news--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: Sweden's smelly solution to stop beer-fuelled festival in park

A Swedish city is spreading a tonne of chicken manure in a park to discourage people from gathering for a festival .
Authorities in Lund say 30,000 people have gathered in the Stadspark in recent years to celebrate the spring festival Valborg .
Most are students , but some travel to the southern city from different parts of the country .
Sweden 's government has had a comparatively light-touch approach to the coronavirus pandemic , but the city 's mayor confirmed the muck-spreading was going ahead .
Philip Sandberg said a tonne of manure would be spread on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of turning up for Thursday 's event .
Writing on Facebook , he said : `` Sitting at Valborg in a park that stinks of chicken manure and where it makes noise with leaf blowing and other things is not a pleasant experience .
`` On the other hand , it is good for the lawn , as chicken manure contains a lot of phosphorus and nitrogen , so that we have a really nice city park for the summer season . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gustav Lindblad , from Lund 's environmental committee , said it was a good opportunity to fertilise the lawn , but `` it may not be so nice to sit and drink beer in the park '' .
The Valborg festival sees people around Sweden celebrate the end of their long winter by gathering for huge bonfire parties .
The country has adopted a relaxed approach for dealing with COVID-19 , with people trusted to act sensibly .
There has been no forced lockdown and businesses such as restaurants and cafes have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far reported more than 2,400 deaths for its population of around 10 million , a significantly higher rate than its Nordic neighbours .

A Swedish city is spreading a tonne of chicken manure in a park to discourage people from gathering for a festival.
Authorities in Lund say 30,000 people have gathered in the Stadspark in recent years to celebrate the spring festival Valborg.
Most are students, but some travel to the southern city from different parts of the country.
Image: The chicken poo was being distributed ahead of Thursday's Valborg celebrations
Sweden's government has had a comparatively light-touch approach to the coronavirus pandemic, but the city's mayor confirmed the muck-spreading was going ahead.
Philip Sandberg said a tonne of manure would be spread on the ground to put a dampener on anyone thinking of turning up for Thursday's event.
Writing on Facebook, he said: "Sitting at Valborg in a park that stinks of chicken manure and where it makes noise with leaf blowing and other things is not a pleasant experience.
"On the other hand, it is good for the lawn, as chicken manure contains a lot of phosphorus and nitrogen, so that we have a really nice city park for the summer season."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Gustav Lindblad, from Lund's environmental committee, said it was a good opportunity to fertilise the lawn, but "it may not be so nice to sit and drink beer in the park".
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The Valborg festival sees people around Sweden celebrate the end of their long winter by gathering for huge bonfire parties.
The country has adopted a relaxed approach for dealing with COVID-19, with people trusted to act sensibly.
There has been no forced lockdown and businesses such as restaurants and cafes have been allowed to stay open.
It has so far reported more than 2,400 deaths for its population of around 10 million, a significantly higher rate than its Nordic neighbours.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: German court's 'declaration of war' as COVID-19 tests EU cohesion

The ruling could prove more significant that it first appeared A ruling from the German constitutional court in Karlsruhe is not everyone 's idea of prime-time viewing - but it was where the eyes of a lot of financial market participants were directed today .
The court was being asked to rule on the legality of the European Central Bank 's €2.6trn ( £2.2trn ) worth of asset purchases since 2015 .
The ruling was of interest because the lawyers and academics who brought the case were hoping that the purchases , of bonds issued by eurozone governments , could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn could potentially have hindered the ECB 's latest €750bn ( £643bn ) worth of asset purchases in response to the coronavirus crisis , announced in March , called the pandemic emergency purchase programme ( PEPP ) .
This would have done immense damage to the ECB 's battle to prevent an economic catastrophe following lockdowns to reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
The significance of the imminent ruling was highlighted on Thursday last week when Christine Lagarde , the ECB president , said no fewer than eight times in a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its mandate '' - language specifically targeted at those seeking to overturn its asset purchases .
In the event , the court did not press the nuclear button .
The judges said they had been unable to establish that the ECB had been directly financing some eurozone governments - something which is explicitly ruled out by EU rules - in buying up their debt .
They did , though , make life more difficult for the ECB .
For the judges said they considered it `` doubtful '' that the ECB has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt .
They ruled that the ECB had three months to prove that the asset purchases were necessary and appropriate .
