news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: Scottish care homes' fury at plans to admit new residents without COVID-19 tests

Scottish care homes have reacted furiously to plans to admit new residents without testing them for coronavirus .
Scottish Care , the body that represents Scotland 's care homes , has told Sky News the proposal is `` wholly unacceptable '' and carries `` additional and intolerable risk '' .
The Scottish government has drawn up guidelines to increase coronavirus testing , including for people entering residential care .
Care homes in the Glasgow area are being told that , for new admissions from the community , the COVID-19 test should take place after they have been admitted to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ( NHSGGC ) .
It says it is in compliance with official advice that a test can take place `` before or on admission '' , but it has provoked an angry response from care home providers .
They say the health board is contradicting guidelines drawn up by the Scottish government .
Dr Donald Macaskill , chief executive of Scottish Care , told Sky News : `` We are concerned to hear of any instances where new residents admitted to care homes have not been tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The care home sector and ministers have been clear that this should be happening , regardless of whether someone is showing symptoms or not .
`` This testing is vital for individuals prior to arriving to the home to reduce the risk of virus transmission to care home staff and fellow residents .
`` New care home admissions should also be barrier nursed and isolated for seven to 14 days as an additional precaution .
`` Scottish Care have already called for testing to be extended and believe any local practice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable and places a sector working its hardest to keep people safe at additional and intolerable risk . ''
One care home provider in Glasgow , who wishes to remain anonymous , told Sky News that admitting a resident without a test is a risk they are not prepared to take .
They are refusing to accept admissions from the community unless they have been tested first .
`` We are not prepared to take a risk just to fill a bed , '' they said .
`` Testing and isolation should come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their own home can present a greater risk than coming from a hospital because you do n't know who 's been there with them .
`` You can isolate them in their room but they need to travel through the home , perhaps in a lift , and you have to do a deep clean afterwards .
`` Asking us to admit anyone without a prior test is just risky and unfair . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Records of Scotland show that , in the week between 20 to 26 April , the numbers dying in care homes accounted for more than half of Scotland 's COVID-19 deaths .
The Scottish government has drawn up a new testing strategy in conjunction with Health Protection Scotland .
It is making tests available to : • People in hospital with COVID-19 symptoms and patients in intensive care ; • People admitted to care homes - if from hospital , they 'll be tested before they leave .
On the issue of testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , NHSGGC said in a statement : `` National guidance states that 'admissions to care homes from the community should have at least one test performed before or on admission and be isolated for 14 days ' .
`` We are working with care homes and our health and social care partnerships to develop local information on the testing of new admissions to care homes .
`` We are recommending that any testing of new residents should be undertaken in the care home for two main reasons : we do not wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care home ; and testing before admission can not be reliably used to ensure that the person is free of infection when they are admitted to the care home . ''

Scottish care homes have reacted furiously to plans to admit new residents without testing them for coronavirus.
Scottish Care, the body that represents Scotland's care homes, has told Sky News the proposal is "wholly unacceptable" and carries "additional and intolerable risk".
The Scottish government has drawn up guidelines to increase coronavirus testing, including for people entering residential care.
Care homes in the Glasgow area are being told that, for new admissions from the community, the COVID-19 test should take place after they have been admitted to the home.
The guidance has been issued by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC).
It says it is in compliance with official advice that a test can take place "before or on admission", but it has provoked an angry response from care home providers.
They say the health board is contradicting guidelines drawn up by the Scottish government.
Image: Dr Donald Macaskill said testing was 'vital for individuals prior to arriving to the home'
Dr Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, told Sky News: "We are concerned to hear of any instances where new residents admitted to care homes have not been tested for COVID-19 before they are admitted.
"The care home sector and ministers have been clear that this should be happening, regardless of whether someone is showing symptoms or not.
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"This testing is vital for individuals prior to arriving to the home to reduce the risk of virus transmission to care home staff and fellow residents.
"New care home admissions should also be barrier nursed and isolated for seven to 14 days as an additional precaution.
"Scottish Care have already called for testing to be extended and believe any local practice of not testing all new admissions is wholly unacceptable and places a sector working its hardest to keep people safe at additional and intolerable risk."
One care home provider in Glasgow, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Sky News that admitting a resident without a test is a risk they are not prepared to take.
They are refusing to accept admissions from the community unless they have been tested first.
"We are not prepared to take a risk just to fill a bed," they said.
"Testing and isolation should come before anyone is admitted.
"Coming from their own home can present a greater risk than coming from a hospital because you don't know who's been there with them.
"You can isolate them in their room but they need to travel through the home, perhaps in a lift, and you have to do a deep clean afterwards.
"Asking us to admit anyone without a prior test is just risky and unfair."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The latest figures from the National Records of Scotland show that, in the week between 20 to 26 April, the numbers dying in care homes accounted for more than half of Scotland's COVID-19 deaths.
The Scottish government has drawn up a new testing strategy in conjunction with Health Protection Scotland.
It is making tests available to:
All hospital patients over 70;
People in hospital with COVID-19 symptoms and patients in intensive care;
Care home residents who display symptoms;
People admitted to care homes - if from hospital, they'll be tested before they leave.
On the issue of testing people admitted to care homes from the community, NHSGGC said in a statement: "National guidance states that 'admissions to care homes from the community should have at least one test performed before or on admission and be isolated for 14 days'.
"We are working with care homes and our health and social care partnerships to develop local information on the testing of new admissions to care homes.
"We are recommending that any testing of new residents should be undertaken in the care home for two main reasons: we do not wish to delay any emergency admission to a care home; and testing before admission cannot be reliably used to ensure that the person is free of infection when they are admitted to the care home."


news--2020-04-29--Coronavirus: Mistakes have cost lives, but what Johnson does next will define his COVID legacy

