2020-04-13--Coronavirus: Police tweet after fake statement claimed London would be sprayed with disinfectant

Police have warned about `` clear misinformation '' after a fake statement claimed London would be sprayed with disinfectant and chemicals .
In a tweet on Monday , Metropolitan Police flagged up a message which it said was being circulated on WhatsApp with a number of false claims .
The image , designed to imitate a legitimate police announcement , claimed the government was activating a `` Code Red lockdown '' - which does not exist .
`` We insist you stay at your residence and only leave the premises for vital emergencies , '' the message warns .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' imprisonment if stopped by the police in breach of social distancing rules .
One of the more ridiculous suggestions is that police will be `` spraying the city of London with disinfectant and chemicals to help reduce the spread '' of the coronavirus - which will `` take a total of 30 minutes to finish '' .
For anyone in any doubt over the message 's dubious claims , police in Barnet in north London , tweeted : `` We are aware that the attached has been circulating on WhatsApp groups and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation and NOT a genuine Metropolitan Police Service statement . ''
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Police have warned about "clear misinformation" after a fake statement claimed London would be sprayed with disinfectant and chemicals.
In a tweet on Monday, Metropolitan Police flagged up a message which it said was being circulated on WhatsApp with a number of false claims.
The image, designed to imitate a legitimate police announcement, claimed the government was activating a "Code Red lockdown" - which does not exist.
"We insist you stay at your residence and only leave the premises for vital emergencies," the message warns.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:54 How do you make a misinformation vaccine?
It falsely claims people could face four weeks' imprisonment if stopped by the police in breach of social distancing rules.
One of the more ridiculous suggestions is that police will be "spraying the city of London with disinfectant and chemicals to help reduce the spread" of the coronavirus - which will "take a total of 30 minutes to finish".
It also lists a fake government web link featuring offensive words.
For anyone in any doubt over the message's dubious claims, police in Barnet in north London, tweeted: "We are aware that the attached has been circulating on WhatsApp groups and social media.
"This is clear misinformation and NOT a genuine Metropolitan Police Service statement."
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news--2020-04-28--Body of murdered pensioner found by son at Surrey home

The body of a murdered pensioner was found at home by his son after a neighbour raised the alarm .
Widower Dennis Kellond , 88 , had last been seen cutting a hedge in the garden of his bungalow before the weekend .
A neighbour said : `` He was as fit as a fiddle for a man his age and although he was self-isolating because of the coronavirus , that had n't stopped him keeping busy .
`` I had n't seen him for several days , so called his son who then came over and found him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kellond 's body was found on Monday morning at the home he had shared with his wife Sylvia until her death in 2013 .
The couple had three children .
The red-bricked bungalow sits behind a wall and large gates close to the village of Godstone , just off the M25 motorway in Surrey .
Detectives were awaiting the victim 's formal identification and the results of a post-mortem examination which they hoped would establish how Mr Kellond died .
A neighbour said : `` We were both in the Godstone Preservation Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person .
`` It 's totally unexpected and absolutely horrendous .
It 's incredible and appalling that this has happened .
`` He was a widower , an old man .
How could someone do this to an old man ?
We are all in a state of shock . ''
Neighbours said his murder followed a string of break-ins in which masked suspects had stolen bicycles and tools from garden sheds .
One said she had captured pictures of the suspected burglars on wildlife cameras as they passed through her garden on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were two of them wearing white PPE overalls and white masks .
It happened over Easter and has been reported to the police .
`` They did n't steal anything from us but have taken items from others .
They have stolen bikes , lawnmowers and power tools .
`` It 's really strange to be stealing while people are in their homes on lockdown .
It 's affected the whole village .
We have a community Facebook group and we have been discussing it there . ''
Surrey Police closed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out searches and forensic examinations , while also asking neighbours to report anything suspicious in the past few days .
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Pirie said : `` The investigation is still in the early stages , but we would like to reassure the local community that we are doing everything we can to establish the circumstances of this man 's death .
`` Our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this time who are being supported by specialist officers .
`` If you have any information which could help us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as possible . ''

