news--2020-06-28--Coronavirus: Pub chain says it 'cannot wait for the government' and will reopen on 4 July

The boss of a pub chain has said he will be reopening all of its venues on 4 July because delaying the move would put jobs at risk .
Peter Borg-Neal , founder and chief executive of Oakman Inns , said he plans to open all 28 of his pubs across the South East and the Midlands .
The government 's roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown says pubs , hairdressers and beauty salons will only be able to open from that date at the very earliest , providing conditions are met .
: : Listen to the All Out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But Mr Borg-Neal has `` challenged the Prime Minister to tell him otherwise '' and says his plans will not change unless Boris Johnson directly intervenes .
He tweeted : `` So @ OakmanInns will be opening all sites on the 4 July .
It would irresponsible for us to delay as we would be putting jobs at risk .
`` To open without proper forward planning would also be wrong .
We can not wait for the Government to make a decision . ''
The chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to be some reckless rebel '' .
He said the chain needs three weeks to be able to train furloughed staff on its COVID-19 safety measures and order food and drink supplies .
Pictures of Oakman pub The Betsey Wynne in Swanbourne , Buckinghamshire , show the efforts the chain has put in to making its premises `` COVID-secure '' .
Tables will be separated by glass screens , customers will order food and drink electronically using an app , and hand sanitizers will be widely available .
Menus will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , Mr Borg-Neal told Sky News last month .
Oakman Inns had to put 900 of its 1,000 staff on furlough when the government ordered pubs in March .
Pub owners are now putting pressure on ministers to reduce social distancing from 2m to 1m so more staff can work at once and they can cater to more customers .
Oakman Inns ' chief operating officer Dermot King said pubs with beer gardens are more likely to survive the devastating economic downturn caused by the pandemic .
He said : `` For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who do n't have significant outdoor areas , it simply will not be viable to open with the 2m rule .
`` It 's no exaggeration to say that if the government does anything further to prevent pubs , bars and restaurants from opening on July 4 , and does n't reduce social distancing from 2m to 1m , then there will be large numbers of job losses in the hospitality sector - as well as premises that probably never open again . ''
In a statement , the Department for Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We want to be able to reopen pubs , bars , restaurants and cafes as soon as possible and it remains our ambition to do so from the beginning of July , but it must be safe so we do not risk a second wave of this virus .
`` We are working with the sector at pace to develop guidance on how these businesses can reopen safely , and this will be published ahead of time to allow them to prepare . ''

The boss of a pub chain has said he will be reopening all of its venues on 4 July because delaying the move would put jobs at risk.
Peter Borg-Neal, founder and chief executive of Oakman Inns, said he plans to open all 28 of his pubs across the South East and the Midlands.
The government's roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown says pubs, hairdressers and beauty salons will only be able to open from that date at the very earliest, providing conditions are met.
Image: At one site, the Betsey Wynne in Buckinghamshire, measures are already in place to stem the spread of coronavirus
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But Mr Borg-Neal has "challenged the Prime Minister to tell him otherwise" and says his plans will not change unless Boris Johnson directly intervenes.
He tweeted: "So @OakmanInns will be opening all sites on the 4 July. It would irresponsible for us to delay as we would be putting jobs at risk.
"To open without proper forward planning would also be wrong. We cannot wait for the Government to make a decision."
The chief executive told the BBC he is "not trying to be some reckless rebel".
He said the chain needs three weeks to be able to train furloughed staff on its COVID-19 safety measures and order food and drink supplies.
Advertisement
Pictures of Oakman pub The Betsey Wynne in Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire, show the efforts the chain has put in to making its premises "COVID-secure".
Image: Oakman Inns founder Peter Borg-Neal says he 'cannot wait for the government to make a decision' on pubs
Tables will be separated by glass screens, customers will order food and drink electronically using an app, and hand sanitizers will be widely available.
Menus will also be disposable to avoid the spread of the virus, Mr Borg-Neal told Sky News last month.
Oakman Inns had to put 900 of its 1,000 staff on furlough when the government ordered pubs in March.
Image: Chefs are pictured wearing visors and customers will only be able to order food and drink via an app
Pub owners are now putting pressure on ministers to reduce social distancing from 2m to 1m so more staff can work at once and they can cater to more customers.
Oakman Inns' chief operating officer Dermot King said pubs with beer gardens are more likely to survive the devastating economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
He said: "For many smaller premises, as well as those who don't have significant outdoor areas, it simply will not be viable to open with the 2m rule.
Image: The government says pubs will be open on 4 July 'at the earliest'
"It's no exaggeration to say that if the government does anything further to prevent pubs, bars and restaurants from opening on July 4, and doesn't reduce social distancing from 2m to 1m, then there will be large numbers of job losses in the hospitality sector - as well as premises that probably never open again."
In a statement, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: "We want to be able to reopen pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes as soon as possible and it remains our ambition to do so from the beginning of July, but it must be safe so we do not risk a second wave of this virus.
"We are working with the sector at pace to develop guidance on how these businesses can reopen safely, and this will be published ahead of time to allow them to prepare."


news--2020-06-19--Coronavirus alert level lowered after 'steady' fall in cases

The coronavirus alert level across the UK has been lowered from four to three , the Department of Health has said .
The UK 's chief medical officers said the move was recommended by the Joint Biosecurity Centre after a `` steady decrease '' in COVID-19 cases in England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
Alert level three means the virus is in general circulation but transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially , and there could be a `` gradual relaxing of restrictions '' .
The Department of Health said the level has been changed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement , the UK 's chief medical officers said : `` There has been a steady decrease in cases we have seen in all four nations , and this continues .
`` It does not mean that the pandemic is over .
The virus is still in general circulation , and localised outbreaks are likely to occur .
`` We have made progress against the virus thanks to the efforts of the public and we need the public to continue to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure this progress continues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Professor Chris Whitty , Northern Ireland 's Dr Michael McBride , Scotland 's Dr Gregor Smith and Wales ' Dr Chris Jones - said they had `` reviewed the evidence '' and agreed the alert level should be downgraded .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said moving to a lower alert level was `` a big moment for the country , and a real testament to the British people 's determination to beat this virus '' .
Analysis : Lowering the alert level is good news - but the risk of a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert level three reflects the gradual fall in cases across the country .
The lockdown has brought the virus under some kind of control .
While this is good news , we should be careful about reading too much into national or even regional figures , because we are most likely entering a new phase of the pandemic , where local outbreaks pop up even as national cases continue to decline .
In the last two weeks , for instance , there have been 650 cases in Leicestershire .
The ability to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to success in the future , no matter what the alert level .
It is not entirely clear what the relationship is between the alert level and the loosening of lockdown , but this news would appear to pave the way for the government to move to the third step of its plan , which involved opening hairdressers , restaurants and pubs .
However , even with the alert level at three , there is still a very real risk of a second wave , so some social distancing will have to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be careful where they go , what they touch and who they see .
The `` COVID alert level '' system - unveiled by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May - involves a scale of one to five , which he said would reflect the degree of threat to the country from coronavirus .
At the time , Mr Johnson said the level would be determined by the reproduction rate of COVID-19 ( R ) - which is the average number of people each infected person transmits the virus to - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the easing of lockdown measures in England at the beginning of June caused concern as the alert level remained at four - which the government previously said would mean restrictions remaining in place .
At level five , transmission is high or rising and there is a risk healthcare services will be overwhelmed .
Level one means coronavirus is no longer known to be in the UK .
Level three is when the epidemic is in general circulation and gradual easing of restrictions can take place , while level two is when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and `` no or minimal '' restrictions are required .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The government announced on Friday that a further 173 people who tested positive for COVID-19 had died in the UK .
It brings the country 's total number of coronavirus deaths in hospitals , care homes and the wider community to 42,461 , The number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in the UK is now 301,815 after 1,346 more cases were confirmed on @ @