And , the judges added , Germany 's national bank , the Bundesbank , would have to stop participating in the purchases in the absence of such proof .
Opinions differ as to how seismic this ruling will be .
Holger Schmieding , chief economist at Berenberg bank , described the ruling as a `` little big bang '' that he did not think would `` restrict the ECB too much '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commerzbank , added : `` With its armada of specialists , it will be easy for the ECB to [ come up with this proof ] .
`` The ECB 's bond purchases will continue .
Today 's ruling wo n't change that . ''
Yet the ruling could have longer-term consequences .
At the heart of this case lies anxiety among many Germans about the country 's relationship with the EU - and with the eurozone and the European Central Bank in particular .
The eurozone sovereign debt crisis a decade ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having to bail out southern European countries , like Greece and Portugal , regarded as feckless by millions of ordinary Germans .
Those concerns are why the ECB is explicitly not allowed to bail out - by buying their bonds - eurozone governments that fail to live within their means .
There has also been fury among millions of German savers at how Mario Draghi , Ms Lagarde 's predecessor , slashed interest rates in the Eurozone to below zero .
It prompted Bild , Germany 's best-selling newspaper , to mock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a cape and fangs as it accused `` Count Draghila '' of `` sucking our accounts dry '' .
The unhappiness and anxiety has increased of late because , under PEPP , the ECB may do away with a self-imposed rule obliging it to buy assets in proportion to the amount of capital that each euro area member has contributed to the ECB and preventing it from buying more than a third of the sovereign bonds issued by a particular eurozone government .
This latter point is especially contentious in Germany because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target asset purchases in areas where there is most strain , for example , allowing it buy more Italian government bonds than it would previously have been allowed to .
And , to that end , today 's ruling may eventually prove more important than it first looked .
Because , in delivering today 's judgment , the Constitutional Court set aside a previous ruling by the European Court of Justice ( ECJ ) - effectively challenging the legal supremacy of the EU 's top court .
Joachim Wieland , professor of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speyer , Rhineland-Palatinate , said : `` This is a declaration of war against the ECJ and it will have consequences .
`` It 's an invitation for other countries to simply ignore decisions they do n't like . ''
Those sentiments were echoed by Hans-Olaf Henkel , a former MEP and former head of the Federation of German Industries , Germany 's equivalent of the CBI in Britain .
He also called it a declaration of war - not only against the ECJ but also the ECB .
Leading economists certainly believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the euro lower on the foreign exchange markets - will clip the ECB 's wings .
Sarah Hewin , chief Europe economist at Standard Chartered , said : `` The good news is that the ruling does not seem to apply to the PEPP , but there is a bigger concern that it limits the ability of the ECB to 'do whatever it takes ' . ''
Greg Fuzesi , European economist at JP Morgan , said : `` We think that today 's ruling does constrain the ECB to some extent as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( through a cost-benefit analysis ) the institutional setting they operate in . ''
And the European economics team at Bank of America Securities told clients : `` The German court ruling is tricky .
`` It does n't force the ECB to change course immediately , but undermines its credibility .
`` The ECB can not be the only game in town forever .
Governments have to step up .
The ruling clearly emphasises that . ''
That is the ultimate importance of today 's ruling .
COVID-19 is again testing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the EU itself .
This ruling creates another such test .
If Britain were still in the EU , and a British court had challenged the ECJ 's legal supremacy like this , TV cameras would have filmed Nigel Farage opening a bottle of champagne on the court steps .

Experts think the ruling could clip the wings of the European Central Bank in doing "whatever it takes" to protect the eurozone.
The ruling could prove more significant that it first appeared
A ruling from the German constitutional court in Karlsruhe is not everyone's idea of prime-time viewing - but it was where the eyes of a lot of financial market participants were directed today.
The court was being asked to rule on the legality of the European Central Bank's €2.6trn (£2.2trn) worth of asset purchases since 2015.
The ruling was of interest because the lawyers and academics who brought the case were hoping that the purchases, of bonds issued by eurozone governments, could be ruled illegal.
And that in turn could potentially have hindered the ECB's latest €750bn (£643bn) worth of asset purchases in response to the coronavirus crisis, announced in March, called the pandemic emergency purchase programme (PEPP).