The body of a murdered pensioner was found at home by his son after a neighbour raised the alarm.
Widower Dennis Kellond, 88, had last been seen cutting a hedge in the garden of his bungalow before the weekend.
A neighbour said: "He was as fit as a fiddle for a man his age and although he was self-isolating because of the coronavirus, that hadn't stopped him keeping busy. "I hadn't seen him for several days, so called his son who then came over and found him. It is terribly sad."
Image: Detectives were awaiting the victim's formal identification
Mr Kellond's body was found on Monday morning at the home he had shared with his wife Sylvia until her death in 2013. The couple had three children.
The red-bricked bungalow sits behind a wall and large gates close to the village of Godstone, just off the M25 motorway in Surrey.
Detectives were awaiting the victim's formal identification and the results of a post-mortem examination which they hoped would establish how Mr Kellond died.
A neighbour said: "We were both in the Godstone Preservation Society. He was a pleasant and smiley person.
"It's totally unexpected and absolutely horrendous. It's incredible and appalling that this has happened.
"He was a widower, an old man. How could someone do this to an old man? We are all in a state of shock."
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Image: Officers search for evidence on the A25
Neighbours said his murder followed a string of break-ins in which masked suspects had stolen bicycles and tools from garden sheds.
One said she had captured pictures of the suspected burglars on wildlife cameras as they passed through her garden on Easter Friday.
She added: "There were two of them wearing white PPE overalls and white masks. It happened over Easter and has been reported to the police.
"They didn't steal anything from us but have taken items from others. They have stolen bikes, lawnmowers and power tools.
"It's really strange to be stealing while people are in their homes on lockdown. It's affected the whole village. We have a community Facebook group and we have been discussing it there."
Image: Neighbours reported a string of break-ins before Dennis Kellond's murder
Surrey Police closed the A25 for 24 hours and were carrying out searches and forensic examinations, while also asking neighbours to report anything suspicious in the past few days.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Pirie said: "The investigation is still in the early stages, but we would like to reassure the local community that we are doing everything we can to establish the circumstances of this man's death.
"Our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this time who are being supported by specialist officers.
"If you have any information which could help us, please get in touch with us as soon as possible."


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: 373,000 property transactions on hold, says Zoopla

Around 373,000 property transactions worth a total £82bn are on hold due to the coronavirus lockdown , Zoopla has estimated .
The website said the majority of the deals were agreed between November and February and were set to have completed between April and June .
It also said that the number of sales currently being agreed was running at a tenth of levels recorded in early in March .
That means volumes have tailed off to what would normally be expected at around Christmas time .
During the coronavirus lockdown , the government has urged home movers to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement on alternative moving dates .
People can continue to move in limited circumstances , such as where the property is vacant .
Richard Donnell , director of research and insights at Zoopla , said : `` Parts of the market are at a virtual standstill as a result of the physical restrictions that have stopped new supply coming to the market and the viewing of homes for sale .
`` However , the online browsing of homes for sale and buyers expressing interest in property have been rising off a low base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Sales continue to be agreed in low volumes by purchasers who viewed homes ahead of the lockdown , but there is a large pipeline of agreed sales held up by the temporary suspension of the sales market worth £82bn . ''
Earlier this month , the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ( RICS ) reported that the housing market had come to `` near standstill '' during the lockdown .
It said sales expectations were at their lowest level since it began polling its members on the measure in 1998 .

Around 373,000 property transactions worth a total £82bn are on hold due to the coronavirus lockdown, Zoopla has estimated.
The website said the majority of the deals were agreed between November and February and were set to have completed between April and June.
It also said that the number of sales currently being agreed was running at a tenth of levels recorded in early in March.
That means volumes have tailed off to what would normally be expected at around Christmas time.
During the coronavirus lockdown, the government has urged home movers to do all they can to come to an agreement on alternative moving dates.
People can continue to move in limited circumstances, such as where the property is vacant.
Richard Donnell, director of research and insights at Zoopla, said: "Parts of the market are at a virtual standstill as a result of the physical restrictions that have stopped new supply coming to the market and the viewing of homes for sale.
"However, the online browsing of homes for sale and buyers expressing interest in property have been rising off a low base over the last two to three weeks.
"Sales continue to be agreed in low volumes by purchasers who viewed homes ahead of the lockdown, but there is a large pipeline of agreed sales held up by the temporary suspension of the sales market worth £82bn."
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Earlier this month, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reported that the housing market had come to "near standstill" during the lockdown.
It said sales expectations were at their lowest level since it began polling its members on the measure in 1998.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus insurance row escalates as pressure mounts on Hiscox