From the intensive care unit to the maternity ward , the prime minister 's colourful personal life has helped create the impression that the UK has handled `` phase one '' of the coronavirus crisis chaotically .
In truth after the horrific shock of the unforeseen pandemic , events in this country have been almost predictable .
I doubt they would have been much different whoever was in charge or whichever political party they belonged to .
Irrepressible components of the national DNA have determined what has happened to us so far .
What happens next though will test Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wisely taking his time before the deadline of 7 May , a week today , when , by law , he will have to explain how he plans to lift the country out of lockdown .
First let 's look back at 'phase one ' which is now entering its seventh week and is not yet over .
We have learnt again that the NHS is a world class public health service when it comes to responding to an emergency , populated by dedicated , skilled and compassionate staff prepared to risk themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also seen that a UK government of any colour will find the cash to support it when a crisis hits .
Normal times are different .
The NHS has never been able to invest comprehensively either in preventative medicine or in building up spare stocks for when calamity strikes - hence the shortage of PPE and ventilators in this case .
Conversely , high mortality of residents and staff , and what can at best be termed confusion about access to tests , PPE and hospitals has confirmed that the care sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the NHS , the hotchpotch of public and privately supported care homes are underfunded and often overlooked .
This was known before COVID and it can only be hoped that it will be addressed qualitatively after the outbreak .
The UK was also slow to impose a lockdown .
Perhaps a week late , with hindsight .
It seems clear that this delay cost thousands of lives .
But this was doomed to happen .
Like the mayor in Jaws , who Boris Johnson has often cited as his political hero , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut down economic activity until they really have to .
What Mr Johnson jokingly referred to as `` the inalienable right of an Englishman to go to the pub '' also comes into play .
In free societies governments are naturally reluctant to curb their voters ' liberties .
They also worry , as they did this year , about the extent to which the public will obey and make such measures effective .
It should be noted that neither the scientists advising the government nor opposition leaders were calling for a lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
To do so would have taken an exceptionally courageous and convincing leader and they are usually in short supply .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker That 's how the UK got here - with a relatively high death rate though not a catastrophic one compared to previous pandemics .
It is also not so very different from the toll in comparable countries such as the US , Italy and France .
It appears that countries with large metropolitan conurbations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves are up to the government and especially the prime minister .
These hard choices are certainly not what Boris Johnson could have been expecting to face when he won the general election in December .
Whatever may have happened in phase one , he will be held accountable for phase two .
There have already been significant indications of the measures the government plans to take , even before a convalescing prime minister stood in Downing Street to declare that `` now is not the time '' to return to life as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rishi Sunak , the Chancellor of the Exchequer , made it clear that he was putting emergency measures , such as job furloughs , into force initially for three months .
That takes us to mid June .
The economic impact may be dire , and more people have been put in the scheme than expected , but the Treasury has already `` priced in '' a slowdown of this length .
Those pressing for the country to get back to work as soon as possible also want the government to reopen schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the second half of term after the late May , or Whitsun , bank holiday is their target .
But ministers led by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson have repeatedly brushed this aside .
The take-up of places for the children of key workers has been patchy , and it 's already clear that many parents , grandparents and guardians are reluctant to start frequenting school gates early this summer .
The leaders of the Scottish , Welsh and Northern Irish governments as well as England 's big city mayors have already made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go it alone .
Reopening of `` COVID-free '' regions seems unlikely - even if it could be identified where they are .
One of the greatest posers is what to do about public transport and trains and buses that are often crowded in normal times .
Nicola Sturgeon and Sadiq Khan favour the wearing of face coverings to prevent transmission .
Central government argues that the surest way to stop passing the virus on is for infected people to stay at home .
Until the chances and rate of infection are much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to urge a return to mass movement .
Mr Johnson simply ca n't afford another `` spike '' in phase two - economically or politically .
But people are getting fed up , businesses are getting worried that they wo n't survive , and the pressure is mounting on the government .
Mr Johnson will have to come up with something next week .
Most likely he 'll promise more significant changes at the end of next month and modest experiments , so-called `` baby steps '' , for now .
Some non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , providing that they can maintain social distancing .
Outdoor garden centres may get the thumbs up .
There will probably be a little more flexibility governing social contacts between households that have been in isolation .
But do n't expect pubs , cinemas , or stadiums to open up any time soon .
The prime minister 's announcement next week will be followed by a special Bank Holiday on Friday .
It wo n't feel like one .
The government has already redrawn plans so that Britons will celebrate the 75th Anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what Jonson calls simply `` the war '' - virtually at home , protecting the NHS and saving lives .

From the intensive care unit to the maternity ward, the prime minister's colourful personal life has helped create the impression that the UK has handled "phase one" of the coronavirus crisis chaotically.
In truth after the horrific shock of the unforeseen pandemic, events in this country have been almost predictable.
I doubt they would have been much different whoever was in charge or whichever political party they belonged to.
Irrepressible components of the national DNA have determined what has happened to us so far.
What happens next though will test Boris Johnson's judgement profoundly. He is wisely taking his time before the deadline of 7 May, a week today, when, by law, he will have to explain how he plans to lift the country out of lockdown.
First let's look back at 'phase one' which is now entering its seventh week and is not yet over. We have learnt again that the NHS is a world class public health service when it comes to responding to an emergency, populated by dedicated, skilled and compassionate staff prepared to risk themselves for the benefit of others.
Image: An artist's tribute to NHS workers in Pontefract, West Yorkshire
We have also seen that a UK government of any colour will find the cash to support it when a crisis hits. Normal times are different. The NHS has never been able to invest comprehensively either in preventative medicine or in building up spare stocks for when calamity strikes - hence the shortage of PPE and ventilators in this case.
Conversely, high mortality of residents and staff, and what can at best be termed confusion about access to tests, PPE and hospitals has confirmed that the care sector is indeed a Cinderella service.
Compared to the NHS, the hotchpotch of public and privately supported care homes are underfunded and often overlooked. This was known before COVID and it can only be hoped that it will be addressed qualitatively after the outbreak.
Advertisement
The UK was also slow to impose a lockdown. Perhaps a week late, with hindsight. It seems clear that this delay cost thousands of lives. But this was doomed to happen. Like the mayor in Jaws, who Boris Johnson has often cited as his political hero, politicians will nearly always be reluctant to shut down economic activity until they really have to.
What Mr Johnson jokingly referred to as "the inalienable right of an Englishman to go to the pub" also comes into play. In free societies governments are naturally reluctant to curb their voters' liberties. They also worry, as they did this year, about the extent to which the public will obey and make such measures effective.
It should be noted that neither the scientists advising the government nor opposition leaders were calling for a lockdown until the government actually put it in place. To do so would have taken an exceptionally courageous and convincing leader and they are usually in short supply.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
That's how the UK got here - with a relatively high death rate though not a catastrophic one compared to previous pandemics. It is also not so very different from the toll in comparable countries such as the US, Italy and France. It appears that countries with large metropolitan conurbations have been hit hardest.
The next moves are up to the government and especially the prime minister. These hard choices are certainly not what Boris Johnson could have been expecting to face when he won the general election in December. Whatever may have happened in phase one, he will be held accountable for phase two.
There have already been significant indications of the measures the government plans to take, even before a convalescing prime minister stood in Downing Street to declare that "now is not the time" to return to life as normal.
In his economic rescue package Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, made it clear that he was putting emergency measures, such as job furloughs, into force initially for three months. That takes us to mid June.
The economic impact may be dire, and more people have been put in the scheme than expected, but the Treasury has already "priced in" a slowdown of this length.
Image: Nobody knows how long the public will put up with lockdown
Those pressing for the country to get back to work as soon as possible also want the government to reopen schools as soon as possible - a return for the second half of term after the late May, or Whitsun, bank holiday is their target.
But ministers led by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson have repeatedly brushed this aside. The take-up of places for the children of key workers has been patchy, and it's already clear that many parents, grandparents and guardians are reluctant to start frequenting school gates early this summer.
The leaders of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments as well as England's big city mayors have already made it clear that they are reluctant to go it alone. Reopening of "COVID-free" regions seems unlikely - even if it could be identified where they are.
One of the greatest posers is what to do about public transport and trains and buses that are often crowded in normal times.
Nicola Sturgeon and Sadiq Khan favour the wearing of face coverings to prevent transmission. Central government argues that the surest way to stop passing the virus on is for infected people to stay at home.
Until the chances and rate of infection are much lower, the government is not going to urge a return to mass movement. Mr Johnson simply can't afford another "spike" in phase two - economically or politically.
Image: The wearing of masks on public transport could be compulsory once lockdown measures are relaxed
But people are getting fed up, businesses are getting worried that they won't survive, and the pressure is mounting on the government. Mr Johnson will have to come up with something next week.
Most likely he'll promise more significant changes at the end of next month and modest experiments, so-called "baby steps", for now.
Some non-essential shops and businesses are already opening up, providing that they can maintain social distancing. Outdoor garden centres may get the thumbs up. There will probably be a little more flexibility governing social contacts between households that have been in isolation.
But don't expect pubs, cinemas, or stadiums to open up any time soon. The prime minister's announcement next week will be followed by a special Bank Holiday on Friday. It won't feel like one.
The government has already redrawn plans so that Britons will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day - victory in Europe in what Jonson calls simply "the war" - virtually at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.


news--2020-04-30--Frank Turner on the Save Our Venues campaign: 'If small venues go, they'll be hard to replace'

