news--2020-06-22--Coronavirus: Gilead to trial inhaled version of 'promising' remdesivir in race for COVID-19 treatmen

Coronavirus: Gilead to trial inhaled version of 'promising' remdesivir in race for COVID-19 treatment

Gilead Sciences is to trial an inhaled version of remdesivir , a drug which it says shows promise in the treatment of COVID-19 .
The pharmaceutical company said in an open letter that it would screen healthy volunteers for Phase 1 trials this week , and aim to start them in August .
Chairman and chief executive Daniel O'Day said : `` If the trials are successful , this could represent important progress .
`` Remdesivir , our investigational antiviral medicine , is currently given to patients intravenously through daily infusions in the hospital .
`` An inhaled formulation would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could potentially allow for easier administration outside the hospital , at earlier stages of disease .
`` That could have significant implications in helping to stem the tide of the pandemic . ''
In May , US regulators gave permission for remdesivir to be used on seriously ill COVID-19 patients in hospital after a government-sponsored study showed that it could shorten recovery time by 31 % - about four days on average .
The antiviral drug was originally developed to tackle Ebola .
Trials will also look at how remdesivir could be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with people receiving it in outpatient settings .
Mr O'Day said : `` Our hope is that earlier intervention could help patients avoid hospitalisation altogether . ''
Work is also under way to look at how the drug could be used in combination with other treatments .
Mr O'Day added : `` Based on our knowledge of the disease so far , it seems that in the earlier stages of COVID-19 , the virus itself is the primary driver of illness .
`` In the later stages , the body 's inflammatory response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects of the disease .
It is important , therefore , to have tools that can work together to fight both aspects of the disease : an antiviral to target the virus itself and another therapy to tackle the inflammatory response . ''
He added that news last week of the success of the steroid dexamethasone appeared to `` support the study of complementary approaches for treating COVID-19 '' .
The company expects to have more than two million courses of remdesivir by the end of the year and aims for `` many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Day said voluntary licensing agreements with nine generic manufacturers and would try to make sure remdesivir is accessible and affordable to world governments .
`` All of us at Gilead feel the full weight of our responsibility with remdesivir and this will continue to guide all our future actions , '' he added .

Gilead Sciences is to trial an inhaled version of remdesivir, a drug which it says shows promise in the treatment of COVID-19.
The pharmaceutical company said in an open letter that it would screen healthy volunteers for Phase 1 trials this week, and aim to start them in August.
Chairman and chief executive Daniel O'Day said: "If the trials are successful, this could represent important progress.
"Remdesivir, our investigational antiviral medicine, is currently given to patients intravenously through daily infusions in the hospital.
"An inhaled formulation would be given through a nebuliser, which could potentially allow for easier administration outside the hospital, at earlier stages of disease.
"That could have significant implications in helping to stem the tide of the pandemic."
In May, US regulators gave permission for remdesivir to be used on seriously ill COVID-19 patients in hospital after a government-sponsored study showed that it could shorten recovery time by 31% - about four days on average.
The antiviral drug was originally developed to tackle Ebola.
Trials will also look at how remdesivir could be used to treat earlier stages of COVID-19, with people receiving it in outpatient settings.
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Mr O'Day said: "Our hope is that earlier intervention could help patients avoid hospitalisation altogether."
Image: Gilead Sciences is trialling a promising treatment for COVID-19
Work is also under way to look at how the drug could be used in combination with other treatments.
Mr O'Day added: "Based on our knowledge of the disease so far, it seems that in the earlier stages of COVID-19, the virus itself is the primary driver of illness.
"In the later stages, the body's inflammatory response may cause some of the most life-threatening aspects of the disease. It is important, therefore, to have tools that can work together to fight both aspects of the disease: an antiviral to target the virus itself and another therapy to tackle the inflammatory response."
He added that news last week of the success of the steroid dexamethasone appeared to "support the study of complementary approaches for treating COVID-19".
Image: Daniel O'Day is chairman and chief executive of Gilead Sciences
The company expects to have more than two million courses of remdesivir by the end of the year and aims for "many millions more" by 2021.
Mr O'Day said voluntary licensing agreements with nine generic manufacturers and would try to make sure remdesivir is accessible and affordable to world governments.
"All of us at Gilead feel the full weight of our responsibility with remdesivir and this will continue to guide all our future actions," he added.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Superheroes unite in song against Covid-19

Gal Gadot has led a celebrity-packed singalong of John Lennon 's Imagine in a bid to cheer people up during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Wonder Woman actress says she 's been in isolation for six days amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the time alone has made her `` a bit philosophical '' .
The 34-year-old star told her 36.8 million followers : `` This virus has effected the entire world , everyone , it does n't matter who you are , where you 're from .
We 're all in this together . ''
She said she was inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of an Italian trumpet-player performing the same song on his balcony , describing it as `` powerful and pure '' .
Gadot kicks off with the 1971 track 's evocative first line `` Imagine there 's no heaven '' .
Fellow actress Natalie Portman , who plays Jane Foster in the Thor films , sings her line `` nothing to kill or die for '' in a park .
Zoe Kravitz , who plays Catwoman Selina Kyle in forthcoming film The Batman , sings `` and no religion too '' in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a line from the original Wonder Woman Lynda Carter .
A bespectacled Mark Ruffalo , who play 's Marvel 's Hulk , also chimes in from his sofa , `` brotherhood of man '' .
In a message which accompanied the three-minute video , Gadot wrote : `` We are in this together , we will get through it together .
`` Let 's imagine together .
Sing with us .
All love to you , from me and my dear friends . ''
Other stars who featured in the song include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dornan .
British star Cara Delevingne also took part along with girlfriend Ashley Benson and fellow model Kaia Gerber for joint vocals of `` they may say that I 'm a dreamer '' , accompanied by a choreographed dance and finger click .
Actor Chris O'Dowd and his wife presenter Dawn O'Porter sing a line from their back yard .
Gadot finishes the song with its final line `` and the world will be as one '' .
The video was viewed more than three million times in less than 12 hours on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mini-concerts and songs from their living rooms in a bid to raise people 's spirits in self-isolation .
While many film productions have been pushed back due to the spread of the coronavirus , it 's not been confirmed whether the Wonder Woman sequel 1984 will still be released in June .
Scarlett Johansson 's Black Widow , Robert Pattinson 's The Batman and James Bond movie No Time To Die have all been delayed due to COVID-19 .

Gal Gadot has led a celebrity-packed singalong of John Lennon's Imagine in a bid to cheer people up during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Wonder Woman actress says she's been in isolation for six days amid the COVID-19 outbreak and the time alone has made her "a bit philosophical".
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The 34-year-old star told her 36.8 million followers: "This virus has effected the entire world, everyone, it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from. We're all in this together."
She said she was inspired to make the compilation after seeing a video of an Italian trumpet-player performing the same song on his balcony, describing it as "powerful and pure".
Gadot kicks off with the 1971 track's evocative first line "Imagine there's no heaven".
Image: Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman
Fellow actress Natalie Portman, who plays Jane Foster in the Thor films, sings her line "nothing to kill or die for" in a park.
Zoe Kravitz, who plays Catwoman Selina Kyle in forthcoming film The Batman, sings "and no religion too" in front of a roaring fire.
Image: Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth in Thor
There's also a line from the original Wonder Woman Lynda Carter.
A bespectacled Mark Ruffalo, who play's Marvel's Hulk, also chimes in from his sofa, "brotherhood of man".
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In a message which accompanied the three-minute video, Gadot wrote: "We are in this together, we will get through it together.
Image: Zoe Kravitz plays Catwoman in The Batman
"Let's imagine together. Sing with us. All love to you, from me and my dear friends."
Other stars who featured in the song include Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig and Jamie Dornan.
British star Cara Delevingne also took part along with girlfriend Ashley Benson and fellow model Kaia Gerber for joint vocals of "they may say that I'm a dreamer", accompanied by a choreographed dance and finger click.
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Actor Chris O'Dowd and his wife presenter Dawn O'Porter sing a line from their back yard.
Gadot finishes the song with its final line "and the world will be as one".
The video was viewed more than three million times in less than 12 hours on Instagram.
Many popstars have also livestreamed mini-concerts and songs from their living rooms in a bid to raise people's spirits in self-isolation.
While many film productions have been pushed back due to the spread of the coronavirus, it's not been confirmed whether the Wonder Woman sequel 1984 will still be released in June.
Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, Robert Pattinson's The Batman and James Bond movie No Time To Die have all been delayed due to COVID-19.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: ECB stimulus corrects a blunder of its own making