Hiscox , which has its headquarters in Bermuda , is an international insurance group which dates back to 1901 .
Pic : Hiscox As if they did not have enough to contend with , as they grapple with the impact of COVID-19 , chief executives are being reminded constantly by their boards of the need to do the right thing .
Memories remain strong in boardrooms of how the banks became hate figures following the global financial crisis .
Most business leaders wish to avoid a similar fate following this one .
They also know that , while most fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep businesses operating through the current environment , they are likely to return at some point in the future to a focus on environmental , sustainability and governance ( ESG ) matters .
So doing the right thing - and also being seen to be doing the right thing - is crucial .
All of which will be keenly felt by Hiscox , a 119-year old stalwart of the UK insurance market , which currently finds itself in the firing line .
The company , well known for insuring classic cars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action group , set up by 200 small business owners , of failing to honour business interruption polices taken out before the COVID-19 crisis .
The Hiscox Action Group points to a clause in business interruption policies that reads : `` We will insure for your financial loss resulting from an interruption to your activities caused by… your inability to use the insured premises due to restrictions imposed by a public authority during the period of insurance following : an occurrence of any human infectious or human contagion disease , an outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority . ''
Mark Killick , a co-founder of the group , said businesses from all walks of life were involved in the campaign .
Mr Killick , creative director of the communications firm Media Zoo , told Sky News : `` If Hiscox do n't pay this - and the clause is incredibly clear - they [ the small businesses in the action group ] are going to go under .
This is existential for those small policy holders - that Hiscox is forced to do the right thing and do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action had been underwritten by a litigation funding firm .
Hiscox , which said earlier this month that around 10,000 of its small business customers had been directly impacted by government closures aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 , has argued the policies were not designed to cover business interruption caused by a pandemic .
Richard Leedham of the law firm Mishcon de Reya , the legal firm engaged by the action group , said he did not disagree with this .
But he added : `` Intention in the insurance context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irrelevant , if the words of the contract are clear .
We would ask anyone to read that clause and argue that it does n't cover what happened .
`` Insurance has a long history of policies covering things that perhaps were n't necessarily intended at the time - you go back to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake .
[ Insurance ] companies then did n't know that earthquakes happened in San Francisco - there were property policies that covered that , even though insurers said 'we were n't intending to cover an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this lockdown is similar to many businesses . ''
He said the wording of contracts such as the Hiscox one had been `` tweaked and changed over the years '' and predicted this case would make insurers `` sit up and think again '' .
Not necessarily .
Christopher Woolard , interim chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority , the main City regulator , stated in a letter to insurance industry executives two weeks ago that most business interruption policies `` do not cover pandemics and therefore would have no obligation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 pandemic '' .
He reminded insurance companies that , where their customers were covered , he expected them to pay up quickly .
Mr Woolard also told insurers that , where they disagreed that there were reasonable grounds to pay out on a claim , they should write to the regulator explaining their thinking behind reaching that decision .
Hiscox , which is thought to have 5,000 policyholders with business interruption insurance , is by no means the biggest player in this particular field .
Unfortunately for it , its clients in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which means that it is at the eye of this particular storm .
The company told Sky News : `` We understand these are incredibly difficult times for businesses and we are paying claims that are covered by the policies we issue fairly and quickly .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Where the application of a policy is disputed , our focus is on helping to provide customers with greater certainty .
`` A fair and fast resolution is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we will work with the UK insurance industry , our regulators and customers to seek an expedited resolution through the range of existing independent mechanisms . ''
Hiscox has already warned investors that the company will take a hit from coronavirus .
The company , which offers insurance to event and exhibition organisers to cover cancellations , said in a stock exchange announcement last week that , assuming restrictions on travel and mass gatherings continued until the autumn , it expected to pay net claims of up to $ 150m .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended beyond six months from March , those claims could increase by a further $ 25m .
Central to finding a resolution will be Bronek Masojada , the Hiscox chief executive , who has been with the company for 27 years .
Mr Masojada , 58 , is well-regarded in the industry .
Earlier in his career , when working for the consultants McKinsey , he was involved in putting together the rescue package that saved the Lloyd 's insurance market from collapse under a weight of asbestos-related claims nearly 30 years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis ought to be relatively straightforward by comparison .