Frank Turner is aware there are many causes vying for donations and support as lockdown in the UK continues .
But music is one of the things helping people get through difficult times , and he wants to make sure artists and venues survive when we come out the other side of the coronavirus pandemic .
The punk-folk singer-songwriter is backing the national Save Our Venues campaign to support more than 500 grassroots venues at risk of permanent closure while gigs are called off .
Performing albums from his back catalogue in full , including England Keep My Bones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Deed so far , Turner has already raised tens of thousands of pounds for several different places .
`` I 'm aware that music venues are n't the only thing that need help right now , '' he tells Sky News .
`` But I just feel like… well , first of all , somebody of my stature , I 'm not going to singlehandedly save the NHS , and I suspect that 's possibly the government 's job as well - call me radical and out there for saying that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which I can make a significant impact and in which I work anyway .
There 's a lot of artists also raising money for mental health charities , for health charities , whatever it might be .
I feel like there 's a general sense among most people that it 's like , what can I do ?
How can I help ?
And that 's a really positive thing . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Organised by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked with for a while , the Save Our Venues initiative gives artists the opportunity to perform virtual gigs .
Each venue has its own fundraising page with a target of money needed to stay afloat , and excess donations will go to a central fund to help the wider grassroots music venue community .
Turner , who performed at the London Olympics opening ceremony back in 2012 and has headlined Wembley Arena , says like many industries , the coronavirus pandemic has brought a `` dark and difficult period '' for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venues are being hit particularly hard .
`` I suspect live music events - particularly the archetypal small , sweaty punk gig with everybody sort of clambering all over each other - are going to be one of the very last things that come back , '' he says .
`` I think easing of lockdown will not make a huge difference immediately .
`` We 're looking at a long-term thing here .
This is an infrastructure , a circuit and a community that has existed for a long time , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it goes , it will be very , very hard to replace , and the damage will be long-lasting .
`` So the idea behind the campaign is to bring together all the people who love and care about and benefit from this existing system , and trying to work together to save it , and to repay the debt that we all owe it for existing in the first place .
`` I 'm gon na be cliched and quote Joni Mitchell , but you do n't know what you 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm obviously missing live gigs because it 's what I do .
But I think that everybody now is starting to remember how great it was to be able to go to shows and what that brings to your life , that sense of gathering , being in a room with people .
`` I hope that we 'll come out the other side of this with a better appreciation of what the arts and live music in particular bring to people 's lives . ''
The Music Venue Trust represents 670 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects for many are `` grim '' , with many operating on `` very thin margins '' anyway , even before the global health crisis .
Just 114 of these venues are currently secure for the next eight weeks , it says , with 556 at `` imminent risk '' of closure .
`` I 've been working with the Music Venue Trust for several years , before there was n't a global pandemic going on , which is enough to show you that running a small venue is a pretty thankless task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Turner .
`` It 's certainly not a way that anyone 's going to become a millionaire .
`` What 's happening now is unprecedented for everybody and every sector of the economy . ''
So far , Turner has played virtual shows for venues including Nambucca in London , The Joiners in Southampton , The Forum in Tunbridge Wells and The Shed in Leicester .
`` I built my career in small , independent music venues and I would n't have had a time to find my own sound , find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and performing abilities , and to find my audience if I did n't have these , '' he says .
`` In a lot of cases , the people who run these venues have become old friends of mine because I 've played them so many , many times over the years .
`` So to be able to call someone like Pat , who runs The Joiners in Southampton , and say , 'hey man , let 's do a show ' ...
I ca n't see him to give him a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a beer or whatever , but we text during the show and we raised a chunk of money for them .
And that makes me feel like I 'm repaying a debt . ''
Turner is playing a streamed gig to support The Parish in Huddersfield tonight .
For more information on how to support your local venue , visit : saveourvenues.co.uk

Frank Turner is aware there are many causes vying for donations and support as lockdown in the UK continues.
But music is one of the things helping people get through difficult times, and he wants to make sure artists and venues survive when we come out the other side of the coronavirus pandemic.
The punk-folk singer-songwriter is backing the national Save Our Venues campaign to support more than 500 grassroots venues at risk of permanent closure while gigs are called off.
Image: Turner performing at London venue Nambucca back in the mid-2000s. Pic: Greg Nolan
Performing albums from his back catalogue in full, including England Keep My Bones, The First Three Years and Poetry Of The Deed so far, Turner has already raised tens of thousands of pounds for several different places.
"I'm aware that music venues aren't the only thing that need help right now," he tells Sky News. "But I just feel like… well, first of all, somebody of my stature, I'm not going to singlehandedly save the NHS, and I suspect that's possibly the government's job as well - call me radical and out there for saying that.
"[Music] is a field in which I can make a significant impact and in which I work anyway. There's a lot of artists also raising money for mental health charities, for health charities, whatever it might be. I feel like there's a general sense among most people that it's like, what can I do? How can I help? And that's a really positive thing."
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:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Organised by the Music Venue Trust, which Turner has worked with for a while, the Save Our Venues initiative gives artists the opportunity to perform virtual gigs.
Each venue has its own fundraising page with a target of money needed to stay afloat, and excess donations will go to a central fund to help the wider grassroots music venue community.
Advertisement
Turner, who performed at the London Olympics opening ceremony back in 2012 and has headlined Wembley Arena, says like many industries, the coronavirus pandemic has brought a "dark and difficult period" for the music industry, and smaller artists and venues are being hit particularly hard.
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"I suspect live music events - particularly the archetypal small, sweaty punk gig with everybody sort of clambering all over each other - are going to be one of the very last things that come back," he says. "I think easing of lockdown will not make a huge difference immediately.
"We're looking at a long-term thing here. This is an infrastructure, a circuit and a community that has existed for a long time, but it's a fragile ecosystem. And if it goes, it will be very, very hard to replace, and the damage will be long-lasting.
"So the idea behind the campaign is to bring together all the people who love and care about and benefit from this existing system, and trying to work together to save it, and to repay the debt that we all owe it for existing in the first place.
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"I'm gonna be cliched and quote Joni Mitchell, but you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
"I'm obviously missing live gigs because it's what I do. But I think that everybody now is starting to remember how great it was to be able to go to shows and what that brings to your life, that sense of gathering, being in a room with people.
"I hope that we'll come out the other side of this with a better appreciation of what the arts and live music in particular bring to people's lives."
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The Music Venue Trust represents 670 independent UK music venues and says the prospects for many are "grim", with many operating on "very thin margins" anyway, even before the global health crisis.
Just 114 of these venues are currently secure for the next eight weeks, it says, with 556 at "imminent risk" of closure.
"I've been working with the Music Venue Trust for several years, before there wasn't a global pandemic going on, which is enough to show you that running a small venue is a pretty thankless task at the best of times," says Turner. "It's certainly not a way that anyone's going to become a millionaire.
"What's happening now is unprecedented for everybody and every sector of the economy."
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So far, Turner has played virtual shows for venues including Nambucca in London, The Joiners in Southampton, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells and The Shed in Leicester.
"I built my career in small, independent music venues and I wouldn't have had a time to find my own sound, find my music, to find my songwriting and performing abilities, and to find my audience if I didn't have these," he says.
"In a lot of cases, the people who run these venues have become old friends of mine because I've played them so many, many times over the years.
"So to be able to call someone like Pat, who runs The Joiners in Southampton, and say, 'hey man, let's do a show'... I can't see him to give him a big old bear hug and buy him a beer or whatever, but we text during the show and we raised a chunk of money for them. And that makes me feel like I'm repaying a debt."
Turner is playing a streamed gig to support The Parish in Huddersfield tonight.
For more information on how to support your local venue, visit: saveourvenues.co.uk


news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: BAME health workers should be 'removed from danger', says Royal College of Surgeons

Health workers from ethnic minority groups who are dealing with the coronavirus crisis should be removed from high-risk areas , the Royal College of Surgeons has said .
It comes as Sky News analysis suggested 60 % of all NHS workers who have died with COVID-19 are members of ethnic minority groups .
Professor Neil Mortensen , president-elect of the Royal College of Surgeons ( RCS ) , said he supported calls for BAME colleagues to be protected but cautioned that it could put huge pressure on other staff .
`` They are a particularly at-risk group , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breakfast .
`` Like other at-risk groups , I think they need to not be put in positions where they 're not quite so at risk .
`` We do n't really quite know why yet , but it 's important they are removed from - if you like - from danger . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Professor Mortensen said the BAME ( black , Asian and minority ethnic ) community is `` such an important part of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended that health trusts assess BAME workers as `` at potentially greater risk '' from coronavirus .
It has advised all trusts to carry out risk assessments for workers from those backgrounds .
Official guidance says UK and international data indicates people from BAME backgrounds are being `` disproportionately affected by COVID-19 '' .
Public Health England has been asked by the Department for Health and Social Care to investigate .
• Increased underlying health conditions among BAME people , such as heart conditions , type 2 diabetes and respiratory issues • BAME @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential roles such as bus drivers , taxi drivers , shop keepers and in health and social care • BAME families are more likely to live in multi-generational , overcrowded homes than white counterparts With much debate on how current restrictions might be lifted , Professor Mortensen also warned that easing the lockdown now would put an `` intolerable pressure '' on NHS workers .
He said it should n't be lifted until there is `` proper resource '' in place to deal with a potential second surge of cases .
On personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mortensen said he was surprised that a recent RCS survey over the past week had found surgeons and specialists were still struggling .
A third said they did not have enough to do their job safely .
The provision of PPE , such as gowns and masks , has been an ongoing issue in the coronavirus crisis .
Many healthcare workers have complained there is not enough to go around , meaning they have to improvise , buy their own , or reuse items .
The government has said it is constantly trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there is huge global demand .