The European Central Bank 's expansion in its asset purchases - Quantitative Easing in the jargon - to €750bn is big .
That is demonstrated when set in context against the €2.6trn worth of assets already accumulated by the ECB in this way during the last five years .
It is also , however , an attempt to make amends .
The ECB first announced on Thursday last week that it was expanding its existing asset purchases , of €20bn per month , by an additional €120bn by the end of the year .
The markets were underwhelmed by that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by comments from Christine Lagarde , the new ECB president , at the news conference which accompanied the update .
Ms Lagarde spooked investors when she said : `` We are not here to close spreads , this is not the function or the mission of the ECB . ''
That , in the jargon , was an insistence that it was not the ECB 's role to bring down the difference between the Italian government 's borrowing costs relative to those of the German government .
Her comments triggered a record sell-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be publicly criticised by Sergio Mattarella , Italy 's president , who said Rome had expected more solidarity from the rest of the eurozone .
It was a blunder for which Ms Lagarde was later forced to apologise to the ECB 's governing council .
So Thursday 's huge expansion in QE is an attempt to make up for that mistake .
The amount being splashed by the ECB in its new Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme ( PEPP ) also had to be big to bear comparison with the thumping $ 700bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening by the US Federal Reserve .
It looks to have achieved that aim .
The borrowing costs of eurozone countries - as implied by the yields on the bonds they issue - have fallen sharply on the news .
They also stemmed the aggressive sell-off in European equities seen in recent weeks .
As Jacob Nell , economist at investment bank Morgan Stanley , put it : `` This looks like the 'whatever it takes ' move that markets have been hoping for .
`` This new package signals in a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoiding the risk of a significant depression or further financial fragmentation in the euro area . ''
Ralf Preusser , rates strategist at Bank of America Securities , added : `` We believe this puts the ECB on the front foot after last week 's miscommunication .
`` However , this programme is no panacea and needs to be seen in the context of a very severe economic shock that can not be overcome without a meaningful fiscal response . ''
This programme is however a powerful backstop that provides governments with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required and insurance for the ( uncertain ) duration of the shock .
There are a number of eye-catching aspects to the initiative .
The first is that , for the first time since the ECB launched QE in March 2015 , it will be buying Greek government bonds .
That will be of great benefit to Athens .
The second is that the type of assets the ECB will be allowed to buy has been expanded to include non-financial commercial paper - the unsecured IOUs issued by companies to finance their short-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those companies in the eurozone whose cash-flow is under pressure and who might otherwise have had to lay off workers .
It is a measure that both the Fed and the Bank of England have already adopted .
The third is that the ECB is keeping an open mind as to whether it does away with its self-imposed rules the govern its asset purchases .
These oblige it to buy assets in proportion to the amount of capital that each euro area member has contributed to the ECB and prevent it from buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonds issued by a particular eurozone government .
This last point is particularly significant because it would allow the ECB to target its asset purchases in areas where most strain is appearing , for example , letting it buy more Italian government bonds than it would previously have been allowed to .
While the ECB 's action has been applauded in most quarters , some economists and market participants are not convinced , arguing it raises as many questions as answers .
Marchel Alexandrovich , European economist at the investment bank and brokerage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ECB should be much more explicit in terms of how much it is actually buying in the markets .
Last week for instance , the ECB only bought €1.6bn of sovereign bonds , this week the figure could easily be 10 to 15 times this amount .
`` However , the markets wo n't know this until Monday ; in terms of the country breakdown , the numbers wo n't be known until the end of the month .
`` Publishing detailed figures on a timelier basis makes sense as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of its firepower and its flexibility . ''
And Simon French , economist at stockbroker Panmure Gordon , raised an eyebrow at the timing of the announcement - which came after an emergency conference call by members of the ECB 's governing council on Wednesday evening .
He said : `` The lack of synchronisation with fiscal policies and the late evening announcement has all the optics of the ECB being behind events . ''
In reality , it was probably as much as the ECB could do .
Interest rates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low of -0.5 % and the ECB is loathed by an increasing number of citizens in Germany .
But it does not get away from the fact that the eurozone is probably heading for a very deep recession .
It does not get over the fundamental problem with the eurozone - that it is a monetary union but not a political and fiscal union in which debt-sharing would be allowed .
And it does nothing to tackle another long-term problem that the eurozone has , most chiefly , the fact that some countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , have unsustainably high levels of debt .

Sky's Ian King explains what the European Central Bank is doing to help atone for a costly mistake its new president made.
The European Central Bank's expansion in its asset purchases - Quantitative Easing in the jargon - to €750bn is big.
That is demonstrated when set in context against the €2.6trn worth of assets already accumulated by the ECB in this way during the last five years.
It is also, however, an attempt to make amends.
The ECB first announced on Thursday last week that it was expanding its existing asset purchases, of €20bn per month, by an additional €120bn by the end of the year.
The markets were underwhelmed by that and, worse still, were unimpressed by comments from Christine Lagarde, the new ECB president, at the news conference which accompanied the update.
Ms Lagarde spooked investors when she said: "We are not here to close spreads, this is not the function or the mission of the ECB."
That, in the jargon, was an insistence that it was not the ECB's role to bring down the difference between the Italian government's borrowing costs relative to those of the German government.
Image: President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde
Her comments triggered a record sell-off in Italian government bonds and led her to be publicly criticised by Sergio Mattarella, Italy's president, who said Rome had expected more solidarity from the rest of the eurozone.
It was a blunder for which Ms Lagarde was later forced to apologise to the ECB's governing council.
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So Thursday's huge expansion in QE is an attempt to make up for that mistake.
Image: Lagarde is a former French minister and head of the International Monetary Fund
The amount being splashed by the ECB in its new Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) also had to be big to bear comparison with the thumping $700bn expansion in asset purchases announced last Sunday evening by the US Federal Reserve.
It looks to have achieved that aim. The borrowing costs of eurozone countries - as implied by the yields on the bonds they issue - have fallen sharply on the news. They also stemmed the aggressive sell-off in European equities seen in recent weeks.
As Jacob Nell, economist at investment bank Morgan Stanley, put it: "This looks like the 'whatever it takes' move that markets have been hoping for.
"This new package signals in a much stronger way the commitment of the ECB to avoiding the risk of a significant depression or further financial fragmentation in the euro area."
Ralf Preusser, rates strategist at Bank of America Securities, added: "We believe this puts the ECB on the front foot after last week's miscommunication.
"However, this programme is no panacea and needs to be seen in the context of a very severe economic shock that cannot be overcome without a meaningful fiscal response."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:31 Europe enters a lockdown
This programme is however a powerful backstop that provides governments with space to do the large fiscal boosts required and insurance for the (uncertain) duration of the shock.
There are a number of eye-catching aspects to the initiative.
The first is that, for the first time since the ECB launched QE in March 2015, it will be buying Greek government bonds. That will be of great benefit to Athens.
The second is that the type of assets the ECB will be allowed to buy has been expanded to include non-financial commercial paper - the unsecured IOUs issued by companies to finance their short-term borrowing needs. That ought to help those companies in the eurozone whose cash-flow is under pressure and who might otherwise have had to lay off workers. It is a measure that both the Fed and the Bank of England have already adopted.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:11 Q&A: All your coronavirus questions answered
The third is that the ECB is keeping an open mind as to whether it does away with its self-imposed rules the govern its asset purchases. These oblige it to buy assets in proportion to the amount of capital that each euro area member has contributed to the ECB and prevent it from buying more than a third of the sovereign bonds issued by a particular eurozone government.
This last point is particularly significant because it would allow the ECB to target its asset purchases in areas where most strain is appearing, for example, letting it buy more Italian government bonds than it would previously have been allowed to.
While the ECB's action has been applauded in most quarters, some economists and market participants are not convinced, arguing it raises as many questions as answers.
Marchel Alexandrovich, European economist at the investment bank and brokerage Jefferies, said: "We think the ECB should be much more explicit in terms of how much it is actually buying in the markets. Last week for instance, the ECB only bought €1.6bn of sovereign bonds, this week the figure could easily be 10 to 15 times this amount.
"However, the markets won't know this until Monday; in terms of the country breakdown, the numbers won't be known until the end of the month.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:38 Dutch MP collapses during coronavirus debate
"Publishing detailed figures on a timelier basis makes sense as a way for the ECB to demonstrate the full extent of its firepower and its flexibility."
And Simon French, economist at stockbroker Panmure Gordon, raised an eyebrow at the timing of the announcement - which came after an emergency conference call by members of the ECB's governing council on Wednesday evening.
He said: "The lack of synchronisation with fiscal policies and the late evening announcement has all the optics of the ECB being behind events."
In reality, it was probably as much as the ECB could do.
Interest rates in the eurozone already stand at a record low of -0.5% and the ECB is loathed by an increasing number of citizens in Germany.
But it does not get away from the fact that the eurozone is probably heading for a very deep recession.
It does not get over the fundamental problem with the eurozone - that it is a monetary union but not a political and fiscal union in which debt-sharing would be allowed.
And it does nothing to tackle another long-term problem that the eurozone has, most chiefly, the fact that some countries using the single currency, most notably Italy, have unsustainably high levels of debt.