Hiscox, which has its headquarters in Bermuda, is an international insurance group which dates back to 1901. Pic: Hiscox
As if they did not have enough to contend with, as they grapple with the impact of COVID-19, chief executives are being reminded constantly by their boards of the need to do the right thing.
Memories remain strong in boardrooms of how the banks became hate figures following the global financial crisis. Most business leaders wish to avoid a similar fate following this one.
They also know that, while most fund managers are sympathetic to the need simply to keep businesses operating through the current environment, they are likely to return at some point in the future to a focus on environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) matters.
So doing the right thing - and also being seen to be doing the right thing - is crucial.
All of which will be keenly felt by Hiscox, a 119-year old stalwart of the UK insurance market, which currently finds itself in the firing line.
The company, well known for insuring classic cars and art collections, is accused by an action group, set up by 200 small business owners, of failing to honour business interruption polices taken out before the COVID-19 crisis.
The Hiscox Action Group points to a clause in business interruption policies that reads: "We will insure for your financial loss resulting from an interruption to your activities caused by… your inability to use the insured premises due to restrictions imposed by a public authority during the period of insurance following: an occurrence of any human infectious or human contagion disease, an outbreak of which must be notified to the local authority."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:59 Action group makes case for Hiscox payout fight
Mark Killick, a co-founder of the group, said businesses from all walks of life were involved in the campaign.
Mr Killick, creative director of the communications firm Media Zoo, told Sky News: "If Hiscox don't pay this - and the clause is incredibly clear - they [the small businesses in the action group] are going to go under. This is existential for those small policy holders - that Hiscox is forced to do the right thing and do it quickly."
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He said the legal action had been underwritten by a litigation funding firm.
Hiscox, which said earlier this month that around 10,000 of its small business customers had been directly impacted by government closures aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19, has argued the policies were not designed to cover business interruption caused by a pandemic.
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Richard Leedham of the law firm Mishcon de Reya, the legal firm engaged by the action group, said he did not disagree with this.
But he added: "Intention in the insurance context or the contract context generally is largely irrelevant, if the words of the contract are clear. We would ask anyone to read that clause and argue that it doesn't cover what happened.
"Insurance has a long history of policies covering things that perhaps weren't necessarily intended at the time - you go back to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. [Insurance] companies then didn't know that earthquakes happened in San Francisco - there were property policies that covered that, even though insurers said 'we weren't intending to cover an earthquake'.
"The cataclysmic effect of this lockdown is similar to many businesses."
He said the wording of contracts such as the Hiscox one had been "tweaked and changed over the years" and predicted this case would make insurers "sit up and think again".
Fairly straightforward, then?
Image: Bronek Masojada is the chief executive of Hiscox
Not necessarily. Christopher Woolard, interim chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, the main City regulator, stated in a letter to insurance industry executives two weeks ago that most business interruption policies "do not cover pandemics and therefore would have no obligation to pay out in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic".
He reminded insurance companies that, where their customers were covered, he expected them to pay up quickly. Mr Woolard also told insurers that, where they disagreed that there were reasonable grounds to pay out on a claim, they should write to the regulator explaining their thinking behind reaching that decision.
Hiscox, which is thought to have 5,000 policyholders with business interruption insurance, is by no means the biggest player in this particular field. Unfortunately for it, its clients in the action group are unusually well organised, which means that it is at the eye of this particular storm.
The company told Sky News: "We understand these are incredibly difficult times for businesses and we are paying claims that are covered by the policies we issue fairly and quickly.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"Where the application of a policy is disputed, our focus is on helping to provide customers with greater certainty.
"A fair and fast resolution is in everybody's interests, which is why we will work with the UK insurance industry, our regulators and customers to seek an expedited resolution through the range of existing independent mechanisms."
Hiscox has already warned investors that the company will take a hit from coronavirus.
The company, which offers insurance to event and exhibition organisers to cover cancellations, said in a stock exchange announcement last week that, assuming restrictions on travel and mass gatherings continued until the autumn, it expected to pay net claims of up to $150m.
It said that, if those restrictions were extended beyond six months from March, those claims could increase by a further $25m.
Central to finding a resolution will be Bronek Masojada, the Hiscox chief executive, who has been with the company for 27 years.
Mr Masojada, 58, is well-regarded in the industry.
Earlier in his career, when working for the consultants McKinsey, he was involved in putting together the rescue package that saved the Lloyd's insurance market from collapse under a weight of asbestos-related claims nearly 30 years ago.
Getting to grips with this particular crisis ought to be relatively straightforward by comparison.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: 'Historic' collapse in retail sales as lockdown goes on