This would have done immense damage to the ECB's battle to prevent an economic catastrophe following lockdowns to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The significance of the imminent ruling was highlighted on Thursday last week when Christine Lagarde, the ECB president, said no fewer than eight times in a press conference that the bank was acting "within its mandate" - language specifically targeted at those seeking to overturn its asset purchases.
In the event, the court did not press the nuclear button.
The judges said they had been unable to establish that the ECB had been directly financing some eurozone governments - something which is explicitly ruled out by EU rules - in buying up their debt.
They did, though, make life more difficult for the ECB.
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Image: ECB president Christine Lagarde has insisted the central bank is acting within its mandate
For the judges said they considered it "doubtful" that the ECB has the jurisdiction to buy large amounts of public debt.
They ruled that the ECB had three months to prove that the asset purchases were necessary and appropriate.
And, the judges added, Germany's national bank, the Bundesbank, would have to stop participating in the purchases in the absence of such proof.
Opinions differ as to how seismic this ruling will be.
Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg bank, described the ruling as a "little big bang" that he did not think would "restrict the ECB too much".
Joerg Kraemer, chief economist at Commerzbank, added: "With its armada of specialists, it will be easy for the ECB to [come up with this proof].
"The ECB's bond purchases will continue. Today's ruling won't change that."
Yet the ruling could have longer-term consequences.
At the heart of this case lies anxiety among many Germans about the country's relationship with the EU - and with the eurozone and the European Central Bank in particular.
The eurozone sovereign debt crisis a decade ago highlighted Germany's unhappiness at the prospect of having to bail out southern European countries, like Greece and Portugal, regarded as feckless by millions of ordinary Germans.
Those concerns are why the ECB is explicitly not allowed to bail out - by buying their bonds - eurozone governments that fail to live within their means.
There has also been fury among millions of German savers at how Mario Draghi, Ms Lagarde's predecessor, slashed interest rates in the Eurozone to below zero.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 How Germany is adjusting to life post lockdown
It prompted Bild, Germany's best-selling newspaper, to mock up a front-page picture of Mr Draghi with a cape and fangs as it accused "Count Draghila" of "sucking our accounts dry".
The unhappiness and anxiety has increased of late because, under PEPP, the ECB may do away with a self-imposed rule obliging it to buy assets in proportion to the amount of capital that each euro area member has contributed to the ECB and preventing it from buying more than a third of the sovereign bonds issued by a particular eurozone government.
This latter point is especially contentious in Germany because relaxing this rule would let the ECB target asset purchases in areas where there is most strain, for example, allowing it buy more Italian government bonds than it would previously have been allowed to.
And, to that end, today's ruling may eventually prove more important than it first looked.
Because, in delivering today's judgment, the Constitutional Court set aside a previous ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) - effectively challenging the legal supremacy of the EU's top court.
Joachim Wieland, professor of law at the University of Administrative Sciences in Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate, said: "This is a declaration of war against the ECJ and it will have consequences.
"It's an invitation for other countries to simply ignore decisions they don't like."
Those sentiments were echoed by Hans-Olaf Henkel, a former MEP and former head of the Federation of German Industries, Germany's equivalent of the CBI in Britain.
He also called it a declaration of war - not only against the ECJ but also the ECB.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 How COVID-19 is hitting a tiny French village
Leading economists certainly believe the ruling - news of which sent the euro lower on the foreign exchange markets - will clip the ECB's wings.
Sarah Hewin, chief Europe economist at Standard Chartered, said: "The good news is that the ruling does not seem to apply to the PEPP, but there is a bigger concern that it limits the ability of the ECB to 'do whatever it takes'."
Greg Fuzesi, European economist at JP Morgan, said: "We think that today's ruling does constrain the ECB to some extent as its programmes must clearly and explicitly recognise (through a cost-benefit analysis) the institutional setting they operate in."
And the European economics team at Bank of America Securities told clients: "The German court ruling is tricky.
"It doesn't force the ECB to change course immediately, but undermines its credibility.
"The ECB cannot be the only game in town forever. Governments have to step up. The ruling clearly emphasises that."
That is the ultimate importance of today's ruling.
COVID-19 is again testing the cohesiveness of the eurozone and, indeed, the EU itself.
This ruling creates another such test.