news--2020-03-19--Ministers close in on multi-billion pound airline bailout plan

The government has drafted in City bankers to scrutinise the finances of Britain ’ s biggest airlines as they put the finishing touches to a multi-billion pound rescue plan .
Sky News has learnt that Rothschild has been asked to advise ministers on a package of measures expected to be unveiled in the coming days .
Sources said airlines including easyJet , British Airways ' parent International Airlines Group , Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic had held talks earlier this week with Grant Shapps , the transport secretary , during which they had made a series of requests for financial support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressing for support in the form of : • A state-backed credit facility to provide billions of pounds of liquidity to airlines whose cashflow has been paralysed by the coronavirus pandemic .
• A freeze on air traffic control charges , totalling hundreds of millions of pounds annually across the industry .
• A four-month moratorium on EC261 , the European law which requires airlines to compensate customers for flights which have been cancelled .
• A months-long cancellation of air passenger duty once the industry resumes normal flying schedules , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Help from government with employee costs during a protracted period when thousands of industry workers are being forced to take unpaid leave , or work on reduced pay .
• Financial guarantees that would release the money hoarded by credit card companies amid fears about airlines ' potential insolvency .
Insiders said it was possible that not all of the measures requested by the industry would be approved as part of a rescue deal .
However , they added that officials had been `` stunned '' to be told how rapidly some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cash if they operated on near-zero revenues but with their current fixed costs for more than a few weeks .
`` It genuinely would be Armageddon for the industry - and now the government can see that for itself , '' the director of one airline said .
There was also speculation on Thursday night in the aviation industry that taxpayers could end up owning a stake in some carriers , although such a move would be particularly contentious .
In return for providing an aid package , the government is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines will repatriate hundreds of thousands of Britons who remain overseas .
The industry regulator , the Civil Aviation Authority , is also involved in the talks .
The moratorium on EC261 is said to be a particular priority for the industry , because the volume of administrative work involved during a period of depleted staffing would make fulfilling airlines ' legal obligations virtually impossible .
Airlines are understood to have written to Mr Shapps to reinforce that point following their talks on Wednesday .
The active participation of IAG and Ryanair in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a large credit facility - would be ironic given their legal threats against the government for proposing to support Flybe before its recent collapse .
A number of airline executives , including IAG 's Willie Walsh , Virgin Atlantic chief Shai Weiss and Johan Lundgren , easyJet CEO , have taken temporary pay cuts in the last week as the scale of the crisis facing their industry became apparent .
Mr Shapps said on Wednesday evening : `` Coronavirus is having a crippling impact on the aviation industry and we can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , profitable firms out of business .
`` We are extremely grateful to airport and airline teams who are continuing to help passengers get home safely .
`` We stand firmly behind the sector and expect to announce a series of support measures shortly . ''
Mr Walsh has insisted that IAG would have no need for state aid because of the strength of its balance sheet .
That message was at odds with a memo issued by BA 's chief executive , Alex Cruz , last week when he referred to making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company 's survival .
BA staff were recently informed that they would not be paid bonuses for last year , despite reporting a near-record financial performance .
One insider said that that decision had been the result of the cost of the pilots ' strike that triggered the cancellation of thousands of flights last September .
IAG did , however , pay bonuses to its executives , including Mr Walsh , for last year , it recently disclosed in its annual report .
In recent days , BA staff have also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave in an effort to save cash .
None of the airlines would comment , while the Department for Transport also declined to comment .

The government has drafted in City bankers to scrutinise the finances of Britain’s biggest airlines as they put the finishing touches to a multi-billion pound rescue plan.
Sky News has learnt that Rothschild has been asked to advise ministers on a package of measures expected to be unveiled in the coming days.
Sources said airlines including easyJet, British Airways' parent International Airlines Group, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic had held talks earlier this week with Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, during which they had made a series of requests for financial support.
Image: BA and Virgin Atlantic have been among carriers to order unpaid leave among staff
Industry bosses are understood to be pressing for support in the form of:
A state-backed credit facility to provide billions of pounds of liquidity to airlines whose cashflow has been paralysed by the coronavirus pandemic.
pandemic. A freeze on air traffic control charges, totalling hundreds of millions of pounds annually across the industry.
A four-month moratorium on EC261, the European law which requires airlines to compensate customers for flights which have been cancelled.
A months-long cancellation of air passenger duty once the industry resumes normal flying schedules, with the aim of stimulating customer demand.
Help from government with employee costs during a protracted period when thousands of industry workers are being forced to take unpaid leave, or work on reduced pay.
Financial guarantees that would release the money hoarded by credit card companies amid fears about airlines' potential insolvency.
Insiders said it was possible that not all of the measures requested by the industry would be approved as part of a rescue deal.
However, they added that officials had been "stunned" to be told how rapidly some of Britain's largest airlines would run out of cash if they operated on near-zero revenues but with their current fixed costs for more than a few weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:17 Boris Johnson has said the UK
"It genuinely would be Armageddon for the industry - and now the government can see that for itself," the director of one airline said.
There was also speculation on Thursday night in the aviation industry that taxpayers could end up owning a stake in some carriers, although such a move would be particularly contentious.
In return for providing an aid package, the government is expected to extract a public guarantee that the airlines will repatriate hundreds of thousands of Britons who remain overseas.
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The industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, is also involved in the talks.
The moratorium on EC261 is said to be a particular priority for the industry, because the volume of administrative work involved during a period of depleted staffing would make fulfilling airlines' legal obligations virtually impossible.
Airlines are understood to have written to Mr Shapps to reinforce that point following their talks on Wednesday.
Image: The head of IAG, BA's parent firm, is among industry bosses to have taken pay cuts
The active participation of IAG and Ryanair in any of the rescue measures - such as a large credit facility - would be ironic given their legal threats against the government for proposing to support Flybe before its recent collapse.
A number of airline executives, including IAG's Willie Walsh, Virgin Atlantic chief Shai Weiss and Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO, have taken temporary pay cuts in the last week as the scale of the crisis facing their industry became apparent.
Mr Shapps said on Wednesday evening: "Coronavirus is having a crippling impact on the aviation industry and we cannot allow it to force world-leading, well-run, profitable firms out of business.
"We are extremely grateful to airport and airline teams who are continuing to help passengers get home safely.
"We stand firmly behind the sector and expect to announce a series of support measures shortly."
Mr Walsh has insisted that IAG would have no need for state aid because of the strength of its balance sheet.
That message was at odds with a memo issued by BA's chief executive, Alex Cruz, last week when he referred to making cost reductions that were necessary to ensure the company's survival.
BA staff were recently informed that they would not be paid bonuses for last year, despite reporting a near-record financial performance.
One insider said that that decision had been the result of the cost of the pilots' strike that triggered the cancellation of thousands of flights last September.
IAG did, however, pay bonuses to its executives, including Mr Walsh, for last year, it recently disclosed in its annual report.
In recent days, BA staff have also been asked to take one month's unpaid leave in an effort to save cash.
None of the airlines would comment, while the Department for Transport also declined to comment.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Trains and coaches cancelled nationwide - find out if it affects you

Transport services across the UK are being reduced as many people follow the government 's advice to stop all non-essential travel .
The changes are affecting train , Tube , coach and buses across the UK as travel operators deal with the fall in demand as well as with staff absences due to sickness and self-isolation .
On Tuesday , Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs companies may have to be nationalised to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak .
Here are the services affected so far .
Northern Trains say a dozen routes will face cancellations today because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected will be Liverpool-Manchester Airport , Leeds/Sheffield-Nottingham and Newcastle-Carlisle .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
South Western Railway say that `` like most organisations , we 're seeing more staff having to stay at home unwell '' , which has led to some cancellations .
Govia Thameslink Railway also say services are being cancelled because of workers having to self-isolate .
The sleeper service from London Paddington to Penzance will be suspended after Friday , according to operator Great Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nisbet said train companies will operate service to `` as many places as possible in line with demand '' .
But he said this would have to be balanced with ensuring necessary staffing levels were maintained .
The London Underground is partially shut down with up to 40 stations that do not interchange with other lines closed `` until further notice '' .
Trains on the Waterloo and City line have been cancelled entirely , as has the Night Tube , which usually runs overnight on Friday and Saturday .
There are currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network in London , Downing Street says .
National Express , the UK 's largest operator of scheduled coach services , says it will reduce its capacity by 80 % because of the outbreak .
A typical Sunday service will operate on the company 's bus networks in the West Midlands , Coventry and Dundee .
Buses in London are also operating fewer services because of the outbreak .