Health workers from ethnic minority groups who are dealing with the coronavirus crisis should be removed from high-risk areas, the Royal College of Surgeons has said.
It comes as Sky News analysis suggested 60% of all NHS workers who have died with COVID-19 are members of ethnic minority groups.
Professor Neil Mortensen, president-elect of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), said he supported calls for BAME colleagues to be protected but cautioned that it could put huge pressure on other staff.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:08 Why are 72% of NHS deaths BAME workers?
"They are a particularly at-risk group," he told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast.
"Like other at-risk groups, I think they need to not be put in positions where they're not quite so at risk.
"We don't really quite know why yet, but it's important they are removed from - if you like - from danger."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Professor Mortensen said the BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) community is "such an important part of our workforce".
NHS England has already recommended that health trusts assess BAME workers as "at potentially greater risk" from coronavirus.
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It has advised all trusts to carry out risk assessments for workers from those backgrounds.
Official guidance says UK and international data indicates people from BAME backgrounds are being "disproportionately affected by COVID-19".
Public Health England has been asked by the Department for Health and Social Care to investigate.
Scientists have already highlighted factors including:
Increased underlying health conditions among BAME people, such as heart conditions, type 2 diabetes and respiratory issues
BAME people are more likely to work in essential roles such as bus drivers, taxi drivers, shop keepers and in health and social care
BAME families are more likely to live in multi-generational, overcrowded homes than white counterparts
With much debate on how current restrictions might be lifted, Professor Mortensen also warned that easing the lockdown now would put an "intolerable pressure" on NHS workers.
He said it shouldn't be lifted until there is "proper resource" in place to deal with a potential second surge of cases.
On personal protective equipment (PPE), Professor Mortensen said he was surprised that a recent RCS survey over the past week had found surgeons and specialists were still struggling.
A third said they did not have enough to do their job safely.
The provision of PPE, such as gowns and masks, has been an ongoing issue in the coronavirus crisis.
Many healthcare workers have complained there is not enough to go around, meaning they have to improvise, buy their own, or reuse items.
The government has said it is constantly trying to source more from around the world but there is huge global demand.


news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: Carrie Symonds and Colonel Tom Moore thank 'NHS heroes' during Clap for our Carers even

Coronavirus: Carrie Symonds and Colonel Tom Moore thank 'NHS heroes' during Clap for our Carers event

The prime minister 's fiancee Carrie Symonds and the fundraising army veteran Colonel Tom Moore paid tribute to our `` NHS heroes '' during the weekly Clap for our Carers event .
Colonel Moore , who has raised £30m for the health service by walking laps of his garden , celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday .
Minutes before the nation joined in a round of applause for NHS workers , the army veteran posted on Twitter : `` What a wonderful day full of well wishes , kindness and plenty of cake !
Ca n't think of a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all the @ NHSuk heroes who continue to do such a magnificent job for us all . ''
The prime minister 's fiancee Carrie Symonds , who gave birth on Wednesday morning , also gave a special thanks to the NHS on Twitter while the clapping took place .
She wrote : `` Clapping again for our tremendous carers tonight and wishing hero @ captaintommoore a very happy birthday . ''
In reference to the birth of her son , she added : `` I also have another wonderful reason to thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank you so , so much ! ''
Chancellor Rishi Sunak posted a photo of himself with the prime minister as they applauded NHS workers from Downing Street .
The chancellor wrote on Twitter : `` We 're past the peak , it 's Captain 's Tom 's birthday and we have the best carers of anywhere in the world .
`` So much to clap for tonight . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Britons across the country came out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the sixth weekly Clap for our Carers event .
Families have been expressing their gratitude to all health and care workers every Thursday at 8pm .
People have been showing appreciation from their doorsteps , windows and gardens , in the form of clapping , banging on pots and pans , and even setting off fireworks .
The clapping came hours after the prime minister declared the UK is `` past the peak and on the downward slope '' of the coronavirus outbreak .
Boris Johnson , speaking at the daily Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will next week set out the government 's plan for easing lockdown measures .
Mr Johnson thanked the public for their `` massive collective effort '' in protecting the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak .
The prime minister also confirmed on Thursday that another 674 people in the UK died after contracting the virus .

The prime minister's fiancee Carrie Symonds and the fundraising army veteran Colonel Tom Moore paid tribute to our "NHS heroes" during the weekly Clap for our Carers event.
Colonel Moore, who has raised £30m for the health service by walking laps of his garden, celebrated his 100th birthday on Thursday.
Minutes before the nation joined in a round of applause for NHS workers, the army veteran posted on Twitter: "What a wonderful day full of well wishes, kindness and plenty of cake! Can't think of a better way to finish than clapping extra loudly for all the @NHSuk heroes who continue to do such a magnificent job for us all."
Image: An elderly couple were out with a bell and a saucepan in Penarth, Wales
The prime minister's fiancee Carrie Symonds, who gave birth on Wednesday morning, also gave a special thanks to the NHS on Twitter while the clapping took place.
She wrote: "Clapping again for our tremendous carers tonight and wishing hero @captaintommoore a very happy birthday."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Organisations unite in clapping for carers
In reference to the birth of her son, she added: "I also have another wonderful reason to thank the NHS this week too.
"Thank you so, so much!"
Chancellor Rishi Sunak posted a photo of himself with the prime minister as they applauded NHS workers from Downing Street.
The chancellor wrote on Twitter: "We're past the peak, it's Captain's Tom's birthday and we have the best carers of anywhere in the world.
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"So much to clap for tonight."
Image: Firefighters in Plaistow, London, joined in with the applause
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Britons across the country came out of their homes to applaud NHS workers for the sixth weekly Clap for our Carers event.
Families have been expressing their gratitude to all health and care workers every Thursday at 8pm.
People have been showing appreciation from their doorsteps, windows and gardens, in the form of clapping, banging on pots and pans, and even setting off fireworks.
Image: A mother and her teenage daughter pay tribute to NHS workers in Penarth, Wales
The clapping came hours after the prime minister declared the UK is "past the peak and on the downward slope" of the coronavirus outbreak.
Boris Johnson, speaking at the daily Downing Street COVID-19 briefing, also revealed he will next week set out the government's plan for easing lockdown measures.
Mr Johnson thanked the public for their "massive collective effort" in protecting the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak.
The prime minister also confirmed on Thursday that another 674 people in the UK died after contracting the virus.