Retailers suffered a `` historic '' collapse in sales as the lockdown set in as even food retailers reported a slowdown , according to new CBI figures .
The survey reported a retail sales balance of -55 , matching a record low seen during the financial crisis in 2008 .
It covered the period from 27 March to 15 April - after the start of the coronavirus lockdown on 23 March .
Earlier data from the Office for National Statistics - covering a month-long period up to the start of April - had already started to show some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street , though there was also an upward effect from stockpiling .
The new CBI figures suggest that has now dissipated , leaving a bleak picture across the entire sector .
Rain Newton-Smith , the CBI 's chief economist , said the decline in demand for even groceries and other essentials suggested that `` households may have been dipping into stockpiles built up prior to the lockdown or tightening their belts more generally as incomes take a hit '' .
She added that government support to help pay the wages of staff who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` genuine relief '' to the industry .
`` Continued support for retailers to cover their fixed costs will be vital for ensuring that businesses are able to re-open when it 's safe and appropriate to do so , '' she added .
The figures showed that for 67 % of retailers , coronavirus was having a `` significantly negative impact '' on domestic sales while 39 % reported a total shutdown of UK activity .
They also revealed 96 % were having cash flow difficulties with 31 % facing `` constraints on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The figures came as separate data from the supermarket sector , published by Kantar , showed sales grew by 5.5 % in the four weeks to 19 April - apparently in contrast to some of the details in the CBI report .
However , that was a marked slowdown compared to the 20.6 % surge seen a month earlier as shoppers stockpiled goods ahead of the lockdown .
In recent days some stores that had previously been closed have started partial reopenings or announced plans to restart trading - notably B & Q @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its sites .
Elsewhere , Marks and Spencer has said it has had to adopt `` very different '' new ways of working and is preparing a `` never the same again '' strategy as it anticipates a subdued resumption of demand when the lockdown lifts .