Transport services across the UK are being reduced as many people follow the government's advice to stop all non-essential travel.
The changes are affecting train, Tube, coach and buses across the UK as travel operators deal with the fall in demand as well as with staff absences due to sickness and self-isolation.
On Tuesday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs companies may have to be nationalised to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.
Here are the services affected so far.
Trains
Image: An empty carriage on a usually busy commuter train between Sussex and London on Thursday
Northern Trains say a dozen routes will face cancellations today because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the routes affected will be Liverpool-Manchester Airport, Leeds/Sheffield-Nottingham and Newcastle-Carlisle.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
South Western Railway say that "like most organisations, we're seeing more staff having to stay at home unwell", which has led to some cancellations.
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Govia Thameslink Railway also say services are being cancelled because of workers having to self-isolate.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 Coronavirus: UK's new economic measures explained
The sleeper service from London Paddington to Penzance will be suspended after Friday, according to operator Great Western Railway.
Rail Delivery Group director Robert Nisbet said train companies will operate service to "as many places as possible in line with demand".
But he said this would have to be balanced with ensuring necessary staffing levels were maintained.
Tube
Image: Over 40 Tube stations have been shut by Transport for London
The London Underground is partially shut down with up to 40 stations that do not interchange with other lines closed "until further notice".
Trains on the Waterloo and City line have been cancelled entirely, as has the Night Tube, which usually runs overnight on Friday and Saturday.
There are currently no plans to close down the transport network in London, Downing Street says.
Coaches and buses
Image: National Express say their coach services will be cut by 80%
National Express, the UK's largest operator of scheduled coach services, says it will reduce its capacity by 80% because of the outbreak.
A typical Sunday service will operate on the company's bus networks in the West Midlands, Coventry and Dundee.
Buses in London are also operating fewer services because of the outbreak.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Students to get GCSE and A-level grades with no exams

Students whose exams have been cancelled to stop the coronavirus spread will be given grades so they can still go to college or university , the education secretary has confirmed .
Gavin Williamson told Sky News the full details including who would decide those GCSE and A-level grades and what appeals process would be available would be revealed on Friday .
Pupils are going to be `` out of school for quite a considerable time '' because it has the `` best opportunity '' to stop people transmitting COVID-19 , he said .
All schools acorss the UK will close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - apart from to children of key workers and the most vulnerable .
As of 9am on Wednesday , there are 2,626 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - a rise of 676 in the last 24 hours .
Mr Williamson said schools will only re-open when it becomes clear that `` is not going to have and impact in terms of spread of the pandemic '' .
And he explained plans to cancel exams for around 5 million young people but still grade them so they can `` have the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or going into work or on to college '' .
`` We 've already had discussions of outlines with Universities UK and the headteachers ' unions , giving a clear indication of the route we are looking at going down , '' he told Kay Burley @ Breakfast .
`` We want to make sure that we get any of the concerns from these bodies and take them on board , and make sure we give the best advice to schools and colleges when we issue that tomorrow . ''
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an appeals process . ''
For trainee teachers who will not have reached the number of mandated days in schools to qualify expecting to start in September , Mr Williamson said the government would be prepared to waive this .
He added `` key workers '' whose children can still go to school includes `` all the people within the NHS and within the schools '' .
When asked if universities could be bailed out to stop them closing , Mr Williamson said he was looking at making sure they were still `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could n't open in September or October .
Damian Hinds , a former Tory education secretary , said headteachers he 's spoken to have been `` thinking ahead of time '' about how to respond to the crisis .
He told Sky News ' All Out Politics that vulnerable children - such as those at risk of abuse or who have a social worker - `` will still be able to go to school '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ofqal will also be discussing the `` best , most accurate and fairest way '' of grading students .
`` These days in schools there 's a lot of data around , there 's quite a lot of progress data , in some subjects there is assessment , there 'll be mock exams in some cases , '' he said .
`` So there are ways of doing this - but it will have to be finalised .
it will take a short while to do but I think it 's very important @ @ @ @ @ @

Students whose exams have been cancelled to stop the coronavirus spread will be given grades so they can still go to college or university, the education secretary has confirmed.
Gavin Williamson told Sky News the full details including who would decide those GCSE and A-level grades and what appeals process would be available would be revealed on Friday.
Pupils are going to be "out of school for quite a considerable time" because it has the "best opportunity" to stop people transmitting COVID-19, he said.
Image: All schools acorss the UK are closing their doors from Friday
All schools acorss the UK will close their doors from the end of Friday - apart from to children of key workers and the most vulnerable.
As of 9am on Wednesday, there are 2,626 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - a rise of 676 in the last 24 hours.
Mr Williamson said schools will only re-open when it becomes clear that "is not going to have and impact in terms of spread of the pandemic".
And he explained plans to cancel exams for around 5 million young people but still grade them so they can "have the best opportunities in terms of progressing their education, or going into work or on to college".
"We've already had discussions of outlines with Universities UK and the headteachers' unions, giving a clear indication of the route we are looking at going down," he told Kay Burley@Breakfast.
"We want to make sure that we get any of the concerns from these bodies and take them on board, and make sure we give the best advice to schools and colleges when we issue that tomorrow."
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He added: "There will have to be an appeals process."
Image: The education secretary said he wanted universities to remain 'viable'
For trainee teachers who will not have reached the number of mandated days in schools to qualify expecting to start in September, Mr Williamson said the government would be prepared to waive this.
He added "key workers" whose children can still go to school includes "all the people within the NHS and within the schools".
When asked if universities could be bailed out to stop them closing, Mr Williamson said he was looking at making sure they were still "viable" to operate even if they couldn't open in September or October.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 PM: UK schools to close from Friday
Damian Hinds, a former Tory education secretary, said headteachers he's spoken to have been "thinking ahead of time" about how to respond to the crisis.
He told Sky News' All Out Politics that vulnerable children - such as those at risk of abuse or who have a social worker - "will still be able to go to school".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
The government and the exams regulator Ofqal will also be discussing the "best, most accurate and fairest way" of grading students.
"These days in schools there's a lot of data around, there's quite a lot of progress data, in some subjects there is assessment, there'll be mock exams in some cases," he said.
"So there are ways of doing this - but it will have to be finalised. it will take a short while to do but I think it's very important to get it right."


news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: FTSE 100 lifts from near-decade low as central banks bolster stimulus

Global stock markets have entered positive territory after further coronavirus stimulus action by the Bank of England and European Central Bank ( ECB ) .
Values were firmly in the red on Thursday afternoon before the Bank of England announced its second interest rate cut of the month , taking Bank rate to a joint-record low of 0.1 % , and a re-start of its asset purchase programme .
The ECB , the euro area 's central bank , had hours earlier said it would be making €750bn ( £708bn ) in new bond purchases to boost liquidity in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also moved to shore up market confidence , by opening swap lines with central banks in nine countries to meet demand for the so-called reserve currency .
The FTSE 100 had been trading at its lowest level since the summer of 2010 - below the 5,000 point barrier - ahead of the Bank of England 's announcement .
It closed 1.4 % higher at 5,151 but the pound , which hits its weakest level in 35 years on Wednesday , failed to lift significantly as it hovered just above $ 1.16 despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany and CAC in Paris were both up strongly at the end of the volatile session while , in New York , the Dow Jones Industrial Average fluctuated wildly after opening 3 % lower .
The US index ended the day just shy of 1 % higher .
Investors have delivered a rout in values over the past month as the scale of disruption from COVID-19 has grown globally , with countries descending into lockdown , stoking fears of economic collapse .
Central banks and governments have been taking measures aimed at easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimal effect on investor sentiment until today .
The ECB 's latest announcement , taken alongside previous action , means it will be pumping more than €1trn of new funds into its financial system to support economic activity .
Germany 's economy minister Peter Altmaier told Deutschlandfunk radio : `` I hope these measures will also make it clear to the stock markets , to the markets today that Europe will protect its interests and Europe is determined to overcome this crisis . ''
Sky 's business presenter Ian King agreed , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really are chucking the kitchen sink at it . ''
Markets had been lifted on Tuesday by the promise of stimulus measures , with the Dow climbing more than 5 % after US President Donald Trump unveiled plans for an $ 850bn stimulus package , including help for airlines and cheques of up to $ 1,000 for every American citizen .
But on Wednesday , the Dow bled more than 2,000 points - almost 10 % - at one stage .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts said the falls in New York reflected some frustration that the Trump stimulus was yet to materialise .
It has to be agreed by Congress and US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin told the Fox Business Network on Thursday that it was hoped the legislation could be passed early next week .
Growing numbers of factories across Europe and the US are closing down - following the lead set by China at the beginning of the year as it coped with the early spread of coronavirus .
A decision to close UK schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children of key public workers and those deemed vulnerable , will put greater pressure on the economy as parents are forced away from their work .
The global economy is , according to many economists , almost certain to be in recession given the scale of the disruption .