If Britain were still in the EU, and a British court had challenged the ECJ's legal supremacy like this, TV cameras would have filmed Nigel Farage opening a bottle of champagne on the court steps.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: US Treasury announces biggest ever borrowing as economy struggles

The continuing economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic will see the US Treasury borrowing a record amount in the second financial quarter .
The $ 2.999 trillion ( £2.41trn ) is more than five times the previous quarterly record of $ 569bn set during the 2008 financial crisis .
It is also much more than the the previous full-year record of $ 1.8 trillion set in 2009 .
A senior Treasury official confirmed the forecast for borrowing during the April to June quarter was `` larger than what we would typically do in a year '' .
The previous forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this was when the coronavirus was only in the early stages of its worldwide spread .
The picture then was so optimistic that the Treasury had expected to pay down $ 56bn ( £44.9bn ) in debt during the second quarter .
But now many US businesses have been forced to close due to measures aimed at limiting the virus 's spread , resulting in tens of millions of people being out of work .
The government faces a bill of nearly $ 3 trillion for rescue packages that will support them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with so many people out of work , there will be in a smaller tax base .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Nancy Vanden Houten , an economist at Oxford Economics , said : `` Borrowing needs are skyrocketing as Treasury needs cash to fund stimulus measures and to compensate for a plunge in revenues caused by massive job losses . ''
Mike Lorizio , senior fixed income trader at Boston-based Manulife Investment Management , added : `` Even before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased funding needs going forward .
But now all things are out the window . ''
The government borrowing will also cover a shortfall in revenue that resulted from the Trump administration moving tax payment deadlines from April to June .
The Treasury plans include borrowing $ 4.48 trillion ( £3.6trn ) in the budget year , which ends on 30 September .
This includes a projected $ 677bn ( £543bn ) in the third quarter ( July to September ) .
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the US economy will contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual rate in the current quarter , which ends in June .

The continuing economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic will see the US Treasury borrowing a record amount in the second financial quarter.
The $2.999 trillion (£2.41trn) is more than five times the previous quarterly record of $569bn set during the 2008 financial crisis.
It is also much more than the the previous full-year record of $1.8 trillion set in 2009.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:52 Protests continue in the US against lockdown
A senior Treasury official confirmed the forecast for borrowing during the April to June quarter was "larger than what we would typically do in a year".
The previous forecast issued in February had been much lower but this was when the coronavirus was only in the early stages of its worldwide spread.
The picture then was so optimistic that the Treasury had expected to pay down $56bn (£44.9bn) in debt during the second quarter.
But now many US businesses have been forced to close due to measures aimed at limiting the virus's spread, resulting in tens of millions of people being out of work.
The government faces a bill of nearly $3 trillion for rescue packages that will support them with grants and loans. Also, with so many people out of work, there will be in a smaller tax base.
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
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Nancy Vanden Houten, an economist at Oxford Economics, said: "Borrowing needs are skyrocketing as Treasury needs cash to fund stimulus measures and to compensate for a plunge in revenues caused by massive job losses."
Mike Lorizio, senior fixed income trader at Boston-based Manulife Investment Management, added: "Even before the pandemic there was going to be some increased funding needs going forward. But now all things are out the window."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
The government borrowing will also cover a shortfall in revenue that resulted from the Trump administration moving tax payment deadlines from April to June.
The Treasury plans include borrowing $4.48 trillion (£3.6trn) in the budget year, which ends on 30 September.
This includes a projected $677bn (£543bn) in the third quarter (July to September).
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the US economy will contract by a record 40% at an annual rate in the current quarter, which ends in June.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic to axe more than 3,000 jobs in battle for survival

Virgin Atlantic is to axe up to a third of its workforce as it battles to secure new funding that would enable it to survive the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that the airline majority-owned by Sir Richard Branson 's Virgin Group is to cut just over 3,000 jobs in a move that will spell the end of its long-running operations at London 's Gatwick Airport .
Trade unions and staff were briefed on the redundancies on Tuesday lunchtime ahead of the official announcement .
The statement confirmed that Virgin 's seven Boeing 747s were to be retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 43 planes to 36 .
Its landing slots at Gatwick were to be retained , the company said , in case future demand allowed its operations to resume .
But a total of 3,150 jobs are at risk across the group .
Virgin said its plans were designed to `` reshape and resize ( the ) business to ensure that is it fit for the future , in response to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy , our nation and the travel and aviation industry '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The restructuring of Virgin Atlantic 's workforce will follow a week of brutal job losses across Britain 's aviation industry .