The coronavirus alert level across the UK has been lowered from four to three, the Department of Health has said.
The UK's chief medical officers said the move was recommended by the Joint Biosecurity Centre after a "steady decrease" in COVID-19 cases in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Alert level three means the virus is in general circulation but transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially, and there could be a "gradual relaxing of restrictions".
The Department of Health said the level has been changed to three "with immediate effect".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Why has COVID alert changed - and what does it mean?
In a statement, the UK's chief medical officers said: "There has been a steady decrease in cases we have seen in all four nations, and this continues.
"It does not mean that the pandemic is over. The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur.
"We have made progress against the virus thanks to the efforts of the public and we need the public to continue to follow the guidelines carefully to ensure this progress continues."
The chief medical officers - England's Professor Chris Whitty, Northern Ireland's Dr Michael McBride, Scotland's Dr Gregor Smith and Wales' Dr Chris Jones - said they had "reviewed the evidence" and agreed the alert level should be downgraded.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said moving to a lower alert level was "a big moment for the country, and a real testament to the British people's determination to beat this virus".
Advertisement
Analysis: Lowering the alert level is good news - but the risk of a second wave is very real
By Rowland Manthorpe, technology correspondent
The move to alert level three reflects the gradual fall in cases across the country. The lockdown has brought the virus under some kind of control.
While this is good news, we should be careful about reading too much into national or even regional figures, because we are most likely entering a new phase of the pandemic, where local outbreaks pop up even as national cases continue to decline.
In the last two weeks, for instance, there have been 650 cases in Leicestershire. The ability to control this kind of outbreak will be key to success in the future, no matter what the alert level.
It is not entirely clear what the relationship is between the alert level and the loosening of lockdown, but this news would appear to pave the way for the government to move to the third step of its plan, which involved opening hairdressers, restaurants and pubs.
However, even with the alert level at three, there is still a very real risk of a second wave, so some social distancing will have to remain in place, and people will still have to be careful where they go, what they touch and who they see.
Image: A road sign pictured in Bridport, Dorset last month
The "COVID alert level" system - unveiled by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May - involves a scale of one to five, which he said would reflect the degree of threat to the country from coronavirus.
At the time, Mr Johnson said the level would be determined by the reproduction rate of COVID-19 (R) - which is the average number of people each infected person transmits the virus to - and the number of cases.
However the easing of lockdown measures in England at the beginning of June caused concern as the alert level remained at four - which the government previously said would mean restrictions remaining in place.
At level five, transmission is high or rising and there is a risk healthcare services will be overwhelmed. Level one means coronavirus is no longer known to be in the UK.
Level three is when the epidemic is in general circulation and gradual easing of restrictions can take place, while level two is when the number of cases and transmission is low and "no or minimal" restrictions are required.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The government announced on Friday that a further 173 people who tested positive for COVID-19 had died in the UK.
It brings the country's total number of coronavirus deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community to 42,461,
The number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in the UK is now 301,815 after 1,346 more cases were confirmed on Friday.


news--2020-06-19--Boris Johnson 'sure' all pupils can be back at school full-time from September

The prime minister has announced he is `` sure '' all children can be back in school full-time from September .
Boris Johnson hinted social distancing rules in classrooms could be relaxed to help more pupils return faster , as he told people to `` watch this space '' .
Asked about calls from some Conservatives to cut the recommended two metre gap to one metre to help more pupils join lessons , he said : `` We will be putting in further changes as the science allows . ''
He was also asked if the return to school plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn instead of just going in for some or half days .
Mr Johnson confirmed : `` Absolutely ...
Provided we can make the classroom safe , and I think we can , I want every child , every student , every pupil back in September and I 'm sure we can get it done .
`` I 'm making no bones about it - I think that 's the right way forward for our country . ''
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson later confirmed the Government intended to bring all children back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of saying it was official government policy .
`` School is vital for every one of our children , '' he told the daily Downing Street press conference .
`` That is why we will bring all children , in all year groups , back to school in September .
While many children have already returned to school , I do understand that there is anxiety still among parents .
`` I want to assure you that the wellbeing of your children is the absolute top priority for every single one of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complained it was not clear how the Mr Johnson `` simply hoping will be enough in itself to achieve that goal '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Kevin Courtney , joint general secretary , said : `` If the requirements of social distancing - in order to stop a second peak - are reduced even to 1m , then most schools could not have 30 children in a classroom .
`` He needs a plan for more teachers , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return , and he needs to be finding extra spaces in which they can teach smaller groups .
`` We need to use the ingenuity that produced the Nightingale hospitals to produce the extra spaces we need . ''
Hours after the UK 's coronavirus alert level was lowered , the prime minister said on a visit to a school in Hertfordshire : `` We have to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease .
`` Yes it has been a horrible shock for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down ... '' I hope , as we go forward into the autumn , people will be much , much more confident . ''
The levels of COVID-19 across the country are `` really diminishing amongst us all '' , he added .
Concerns about emergency measures having to be strengthened again were also dismissed by Mr Johnson , when asked about the threat of a second peak .
He said the government would use its test and trace programme to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spot , rather than going back to the national lockdown approach '' .
Schools in England have been reopening further to pupils from 1 June , although some did not meet the deadline over safety fears for children and staff .
Mr Johnson sought to convince parents it is safe for teaching to continue , telling them on Friday : `` Schools are safe to come back to - early years , reception , year one , year six in primary , year 10 and 12 in secondary - now is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes after news a £1bn catch-up programme for children who have missed out on months of education has been announced by Downing Street .

The prime minister has announced he is "sure" all children can be back in school full-time from September.
Boris Johnson hinted social distancing rules in classrooms could be relaxed to help more pupils return faster, as he told people to "watch this space".
Asked about calls from some Conservatives to cut the recommended two metre gap to one metre to help more pupils join lessons, he said: "We will be putting in further changes as the science allows."
Image: Schools have started to reopen further in England from 1 June
He was also asked if the return to school plan would see kids return full-time from the autumn instead of just going in for some or half days.
Mr Johnson confirmed: "Absolutely... Provided we can make the classroom safe, and I think we can, I want every child, every student, every pupil back in September and I'm sure we can get it done.
Image: Currently everyone is told to stay two metres apart
"I'm making no bones about it - I think that's the right way forward for our country."
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson later confirmed the Government intended to bring all children back to school in September, but stopped short of saying it was official government policy.
"School is vital for every one of our children," he told the daily Downing Street press conference.
"That is why we will bring all children, in all year groups, back to school in September. While many children have already returned to school, I do understand that there is anxiety still among parents.
Advertisement
"I want to assure you that the wellbeing of your children is the absolute top priority for every single one of us."
But the National Education Union complained it was not clear how the Mr Johnson "simply hoping will be enough in itself to achieve that goal".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary, said: "If the requirements of social distancing - in order to stop a second peak - are reduced even to 1m, then most schools could not have 30 children in a classroom.
"He needs a plan for more teachers, to ask teachers who have left the profession to return, and he needs to be finding extra spaces in which they can teach smaller groups.
"We need to use the ingenuity that produced the Nightingale hospitals to produce the extra spaces we need."
Image: A union said reducing the distance to one metre would not be enough
Hours after the UK's coronavirus alert level was lowered, the prime minister said on a visit to a school in Hertfordshire: "We have to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease.
"Yes it has been a horrible shock for the country and for the world, and I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down...
"I hope, as we go forward into the autumn, people will be much, much more confident."
Image: The PM insisted schools were safe for parents to send children back to
The levels of COVID-19 across the country are "really diminishing amongst us all", he added.
Concerns about emergency measures having to be strengthened again were also dismissed by Mr Johnson, when asked about the threat of a second peak.
He said the government would use its test and trace programme to "take the preventative measures necessary on the spot, rather than going back to the national lockdown approach".
Schools in England have been reopening further to pupils from 1 June, although some did not meet the deadline over safety fears for children and staff.
Mr Johnson sought to convince parents it is safe for teaching to continue, telling them on Friday: "Schools are safe to come back to - early years, reception, year one, year six in primary, year 10 and 12 in secondary - now is the time to come back."
It comes after news a £1bn catch-up programme for children who have missed out on months of education has been announced by Downing Street.


news--2020-06-19--Coronavirus: Borrowing soars to record £103.7bn as debt outstrips GDP