Global stock markets have entered positive territory after further coronavirus stimulus action by the Bank of England and European Central Bank (ECB).
Values were firmly in the red on Thursday afternoon before the Bank of England announced its second interest rate cut of the month, taking Bank rate to a joint-record low of 0.1%, and a re-start of its asset purchase programme.
The ECB, the euro area's central bank, had hours earlier said it would be making €750bn (£708bn) in new bond purchases to boost liquidity in the financial system.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:47 With the number of cases of coronavirus in London way ahead of the rest of the country, speculation is mounting that the capital may go on lockdown by the weekend.
The US Federal Reserve also moved to shore up market confidence, by opening swap lines with central banks in nine countries to meet demand for the so-called reserve currency.
The FTSE 100 had been trading at its lowest level since the summer of 2010 - below the 5,000 point barrier - ahead of the Bank of England's announcement.
It closed 1.4% higher at 5,151 but the pound, which hits its weakest level in 35 years on Wednesday, failed to lift significantly as it hovered just above $1.16 despite the Bank's intervention.
The DAX in Germany and CAC in Paris were both up strongly at the end of the volatile session while, in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fluctuated wildly after opening 3% lower. The US index ended the day just shy of 1% higher.
Investors have delivered a rout in values over the past month as the scale of disruption from COVID-19 has grown globally, with countries descending into lockdown, stoking fears of economic collapse.
Central banks and governments have been taking measures aimed at easing the burden but they have had a minimal effect on investor sentiment until today.
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The ECB's latest announcement, taken alongside previous action, means it will be pumping more than €1trn of new funds into its financial system to support economic activity.
Germany's economy minister Peter Altmaier told Deutschlandfunk radio: "I hope these measures will also make it clear to the stock markets, to the markets today that Europe will protect its interests and Europe is determined to overcome this crisis."
Sky's business presenter Ian King agreed, saying: "You name it, they really are chucking the kitchen sink at it."
Markets had been lifted on Tuesday by the promise of stimulus measures, with the Dow climbing more than 5% after US President Donald Trump unveiled plans for an $850bn stimulus package, including help for airlines and cheques of up to $1,000 for every American citizen.
But on Wednesday, the Dow bled more than 2,000 points - almost 10% - at one stage.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
Market analysts said the falls in New York reflected some frustration that the Trump stimulus was yet to materialise.
It has to be agreed by Congress and US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin told the Fox Business Network on Thursday that it was hoped the legislation could be passed early next week.
Growing numbers of factories across Europe and the US are closing down - following the lead set by China at the beginning of the year as it coped with the early spread of coronavirus.
A decision to close UK schools from Friday evening, except for the children of key public workers and those deemed vulnerable, will put greater pressure on the economy as parents are forced away from their work.
The global economy is, according to many economists, almost certain to be in recession given the scale of the disruption.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Young people warned COVID-19 'is not a trivial infection'

Young people in the UK have been warned coronavirus is `` not a trivial infection '' as Britons were urged to stop mixing in pubs and restaurants immediately to combat its spread .
People across the UK have been pictured continuing to go to socialise in drinking places - despite the government urging the public to avoid them .
In briefing on Thursday , the government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the activity `` needs to stop '' or the measures introduced to tackle COVID-19 will not be effective .
And in a warning to young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professor Chris Whitty , was not a `` trivial infection '' and some had been left in intensive care after contracting the virus .
`` What we absolutely should n't encourage is the idea that young people somehow can ignore it because they 're going to fine , '' he said .
`` The mixing in pubs and restaurants and so on that we 've said is part of allowing to disease to spread needs to stop .
`` It needs to stop among young people as well as older people . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stress that not every young person who contracts coronavirus will `` breeze through '' it .
`` It 's certainly the case that the great majority of those who end up dying sadly are people who tend to be in the later part of their lives - usually quite elderly or with pre-existing health conditions , '' he said .
`` But there are also some young people who have ended up in intensive care or have ended up with severe disease around the world .
`` I think it 's important we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single young healthy person is just going to breeze through this . ''
He added : `` This is not a trivial infection for everybody , even if they are a young adult . ''
The two experts were speaking at the Academy of Medical Sciences in London where Prof Whitty said it was `` improbable '' that a COVID-19 vaccine would be developed in six months .
He also admitted that he expects to look back at the handling of the virus crisis and think `` we could have done something slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would like there to be a vaccine riding to the rescue in six months time , currently - we think that 's improbable , '' Prof Whitty said .
He added : `` Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we will look back and say we wish we had known that and we would have done something slightly different . ''
When asked about different strains of the virus , Prof Whitty said `` with a strong caveat of scientific speculation '' that it was expected to mutate .
: : Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said there was a chance that the virus could mutate `` around the vaccine '' , but that some mutations could be `` actually useful '' .
`` Smaller mutations ... help to track family trees of the virus , '' said Prof Whitty , adding that this would help scientists to understand and tackle the disease .
Sir Patrick added that the UK was `` absolutely world-class '' in addressing viral mutations Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a significant escalation of UK measures in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advising everyone in the country to avoid pubs , clubs , restaurants and theatres and to only make essential journeys .

Young people in the UK have been warned coronavirus is "not a trivial infection" as Britons were urged to stop mixing in pubs and restaurants immediately to combat its spread.
People across the UK have been pictured continuing to go to socialise in drinking places - despite the government urging the public to avoid them.
In briefing on Thursday, the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the activity "needs to stop" or the measures introduced to tackle COVID-19 will not be effective.
Image: People stand outside a pub in Soho, central London, on Tuesday
And in a warning to young people, England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, was not a "trivial infection" and some had been left in intensive care after contracting the virus.
"What we absolutely shouldn't encourage is the idea that young people somehow can ignore it because they're going to fine," he said.
"The mixing in pubs and restaurants and so on that we've said is part of allowing to disease to spread needs to stop.
"It needs to stop among young people as well as older people."
Prof Whitty said it was important to stress that not every young person who contracts coronavirus will "breeze through" it.
"It's certainly the case that the great majority of those who end up dying sadly are people who tend to be in the later part of their lives - usually quite elderly or with pre-existing health conditions," he said.
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Image: Some young people have been left severely ill by COVID-19, said Professor Chris Whitty (right)
"But there are also some young people who have ended up in intensive care or have ended up with severe disease around the world.
"I think it's important we don't give the impression that every single young healthy person is just going to breeze through this."
He added: "This is not a trivial infection for everybody, even if they are a young adult."
The two experts were speaking at the Academy of Medical Sciences in London where Prof Whitty said it was "improbable" that a COVID-19 vaccine would be developed in six months.
He also admitted that he expects to look back at the handling of the virus crisis and think "we could have done something slightly different".
"However much we would like there to be a vaccine riding to the rescue in six months time, currently - we think that's improbable," Prof Whitty said.
He added: "Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we will look back and say we wish we had known that and we would have done something slightly different."
When asked about different strains of the virus, Prof Whitty said "with a strong caveat of scientific speculation" that it was expected to mutate.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He said there was a chance that the virus could mutate "around the vaccine", but that some mutations could be "actually useful".
"Smaller mutations... help to track family trees of the virus," said Prof Whitty, adding that this would help scientists to understand and tackle the disease.
Sir Patrick added that the UK was "absolutely world-class" in addressing viral mutations
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a significant escalation of UK measures in response to coronavirus earlier this week, including advising everyone in the country to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres and to only make essential journeys.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: UK cruise firm Saga offers two ships as floating hospitals

The owners of two giant cruise ships have offered them as floating hospitals to help deal with the coronavirus crisis .
The luxury ships could provide space for more than 2,600 patients in separate cabins and have on-board medical facilities .
They are the 37,000-tonne Saga Sapphire , and the brand new 58,000-tonne Spirit of Discovery which docked this week in the Thames at Tilbury , Essex .
Ironically , the vessels have been withdrawn from sailing around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the particular vulnerability of the elderly who make up the majority of cruise passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are understood to have spoken to government officials to explore their potential use as hospitals and are awaiting a response .
A source said : `` The ships are laying idle , the government expects its hospitals to be overwhelmed with coronavirus patients , so it makes sense to look at this option . ''
No passengers on either vessel were affected by the coronavirus , though other cruise ships have encountered illness and death .
It led to government advice that over-70s should not holiday on ships - which can act as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
The Spirit of Discovery was launched last year after being christened by the Duchess of Cornwall and was about to start its first season .
The Saga Sapphire , built in 1981 , was about to embark on its final season , with cruises around Norway , the Mediterranean and the British Isles .
Saga would not comment on its offer to the government , and the Department of Health and Social Care was asked for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been used as hospitals in the past - notably in the late 19th century when several were moored near Greenwich to help cope with patients during a smallpox epidemic .