British Airways has begun consulting on up to 12,000 redundancies , while Ryanair has said it plans to axe 3,000 jobs .
The Financial Times reported on Friday that Rolls Royce Holdings , the aircraft engine manufacturer , would reduce its UK workforce by about 8,000 people amid expectations of a protracted slump in demand because of the COVID-19 crisis .
Virgin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the airline 's management as an important step towards securing hundreds of millions of pounds of new funding from private investors or the government .
Chief executive Shai Weiss told staff that any potential investor , including the Treasury `` expects us to have taken all possible self-help measures as a pre-condition to funding '' .
The company has argued that it provides essential competition to BA , and is likely to hold out an olive branch to staff that an eventual recovery in the airline industry 's fortunes could pave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of operations on Heathrow and Manchester airports is a major blow to Gatwick , which was notified last week that BA might never resume flying from London 's second-busiest airport .
Virgin Atlantic is anticipating that customer demand will be at least 40 % lower during 2020 , with only a gradual recovery next year .
The Treasury has , to date , been lukewarm about the idea of committing taxpayers ' money to Virgin Atlantic , partly because of its ownership by billionaire Sir Richard and Delta Air Lines , a US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out by Washington .
Sir Richard made an impassioned defence of his group 's financial affairs last month , warning that the transatlantic airline he founded in the 1980s was likely to collapse without government support .
He has already seen Virgin Australia fall into a process called voluntary administration , putting thousands of jobs at risk .
Sir Richard has been seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in the form of a commercial loan , as well as a government guarantee on further sums owed to it by credit card companies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of financing that could dilute the tycoon 's 51 % stake .
In April , Sky News revealed that Heathrow Airport and some of the aviation industry 's biggest manufacturers were mounting a frantic lobbying campaign to secure taxpayer support for Virgin Atlantic .
In one of the letters , John Harrison , general counsel and UK chairman of Airbus , warned that Virgin Atlantic 's `` collapse could have an extremely negative impact on the A330 [ aircraft manufacturing ] programme '' .
`` As you will be aware , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufactured in the UK , and orders from airlines like Virgin are vital for the continuation of our business , '' Mr Harrison wrote .
The pleas from industry stakeholders underlined the extent to which Virgin Atlantic regards the coronavirus pandemic as an existential threat .
The company , which recently received a capital injection amounting to more than $ 100m from Virgin Group , has furloughed thousands of staff and seen its top executives agree substantial pay cuts because of the COVID-19 outbreak .
Less than a handful of Virgin Atlantic 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown began in March , when Peter Norris , Virgin Group 's chairman , urged Boris Johnson to establish an industry-wide support package that could cost in the region of £7.5bn .
Hopes in the airline industry that such a rescue plan might be forthcoming appeared to be dashed , however , when Rishi Sunak , the chancellor , indicated that state aid would be available `` only as a last resort '' and after the support of existing government schemes and companies ' existing shareholders had been pursued .
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had demonstrated their value to the wider UK economy and to competition in the aviation sector .
Despite his long-stated antipathy to government rescues of airlines , Willie Walsh , the chief executive of BA 's parent , International Airlines Group , sanctioned a €1bn state-backed loan for its Spanish airlines .
Virgin Atlantic said it continued to explore every funding option , including with the government .
Mr Weiss , the airline 's chief executive , said : `` We have weathered many storms since our first flight 36 years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as COVID-19 and the associated loss of life and livelihood for so many . ''
The pilots ' union , BALPA , said 426 pilots were at risk of losing their jobs with Virgin .
Its general secretary , Brian Strutton , added : `` This is another terrible blow for the industry and is evidence of the dire situation facing UK aviation .
`` Without immediate action by the government we will see the once world leading industry decimated . ''

Virgin Atlantic is to axe up to a third of its workforce as it battles to secure new funding that would enable it to survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that the airline majority-owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is to cut just over 3,000 jobs in a move that will spell the end of its long-running operations at London's Gatwick Airport.
Trade unions and staff were briefed on the redundancies on Tuesday lunchtime ahead of the official announcement.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:37 GMB national officer Nadine Houghton reacts to the announcement that BA is planning as many as 12,000 job cuts.