Britain 's borrowing has soared to a record £103.7bn as debt outstripped economic output for the first time in nearly six decades due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The figure for the first two months of the financial year is £87bn more than the same time last year - and the highest seen in any April-May period since current records began in 1993 .
It further lays bare the cost to the nation 's finances of the COVID-19 crisis , as the Treasury receives less tax income while pouring money into efforts to prop up struggling businesses and safeguard jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) had previously forecast that borrowing for the entire year was expected to hit £298.4bn .
According to the Office for National Statistics , borrowing in May is estimated to have been £55.2bn , roughly nine times or £49.6bn more than for the same month last year and is the highest in any month on record , after April 's figure was revised down to £48.5bn from £62.1bn .
It means the UK 's debt mountain stood at £1.95trn at the end of May 2020 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time last year and the largest year-on-year increase ever seen .
This is equivalent to 100.9 % of gross domestic product ( GDP ) , the first time it has been exceeded since March 1963 .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said : `` Today 's figures confirm that coronavirus is having a severe impact on our public finances .
`` The best way to restore our public finances to a more sustainable footing is to safely reopen our economy so people can return to work .
`` We 've set out our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safe fashion , including reopening high streets across the country this week , as we kick-start our economic recovery . ''
: : Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The increase in borrowing came as central government receipts fell by 28.4 % compared with May 2019 to £40.7bn , including £28.9bn in taxes .
Value Added Tax ( VAT ) , Pay As You Earn ( PAYE ) Income Tax and Corporation Tax receipts fell by 46 % , 29.4 % and 14 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said this could change .
Speaking to Sky News , Paul Johnson , director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies , said : `` We are going to be borrowing an enormous amount this year , probably in the order of £300bn .
`` In real terms , as a fraction of the economy , it is by far the biggest we have borrowed at any time since the Second World War .
It is much more than the borrowing was at the height of the financial crisis .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strange thing is if it were just for this year , if we were just paying to get through this year and then everything went back to normal , it would n't actually matter terribly much .
`` We 'd go into the next few years with more debt , it would take a while to pay it down but we could get back to normal .
`` The real question is how much we are going to be borrowing next year and the year after and the year after as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis . ''

Britain's borrowing has soared to a record £103.7bn as debt outstripped economic output for the first time in nearly six decades due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The figure for the first two months of the financial year is £87bn more than the same time last year - and the highest seen in any April-May period since current records began in 1993.
It further lays bare the cost to the nation's finances of the COVID-19 crisis, as the Treasury receives less tax income while pouring money into efforts to prop up struggling businesses and safeguard jobs, impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had previously forecast that borrowing for the entire year was expected to hit £298.4bn.
According to the Office for National Statistics, borrowing in May is estimated to have been £55.2bn, roughly nine times or £49.6bn more than for the same month last year and is the highest in any month on record, after April's figure was revised down to £48.5bn from £62.1bn.
It means the UK's debt mountain stood at £1.95trn at the end of May 2020 - up by a fifth or £173.2bn from the same time last year and the largest year-on-year increase ever seen.
This is equivalent to 100.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), the first time it has been exceeded since March 1963.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "Today's figures confirm that coronavirus is having a severe impact on our public finances.
"The best way to restore our public finances to a more sustainable footing is to safely reopen our economy so people can return to work.
Advertisement
"We've set out our plan to do this in a gradual and safe fashion, including reopening high streets across the country this week, as we kick-start our economic recovery."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The increase in borrowing came as central government receipts fell by 28.4% compared with May 2019 to £40.7bn, including £28.9bn in taxes.
Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Income Tax and Corporation Tax receipts fell by 46%, 29.4% and 14% respectively, the ONS said, although officials said this could change.
Speaking to Sky News, Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said: "We are going to be borrowing an enormous amount this year, probably in the order of £300bn.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:53 Bank of England creates £100bn of new cash
"In real terms, as a fraction of the economy, it is by far the biggest we have borrowed at any time since the Second World War. It is much more than the borrowing was at the height of the financial crisis.
"This is a huge level of borrowing. The strange thing is if it were just for this year, if we were just paying to get through this year and then everything went back to normal, it wouldn't actually matter terribly much.
"We'd go into the next few years with more debt, it would take a while to pay it down but we could get back to normal.
"The real question is how much we are going to be borrowing next year and the year after and the year after as a result of the long term effects of this crisis."


news--2020-06-19--A toxic combination: Labour report reveals why it lost the election

The toxic combination of an unpopular leader , confused message on Brexit and a manifesto rejected as fantasy pushed Labour to its lowest point in almost a century in the December election .
Bringing back the smallest number of MPs since 1935 , Labour has a mountain to climb to get back into power , according to a Labour Party review of the 2019 election defeat released on Friday .
Just to become the largest party in the UK requires a swing towards Labour on the scale of Tony Blair 's 1997 Labour landslide .
To win outright , Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 60 % , something no party has ever done before - more Everest than Ben Nevis .
But the report also concluded that the defeat was not solely down to Jeremy Corbyn 's leadership , manifesto and Brexit .
The 15-strong panel of commissioners , including former leader Ed Miliband and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell concluded that this defeat had been a `` long time coming '' and could be traced back to two decades of demographic and political change that had fractured Labour 's voter coalition .
`` It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time coming , '' Ms Powell told Sky News in an interview about the 150-page report she helped to write .
`` Along the way there were positive points - particularly in 2017 when we really did mobilise non-voters in a way we had n't done before - but in many other working-class communities which have been de-industrialised , where political alienation has taken place where there is a real desire and thirst for change , the Labour Party has not been offering the kind of change that these voters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost all types of votes everywhere when compared with 2017 , except in London .
Labour lost 1.7 million Leave voters and one million Remain supporters .
It also failed to win over swing voters and turned out fewer non-voters than in 2017 .
The report also lays bare the shortcomings of the Corbyn operation going into the 2019 general election , concluding that the leadership lacked a clear strategy and a coherent message .
The report also said there was a `` toxic culture '' in the party , spawned by years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic and operational dysfunction '' .
However , the commission refused to lay all the blame for Labour 's defeat on Mr Corbyn and Brexit , saying it `` would be a mistake to believe that a different leader , with Brexit no longer a defining issue , would in itself be sufficient to change Labour 's fortunes '' .
`` Labour could have further to fall unless deep thinking is done to overcome the deep problems that have been growing for many years . ''
Ed Miliband , the former Labour leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put aside the factionalism and division of years '' .
`` We owe it to the people whom we represent to look outwards to the country rather than inwards , '' Mr Miliband wrote in The Guardian .
But Mr Corbyn 's leadership was a decisive factor in the disastrous 2019 defeat , according to the report , which found that the `` Stop Jeremy Corbyn '' message was a `` major driver '' of the Conservatives ' success across all key groups , including non-voters and swing voters .
The report also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tories in the digital war .
`` Our organisation and campaigning is not fit for purpose : our methods still owe more to the 1990s than the 2020s , '' said Mr Miliband .
`` And while we prided ourselves on digital innovation in 2017 , the Conservatives were miles ahead of us last year .
A top-to-bottom transformation is required . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Some changes have already begun : Mr Corbyn has gone - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brexit is done .
But the party has so much more to do to win back those lost working communities along the Red Wall while also trying to win back seats in Scotland : not since 1955 has the Labour Party formed a government with fewer than 40 seats in Scotland ; they currently hold one .
Sir Keir Starmer , who became leader in April , has so far avoided being drawn into the debate .
He has instead focused on scrutinising the government 's handling on the coronavirus pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided Labour party , and his disparate , disillusioned voter base together is to sketch out a new economic settlement , a new social and economic plan .
The unanswerable question right now is the extent to which the coronavirus crisis will not just reshape our economy but our communities too .
Richard Burgon , a key Corbyn ally and former shadow justice secretary , believes the divisions that characterised the past four years for Labour have been transformed by a public health crisis that will fundamentally shift the centre ground of politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basically , tragically , got smashed at the general election but going forward I think that coronavirus , and the economic crisis that I fear is on its way hot on the heels of coronavirus will mean that the Labour Party really needs to carry on putting forward radical innovative bold policy solutions , '' he told Sky News .
`` I think people 's demand for practical policies that protect living standards will actually increase in the months and the years ahead . ''
Tony Blair 's election victory of 1997 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir will have to better it to win the keys to No 10 .
That is a ballot box challenge that would surely seem impossible in normal times but these are not normal times .
The coronavirus pandemic will force big economic change - and on this the commissioners of the report think they can build consensus across a very disparate group of Labour voters - be they lapsed or active .
It gives Sir Keir a mission that will not just rally his party - but just might rally those voters who @ @ @ @ @