news--2020-06-19--Coronavirus: EasyJet board shake-up sees pay chair take off

The former boss of Royal Mail is to step down as chair of easyJet 's boardroom pay committee amid a frantic reshuffling of directorships at the low-cost airline .
Sky News has learned that Moya Greene , who only took on the remuneration role last year , has signalled to John Barton , the company 's chairman , that she wants to hand it over .
Ms Greene is understood to be planning to remain on the easyJet board , which she joined in 2017 .
Lygon Group , the headhunter , is said to have been given the mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The assignment may be a tough one , with public company chief executives expected to see their pay packages significantly diminished for years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
It is the latest in a frenetic series of changes to the line-up in easyJet 's boardroom , which was placed under siege in March by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou , its biggest shareholder .
Sir Stelios 's easyGroup demanded that the carrier he founded 25 years ago ditch a £4.5bn order with Airbus , and called an EGM to oust several directors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stelios overwhelmingly lost the vote , easyJet 's board has since dismantled itself .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In the last three weeks , the company 's finance chief has resigned anyway , along with two non-executive directors , including deputy chairman Charles Gurassa .
EasyJet has also announced the deferral of part of the Airbus order .
Last week , Sir Stelios sold a chunk of shares in the airline for the first time since 2015 .
The disposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just under 33 % .
It came on the day that the airline formally launched a joint legal action with Ryanair and British Airways ' parent company , International Airlines Group , to force the government to scrap its 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving in the UK .
Like other carriers , easyJet has announced plans to axe thousands of jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Sir Stelios has publicly predicted that the company will go bust unless it cancels the Airbus order .
The tycoon , who founded easyJet in 1995 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has offered a £5m 'bounty ' for information from a whistle-blower that leads to the order being cancelled .
EasyJet , which is due to announce half-year results next week , declined to comment .

The former boss of Royal Mail is to step down as chair of easyJet's boardroom pay committee amid a frantic reshuffling of directorships at the low-cost airline.
Sky News has learned that Moya Greene, who only took on the remuneration role last year, has signalled to John Barton, the company's chairman, that she wants to hand it over.
Ms Greene is understood to be planning to remain on the easyJet board, which she joined in 2017.
Image: Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of easyJet, has been locked in a battle with the board
Lygon Group, the headhunter, is said to have been given the mandate to find a new remco chair.
The assignment may be a tough one, with public company chief executives expected to see their pay packages significantly diminished for years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the latest in a frenetic series of changes to the line-up in easyJet's boardroom, which was placed under siege in March by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, its biggest shareholder.
Sir Stelios's easyGroup demanded that the carrier he founded 25 years ago ditch a £4.5bn order with Airbus, and called an EGM to oust several directors - including Mr Barton.
Although Sir Stelios overwhelmingly lost the vote, easyJet's board has since dismantled itself.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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In the last three weeks, the company's finance chief has resigned anyway, along with two non-executive directors, including deputy chairman Charles Gurassa.
EasyJet has also announced the deferral of part of the Airbus order.
Last week, Sir Stelios sold a chunk of shares in the airline for the first time since 2015.
The disposal took the entrepreneur's stake down to just under 33%.
It came on the day that the airline formally launched a joint legal action with Ryanair and British Airways' parent company, International Airlines Group, to force the government to scrap its 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving in the UK.
Like other carriers, easyJet has announced plans to axe thousands of jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sir Stelios has publicly predicted that the company will go bust unless it cancels the Airbus order.
The tycoon, who founded easyJet in 1995 before floating it five years later, has offered a £5m 'bounty' for information from a whistle-blower that leads to the order being cancelled.
EasyJet, which is due to announce half-year results next week, declined to comment.


news--2020-06-19--Chinese giant Tencent swoops for stake in British biotech star

One of China 's biggest technology groups is in talks to buy a stake in Oxford Nanopore , the British gene sequencing group which is among the biotech companies developing more rapid tests for COVID-19 .
Sky News has learnt that an arm of Tencent Holdings , which has vast interests across the media , gaming and payments sectors , is negotiating a deal to acquire part or all of an 11 % stake in Oxford Nanopore held by Invesco , the asset manager .
If completed , the deal could raise fresh questions about China 's involvement in parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
As well as its COVID-19 research , Oxford Nanopore is leading genetic testing of Huntington 's disease and working on the diagnosis of bacterial infections at the University of Bern 's Institute for Infectious Diseases .
Tencent , which is privately owned , is a shareholder in many western-based companies , including the music group Spotify , as well as being the parent company of WeChat , the Chinese social media platform .
It also has substantial investments in the healthcare sector , including in WeDoctor , an online medical services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hong Kong .
One source said Tencent could acquire either half or all of the Invesco stake in Oxford Nanopore , although they cautioned that it had yet to be concluded .
Its swoop comes at an increasingly sensitive time for Anglo-Sino relations .
The government 's decision to allow Huawei Technologies a role in building Britain 's 5G network , made just a few months ago , is already being revisited under pressure from the Trump administration .
An attempt by China Reform Holdings , a state-owned vehicle , to appoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the microchip designer , was aborted recently after parliamentarians raised objections on national security grounds .
The circumstances behind Tencent 's swoop on Invesco 's stake in Oxford Nanopore were unclear on Friday .
Sky News reported last month that a unit of Goldman Sachs Asset Management was close to a deal to acquire Invesco 's illiquid investment portfolio , which included the Oxford Nanopore stake .
GSAM is understood to be continuing to pursue the bulk of that deal , raising questions about whether part of the Oxford Nanopore stake has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goldman and Invesco declined to comment , while a spokeswoman for Oxford Nanopore refused to say whether Tencent was an existing shareholder in the company .
The Oxford-based gene sequencing group was spun out of the city 's university in 2005 , and has since raised more than £500m from investors .
Its most recent funding round was announced last month when it said it had secured £48.4m from `` new investors and existing shareholders in EMEA , US and Asia '' .
Oxford Nanopore said further details of the fundraising would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company also said its new category of COVID-19 test , LamPORE , was in `` advanced development '' .
Oxford Nanopore , which is run by chief executive Gordon Sanghera , had previously signalled that it would pursue a public flotation in 2020 , although the immediate prospects for that are unclear .
Among its existing shareholders is IP Group , a listed intellectual property commercialisation company which holds 11.5 % of the shares .
`` Oxford Nanopore has been supplying countries all over the world with sequencing capability throughout this pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnostic assay developed in-house , using their expertise , technology and networks to help support the response to this crisis , '' IP Group said last month .
Neil Woodford , the former star fund manager , also held stakes in Oxford Nanopore through two of his funds , with one of those holdings having been sold this month to Acacia Research , a US-listed company .

One of China's biggest technology groups is in talks to buy a stake in Oxford Nanopore, the British gene sequencing group which is among the biotech companies developing more rapid tests for COVID-19.
Sky News has learnt that an arm of Tencent Holdings, which has vast interests across the media, gaming and payments sectors, is negotiating a deal to acquire part or all of an 11% stake in Oxford Nanopore held by Invesco, the asset manager.
If completed, the deal could raise fresh questions about China's involvement in parts of the UK's science and knowledge base.
Image: The Oxford-based gene sequencing group was spun out of the city's university in 2005. Pic: Oxford Nanopore
As well as its COVID-19 research, Oxford Nanopore is leading genetic testing of Huntington's disease and working on the diagnosis of bacterial infections at the University of Bern's Institute for Infectious Diseases.
Tencent, which is privately owned, is a shareholder in many western-based companies, including the music group Spotify, as well as being the parent company of WeChat, the Chinese social media platform.
It also has substantial investments in the healthcare sector, including in WeDoctor, an online medical services provider which is preparing to go public in Hong Kong.
One source said Tencent could acquire either half or all of the Invesco stake in Oxford Nanopore, although they cautioned that it had yet to be concluded.
Its swoop comes at an increasingly sensitive time for Anglo-Sino relations.
Image: Tencent is negotiating a deal to acquire part or all of an 11% stake in the business. Pic: Oxford Nanopore
The government's decision to allow Huawei Technologies a role in building Britain's 5G network, made just a few months ago, is already being revisited under pressure from the Trump administration.
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An attempt by China Reform Holdings, a state-owned vehicle, to appoint directors to the board of Imagination Technologies, the microchip designer, was aborted recently after parliamentarians raised objections on national security grounds.
The circumstances behind Tencent's swoop on Invesco's stake in Oxford Nanopore were unclear on Friday.
Sky News reported last month that a unit of Goldman Sachs Asset Management was close to a deal to acquire Invesco's illiquid investment portfolio, which included the Oxford Nanopore stake.
GSAM is understood to be continuing to pursue the bulk of that deal, raising questions about whether part of the Oxford Nanopore stake has been carved out of that transaction.
Goldman and Invesco declined to comment, while a spokeswoman for Oxford Nanopore refused to say whether Tencent was an existing shareholder in the company.
The Oxford-based gene sequencing group was spun out of the city's university in 2005, and has since raised more than £500m from investors.
Its most recent funding round was announced last month when it said it had secured £48.4m from "new investors and existing shareholders in EMEA, US and Asia".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:43 UK 'will stand up' for Hong Kong's people
Oxford Nanopore said further details of the fundraising would be disclosed after it had closed.
The company also said its new category of COVID-19 test, LamPORE, was in "advanced development".
Oxford Nanopore, which is run by chief executive Gordon Sanghera, had previously signalled that it would pursue a public flotation in 2020, although the immediate prospects for that are unclear.
Among its existing shareholders is IP Group, a listed intellectual property commercialisation company which holds 11.5% of the shares.
"Oxford Nanopore has been supplying countries all over the world with sequencing capability throughout this pandemic and it's exciting to see the first diagnostic assay developed in-house, using their expertise, technology and networks to help support the response to this crisis," IP Group said last month.
Neil Woodford, the former star fund manager, also held stakes in Oxford Nanopore through two of his funds, with one of those holdings having been sold this month to Acacia Research, a US-listed company.