Retailers suffered a "historic" collapse in sales as the lockdown set in as even food retailers reported a slowdown, according to new CBI figures.
The survey reported a retail sales balance of -55, matching a record low seen during the financial crisis in 2008.
It covered the period from 27 March to 15 April - after the start of the coronavirus lockdown on 23 March.
Earlier data from the Office for National Statistics - covering a month-long period up to the start of April - had already started to show some of the impact of the lockdown on the high street, though there was also an upward effect from stockpiling.
The new CBI figures suggest that has now dissipated, leaving a bleak picture across the entire sector.
Image: Stockpiling supermarkets had boosted sales in March
Rain Newton-Smith, the CBI's chief economist, said the decline in demand for even groceries and other essentials suggested that "households may have been dipping into stockpiles built up prior to the lockdown or tightening their belts more generally as incomes take a hit".
She added that government support to help pay the wages of staff who have temporarily been let go had provided "genuine relief" to the industry.
"Continued support for retailers to cover their fixed costs will be vital for ensuring that businesses are able to re-open when it's safe and appropriate to do so," she added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 How can the economy get back to work?
The figures showed that for 67% of retailers, coronavirus was having a "significantly negative impact" on domestic sales while 39% reported a total shutdown of UK activity.
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They also revealed 96% were having cash flow difficulties with 31% facing "constraints on the availability of external finance".
The figures came as separate data from the supermarket sector, published by Kantar, showed sales grew by 5.5% in the four weeks to 19 April - apparently in contrast to some of the details in the CBI report.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:16 Loans scheme: govt 'has not acted decisively'
However, that was a marked slowdown compared to the 20.6% surge seen a month earlier as shoppers stockpiled goods ahead of the lockdown.
In recent days some stores that had previously been closed have started partial reopenings or announced plans to restart trading - notably B&Q which has now reopened more than half of its sites.
Elsewhere, Marks and Spencer has said it has had to adopt "very different" new ways of working and is preparing a "never the same again" strategy as it anticipates a subdued resumption of demand when the lockdown lifts.


news--2020-04-28--Revealed: Numis complaint sparks FCA probe into banks' 'fee-gouging'

The largest broker to corporate Britain has helped to spark a probe by the City watchdog after lending banks were accused of `` gouging '' fees from companies forced into emergency cash calls by the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that Numis Securities has alerted the Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA ) to concerns that lenders have told its clients that they would not secure extensions to borrowing facilities unless they agreed to fork out for non-existent work on equity-raises .
In some cases , City sources said , firms including Numis had notified the FCA on behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutional investors , both of which have queried whether multimillion pound fees have been inflated by the number of banks involved in the deal .
In the past month , dozens of companies - including the estate agent Foxtons , online fashion retailer Asos , high street retailer WH Smith and exhibitions group Informa - have collectively raised billions of pounds to protect their balance sheets from the ravages of the COVID-19 outbreak .
In many cases , the lists of banks credited with the transactions have included lenders to companies which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising activity .
The FCA 's 'Dear CEO ' letter to bank bosses , published on Tuesday morning , contains a series of explosive allegations that will revive memories of banking misconduct during and after the 2008 financial crisis .
In it , two of the watchdog 's most senior executives pointed to `` credible reports of a small number of banks failing to treat their corporate clients fairly when negotiating new or existing debt facilities , as clients navigate the current exceptional circumstances '' .
Megan Butler and Jonathan Davidson , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` In particular , we have heard reports that banks may have used their lending relationship to exert pressure on corporate clients to secure roles on equity mandates that the issuer would not otherwise appoint them to .
`` In some cases , these roles may be 'in name only ' , with few or no additional services being provided in exchange for a share of the fee pool . ''
They warned that they would be `` looking into this further , but want any practice of this nature to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent investment bank , is broker to 210 London-listed companies , some of which - such as Asos - are among those which have tapped shareholders for new funds .
It declined to comment on Tuesday , but other City insiders said it , and other mid-sized investment banks , had been enraged by the behaviour of major lenders .
Sky News can reveal that as much as 40 % of the fee pool paid to a quartet of banks on a £64m share placing by DFS , the furniture retailer , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The remainder was paid to Jefferies and Peel Hunt , DFS 's corporate brokers .
One of the sofa chain 's biggest institutional investors said that Barclays and BNP , both of which lend to the company , had been `` invisible '' on the equity-raise .
Santander , the Spanish bank , was named as a joint bookrunner on the Informa and WH Smith cash calls , prompting incredulity from a number of the other parties involved in the deals .
Barclays did not respond to a request for comment , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
A source close to BNP said the French bank had been `` fully involved advising on structuring and executing the equity offering for DFS '' .
`` The demand we generated from our sales force was more than sufficient to cover the book , '' the source added .
The so-called 'bundling ' of services - where banks make the provision of one product , such as a credit facility , dependent upon the acceptance of others through the signing of restrictive clauses - was banned by the FCA in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` staggering '' that lending banks appeared to be using the coronavirus outbreak as cover for `` gouging '' fees from listed companies .
In its letter to bank chiefs , the FCA warned that they would face further scrutiny over the issue .
`` We will be separately contacting your firm directly to speak to the relevant senior manager if you have had both a lending relationship and equity role with any of the issuers who have recently raised significant equity capital , '' the regulator said .
`` We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated fairly , and inside information was handled appropriately . ''
The FCA declined to comment beyond the content of its letter .
One broker said he hoped the FCA 's intervention would `` nip the behaviour of the banks in the bud '' .