The toxic combination of an unpopular leader, confused message on Brexit and a manifesto rejected as fantasy pushed Labour to its lowest point in almost a century in the December election.
Bringing back the smallest number of MPs since 1935, Labour has a mountain to climb to get back into power, according to a Labour Party review of the 2019 election defeat released on Friday.
Just to become the largest party in the UK requires a swing towards Labour on the scale of Tony Blair's 1997 Labour landslide. To win outright, Labour must increase its total number of seats by 60%, something no party has ever done before - more Everest than Ben Nevis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 Sir Keir Starmer: 'We can't go back to business as usual'
But the report also concluded that the defeat was not solely down to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, manifesto and Brexit.
The 15-strong panel of commissioners, including former leader Ed Miliband and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell concluded that this defeat had been a "long time coming" and could be traced back to two decades of demographic and political change that had fractured Labour's voter coalition.
"It was a historic defeat, but it was a long time coming," Ms Powell told Sky News in an interview about the 150-page report she helped to write.
"Along the way there were positive points - particularly in 2017 when we really did mobilise non-voters in a way we hadn't done before - but in many other working-class communities which have been de-industrialised, where political alienation has taken place where there is a real desire and thirst for change, the Labour Party has not been offering the kind of change that these voters and communities have wanted."
The party lost all types of votes everywhere when compared with 2017, except in London. Labour lost 1.7 million Leave voters and one million Remain supporters. It also failed to win over swing voters and turned out fewer non-voters than in 2017.
The report also lays bare the shortcomings of the Corbyn operation going into the 2019 general election, concluding that the leadership lacked a clear strategy and a coherent message. The report also said there was a "toxic culture" in the party, spawned by years of infighting which resulted in "significant strategic and operational dysfunction".
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:58 April: What direction will Labour head in now?
However, the commission refused to lay all the blame for Labour's defeat on Mr Corbyn and Brexit, saying it "would be a mistake to believe that a different leader, with Brexit no longer a defining issue, would in itself be sufficient to change Labour's fortunes".
"Labour could have further to fall unless deep thinking is done to overcome the deep problems that have been growing for many years."
Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, appealed to the party to "put aside the factionalism and division of years".
"We owe it to the people whom we represent to look outwards to the country rather than inwards," Mr Miliband wrote in The Guardian.
But Mr Corbyn's leadership was a decisive factor in the disastrous 2019 defeat, according to the report, which found that the "Stop Jeremy Corbyn" message was a "major driver" of the Conservatives' success across all key groups, including non-voters and swing voters.
The report also concluded that Labour was beaten by the Tories in the digital war.
"Our organisation and campaigning is not fit for purpose: our methods still owe more to the 1990s than the 2020s," said Mr Miliband. "And while we prided ourselves on digital innovation in 2017, the Conservatives were miles ahead of us last year. A top-to-bottom transformation is required."
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Some changes have already begun: Mr Corbyn has gone - as have many of this team - and Brexit is done. But the party has so much more to do to win back those lost working communities along the Red Wall while also trying to win back seats in Scotland: not since 1955 has the Labour Party formed a government with fewer than 40 seats in Scotland; they currently hold one.
Sir Keir Starmer, who became leader in April, has so far avoided being drawn into the debate. He has instead focused on scrutinising the government's handling on the coronavirus pandemic, but surely the way to bring a divided Labour party, and his disparate, disillusioned voter base together is to sketch out a new economic settlement, a new social and economic plan.
The unanswerable question right now is the extent to which the coronavirus crisis will not just reshape our economy but our communities too.
Image: Boris Johnson's Conservatives won a convincing victory over the Labour Party in December
Richard Burgon, a key Corbyn ally and former shadow justice secretary, believes the divisions that characterised the past four years for Labour have been transformed by a public health crisis that will fundamentally shift the centre ground of politics further to the left.
"We basically, tragically, got smashed at the general election but going forward I think that coronavirus, and the economic crisis that I fear is on its way hot on the heels of coronavirus will mean that the Labour Party really needs to carry on putting forward radical innovative bold policy solutions," he told Sky News. "I think people's demand for practical policies that protect living standards will actually increase in the months and the years ahead."
Tony Blair's election victory of 1997 is the stuff of Labour history. Sir Keir will have to better it to win the keys to No 10.
That is a ballot box challenge that would surely seem impossible in normal times but these are not normal times. The coronavirus pandemic will force big economic change - and on this the commissioners of the report think they can build consensus across a very disparate group of Labour voters - be they lapsed or active.
It gives Sir Keir a mission that will not just rally his party - but just might rally those voters who have left Labour behind.


news--2020-05-27--Trump offers to help India and China as border dispute 'rages'

China and India are engaged in a military stand-off along the Himalayan border amid fresh tensions between the two nuclear powers .
As China consolidates its grip over Hong Kong with plans for enacting a draconian security law , it has opened a new front with aggressive moves on its borders with India .
A military stand-off in the Himalayas has been brewing for weeks amid the COVID-19 crisis .
Soldiers from both armies are reported to have had acrimonious exchanges and there are reports of some Indian soldiers being detained , which the Indian military has denied .
Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at five points along the Galwan river valley , the Pangong lake sector and Damchok in the Ladakh region .
China has amassed thousands of soldiers along the de-facto border , the Line of Actual Control ( LAC ) , in Eastern Ladakh , the reports claim .
Six rounds of talks between Chinese and Indian officials have had no breakthrough so far .
President Donald Trump has tweeted that the US is ready to mediate .
He wrote : `` We have informed both India and China that the United States is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or arbitrate their now raging border dispute .
Thank you ! ''
India 's Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation in Eastern Ladakh this week with his national security adviser , chief of defence staff and heads of the country 's three services .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The scale of the intrusions prompted the Indian army chief , General MM Naravane , to visit the XIV Corps Headquarters in Leh on Friday to review the situation .
India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers and equipment in the area , while increasing its presence in the border regions of Sikkim , Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh .
Defence analyst Ajay Shukla said : `` The Chinese have violated their own claim line by attempting to push their frontier further west into Indian territory .
`` In the 1962 Sino-India war they captured the Galwan valley after killing 36 Indian soldiers and claimed an additional 2000sq km ( 3,128sq m ) of Ladakh .
Now they are occupying territory which Beijing has traditionally acknowledged to be Indian .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be occupied by China 's People 's Liberation Army ( PLA ) just 300 metres from the LAC .
Another shows construction work at the high-altitude Ngari Gunsa airport base in Tibet , around 125 miles from the border , as well as Chinese fighter jets on its tarmac .
On Tuesday at the annual meeting of China 's legislature the National People 's Congress , President Xi Jinping , who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission , addressed representatives of the PLA .
He told them : `` The military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to think of the worst-case scenarios .
`` It should effectively deal with all sorts of complex situations and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty , security and development interests . ''
Indian foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said : `` The two sides have established mechanisms to resolve such situations peacefully through dialogue .
Both sides remain engaged with each other to address any immediate issues . ''
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China 's position on the issue has been clear and consistent .
He said that they are `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation is `` stable and controllable '' .
A similar stand-off between the two powers took place in June 2017 at the trijunction border at Doklam , which took two months to resolve .
India and China have long-running disputes over both the uninhabited region of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh , which has 1.4 million residents .