The owners of two giant cruise ships have offered them as floating hospitals to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.
The luxury ships could provide space for more than 2,600 patients in separate cabins and have on-board medical facilities.
They are the 37,000-tonne Saga Sapphire, and the brand new 58,000-tonne Spirit of Discovery which docked this week in the Thames at Tilbury, Essex.
Image: The Saga Sapphire could also be used as a floating hospital
Ironically, the vessels have been withdrawn from sailing around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the particular vulnerability of the elderly who make up the majority of cruise passengers.
Their UK owners, Saga, are understood to have spoken to government officials to explore their potential use as hospitals and are awaiting a response.
A source said: "The ships are laying idle, the government expects its hospitals to be overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, so it makes sense to look at this option."
No passengers on either vessel were affected by the coronavirus, though other cruise ships have encountered illness and death.
It led to government advice that over-70s should not holiday on ships - which can act as incubators of the virus.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
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The Spirit of Discovery was launched last year after being christened by the Duchess of Cornwall and was about to start its first season.
The Saga Sapphire, built in 1981, was about to embark on its final season, with cruises around Norway, the Mediterranean and the British Isles.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 UK can 'turn the tide within 12 weeks' - PM
Saga would not comment on its offer to the government, and the Department of Health and Social Care was asked for its response.
In the UK, ships have been used as hospitals in the past - notably in the late 19th century when several were moored near Greenwich to help cope with patients during a smallpox epidemic.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Future of aviation 'cannot be guaranteed without state aid'

Lufthansa has warned that airlines might not survive a prolonged coronavirus pandemic without government help .
German-owned Lufthansa , like most of its rivals around the world , has slashed capacity as travel restrictions and falling demand make many commercial routes unviable .
The airline has also proposed different working patterns but has said it is impossible to forecast the impact of coronavirus on its profitability .
Chief executive Carsten Spohr said : `` The longer this crisis lasts , the more likely it is that the future of aviation can not be guaranteed without state aid . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus has placed the entire global economy and our company as well in an unprecedented state of emergency .
`` At present , no one can foresee the consequences . ''
Lufthansa , like many airlines , has been focused on repatriating citizens struggling to return home as commercial flight options dwindle .
Mr Spohr added that they were also trying to ensure that supply chains for `` many thousands of businesses do not break down by mobilising additional capacity for air freight transport '' .
Lufthansa has reduced its passenger flights by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Munich , now offering them only from Frankfurt .
Including cuts to capacity by Lufthansa-owned Austrian Airlines , around 700 of the group 's 763 aircraft will be temporarily grounded .
The group 's executive board will also take a 20 % pay cut .
Lufthansa has been in talks with the German government on providing liquidity , including special loans from the state development bank .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
It has also raised an additional €600m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving it liquidity of around €4.3bn ( £4bn ) .
Earlier in the week , carriers including British Airways , Virgin Atlantic , Ryanair and easyJet all announced cuts in capacity and cost-cutting measures .
Virgin Atlantic also asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave to help the airline survive the pandemic .
In other airline news on Thursday : • Qantas told most of its 30,000 employees to take leave ( paid or unpaid ) as it cut all international flights .
Chief executive Alan Joyce said demand for travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand said their borders will close to all except citizens and residents from Friday • Delta Airlines in the US has parked more than 600 planes and cut corporate pay by as much as 50 % • The United Nations ' Civil Aviation Organisation called on governments to ensure cargo operations continue , as they are needed to transport medicine , ventilators and other health items needed to fight the pandemic • American Airlines denied it had given shareholders too many dividends in better times , leaving it without enough to survive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice presidents Nate Gatten said : `` This is no ordinary rainy day '' • EasyJet has launched its winter schedule early so passengers with existing bookings can change to a flight for travel up until February 2021 • EasyJet 's UK pilot union has agreed to a pay freeze and asked crew to take unpaid leave to minimise the risk of job losses , according to Reuters India is preparing a £1.4bn aviation rescue package , sources told Reuters news agency , after the US proposed a package of $ 50bn ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
US airline stocks fell , however , as the Trump administration 's package was based on loans rather than grants .
Airlines would have to maintain a certain level of service and limit pay increases for executives until the loans are repaid .
India 's package reportedly includes temporary suspension of taxes on the sector .
Meanwhile , China has seen a slight recovery in its domestic aviation market as people there return to work .
China had the bulk of the world 's coronavirus cases and deaths but it appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
But , according to Variflight , domestic capacity is still 60 % down from a year earlier and international flight cancellations are rising - hitting 2,938 on average daily , compared with 2,460 in February and 387 in January .

Lufthansa has warned that airlines might not survive a prolonged coronavirus pandemic without government help.
German-owned Lufthansa, like most of its rivals around the world, has slashed capacity as travel restrictions and falling demand make many commercial routes unviable.
The airline has also proposed different working patterns but has said it is impossible to forecast the impact of coronavirus on its profitability.
Chief executive Carsten Spohr said: "The longer this crisis lasts, the more likely it is that the future of aviation cannot be guaranteed without state aid."
He added: "The spread of the coronavirus has placed the entire global economy and our company as well in an unprecedented state of emergency.
"At present, no one can foresee the consequences."
Lufthansa, like many airlines, has been focused on repatriating citizens struggling to return home as commercial flight options dwindle.
Image: Qantas is cutting all international flights due to a fall in demand
Mr Spohr added that they were also trying to ensure that supply chains for "many thousands of businesses do not break down by mobilising additional capacity for air freight transport".
Lufthansa has reduced its passenger flights by 95%, also axing all flights from Munich, now offering them only from Frankfurt.
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Including cuts to capacity by Lufthansa-owned Austrian Airlines, around 700 of the group's 763 aircraft will be temporarily grounded. The group's executive board will also take a 20% pay cut.
Lufthansa has been in talks with the German government on providing liquidity, including special loans from the state development bank.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
It has also raised an additional €600m (£566m) in recent weeks, giving it liquidity of around €4.3bn (£4bn).
Earlier in the week, carriers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair and easyJet all announced cuts in capacity and cost-cutting measures.
Virgin Atlantic also asked staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave to help the airline survive the pandemic.
In other airline news on Thursday:
Qantas told most of its 30,000 employees to take leave (paid or unpaid) as it cut all international flights. Chief executive Alan Joyce said demand for travel had "evaporated"
Australia and New Zealand said their borders will close to all except citizens and residents from Friday
Delta Airlines in the US has parked more than 600 planes and cut corporate pay by as much as 50%
The United Nations' Civil Aviation Organisation called on governments to ensure cargo operations continue, as they are needed to transport medicine, ventilators and other health items needed to fight the pandemic
American Airlines denied it had given shareholders too many dividends in better times, leaving it without enough to survive the virus. One of its senior vice presidents Nate Gatten said: "This is no ordinary rainy day"
EasyJet has launched its winter schedule early so passengers with existing bookings can change to a flight for travel up until February 2021
EasyJet's UK pilot union has agreed to a pay freeze and asked crew to take unpaid leave to minimise the risk of job losses, according to Reuters
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 Coronavirus: Which groups are most at risk?
India is preparing a £1.4bn aviation rescue package, sources told Reuters news agency, after the US proposed a package of $50bn (£43bn) to help its airlines cope.
US airline stocks fell, however, as the Trump administration's package was based on loans rather than grants. Airlines would have to maintain a certain level of service and limit pay increases for executives until the loans are repaid.
India's package reportedly includes temporary suspension of taxes on the sector.
Image: The coronavirus pandemic has caused many airlines to cut staff
Meanwhile, China has seen a slight recovery in its domestic aviation market as people there return to work.
China had the bulk of the world's coronavirus cases and deaths but it appears to have brought the disease's spread under control.
But, according to Variflight, domestic capacity is still 60% down from a year earlier and international flight cancellations are rising - hitting 2,938 on average daily, compared with 2,460 in February and 387 in January.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Topshop owner demands new rent cuts amid high street crisis

Sir Philip Green 's high street empire is taking urgent steps to slash its rent bill as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to decimate parts of Britain 's retail sector .
Sky News has learnt that Sir Philip 's Arcadia Group , which owns Topshop and Dorothy Perkins , approached landlords this week to inform them that it will not pay at least part of a multimillion pound bill that falls due next week .
One property industry source said the company had also raised the prospect of cuts of as much as 50 % on rent deals that were themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creditors .
The discussions between Arcadia executives and landlords make Sir Philip 's company the latest in a lengthening line of retailers seeking gifts to conserve cash ahead of a costly week for the high street .
Employees are due to be paid , along with rent and tax bills which are due next week , and retailers including B & Q-owner Kingfisher and Superdry are among those which will refuse to make some of those payments as they face up to lengthy store closures .
Like many of its rivals , Arcadia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its brands this week as consumers have deserted fashion retailers .
Sir Philip 's businesses employ about 18,000 people , making his operations one of the UK 's largest privately owned employers .
One source said its priority was to ensure that staff were paid as they are confronted by a high street shutdown that could last many weeks .
Arcadia , which made billions of pounds for Sir Philip and his family , was already struggling before the coronavirus outbreak .
He narrowly secured creditors ' support for a rescue of Arcadia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back a Company Voluntary Arrangement ( CVA ) at the second attempt .
The withholding of , or savage reductions to , next week 's rent payments will also heap further misery on the parts of the ailing commercial property sector which act as landlords to the biggest retailers in Britain .
Last year 's rescue deal saw Sir Philip 's wife , Lady Tina Green , agreeing to inject £175m into Arcadia 's pension scheme over a three-year period , with security over a further £210m of assets also being granted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its intention to close dozens of stores and reduce rents at hundreds more .
As well as Topshop , Arcadia houses chains including Miss Selfridge and Burton - all of which have been hit by shifting habits among shoppers and growing consumer caution .
It has been a tumultuous period for Sir Philip , who for years was feted as the king of the high street by politicians and the media but who failed to recover his poise after the collapse in 2016 of BHS .
His sale of the department store chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former bankrupt , culminated in Sir Philip having to contribute more than £360m to fund its pension deficit after its collapse .
The scale of the challenge facing Sir Philip as he tries to save Arcadia was underlined in September when it reported a £170m full-year loss .
As part of the reorganisation of his companies , Sir Philip paid $ 1 to buy back his private equity partner 's 25 % stake in Topshop and Topman .
He was also forced to sweeten the terms of an offer to US-based creditors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tycoon 's miserable period has not only been restricted to the performance of his business .
Sir Philip also became embroiled in a storm over his behaviour towards Arcadia employees and his use of non-disclosure agreements to prevent former workers discussing their severance packages .