The largest broker to corporate Britain has helped to spark a probe by the City watchdog after lending banks were accused of "gouging" fees from companies forced into emergency cash calls by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that Numis Securities has alerted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to concerns that lenders have told its clients that they would not secure extensions to borrowing facilities unless they agreed to fork out for non-existent work on equity-raises.
In some cases, City sources said, firms including Numis had notified the FCA on behalf of companies issuing new shares and leading institutional investors, both of which have queried whether multimillion pound fees have been inflated by the number of banks involved in the deal.
In the past month, dozens of companies - including the estate agent Foxtons, online fashion retailer Asos, high street retailer WH Smith and exhibitions group Informa - have collectively raised billions of pounds to protect their balance sheets from the ravages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In many cases, the lists of banks credited with the transactions have included lenders to companies which have a scant track record in UK equity fundraising activity.
The FCA's 'Dear CEO' letter to bank bosses, published on Tuesday morning, contains a series of explosive allegations that will revive memories of banking misconduct during and after the 2008 financial crisis.
In it, two of the watchdog's most senior executives pointed to "credible reports of a small number of banks failing to treat their corporate clients fairly when negotiating new or existing debt facilities, as clients navigate the current exceptional circumstances".
Megan Butler and Jonathan Davidson, the FCA's executive directors of supervision, added: "In particular, we have heard reports that banks may have used their lending relationship to exert pressure on corporate clients to secure roles on equity mandates that the issuer would not otherwise appoint them to.
"In some cases, these roles may be 'in name only', with few or no additional services being provided in exchange for a share of the fee pool."
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They warned that they would be "looking into this further, but want any practice of this nature to cease immediately".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Workers laid off despite furlough scheme
Numis, the independent investment bank, is broker to 210 London-listed companies, some of which - such as Asos - are among those which have tapped shareholders for new funds.
It declined to comment on Tuesday, but other City insiders said it, and other mid-sized investment banks, had been enraged by the behaviour of major lenders.
Sky News can reveal that as much as 40% of the fee pool paid to a quartet of banks on a £64m share placing by DFS, the furniture retailer, was allocated to Barclays and BNP Paribas.
The remainder was paid to Jefferies and Peel Hunt, DFS's corporate brokers.
One of the sofa chain's biggest institutional investors said that Barclays and BNP, both of which lend to the company, had been "invisible" on the equity-raise.
Santander, the Spanish bank, was named as a joint bookrunner on the Informa and WH Smith cash calls, prompting incredulity from a number of the other parties involved in the deals.
Barclays did not respond to a request for comment, while BNP, DFS and Santander declined to comment.
A source close to BNP said the French bank had been "fully involved advising on structuring and executing the equity offering for DFS".
"The demand we generated from our sales force was more than sufficient to cover the book," the source added.
The so-called 'bundling' of services - where banks make the provision of one product, such as a credit facility, dependent upon the acceptance of others through the signing of restrictive clauses - was banned by the FCA in 2017.
One market source said it was "staggering" that lending banks appeared to be using the coronavirus outbreak as cover for "gouging" fees from listed companies.
In its letter to bank chiefs, the FCA warned that they would face further scrutiny over the issue.
"We will be separately contacting your firm directly to speak to the relevant senior manager if you have had both a lending relationship and equity role with any of the issuers who have recently raised significant equity capital," the regulator said.
"We want to understand how you ensured your clients were treated fairly, and inside information was handled appropriately."
The FCA declined to comment beyond the content of its letter.
One broker said he hoped the FCA's intervention would "nip the behaviour of the banks in the bud".