China and India are engaged in a military stand-off along the Himalayan border amid fresh tensions between the two nuclear powers.
As China consolidates its grip over Hong Kong with plans for enacting a draconian security law, it has opened a new front with aggressive moves on its borders with India.
A military stand-off in the Himalayas has been brewing for weeks amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Soldiers from both armies are reported to have had acrimonious exchanges and there are reports of some Indian soldiers being detained, which the Indian military has denied.
Image: President Donald Trump has said the US is ready to mediate
Chinese soldiers have reportedly crossed into Indian territory at five points along the Galwan river valley, the Pangong lake sector and Damchok in the Ladakh region.
China has amassed thousands of soldiers along the de-facto border, the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in Eastern Ladakh, the reports claim.
Six rounds of talks between Chinese and Indian officials have had no breakthrough so far.
President Donald Trump has tweeted that the US is ready to mediate.
He wrote: "We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!"
Advertisement
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the situation in Eastern Ladakh this week with his national security adviser, chief of defence staff and heads of the country's three services.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The scale of the intrusions prompted the Indian army chief, General MM Naravane, to visit the XIV Corps Headquarters in Leh on Friday to review the situation.
India has also bolstered its defences with more soldiers and equipment in the area, while increasing its presence in the border regions of Sikkim, Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.
Defence analyst Ajay Shukla said: "The Chinese have violated their own claim line by attempting to push their frontier further west into Indian territory.
"In the 1962 Sino-India war they captured the Galwan valley after killing 36 Indian soldiers and claimed an additional 2000sq km (3,128sq m) of Ladakh. Now they are occupying territory which Beijing has traditionally acknowledged to be Indian."
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Satellite images show camps that could be occupied by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) just 300 metres from the LAC.
Another shows construction work at the high-altitude Ngari Gunsa airport base in Tibet, around 125 miles from the border, as well as Chinese fighter jets on its tarmac.
On Tuesday at the annual meeting of China's legislature the National People's Congress, President Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, addressed representatives of the PLA.
He told them: "The military should scale up training and battle preparedness and to think of the worst-case scenarios.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
"It should effectively deal with all sorts of complex situations and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests."
Indian foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said: "The two sides have established mechanisms to resolve such situations peacefully through dialogue. Both sides remain engaged with each other to address any immediate issues."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China's position on the issue has been clear and consistent.
He said that they are "committed to safeguarding peace" and that the situation is "stable and controllable".
A similar stand-off between the two powers took place in June 2017 at the trijunction border at Doklam, which took two months to resolve.
India and China have long-running disputes over both the uninhabited region of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, which has 1.4 million residents.


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Hydroxychloroquine doesn't work on COVID-19, says Trump's top disease expert

America 's leading infectious diseases expert has said is it now `` quite evident '' that an anti-malarial drug touted by Donald Trump has no impact on coronavirus .
Dr Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said this was down to negative data produced during research into the drug , known as hydroxychloroquine .
The doctor - a leading figure in Mr Trump 's coronavirus taskforce - told CNN that while he was n't sure the treatment should be banned , `` the scientific data is really quite evident now about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hydroxychloroquine is usually taken by those with lupus and arthritis , but has made headlines more recently as a possible treatment option for coronavirus .
Mr Trump has said he has been taking the drug as a preventative measure .
While its impact on coronavirus has not been proven , hydroxychloroquine is set to undergo a global trial involving health workers in the UK to look further into its effects .
Concerns have already been raised over serious side-effects , including high death rates and irregular heartbeats as reported in a recent study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on hydroxychloroquine has led a number of countries to limit its usage .
Doctors in France are no longer able to dispense it in hospitals , while Italy and Belgium have both made moves to restrict its usage to clinical trials .
The World Health Organisation has also halted a trial of the drug due to ongoing safety concerns .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Fauci has said cardiovascular problems could be among the possible negative effects of the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` likelihood under certain circumstances , that might be rare [ ... ] , of adverse events '' .
`` Particularly in regard to cardiovascular and the arrhythmias that may be associated with it , '' he added .
But these warnings have not swayed the US president , who has said hydroxychloroquine had `` gotten a bad reputation only because I 'm promoting it '' .
He said he had requested the treatment , which US experts say should not be taken outside a hospital setting , from his White House physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing negative side effects was `` false '' and an `` enemy statement '' .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk .

America's leading infectious diseases expert has said is it now "quite evident" that an anti-malarial drug touted by Donald Trump has no impact on coronavirus.
Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said this was down to negative data produced during research into the drug, known as hydroxychloroquine.
The doctor - a leading figure in Mr Trump's coronavirus taskforce - told CNN that while he wasn't sure the treatment should be banned, "the scientific data is really quite evident now about the lack of efficacy" against COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 'Yeah I'm taking it, and I'm still here'
Hydroxychloroquine is usually taken by those with lupus and arthritis, but has made headlines more recently as a possible treatment option for coronavirus.
Mr Trump has said he has been taking the drug as a preventative measure.
While its impact on coronavirus has not been proven, hydroxychloroquine is set to undergo a global trial involving health workers in the UK to look further into its effects.
Concerns have already been raised over serious side-effects, including high death rates and irregular heartbeats as reported in a recent study in The Lancet.
Increased negative research on hydroxychloroquine has led a number of countries to limit its usage.
Doctors in France are no longer able to dispense it in hospitals, while Italy and Belgium have both made moves to restrict its usage to clinical trials.
Advertisement
The World Health Organisation has also halted a trial of the drug due to ongoing safety concerns.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dr Fauci has said cardiovascular problems could be among the possible negative effects of the drug.
He told CNN there was a "likelihood under certain circumstances, that might be rare [...], of adverse events".
"Particularly in regard to cardiovascular and the arrhythmias that may be associated with it," he added.
Image: Dr Fauci has cast further doubt on the drug
But these warnings have not swayed the US president, who has said hydroxychloroquine had "gotten a bad reputation only because I'm promoting it".
He said he had requested the treatment, which US experts say should not be taken outside a hospital setting, from his White House physician.
Mr Trump claimed a recent study showing negative side effects was "false" and an "enemy statement".
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk.


news--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Johnson to face senior MPs over Cummings and his handling of pandemic

Boris Johnson is facing more potentially awkward questions about his refusal to sack Dominic Cummings in a 90-minute interrogation by senior MPs .
For the first time since becoming prime minister 10 months ago , he is appearing before the Liaison Committee , made up of the MPs who chair all-party select committees .
Mr Johnson 's interrogation comes as more than 30 Tory MPs demand Mr Cummings is sacked and opinion polls suggest strong public support for his dismissal .
The whole committee session , likely to be conducted by video link , will be about the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a section allowing questions about Mr Cummings .
But opposition MPs are furious that only 20 minutes is earmarked for this section , entitled `` Who is in charge of what ? ''
and including Mr Cummings 's `` roles and responsibilities '' .
The government 's critics claim the limited time available for questions on Mr Cummings is the result of a stitch-up between Downing Street and the committee chairman Sir Bernard Jenkin .
Sir Bernard , a prominent Brexiteer and supporter of the PM , was imposed on the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he was not already a member , as was the previous custom .
There is also criticism of Sir Bernard for barring two leading Tory critics of Mr Johnson on the committee , Tom Tugendhat and Tobias Ellwood , from asking questions at the hearing .
Ahead of the meeting , Sarah Wollaston , who chaired the committee in the last parliament , told Sky News : `` This is a very important forum .
`` It 's not like Prime Minister 's Questions with a one-off question that can be batted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select committee chairs and it 's all about the detail . ''
In the `` Who is in charge ? ''
section , the MPs due to question Mr Johnson are Sir Bernard , Labour 's Yvette Cooper , the SNP 's Pete Wishart and two Tories , Stephen Crabb and Simon Hoare .
The Scottish National Party 's Westminster leader , Ian Blackford , told Sky News : `` The first question is why has n't he sacked Mr Cummings , the man who has broken the lockdown rules in so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister 's judgement has been brought into question .
So the question to the PM is 'Why have n't you done the right thing ?
Why have n't you sacked Dominic Cummings ? '
'' The second section is 25 minutes of questions on `` science , testing , tracking and tracing '' , including the role of Sage , the government 's scientific advisory panel , and government policy on wearing face masks .
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt , who stood against Mr Johnson for the Tory leadership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another former Tory cabinet minister , Greg Clark , and Labour 's Clive Betts and Meg Hillier .
Breaking his silence on the Cummings controversy , Mr Hunt has written in an email to constituents - passed to Sky News - that he believed Mr Cummings did break lockdown rules .
But he is not demanding his resignation .
`` Having watched the broadcast , my own view is that what he did was a clear breach of the lockdown rules - coming back into work when he had been with his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of staying at home and visiting Barnard Castle , '' Mr Hunt wrote .
`` These were clearly mistakes - both in terms of the guidance which was crystal clear , and in terms of the signal it would potentially give out to others as someone who was at the centre of government .
`` But as someone who has been at the centre of media storms with a young family I know you do make mistakes in these situations .
I have made them myself .
So I am afraid I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the list of those calling for him to resign .
`` I am also not convinced that politics gains much from the spectacle of scalp-hunting even though I recognise that accountability is central to our democracy and sometimes people do need to resign . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The third section of the committee hearing is 20 minutes on re-opening schools , including the inequality effects of the COVID-19 crisis , with questions from Tory ex-ministers Robert Halfon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timms .
And finally there will be 20 minutes on reopening the economy , business and recovery , led by former Tory Treasury minister Mel Stride , followed by Labour 's Darren Jones and Mr Timms and Tory Hew Merriman .
As calls for Mr Cummings 's dismissal grew among Tory MPs , one veteran backbencher called on the leaders of the 1922 Committee to tell the PM that his controversial adviser must be sacked .
Sir Roger Gale , a former Conservative Party vice-chairman and an MP since 1983 , told Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee to put pressure on the PM .
`` They need to say that this has gone too far and there is huge public backlash in what has happened and the way it has been handled .
`` The time I think , has come for Mr Cummings to resign , or for the PM to dispense of his services . ''
Lisa Nandy , Labour 's shadow foreign secretary , said the country needs to `` move on '' to deal with the `` huge problem '' of how to reopen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her Wigan constituency recently went into administration .
She told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` But we need to move on in a way that the public can have confidence about the advice being given and the decision being taken .
`` And if there 's one rule for government advisers and one rule for the rest of us , people will not have confidence and they wo n't follow the guidance . ''
`` So the prime minister urgently needs to clarify why he believes Mr Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liz Saville-Roberts , leader of Plaid Cymru , has accused Mr Johnson of trying to distract from the row by reopening schools from 1 June .
She told Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` Again , I felt the PM was making an announcement about schools as something he could throw out there to cover up that he was actually protecting his chief adviser .
`` That in itself is deeply worrying as well - when you hear this policy that seems to be made on the hoof for one man 's welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be prioritising the welfare of every citizen . ''
A YouGov poll carried out after Mr Cummings 's lengthy statement on Monday found 71 % of Britons thought he did break lockdown rules - up 3 % from Sunday .
That includes a majority of Labour ( 88 % ) , Liberal Democrat ( 86 % ) and Conservative ( 56 % ) supporters , and Remain ( 81 % ) and Leave ( 63 % ) backers .
In total 59 % of those surveyed said Mr Cummings should resign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) and Lib Dems ( 71 % ) as well as Remain ( 71 % ) and Leave ( 52 % ) voters - but falling to 46 % among Conservatives .