Sir Philip Green's high street empire is taking urgent steps to slash its rent bill as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to decimate parts of Britain's retail sector.
Sky News has learnt that Sir Philip's Arcadia Group, which owns Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, approached landlords this week to inform them that it will not pay at least part of a multimillion pound bill that falls due next week.
One property industry source said the company had also raised the prospect of cuts of as much as 50% on rent deals that were themselves slashed last year under an agreement with creditors.
The discussions between Arcadia executives and landlords make Sir Philip's company the latest in a lengthening line of retailers seeking gifts to conserve cash ahead of a costly week for the high street.
Employees are due to be paid, along with rent and tax bills which are due next week, and retailers including B&Q-owner Kingfisher and Superdry are among those which will refuse to make some of those payments as they face up to lengthy store closures.
Image: Sir Philip's Arcadia Group owns TopShop and Dorothy Perkins
Like many of its rivals, Arcadia has seen catastrophic falls in sales across its brands this week as consumers have deserted fashion retailers.
Sir Philip's businesses employ about 18,000 people, making his operations one of the UK's largest privately owned employers.
One source said its priority was to ensure that staff were paid as they are confronted by a high street shutdown that could last many weeks.
Arcadia, which made billions of pounds for Sir Philip and his family, was already struggling before the coronavirus outbreak.
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He narrowly secured creditors' support for a rescue of Arcadia last June, with landlords agreeing to back a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) at the second attempt.
The withholding of, or savage reductions to, next week's rent payments will also heap further misery on the parts of the ailing commercial property sector which act as landlords to the biggest retailers in Britain.
Last year's rescue deal saw Sir Philip's wife, Lady Tina Green, agreeing to inject £175m into Arcadia's pension scheme over a three-year period, with security over a further £210m of assets also being granted to it.
In return, Arcadia signalled its intention to close dozens of stores and reduce rents at hundreds more.
As well as Topshop, Arcadia houses chains including Miss Selfridge and Burton - all of which have been hit by shifting habits among shoppers and growing consumer caution.
It has been a tumultuous period for Sir Philip, who for years was feted as the king of the high street by politicians and the media but who failed to recover his poise after the collapse in 2016 of BHS.
His sale of the department store chain a year earlier to Dominic Chappell, a former bankrupt, culminated in Sir Philip having to contribute more than £360m to fund its pension deficit after its collapse.
The scale of the challenge facing Sir Philip as he tries to save Arcadia was underlined in September when it reported a £170m full-year loss.
As part of the reorganisation of his companies, Sir Philip paid $1 to buy back his private equity partner's 25% stake in Topshop and Topman.
He was also forced to sweeten the terms of an offer to US-based creditors as he closed Topshop's outlets there.
The tycoon's miserable period has not only been restricted to the performance of his business.
Sir Philip also became embroiled in a storm over his behaviour towards Arcadia employees and his use of non-disclosure agreements to prevent former workers discussing their severance packages.
Arcadia declined to comment.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Competition laws relaxed to help supermarkets 'feed the nation'

Supermarkets will be allowed to work together to keep shelves stocked , shops open and delivery vans running as the UK battles coronavirus .
The government will relax competition laws next week to allow stores to cooperate to keep Britons fed as they are being asked to isolate from each other .
In a meeting with supermarket bosses and food industry chiefs on Thursday , Environment Secretary George Eustice confirmed some elements of legislation would be temporarily waived .
The government said the action would allow retailers to share data with each other on stock levels , cooperate to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delivery vans .
Ministers have also relaxed rules around drivers ' hours , so retailers can deliver more food to stores , and will suspend the 5p plastic bag charge for online purchases to speed up deliveries .
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker On Thursday , Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a Downing Street news conference to urge Britons to be `` reasonable '' in their grocery shopping .
He intervened after massively increased demand , amid stockpiling by some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As I said before , we 've got good supply chains farm to fork - there 's no reason for the shops really to be empty , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` Please be reasonable , please be reasonable in your shopping , be considerate and thoughtful for others as you do it '' .
Many supermarkets have already reacted to the huge demand caused by the coronavirus crisis to introduce limits on the purchase of some goods , as well as preserving certain store opening times for elderly and vulnerable customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Following his meeting with supermarket bosses , Mr Eustice said the government would `` do whatever it takes to help them feed the nation '' .
`` By relaxing elements of competition laws temporarily , our retailers can work together on their contingency plans and share the resources they need with each other during these unprecedented circumstances , '' he added .
`` We welcome the measures supermarkets are already taking to keep shelves stocked and supply chains resilient , and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus . ''
From Friday , supermarket delivery drivers will see their daily driving time limit increased from 10 hours to 11 hours .

Supermarkets will be allowed to work together to keep shelves stocked, shops open and delivery vans running as the UK battles coronavirus.
The government will relax competition laws next week to allow stores to cooperate to keep Britons fed as they are being asked to isolate from each other.
In a meeting with supermarket bosses and food industry chiefs on Thursday, Environment Secretary George Eustice confirmed some elements of legislation would be temporarily waived.
The government said the action would allow retailers to share data with each other on stock levels, cooperate to keep shops open, or share distribution depots and delivery vans.
Ministers have also relaxed rules around drivers' hours, so retailers can deliver more food to stores, and will suspend the 5p plastic bag charge for online purchases to speed up deliveries.
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson used a Downing Street news conference to urge Britons to be "reasonable" in their grocery shopping.
He intervened after massively increased demand, amid stockpiling by some, left supermarket aisles empty.
"As I said before, we've got good supply chains farm to fork - there's no reason for the shops really to be empty," Mr Johnson said.
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"Please be reasonable, please be reasonable in your shopping, be considerate and thoughtful for others as you do it".
Many supermarkets have already reacted to the huge demand caused by the coronavirus crisis to introduce limits on the purchase of some goods, as well as preserving certain store opening times for elderly and vulnerable customers.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Following his meeting with supermarket bosses, Mr Eustice said the government would "do whatever it takes to help them feed the nation".
"By relaxing elements of competition laws temporarily, our retailers can work together on their contingency plans and share the resources they need with each other during these unprecedented circumstances," he added.
"We welcome the measures supermarkets are already taking to keep shelves stocked and supply chains resilient, and will continue to support them with their response to coronavirus."
From Friday, supermarket delivery drivers will see their daily driving time limit increased from 10 hours to 11 hours.


news--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Supermarkets 'want police support in event of a London lockdown'

Supermarkets are expecting to get police support to deter unruly behaviour if London goes into lockdown because of the coronavirus .
Source within the industry say they are concerned that panic buying could spike if further restrictions are imposed .
On Thursday , there were frenzied scenes in some stores as shoppers sought to buy bottled water , tinned goods and toilet roll .
Andrew Opie , from the British Retail Consortium , the industry body representing supermarkets , said retailers were well-versed in providing effective security measures .
He said : `` Retailers across the country are working closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail sites running as smoothly as possible .
`` Any forms of abusive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated and retailers will continue to work with the police to protect their staff and customers . ''
`` It is vital that police forces prioritise the safety of those who are working to meet the needs of an entire country .
Anyone found to be abusing staff or customers should be met with the full force of the law . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary George Eustace had told the Commons there was `` significant resilience in our food supply chain '' and no shortage of food .
`` There is n't a shortage of food , the challenge that we 've had is getting food to shelves in time when people have been purchasing more . ''
But despite government assurances , photos on social media showed long queues and empty shelves across the country .
One supermarket in Guildford , Surrey , had to open early on Thursday because of huge queues of shoppers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door .
Designated shopping times designed to give elderly and vulnerable people a chance were ignored in some places .
In some places supermarket workers have been intimidated or abused , prompting union USDAW to appeal for shoppers to stay calm .
It came after news from The Grocer , which quoted data from Nielsen Scantrack as showing shoppers spent an extra £57.3m on stockpiling medicines , handwash and canned food in the first week of March compared with the week before .
• Supermarket Ocado had to shut down its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The demand was four times the highest level previously seen by the website and was so high that bosses thought it was under attack from hackers • Sainsbury 's announced customers would not be able to buy more than three of any single item • Asda said customers will only be allowed three items on all food and that its was closing its cafes and pizza counters and reducing opening hours of 24-hour stores to allow re-stocking time • Morrisons and Aldi have also placed limits on some items Government measures include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run around the clock , relaxing regulations on delivery hours .
The rush to the supermarkets in London came after speculation that the city could be placed on lockdown in order to combat COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
But the government moved to de-bunk the rumours , with Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's official spokesman saying : `` There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London . ''