news--2020-06-19--Coronavirus: Reopening of DIY stores helps deliver sales rebound

The reopening of DIY stores last month helped fuel a partial bounce back in retail sales following all-time record falls in April caused by the coronavirus lockdown .
But the 12 % hike in May was still down 13.1 % on February before the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt .
According to the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) , non-food stores were the main driver of growth , bolstered by a 42 % increase in household goods store sales as hardware and paint outlets opened their doors again .
B & Q resumed trading last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in car parks , while Ikea reopened earlier this month .
Online sales rose to a new record high , accounting for 33.4 % of total spend , compared with 30.8 % in April .
While fuel sales rose as some employees started returning to work , they remained 42.5 % lower than February as people continued to be encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home if possible .
In the three-month period to May , the volume of retail sales fell by a record 12.8 % , with declines across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a boom in online sales .
The ONS said this was because many shops closed their doors as part of the nationwide effort to curb the spread of infection .
There was also a slight dip - 0.3 % - in the amount sold by food stores in May as shoppers worked their way through stores stockpiled during the panic-buying seen in March .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The figures were released as John Lewis confirmed it will reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total number trading to 22 .
The stores opening are at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol , Leeds , Liverpool , Milton Keynes , Newcastle , Peter Jones in London , Southampton , Tunbridge Wells and York .
However , this still leaves 28 stores closed and insiders have warned previously it is `` highly unlikely '' all 50 will ever reopen again .
Berangere Michel , director of customer service at the John Lewis Partnership , which also owns Waitrose , said : `` We are still reopening our shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our safety measures are absolutely right , and remain prepared to stop and review our plans if need be .
`` We are already applying lessons learned from our first store openings earlier this week .
`` We found that in some shops we were able to increase the number of customers and still maintain robust social distancing , and made our signage clearer in order to help customers navigate the changes . ''

The reopening of DIY stores last month helped fuel a partial bounce back in retail sales following all-time record falls in April caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
But the 12% hike in May was still down 13.1% on February before the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), non-food stores were the main driver of growth, bolstered by a 42% increase in household goods store sales as hardware and paint outlets opened their doors again.
Image: Businesses have been reopening after a nationwide lockdown led to an overall fall in retail sales
B&Q resumed trading last month leading to huge queues of shoppers in car parks, while Ikea reopened earlier this month.
Online sales rose to a new record high, accounting for 33.4% of total spend, compared with 30.8% in April.
While fuel sales rose as some employees started returning to work, they remained 42.5% lower than February as people continued to be encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home if possible.
In the three-month period to May, the volume of retail sales fell by a record 12.8%, with declines across all stores except food and non-store retailing with a boom in online sales.
The ONS said this was because many shops closed their doors as part of the nationwide effort to curb the spread of infection.
There was also a slight dip - 0.3% - in the amount sold by food stores in May as shoppers worked their way through stores stockpiled during the panic-buying seen in March.
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Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The figures were released as John Lewis confirmed it will reopen a further nine department stores next week, bringing the total number trading to 22.
The stores opening are at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Peter Jones in London, Southampton, Tunbridge Wells and York.
However, this still leaves 28 stores closed and insiders have warned previously it is "highly unlikely" all 50 will ever reopen again.
Image: John Lewis has confirmed it will reopen a further nine department stores next week
Berangere Michel, director of customer service at the John Lewis Partnership, which also owns Waitrose, said: "We are still reopening our shops carefully and in phases to ensure that our safety measures are absolutely right, and remain prepared to stop and review our plans if need be.
"We are already applying lessons learned from our first store openings earlier this week.
"We found that in some shops we were able to increase the number of customers and still maintain robust social distancing, and made our signage clearer in order to help customers navigate the changes."


news--2020-06-18--Tom Meighan: 'I'm working on solo songs - but Kasabian are still solid'

Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan has told Sky News he has been working on solo material while in lockdown - but assured fans that the band is `` still solid '' .
The singer , from Leicester , says he has been writing his own music for years but has been focusing on it more while at home due to the coronavirus crisis .
Last year , Kasabian took their first extended break after six albums and more than 20 years together , with songwriter Serge Pizzorno releasing his first solo record as The SLP .
More recently , the band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the COVID-19 outbreak has postponed things for a while .
So Meighan says he has been keeping himself by writing at home , and describes his songs as `` like a diary '' .
`` I 'm writing loads of music at the minute , '' he says .
`` We 'll see what happens .
I 've got a few cookies in the jar ... and they 're not bad , you know .
`` It 's very autobiographical , like the story of my life .
It 's kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just to the core , you know .
Very real . ''
When Pizzorno released his solo album last year , fans were concerned it might mean the end for Kasabian .
Meighan is quick to say how proud he is of his bandmate , and that a split is definitely not on the cards .
`` When Sergio did his thing last year , everyone was like , 'how do you feel about it ? '
I love it !
Why would n't I ?
His music was incredible ... '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm doing mine but Kasabian are still solid .
You know , it 's just a bad time at the moment , for rock ' n ' roll .
For human beings in general . ''
The singer says he has been writing his own material for years .
`` I 'm logging my life , like a diary .
I think [ the songs ] are all right .
We 'll see what happens . ''
On Saturday night , Kasabian should have been playing a big comeback gig at Victoria Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark their return , and their only planned UK performance for 2020 .
They last performed at the park in 2016 , for the victory parade when their beloved Leicester City beat the 5,000-1 odds to win the Premier League .
While the band are `` absolutely heartbroken '' to have had to cancel this year 's show , Meighan is still connecting with fans by taking part in an online Q & A session instead .
`` I 'm buzzing for it , it 'll be great , '' he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as well . ''
An Evening With Tom Meighan , hosted by Clint Boon , starts at 8pm on Saturday here .
Read our full exclusive interview with the Kasabian frontman on Sky News tomorrow morning .

Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan has told Sky News he has been working on solo material while in lockdown - but assured fans that the band is "still solid".
The singer, from Leicester, says he has been writing his own music for years but has been focusing on it more while at home due to the coronavirus crisis.
Last year, Kasabian took their first extended break after six albums and more than 20 years together, with songwriter Serge Pizzorno releasing his first solo record as The SLP.
Image: Meighan (left) on stage with bandmate Serge Pizzorno, who released his own first solo album last year. Pic: Neil Bedford
More recently, the band had been planning their seventh album, but the COVID-19 outbreak has postponed things for a while.
So Meighan says he has been keeping himself by writing at home, and describes his songs as "like a diary".
"I'm writing loads of music at the minute," he says. "We'll see what happens. I've got a few cookies in the jar... and they're not bad, you know.
"It's very autobiographical, like the story of my life. It's kind of... heartbreaking. Well, not heartbreaking, just to the core, you know. Very real."
When Pizzorno released his solo album last year, fans were concerned it might mean the end for Kasabian.
Meighan is quick to say how proud he is of his bandmate, and that a split is definitely not on the cards.
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"When Sergio did his thing last year, everyone was like, 'how do you feel about it?' I love it! Why wouldn't I? His music was incredible...
"He's doing his thing, I'm doing mine but Kasabian are still solid. You know, it's just a bad time at the moment, for rock 'n' roll. For human beings in general."
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The singer says he has been writing his own material for years.
"I'm logging my life, like a diary. I think [the songs] are all right. We'll see what happens."
On Saturday night, Kasabian should have been playing a big comeback gig at Victoria Park in Leicester, a homecoming show to mark their return, and their only planned UK performance for 2020.
They last performed at the park in 2016, for the victory parade when their beloved Leicester City beat the 5,000-1 odds to win the Premier League.
While the band are "absolutely heartbroken" to have had to cancel this year's show, Meighan is still connecting with fans by taking part in an online Q&A session instead.
"I'm buzzing for it, it'll be great," he says. "And what a day to do it as well."
An Evening With Tom Meighan, hosted by Clint Boon, starts at 8pm on Saturday here.
Read our full exclusive interview with the Kasabian frontman on Sky News tomorrow morning.


news--2020-06-19--Coronavirus: Wartime levels of debt triggered by invisible peacetime foe

The government has had to borrow to fund the health response and economic support as tax receipts fall Week-by-week , month-by-month , COVID-19 continues to stretch the government response to new levels of state intervention to combat the disease and support the economy .
Those twin aims have now taken the public finances to levels of indebtedness that are both symbolically and statistically significant .
For the first time since 1963 , a 57-year period that spans five recessions , the national debt is forecast to be greater than the national income .
Put another way , the UK will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
According to the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) public sector net debt will reach £1.95trn this year , or 100.9 % of gross domestic product .
The nation has been nudged past this milestone by record borrowing in the last two months .
In May , the government borrowed £55.2bn , the highest monthly borrowing since records began in 1993 and nine times more than the £5.6bn required last May .
The ONS estimates the total for the last two months is £103.7bn , itself a two-month record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same period last year .
Such is the scale of current crisis that annual comparisons are rendered meaningless .
Even recent catastrophes such as the financial crash in 2008 have been eclipsed by the response to the coronavirus and the economic crash triggered by the COVID-19 lockdown .
These are wartime levels of debt triggered by a peacetime foe we can not see and are yet to send packing .
The government has had to borrow to fund the health response and the huge programme of economic support , all at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job retention scheme supported the furloughing of 8.7m workers in May at a cost of £17.5bn , with a further £7.6bn spent on supporting 2.5 million self-employed .
The good news is that this money has kept a large number of people in employment , for now at least .
The bad is that these figures have not yet peaked .
In the fortnight since , the bill has risen by another £1.3bn as 300,000 more people joined those already having their wages paid by the state .
: : Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , Spreaker At the same time spending has plummeted , precisely because the government closed shops , told us to stay at home and in many cases paid us to do so .
VAT and rate holidays have reduced the amount the Treasury is taking in each month , leaving it with no choice but to turn to the money markets and increasingly the Bank of England to fund the shortfall .
With interest rates at record low levels this level of borrowing may not be unaffordable .
Less certain is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process of paying it down .
Little wonder the Chancellor Rishi Sunak highlighted the reopening of some shops this week as an important step .
Retail figures for May also released today show a 12 % recovery on April , when all but essential shops were shuttered , led by hardware shops and garden centres .
June should show another improvement but there is no easy measure of consumer confidence to start spending with profound uncertainty over jobs as the furlough scheme is withdrawn .
Next month , the government is promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kick-start the recovery , with a focus on jobs surely inevitable .
But that will come at a price too and Mr Sunak , much praised for the speed and scale of economic support , will earn his wage in the months that follow as the taps are turned off .
He , and the country , may not be done with painful records .

The UK may not be done with setting painful economic records as the government wrestles with the pandemic fallout.
The government has had to borrow to fund the health response and economic support as tax receipts fall
Week-by-week, month-by-month, COVID-19 continues to stretch the government response to new levels of state intervention to combat the disease and support the economy.
Those twin aims have now taken the public finances to levels of indebtedness that are both symbolically and statistically significant.
For the first time since 1963, a 57-year period that spans five recessions, the national debt is forecast to be greater than the national income.
Put another way, the UK will owe more than the entire economy produces this year.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) public sector net debt will reach £1.95trn this year, or 100.9% of gross domestic product.
The nation has been nudged past this milestone by record borrowing in the last two months.
In May, the government borrowed £55.2bn, the highest monthly borrowing since records began in 1993 and nine times more than the £5.6bn required last May.
The ONS estimates the total for the last two months is £103.7bn, itself a two-month record and up more than £87bn on the same period last year.
Such is the scale of current crisis that annual comparisons are rendered meaningless.
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Image: Rishi Sunak has highlighted the reopening of some shops as an important step towards economic recovery
Even recent catastrophes such as the financial crash in 2008 have been eclipsed by the response to the coronavirus and the economic crash triggered by the COVID-19 lockdown.
These are wartime levels of debt triggered by a peacetime foe we cannot see and are yet to send packing.
The government has had to borrow to fund the health response and the huge programme of economic support, all at a time when tax receipts have plummeted.
The job retention scheme supported the furloughing of 8.7m workers in May at a cost of £17.5bn, with a further £7.6bn spent on supporting 2.5 million self-employed.
The good news is that this money has kept a large number of people in employment, for now at least.
The bad is that these figures have not yet peaked.
In the fortnight since, the bill has risen by another £1.3bn as 300,000 more people joined those already having their wages paid by the state.
Image: The Bank of England will be relied upon to fund the shortfall
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
At the same time spending has plummeted, precisely because the government closed shops, told us to stay at home and in many cases paid us to do so.
VAT and rate holidays have reduced the amount the Treasury is taking in each month, leaving it with no choice but to turn to the money markets and increasingly the Bank of England to fund the shortfall.
With interest rates at record low levels this level of borrowing may not be unaffordable.
Less certain is how quickly the economy will recover to help the process of paying it down.
Little wonder the Chancellor Rishi Sunak highlighted the reopening of some shops this week as an important step.
Retail figures for May also released today show a 12% recovery on April, when all but essential shops were shuttered, led by hardware shops and garden centres.
June should show another improvement but there is no easy measure of consumer confidence to start spending with profound uncertainty over jobs as the furlough scheme is withdrawn.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:53 Bank of England creates £100bn of new cash
Next month, the government is promising news of a stimulus package intended to kick-start the recovery, with a focus on jobs surely inevitable.
But that will come at a price too and Mr Sunak, much praised for the speed and scale of economic support, will earn his wage in the months that follow as the taps are turned off.
He, and the country, may not be done with painful records.


news--2020-06-19--Coronavirus: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar quotes Mean Girls during COVID-19 briefing

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has proved he is something of a pop culture expert by quoting Mean Girls in his coronavirus news conference .
Mr Varadkar slipped in a reference to the 2004 teen classic as he announced a further rolling back of COVID-19 restrictions on Friday .
`` Some have asked whether there is a limit to what we can achieve , '' Mr Varadkar said , before drawing upon a line from the hit movie : `` My answer is that the limit does not exist . ''
The quote was taken from the scene in which protagonist Cady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers a question about limits to win a maths competition for her school .
Mr Varadkar 's nod to the flick is not the first time he has referred to a film in a speech , although this one appeared to show him rising to a challenge set last week from Hollywood .
Lord Of The Rings and The Goonies star Sean Astin , who played Samwise Gamgee in the Middle-earth trilogy , bet the Irish leader `` 50 quid '' to quote Mean Girls in his next speech .
The wager came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a poignant Samwise quote during an earlier coronavirus briefing , in which he said : `` So , this afternoon let me end with words of hope .
`` In the end , it 's only a passing thing this shadow , even darkness must pass .
A new day will come , and when the sun shines , it 'll shine out the clearer . ''
The line referred to a moment in the trilogy when Sam said : `` How could the world go back to the way it was when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But in the end , it 's only a passing thing , this shadow .
Even darkness must pass .
A new day will come .
And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Aside from his Mean Girls quip ahead of the weekend , Mr Varadkar also announced an acceleration to Ireland restarting its economy by moving forward the reopening of churches and gyms , and resuming team sports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead from 29 June .
He also announced gatherings of up to 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors would be permitted from the same date .
Gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors can go ahead from 20 July .