Boris Johnson is facing more potentially awkward questions about his refusal to sack Dominic Cummings in a 90-minute interrogation by senior MPs.
For the first time since becoming prime minister 10 months ago, he is appearing before the Liaison Committee, made up of the MPs who chair all-party select committees.
Mr Johnson's interrogation comes as more than 30 Tory MPs demand Mr Cummings is sacked and opinion polls suggest strong public support for his dismissal.
The whole committee session, likely to be conducted by video link, will be about the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis, beginning with a section allowing questions about Mr Cummings.
But opposition MPs are furious that only 20 minutes is earmarked for this section, entitled "Who is in charge of what?" and including Mr Cummings's "roles and responsibilities".
The government's critics claim the limited time available for questions on Mr Cummings is the result of a stitch-up between Downing Street and the committee chairman Sir Bernard Jenkin.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:28 Dozens of Tory MPs call for Cummings to resign
Sir Bernard, a prominent Brexiteer and supporter of the PM, was imposed on the committee by the government last week, even though he was not already a member, as was the previous custom.
There is also criticism of Sir Bernard for barring two leading Tory critics of Mr Johnson on the committee, Tom Tugendhat and Tobias Ellwood, from asking questions at the hearing.
Ahead of the meeting, Sarah Wollaston, who chaired the committee in the last parliament, told Sky News: "This is a very important forum.
Advertisement
"It's not like Prime Minister's Questions with a one-off question that can be batted off. This is questioning from expert select committee chairs and it's all about the detail."
In the "Who is in charge?" section, the MPs due to question Mr Johnson are Sir Bernard, Labour's Yvette Cooper, the SNP's Pete Wishart and two Tories, Stephen Crabb and Simon Hoare.
The Scottish National Party's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, told Sky News: "The first question is why hasn't he sacked Mr Cummings, the man who has broken the lockdown rules in so many ways.
"Quite simply I think the prime minister's judgement has been brought into question. So the question to the PM is 'Why haven't you done the right thing? Why haven't you sacked Dominic Cummings?'"
The second section is 25 minutes of questions on "science, testing, tracking and tracing", including the role of Sage, the government's scientific advisory panel, and government policy on wearing face masks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Vicar: 'It's about unfairness'
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who stood against Mr Johnson for the Tory leadership, will lead these questions, followed by another former Tory cabinet minister, Greg Clark, and Labour's Clive Betts and Meg Hillier.
Breaking his silence on the Cummings controversy, Mr Hunt has written in an email to constituents - passed to Sky News - that he believed Mr Cummings did break lockdown rules. But he is not demanding his resignation.
"Having watched the broadcast, my own view is that what he did was a clear breach of the lockdown rules - coming back into work when he had been with his wife who was ill, driving to Durham instead of staying at home and visiting Barnard Castle," Mr Hunt wrote.
"These were clearly mistakes - both in terms of the guidance which was crystal clear, and in terms of the signal it would potentially give out to others as someone who was at the centre of government.
"But as someone who has been at the centre of media storms with a young family I know you do make mistakes in these situations. I have made them myself. So I am afraid I am not going to add my voice to the list of those calling for him to resign.
"I am also not convinced that politics gains much from the spectacle of scalp-hunting even though I recognise that accountability is central to our democracy and sometimes people do need to resign."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The third section of the committee hearing is 20 minutes on re-opening schools, including the inequality effects of the COVID-19 crisis, with questions from Tory ex-ministers Robert Halfon and Caroline Nokes and Labour's Stephen Timms.
And finally there will be 20 minutes on reopening the economy, business and recovery, led by former Tory Treasury minister Mel Stride, followed by Labour's Darren Jones and Mr Timms and Tory Hew Merriman.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 Minister resigns over Cummings' lockdown trips
As calls for Mr Cummings's dismissal grew among Tory MPs, one veteran backbencher called on the leaders of the 1922 Committee to tell the PM that his controversial adviser must be sacked.
Sir Roger Gale, a former Conservative Party vice-chairman and an MP since 1983, told Sky News: "I want the 1922 Committee to put pressure on the PM.
"They need to say that this has gone too far and there is huge public backlash in what has happened and the way it has been handled.
"The time I think, has come for Mr Cummings to resign, or for the PM to dispense of his services."
Lisa Nandy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary, said the country needs to "move on" to deal with the "huge problem" of how to reopen the economy, explaining an employer of hundreds in her Wigan constituency recently went into administration.
She told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast: "But we need to move on in a way that the public can have confidence about the advice being given and the decision being taken.
"And if there's one rule for government advisers and one rule for the rest of us, people will not have confidence and they won't follow the guidance."
"So the prime minister urgently needs to clarify why he believes Mr Cummings didn't break those rules."
Image: Labour's Lisa Nandy said there needs to be confidence in the guidance
Liz Saville-Roberts, leader of Plaid Cymru, has accused Mr Johnson of trying to distract from the row by reopening schools from 1 June.
She told Kay Burley@Breakfast: "Again, I felt the PM was making an announcement about schools as something he could throw out there to cover up that he was actually protecting his chief adviser.
"That in itself is deeply worrying as well - when you hear this policy that seems to be made on the hoof for one man's welfare, when I would expect the government to be prioritising the welfare of every citizen."
A YouGov poll carried out after Mr Cummings's lengthy statement on Monday found 71% of Britons thought he did break lockdown rules - up 3% from Sunday.
That includes a majority of Labour (88%), Liberal Democrat (86%) and Conservative (56%) supporters, and Remain (81%) and Leave (63%) backers.
In total 59% of those surveyed said Mr Cummings should resign, including a majority of Labour (76%) and Lib Dems (71%) as well as Remain (71%) and Leave (52%) voters - but falling to 46% among Conservatives.


news--2020-05-26--His fate could still go either way - but Tory insiders are worried about a Cummings rebound