Supermarkets are expecting to get police support to deter unruly behaviour if London goes into lockdown because of the coronavirus.
Source within the industry say they are concerned that panic buying could spike if further restrictions are imposed.
On Thursday, there were frenzied scenes in some stores as shoppers sought to buy bottled water, tinned goods and toilet roll.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:44 Radical money printing plan considered to help economy through coronavirus
Andrew Opie, from the British Retail Consortium, the industry body representing supermarkets, said retailers were well-versed in providing effective security measures.
He said: "Retailers across the country are working closely with police and other partners to keep retail sites running as smoothly as possible.
"Any forms of abusive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated and retailers will continue to work with the police to protect their staff and customers."
"It is vital that police forces prioritise the safety of those who are working to meet the needs of an entire country. Anyone found to be abusing staff or customers should be met with the full force of the law."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
Environment Secretary George Eustace had told the Commons there was "significant resilience in our food supply chain" and no shortage of food.
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"There isn't a shortage of food, the challenge that we've had is getting food to shelves in time when people have been purchasing more."
But despite government assurances, photos on social media showed long queues and empty shelves across the country.
One supermarket in Guildford, Surrey, had to open early on Thursday because of huge queues of shoppers, with one man banging his trolley against the door.
Designated shopping times designed to give elderly and vulnerable people a chance were ignored in some places.
In some places supermarket workers have been intimidated or abused, prompting union USDAW to appeal for shoppers to stay calm.
It came after news from The Grocer, which quoted data from Nielsen Scantrack as showing shoppers spent an extra £57.3m on stockpiling medicines, handwash and canned food in the first week of March compared with the week before.
Supermarket Ocado had to shut down its website temporarily due to "unprecedented strain". The demand was four times the highest level previously seen by the website and was so high that bosses thought it was under attack from hackers
Sainsbury's announced customers would not be able to buy more than three of any single item
Asda said customers will only be allowed three items on all food and that its was closing its cafes and pizza counters and reducing opening hours of 24-hour stores to allow re-stocking time
Morrisons and Aldi have also placed limits on some items
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:26 Distillery makes hand sanitiser to fight coronavirus
Government measures include new delivery curfews so that lorries can run around the clock, relaxing regulations on delivery hours.
The rush to the supermarkets in London came after speculation that the city could be placed on lockdown in order to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
But the government moved to de-bunk the rumours, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman saying: "There are no plans to close down the transport network in London and there is zero prospect of any restrictions being placed on travelling in and out of London."


news--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Key questions over UK schools closure - and who else is affected?

Schools across the UK will close from the end of lessons on Friday until further notice as part of the government 's effort to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Nurseries , sixth forms , further education colleges , independent schools and boarding schools are also expected to shut .
Some key questions about the action have been answered , but others have n't .
Not quite .
The children of key workers and vulnerable children will still be allowed to attend schools .
Examples of key workers include NHS staff , police and supermarket delivery drivers , who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work as the UK battles coronavirus .
Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education , Health and Care Plans - a legal document that describes a child 's special educational needs and the support they require .
The government is also encouraging schools to look after key workers ' children and vulnerable children throughout the Easter holidays .
All other children should remain at home .
How long will schools stay shut for ?
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has only said schools in England will close `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she `` can not promise schools and nurseries will reopen after the Easter break '' .
And in Northern Ireland , First Minister Arlene Foster said `` the closure will likely take us beyond the natural break for the summer '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
All exams and assessments in England and Wales for this academic year have been cancelled , while in Northern Ireland it is expected pupils wo n't sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether exams will sit in Scotland has not yet been taken .
Ofsted will cease all inspections of schools and colleges and performance tables will not be published this year .
Will pupils still get their qualifications ?
Mr Williamson promised to `` make sure that every child gets the proper recognition that they deserve '' in terms of qualifications - but , so far , it is unclear how this will be achieved .
The government is working with Ofqual ( Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation ) on a `` detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no child is unfairly penalised '' , Mr Williamson added .
The National Education Union has suggested teacher assessment is a `` good method of giving reliable information about young people 's progress and achievements '' .
For children eligible for free school meals , schools will be able to purchase meals or vouchers for supermarkets or local shops .
The total value of vouchers offered to each eligible child per week will exceed the rate the government pays to schools for free school meals .
This is in recognition that families will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are therefore likely to incur higher costs .
The final amounts will be confirmed shortly , the government has said .
Vouchers can be emailed or printed and posted to families .
Purnima Tanuku , chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association , has asked how private nurseries are going to be able to survive a long closure .
She said : `` Nurseries will lose income from parents but will still have staff to pay and rental or mortgage costs .
`` It 's vital that parents can access high quality care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masse and nursery businesses and their staff must be supported to be in a position to deliver this .
`` We also need to know how some nurseries - who care for children of key workers and for vulnerable children - can continue to remain open with few children . ''
In an effort to support nurseries , Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April .
According to the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years , the closure also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayram said : `` We know our members and other childcare providers will be extremely worried about how they can survive if they are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 or forced to close down for all but vulnerable children or children of key workers .
`` The support already announced by government will help but far more is needed to ensure childcare providers can survive this period of closure and rebuild the service so many families rely on to balance work and home , once we have beaten COVID-19 . ''
Will university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Mr Williamson said there are `` no plans '' to make a change to tuition fees at universities .
This is because many universities are expected to continue teaching online , he explained .
`` We 'll be working very closely with Universities UK to ensure that their students have their grades in a timely manner and to ensure that they 're able to move on to the next stage of their lives , '' the education secretary added .

Schools across the UK will close from the end of lessons on Friday until further notice as part of the government's effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Nurseries, sixth forms, further education colleges, independent schools and boarding schools are also expected to shut.
Some key questions about the action have been answered, but others haven't.
Will schools stay shut completely?
Not quite. The children of key workers and vulnerable children will still be allowed to attend schools.
Examples of key workers include NHS staff, police and supermarket delivery drivers, who will be needed to continue to go to work as the UK battles coronavirus.
Vulnerable children include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans - a legal document that describes a child's special educational needs and the support they require.
The government is also encouraging schools to look after key workers' children and vulnerable children throughout the Easter holidays.
All other children should remain at home.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 PM announces school closures across UK
How long will schools stay shut for?
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has only said schools in England will close "until further notice".
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she "cannot promise schools and nurseries will reopen after the Easter break".
And in Northern Ireland, First Minister Arlene Foster said "the closure will likely take us beyond the natural break for the summer".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
What's happening to A-Level, GCSEs and SATs?
All exams and assessments in England and Wales for this academic year have been cancelled, while in Northern Ireland it is expected pupils won't sit summer exams either.
A decision on whether exams will sit in Scotland has not yet been taken.
Ofsted will cease all inspections of schools and colleges and performance tables will not be published this year.
Will pupils still get their qualifications?
Mr Williamson promised to "make sure that every child gets the proper recognition that they deserve" in terms of qualifications - but, so far, it is unclear how this will be achieved.
The government is working with Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) on a "detailed set of measures that make sure that no child is unfairly penalised", Mr Williamson added.
The National Education Union has suggested teacher assessment is a "good method of giving reliable information about young people's progress and achievements".
What about school meals?
For children eligible for free school meals, schools will be able to purchase meals or vouchers for supermarkets or local shops.
The total value of vouchers offered to each eligible child per week will exceed the rate the government pays to schools for free school meals.
This is in recognition that families will not be buying food in bulk and are therefore likely to incur higher costs.
The final amounts will be confirmed shortly, the government has said.
Vouchers can be emailed or printed and posted to families.
What about nurseries?
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of National Day Nurseries Association, has asked how private nurseries are going to be able to survive a long closure.
She said: "Nurseries will lose income from parents but will still have staff to pay and rental or mortgage costs.
"It's vital that parents can access high quality care once they return to work again en masse and nursery businesses and their staff must be supported to be in a position to deliver this.
"We also need to know how some nurseries - who care for children of key workers and for vulnerable children - can continue to remain open with few children."
In an effort to support nurseries, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 Coronavirus: Which groups are most at risk?
What about childminders?
According to the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, the closure also applies to childminders.
Chief executive Liz Bayram said: "We know our members and other childcare providers will be extremely worried about how they can survive if they are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 or forced to close down for all but vulnerable children or children of key workers.
"The support already announced by government will help but far more is needed to ensure childcare providers can survive this period of closure and rebuild the service so many families rely on to balance work and home, once we have beaten COVID-19."
Will university students still have to pay tuition fees?
Mr Williamson said there are "no plans" to make a change to tuition fees at universities.
This is because many universities are expected to continue teaching online, he explained.
"We'll be working very closely with Universities UK to ensure that their students have their grades in a timely manner and to ensure that they're able to move on to the next stage of their lives," the education secretary added.