The statement confirmed that Virgin's seven Boeing 747s were to be retired as the airline's fleet is reduced from 43 planes to 36.
Its landing slots at Gatwick were to be retained, the company said, in case future demand allowed its operations to resume.
But a total of 3,150 jobs are at risk across the group.
Virgin said its plans were designed to "reshape and resize (the) business to ensure that is it fit for the future, in response to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, our nation and the travel and aviation industry".
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 restructuring of Virgin Atlantic's workforce will follow a week of brutal job losses across Britain's aviation industry.
Advertisement
British Airways has begun consulting on up to 12,000 redundancies, while Ryanair has said it plans to axe 3,000 jobs.
The Financial Times reported on Friday that Rolls Royce Holdings, the aircraft engine manufacturer, would reduce its UK workforce by about 8,000 people amid expectations of a protracted slump in demand because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Virgin Atlantic's restructuring appeared to be pitched by the airline's management as an important step towards securing hundreds of millions of pounds of new funding from private investors or the government.
Chief executive Shai Weiss told staff that any potential investor, including the Treasury "expects us to have taken all possible self-help measures as a pre-condition to funding".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 'Branson can bail himself out'
The company has argued that it provides essential competition to BA, and is likely to hold out an olive branch to staff that an eventual recovery in the airline industry's fortunes could pave the way for future expansion.
The re-focusing of operations on Heathrow and Manchester airports is a major blow to Gatwick, which was notified last week that BA might never resume flying from London's second-busiest airport.
Virgin Atlantic is anticipating that customer demand will be at least 40% lower during 2020, with only a gradual recovery next year.
The Treasury has, to date, been lukewarm about the idea of committing taxpayers' money to Virgin Atlantic, partly because of its ownership by billionaire Sir Richard and Delta Air Lines, a US carrier which has itself just been bailed out by Washington.
Sir Richard made an impassioned defence of his group's financial affairs last month, warning that the transatlantic airline he founded in the 1980s was likely to collapse without government support.
He has already seen Virgin Australia fall into a process called voluntary administration, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Sir Richard has been seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in the form of a commercial loan, as well as a government guarantee on further sums owed to it by credit card companies.
Talks with private investors also include other forms of financing that could dilute the tycoon's 51% stake.
In April, Sky News revealed that Heathrow Airport and some of the aviation industry's biggest manufacturers were mounting a frantic lobbying campaign to secure taxpayer support for Virgin Atlantic.
In one of the letters, John Harrison, general counsel and UK chairman of Airbus, warned that Virgin Atlantic's "collapse could have an extremely negative impact on the A330 [aircraft manufacturing] programme".
"As you will be aware, all wings for these aircraft are designed and manufactured in the UK, and orders from airlines like Virgin are vital for the continuation of our business," Mr Harrison wrote.
The pleas from industry stakeholders underlined the extent to which Virgin Atlantic regards the coronavirus pandemic as an existential threat.
The company, which recently received a capital injection amounting to more than $100m from Virgin Group, has furloughed thousands of staff and seen its top executives agree substantial pay cuts because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Less than a handful of Virgin Atlantic's planes have been flying since the UK lockdown began in March, when Peter Norris, Virgin Group's chairman, urged Boris Johnson to establish an industry-wide support package that could cost in the region of £7.5bn.
Hopes in the airline industry that such a rescue plan might be forthcoming appeared to be dashed, however, when Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, indicated that state aid would be available "only as a last resort" and after the support of existing government schemes and companies' existing shareholders had been pursued.
He added that help would only be afforded to companies which had demonstrated their value to the wider UK economy and to competition in the aviation sector.
Despite his long-stated antipathy to government rescues of airlines, Willie Walsh, the chief executive of BA's parent, International Airlines Group, sanctioned a €1bn state-backed loan for its Spanish airlines.
Virgin Atlantic said it continued to explore every funding option, including with the government.
Mr Weiss, the airline's chief executive, said: "We have weathered many storms since our first flight 36 years ago, but none has been as devastating as COVID-19 and the associated loss of life and livelihood for so many."
The pilots' union, BALPA, said 426 pilots were at risk of losing their jobs with Virgin.
Its general secretary, Brian Strutton, added: "This is another terrible blow for the industry and is evidence of the dire situation facing UK aviation.
"Without immediate action by the government we will see the once world leading industry decimated."