His fate could still go either way - but Tory insiders are worried about a Cummings rebound His fate could still go either way - but Tory insiders are worried about a Cummings rebound The Tory and government machine appear worried about the power Mr Cummings may have if he rebounds Forget , briefly , about Dominic Cummings , the fate of whom could still go either way .
The last few days have thrown light on some rather inglorious nooks and crannies of British politics which ought to be recorded before this unedifying affair disappears from view , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is about differing attitudes to what constitutes truth .
This is a particularly live question after the prime minister went on the attack against The Guardian in Monday 's press conference for getting things wrong .
Yet getting things right is not always straightforward .
Boris Johnson 's spokesman told journalists repeatedly during April that Mr Cummings was `` at home '' .
Mr Cummings has now confirmed that he was not , but was convalescing on a property on his parents ' estate .
So why in April did the spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home when he was not ?
On Tuesday , political journalists were told that when the spokesman was saying Mr Cummings was at home , in fact the spokesman did n't know where he was .
`` It was very obvious at the time that what I was setting out was that he was n't at work '' , the prime minister 's spokesman said .
But if you do n't know something , why guess the answer ?
Then there 's the question of the role of Number 10 in the shifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened a written statement with the line : `` Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus… '' At Monday 's press conference Mr Cummings corrected this - saying that she did not have symptoms at the moment his family embarked on the 260-mile journey to Durham .
The difference would appear critical .
But asked on Tuesday , Number 10 did not attempt to explain the conflicts between the two statements , beyond referring journalists to what Mr Cummings said in the press conference .
Saturday night 's Number 10 response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journeys suggest they feel under siege , and in this mode think there is no need to fuel hostility towards them by answering every accusation levelled by what they see as partisan actors .
Every government has had to make similar judgements , and not answer every question completely .
But journeying so far in the other direction , they have lost the Daily Mail , the chief executive of the Conservative Home website , 52 % of Brexit voters and more than 30 of their own MPs .
Around 10 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands the PM yank Mr Cummings out of office .
But what of the others , facing inboxes of up to 800 emails , in which only 10 are supportive of Mr Cummings ?
Either through a genuine desire to support Mr Cummings , or a desire not to cause trouble , they have found ever more Delphic ways of avoiding saying what they think .
We have first-hand evidence since , unusually , public anger is such that they are leaking their correspondence in large numbers .
Take fence-sitter Tom Tugendhat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote to one constituent of his `` frustration '' at the affair and that people who write the rules should stick to them .
He said this raises `` integrity '' questions but declines to answer the question asked .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Or new Kensington MP Felicity Buchan , who acknowledges the sacrifices of constituents during lockdown .
She says : `` I have fed your views on the subject to government '' , but adds : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not become all consuming '' .
So what does she actually think ?
Ex-cabinet minister Chris Grayling is similar , communicating `` the concern of my constituents and my own views were very clearly communicated to Downing Street '' - without saying what they are .
Then the fascinating response of Jeremy Hunt , who is in a powerful position .
The health select committee chairman thinks Mr Cummings is in `` clear breach '' of lockdown rules when the guidelines were `` crystal clear '' .
But he adds - `` as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of media storms '' - he does not believe it right to call for Mr Cummings 's resignation .
What to make of that ?
Even in his weakened state , the Tory and government machine at all levels appears worried about Mr Cummings and the power he will have if he rebounds .
Maybe this is the reason he wo n't leave his job .
Equally , this is why he may be forced to .

The Tories have lost the support of more than 30 of their own MPs - but the future of the PM's top adviser is still unclear.
His fate could still go either way - but Tory insiders are worried about a Cummings rebound
The Tory and government machine appear worried about the power Mr Cummings may have if he rebounds
Forget, briefly, about Dominic Cummings, the fate of whom could still go either way.
The last few days have thrown light on some rather inglorious nooks and crannies of British politics which ought to be recorded before this unedifying affair disappears from view, which it will do eventually.
The first thing is about differing attitudes to what constitutes truth.
This is a particularly live question after the prime minister went on the attack against The Guardian in Monday's press conference for getting things wrong.
Yet getting things right is not always straightforward.
Boris Johnson's spokesman told journalists repeatedly during April that Mr Cummings was "at home".
Mr Cummings has now confirmed that he was not, but was convalescing on a property on his parents' estate.
So why in April did the spokesman volunteer more than once he was at home when he was not?
On Tuesday, political journalists were told that when the spokesman was saying Mr Cummings was at home, in fact the spokesman didn't know where he was.
Advertisement
"It was very obvious at the time that what I was setting out was that he wasn't at work", the prime minister's spokesman said.
But if you don't know something, why guess the answer?
Then there's the question of the role of Number 10 in the shifting stories.
On Saturday, a spokesman opened a written statement with the line: "Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus…"
At Monday's press conference Mr Cummings corrected this - saying that she did not have symptoms at the moment his family embarked on the 260-mile journey to Durham.
The difference would appear critical.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 The morning after: Cummings leaves home
But asked on Tuesday, Number 10 did not attempt to explain the conflicts between the two statements, beyond referring journalists to what Mr Cummings said in the press conference.
Saturday night's Number 10 response to fresh reports of Mr Cummings's journeys suggest they feel under siege, and in this mode think there is no need to fuel hostility towards them by answering every accusation levelled by what they see as partisan actors.
Every government has had to make similar judgements, and not answer every question completely.
But journeying so far in the other direction, they have lost the Daily Mail, the chief executive of the Conservative Home website, 52% of Brexit voters and more than 30 of their own MPs.
Around 10% of the parliamentary party have gone public with demands the PM yank Mr Cummings out of office.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Cummings: 'I behaved reasonably'
But what of the others, facing inboxes of up to 800 emails, in which only 10 are supportive of Mr Cummings?
Either through a genuine desire to support Mr Cummings, or a desire not to cause trouble, they have found ever more Delphic ways of avoiding saying what they think.
We have first-hand evidence since, unusually, public anger is such that they are leaking their correspondence in large numbers.
Take fence-sitter Tom Tugendhat, a critic of Mr Johnson, who wrote to one constituent of his "frustration" at the affair and that people who write the rules should stick to them.
He said this raises "integrity" questions but declines to answer the question asked.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Or new Kensington MP Felicity Buchan, who acknowledges the sacrifices of constituents during lockdown.
She says: "I have fed your views on the subject to government", but adds: "It is important that this issue does not become all consuming". So what does she actually think?
Ex-cabinet minister Chris Grayling is similar, communicating "the concern of my constituents and my own views were very clearly communicated to Downing Street" - without saying what they are.
Then the fascinating response of Jeremy Hunt, who is in a powerful position.
The health select committee chairman thinks Mr Cummings is in "clear breach" of lockdown rules when the guidelines were "crystal clear".
But he adds - "as someone who has been at the centre of media storms" - he does not believe it right to call for Mr Cummings's resignation. What to make of that?
Even in his weakened state, the Tory and government machine at all levels appears worried about Mr Cummings and the power he will have if he rebounds.
Maybe this is the reason he won't leave his job. Equally, this is why he may be forced to.