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has proved he is something of a pop culture expert by quoting Mean Girls in his coronavirus news conference.
Mr Varadkar slipped in a reference to the 2004 teen classic as he announced a further rolling back of COVID-19 restrictions on Friday.
"Some have asked whether there is a limit to what we can achieve," Mr Varadkar said, before drawing upon a line from the hit movie: "My answer is that the limit does not exist."
The quote was taken from the scene in which protagonist Cady Heron, played by Lindsay Lohan, answers a question about limits to win a maths competition for her school.
Image: Mean Girls starred Lindsay Lohan
Mr Varadkar's nod to the flick is not the first time he has referred to a film in a speech, although this one appeared to show him rising to a challenge set last week from Hollywood.
Lord Of The Rings and The Goonies star Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in the Middle-earth trilogy, bet the Irish leader "50 quid" to quote Mean Girls in his next speech.
The wager came in response to Mr Varadkar drawing upon a poignant Samwise quote during an earlier coronavirus briefing, in which he said: "So, this afternoon let me end with words of hope.
"In the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer."
The line referred to a moment in the trilogy when Sam said: "How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?
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"But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 Ireland sets date for sport to return
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Aside from his Mean Girls quip ahead of the weekend, Mr Varadkar also announced an acceleration to Ireland restarting its economy by moving forward the reopening of churches and gyms, and resuming team sports.
These will now be allowed to go ahead from 29 June.
He also announced gatherings of up to 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors would be permitted from the same date.
Gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors can go ahead from 20 July.


news--2020-06-18--Juneteenth: The story behind the celebration - and why Trump is getting involved

The US president must have been speaking for himself when he claimed `` nobody had ever heard of it '' - as Juneteenth has been celebrated every 19 June for over 150 years .
The day when millions of African-Americans across the country mark freedom from slavery , the unofficial holiday gets its name from combining June and 19 .
It is also known as `` Juneteenth Independence Day '' , `` Freedom Day '' or `` Emancipation Day '' .
How did it come about ?
After it was issued on 1 January 1863 , it took over two-and-a-half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Throughout that period , thousands of Black Americans did not know about their freedom .
Enslaved labour continued in southern states because of resistance to the proclamation .
Juneteenth celebrates 19 June 1865 , when federal troops arrived in Galveston , Texas , bringing freedom to the last remaining slaves .
How is it celebrated ?
The 1865 celebrations included prayer , dance and feasts .
They became annual events whose traditions have continued to this day .
They include religious services and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation .
There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arranging barbecues and picnics .
There are also parades , family get-togethers , park parties , historical re-enactments , blues festivals and Miss Juneteenth contests .
Despite many official celebrations being cancelled because of coronavirus , there is an extra significance and weight surrounding this year 's Juneteenth .
Why is it so important this year ?
The US is in the middle of what many people believe could be a moment of real change .
The death of George Floyd convulsed America .
Grief and anger at the killing of yet another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought thousands of people to the streets .
George Floyd 's name became a rallying cry that re-energised the Black Lives Matter movement .
Changes have already rippled across the US .
Officers in the cases of George Floyd and the killing of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta , Georgia have been swiftly and forcefully charged .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Chokeholds were immediately banned in Minneapolis and there have been moves to make that ban nationwide .
Democrats in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
Donald Trump signed an executive order that , among other things , calls for a nationwide database to track police officers with excessive misconduct complaints .
Major US companies have demonstrated their support of the Black Lives Matter movement , with some firing employees who mocked Mr Floyd 's death .
With this backdrop Juneteenth feels different - a day to reflect not just on past freedom but a moment to acknowledge the challenges racism still brings to modern America and the possibility of progress .
Why is Donald Trump getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disapprove of the president 's handling of the protests and the underlying racial issues .
So when he scheduled his first campaign rally since the coronavirus outbreak for Juneteenth , the criticism was inevitably sharp .
It was not just the date but the location that sparked anger .
Tulsa , Oklahoma was the site of one of America 's worst incidents of racist violence .
A wealthy black business district known as Black Wall Street was attacked by white mobs who killed as many as 300 people in 1921 .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criticism and moved the rally to the following day .

The US president must have been speaking for himself when he claimed "nobody had ever heard of it" - as Juneteenth has been celebrated every 19 June for over 150 years.
The day when millions of African-Americans across the country mark freedom from slavery, the unofficial holiday gets its name from combining June and 19.
It is also known as "Juneteenth Independence Day", "Freedom Day" or "Emancipation Day".
Image: Food plays a central role at many Juneteenth events
How did it come about?
Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation did not free slaves overnight.
After it was issued on 1 January 1863, it took over two-and-a-half years for it to become a reality.
Throughout that period, thousands of Black Americans did not know about their freedom. Enslaved labour continued in southern states because of resistance to the proclamation.
Juneteenth celebrates 19 June 1865, when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing freedom to the last remaining slaves.
Image: Food plays a central role at many Juneteenth events
How is it celebrated?
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The 1865 celebrations included prayer, dance and feasts. They became annual events whose traditions have continued to this day.
They include religious services and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. There is a big focus on food, with many arranging barbecues and picnics.
There are also parades, family get-togethers, park parties, historical re-enactments, blues festivals and Miss Juneteenth contests.
Despite many official celebrations being cancelled because of coronavirus, there is an extra significance and weight surrounding this year's Juneteenth.
Image: People attend Juneteenth celebrations in Richmond, California, in 2004
Why is it so important this year?
The US is in the middle of what many people believe could be a moment of real change. The death of George Floyd convulsed America.
Grief and anger at the killing of yet another black man at the hands of police brought thousands of people to the streets.
George Floyd's name became a rallying cry that re-energised the Black Lives Matter movement.
Changes have already rippled across the US. Officers in the cases of George Floyd and the killing of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, Georgia have been swiftly and forcefully charged.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Chokeholds were immediately banned in Minneapolis and there have been moves to make that ban nationwide.
Democrats in Congress introduced a bill targeting racial discrimination by police. Donald Trump signed an executive order that, among other things, calls for a nationwide database to track police officers with excessive misconduct complaints.
Major US companies have demonstrated their support of the Black Lives Matter movement, with some firing employees who mocked Mr Floyd's death.
With this backdrop Juneteenth feels different - a day to reflect not just on past freedom but a moment to acknowledge the challenges racism still brings to modern America and the possibility of progress.
Image: Donald Trump has shown an unusual willingness to heed criticism of an event scheduled to coincide with the yearly commemorations
Why is Donald Trump getting involved?
Polls have found most Americans disapprove of the president's handling of the protests and the underlying racial issues.
So when he scheduled his first campaign rally since the coronavirus outbreak for Juneteenth, the criticism was inevitably sharp.
It was not just the date but the location that sparked anger. Tulsa, Oklahoma was the site of one of America's worst incidents of racist violence.
A wealthy black business district known as Black Wall Street was attacked by white mobs who killed as many as 300 people in 1921.
In an unusual move, Trump appeared to heed the criticism and moved the rally to the following day.