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Boss of BA's parent company says ministers have 'set back recovery'

Cabinet ministers have `` set back recovery plans '' for the aviation industry by making pessimistic comments about Britons travelling abroad in 2020 , the boss of British Airways ' parent company has told MPs critical of the company 's proposed jobs cull .
Sky News has seen an email sent by International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh in which he remains defiant about its plans to make up to 12,000 BA staff redundant in response to the coronavirus crisis .
In his email to MPs - sent a week after he made a typically robust appearance before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed disappointment that trade unions had shunned engagement with the company during the consultation process .
IAG has been accused by unions of embarking on a sacking of BA 's entire workforce , with the majority to be re-employed on inferior terms .
`` We are now 28 days into the consultations and to date , regrettably , Unite and GMB have decided not to represent their members , preferring to engage in what Unite calls 'crisis leverage ' in an effort to intimidate BA , '' Mr Walsh wrote .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not , work .
`` Time is not on our side so we will not pause or defer our consultations . ''
The IAG chief also blamed several members of the cabinet for the urgency of its workforce restructuring .
He wrote that the prime minister 's decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on passengers travelling to the UK , health secretary Matt Hancock 's dismissal of `` big , lavish international holidays '' , and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps ' remark about the riskiness of booking a summer break `` have all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry '' .
Mr Walsh reiterated his belief that passenger demand may not recover to 2019 levels until 2024 , adding that IAG was continuing to explore `` all other avenues to support our liquidity '' .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Cabinet ministers have "set back recovery plans" for the aviation industry by making pessimistic comments about Britons travelling abroad in 2020, the boss of British Airways' parent company has told MPs critical of the company's proposed jobs cull.
Sky News has seen an email sent by International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh in which he remains defiant about its plans to make up to 12,000 BA staff redundant in response to the coronavirus crisis.
In his email to MPs - sent a week after he made a typically robust appearance before the transport select committee - Mr Walsh expressed renewed disappointment that trade unions had shunned engagement with the company during the consultation process.
Image: Willie Walsh is chief executive of International Airlines Group
IAG has been accused by unions of embarking on a sacking of BA's entire workforce, with the majority to be re-employed on inferior terms.
"We are now 28 days into the consultations and to date, regrettably, Unite and GMB have decided not to represent their members, preferring to engage in what Unite calls 'crisis leverage' in an effort to intimidate BA," Mr Walsh wrote.
"This has not, and most definitely will not, work.
"Time is not on our side so we will not pause or defer our consultations."
The IAG chief also blamed several members of the cabinet for the urgency of its workforce restructuring.
He wrote that the prime minister's decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on passengers travelling to the UK, health secretary Matt Hancock's dismissal of "big, lavish international holidays", and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps' remark about the riskiness of booking a summer break "have all seriously set back recovery plans for our industry".
Advertisement
Mr Walsh reiterated his belief that passenger demand may not recover to 2019 levels until 2024, adding that IAG was continuing to explore "all other avenues to support our liquidity".
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: 'She took her last breath in my arms' - A personal tragedy as US COVID-19 deaths hit 10

Coronavirus: 'She took her last breath in my arms' - A personal tragedy as US COVID-19 deaths hit 100,000

In a matter of months , 100,000 lives have been lost to coronavirus in the United States - nearly triple that of any other country .
America never wanted to lead the world this way .
The unfathomable milestone is one of this country 's most tragic and indelible .
Each death took away unique experiences and stories : some well told ; most unsung .
People have died in every state and from every walk of life .
Leilani Jordan was a 27-year-old supermarket worker who put her heart and soul into her job .
Coronavirus only strengthened her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her mum , Zenobia Shepherd , says her daughter , who loved butterflies , had an inbuilt instinct to help people .
`` She said to me , 'Mommy , nobody is showing up for work .
I have to help the senior citizens , the elderlies ' . ''
Ms Shepherd added : `` Many of them can barely walk - leaning over shopping carts .
And although ( Leilani ) had her own disabilities , she would go out of her way to help them to get and find what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language she could even talk to and help those that could not talk .
So she loved helping and being needed by others . ''
Leilani kept going until the day she could no longer breathe .
Unlike the thousands robbed of proper goodbyes , Leilani was in her mother 's arms when she passed away .
`` I would do anything in this world if I could have my baby back , '' Ms Shepherd said .
`` My butterfly is gone .
She 's flown away to heaven .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see her . ''
She added : `` I was there when she went to CCU .
She took her last breath in my arms .
My hands , my last touch , touching her body , as it was warm ...
It was her last breath . ''
Ms Shepherd is now living on memories of her daughter 's singing , her love of the beach and all things purple .
She has some comfort in Leilani 's support dog and best friend , Angel , who now sleeps at the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ms Shepherd has two young daughters who make a video for their sister each day - telling her how much they love her .
Deaths in America have been disproportionately high in black communities , revealing long standing health and socio-economic disparities .
Ms Shepherd is now focusing her grief on the urgent need for protections for essential workers like her daughter .
`` I want to help other people that are n't being helped , '' she said .
`` The situation is we 've got to do a better job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting and keeping them safe . ''
After Leilani 's death , she received her daughter 's final paycheck in the post .
The amount was a gut punch : $ 20.63 .
`` I think that families , people that have certain front line jobs need to get paid more money , '' she said .
`` They need to have bonuses during this time . ''
Like every American , Ms Shepherd is desperate for this situation to end : `` I wish this whole thing would go away .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If only ( we ) could have been ahead of it a little bit .
The death toll may not have been so high and growing . ''
As the daughter of a military family , Leilani shares her final resting place with fallen heroes in Arlington National Cemetery .
Coronavirus has now claimed more American lives than the Vietnam , Gulf , Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined .
Those lives lost in past battles are marked by the seemingly endless symmetry of white headstones .
Ms Shepherd knows that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leilani loved so much : Christmas and Halloween , and each birthday she would have celebrated with her usual joy .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker So much death has largely been unseen .
For a nation living in isolation it is perhaps harder to share a collective sense of grief - even harder to tune out of the ongoing political noise of this crisis .
But make no mistake : America is engulfed in tragedy , and with no cure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .

In a matter of months, 100,000 lives have been lost to coronavirus in the United States - nearly triple that of any other country.
America never wanted to lead the world this way. The unfathomable milestone is one of this country's most tragic and indelible.
Each death took away unique experiences and stories: some well told; most unsung.
Image: Leilani Jordan was just 27 when she died
People have died in every state and from every walk of life.
Leilani Jordan was a 27-year-old supermarket worker who put her heart and soul into her job. Coronavirus only strengthened her resolve to help those in need.
Her mum, Zenobia Shepherd, says her daughter, who loved butterflies, had an inbuilt instinct to help people.
"She said to me, 'Mommy, nobody is showing up for work. I have to help the senior citizens, the elderlies'."
Ms Shepherd added: "Many of them can barely walk - leaning over shopping carts. And although (Leilani) had her own disabilities, she would go out of her way to help them to get and find what they needed.
"Because she knew sign language she could even talk to and help those that could not talk. So she loved helping and being needed by others."
Advertisement
Image: Zenobia Shepherd says she would do anything to have her daughter back
Leilani kept going until the day she could no longer breathe. Unlike the thousands robbed of proper goodbyes, Leilani was in her mother's arms when she passed away.
"I would do anything in this world if I could have my baby back," Ms Shepherd said.
"My butterfly is gone. She's flown away to heaven. I have to wait until my time to go see her."
She added: "I was there when she went to CCU. She took her last breath in my arms. My hands, my last touch, touching her body, as it was warm... It was her last breath."
Ms Shepherd is now living on memories of her daughter's singing, her love of the beach and all things purple.
She has some comfort in Leilani's support dog and best friend, Angel, who now sleeps at the front door, waiting for Leilani to return.
Image: Ms Shepherd was able to visit Leilani in hospital
Ms Shepherd has two young daughters who make a video for their sister each day - telling her how much they love her.
Deaths in America have been disproportionately high in black communities, revealing long standing health and socio-economic disparities.
Ms Shepherd is now focusing her grief on the urgent need for protections for essential workers like her daughter.
"I want to help other people that aren't being helped," she said. "The situation is we've got to do a better job, a better job of protecting - protecting and keeping them safe."
Image: Leilani's younger sisters at her grave in Arlington National Cemetery
After Leilani's death, she received her daughter's final paycheck in the post. The amount was a gut punch: $20.63.
"I think that families, people that have certain front line jobs need to get paid more money," she said. "They need to have bonuses during this time."
Like every American, Ms Shepherd is desperate for this situation to end: "I wish this whole thing would go away. Just go to space and leave us alone.
"If only (we) could have been ahead of it a little bit. The death toll may not have been so high and growing."
Image: Leilani loved to help people, her mum says
As the daughter of a military family, Leilani shares her final resting place with fallen heroes in Arlington National Cemetery.
Coronavirus has now claimed more American lives than the Vietnam, Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.
Those lives lost in past battles are marked by the seemingly endless symmetry of white headstones. Ms Shepherd knows that is where she will come on every occasion Leilani loved so much: Christmas and Halloween, and each birthday she would have celebrated with her usual joy.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
So much death has largely been unseen. For a nation living in isolation it is perhaps harder to share a collective sense of grief - even harder to tune out of the ongoing political noise of this crisis.
But make no mistake: America is engulfed in tragedy, and with no cure or vaccine, this is not the end.