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Bavarian beer gardens to reopen as lockdown measures eased in Germany

Germans could be sipping their steins in the spring sunshine in less than two weeks as the country 's lockdown measures are eased .
Markus Soeder , governor of the southeastern state of Bavaria , has said beer gardens will reopen on 18 May .
Restaurants will open a week later , albeit with limited numbers of customers , limited opening times - having to close at 10pm - and strict hygiene rules .
On 30 May , hotels will be able to welcome tourists , but wo n't be able to open saunas or swimming pools .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , families in Bavaria will be able to visit elderly relatives in care homes again from Wednesday .
Mr Soeder is among the first state governors to announce concrete plans to further reopen the economy .
Bavaria - which is Germany 's second-most populous state and contains the city of Munich - had the highest per capita coronavirus infection rate in the country .
It was the first state to implement a lockdown , with Mr Soeder announcing the COVID-19 restrictions on 20 March .
Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have also set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month .
The BDI , an umbrella group representing German industry , recently warned the country 's future as a major manufacturer could be endangered if lockdown continued .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Lothar Wieler , the head of Germany 's national disease control centre , said there was `` great certainty '' the country would be hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections .
`` The majority of scientists are sure of that , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be a third wave . ''
But he added Germany 's `` preparation is definitely better '' for a second wave , as he put the current reproduction rate in Germany - the number of other people that one person with coronavirus will infect - at 0.71 .
At the end of last month , there were fears Germany would have to restore stricter lockdown measures - after it permitted small businesses to open - as its number and rate of coronavirus infections grew again .
The reproduction rate increased to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one that officials said it must not exceed in order to keep the outbreak manageable .
According to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US , Germany has suffered less than a third of the number of coronavirus deaths of other European nations such as Italy , the UK , Spain and France .

Germans could be sipping their steins in the spring sunshine in less than two weeks as the country's lockdown measures are eased.
Markus Soeder, governor of the southeastern state of Bavaria, has said beer gardens will reopen on 18 May.
Restaurants will open a week later, albeit with limited numbers of customers, limited opening times - having to close at 10pm - and strict hygiene rules.
On 30 May, hotels will be able to welcome tourists, but won't be able to open saunas or swimming pools.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Germans hold socially-distanced drive-in rave
In a more immediate lifting of coronavirus lockdown measures, families in Bavaria will be able to visit elderly relatives in care homes again from Wednesday.
Mr Soeder is among the first state governors to announce concrete plans to further reopen the economy.
Bavaria - which is Germany's second-most populous state and contains the city of Munich - had the highest per capita coronavirus infection rate in the country.
It was the first state to implement a lockdown, with Mr Soeder announcing the COVID-19 restrictions on 20 March.
Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have also set out plans to lift lockdown measures later this month.
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The BDI, an umbrella group representing German industry, recently warned the country's future as a major manufacturer could be endangered if lockdown continued.
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Lothar Wieler, the head of Germany's national disease control centre, said there was "great certainty" the country would be hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections.
"The majority of scientists are sure of that," he said. "And many also assume that there will be a third wave."
But he added Germany's "preparation is definitely better" for a second wave, as he put the current reproduction rate in Germany - the number of other people that one person with coronavirus will infect - at 0.71.
At the end of last month, there were fears Germany would have to restore stricter lockdown measures - after it permitted small businesses to open - as its number and rate of coronavirus infections grew again.
The reproduction rate increased to 0.96, only just below the figure of one that officials said it must not exceed in order to keep the outbreak manageable.
According to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US, Germany has suffered less than a third of the number of coronavirus deaths of other European nations such as Italy, the UK, Spain and France.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Now more than 250,000 global COVID-19 deaths, says Johns Hopkins tally

There have now been more than 250,000 deaths of people with coronavirus around the world , according to a tally .
In figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US , there have also been more than 3.6 million confirmed global cases of the virus .
The tally shows the US as the worst-affected country , in terms of deaths , with close to 69,000 people having died with coronavirus .
And New York is by far the worst-affected US state with almost 25,000 deaths , the university said .
The Treasury Department plans to borrow almost $ 3trn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover the US government 's response to the coronavirus crisis .
Italy , the UK , Spain and France have each suffered between 25,000 to 30,000 COVID-19 deaths , according to the Johns Hopkins tally .
It comes as many countries around the world continue to lift lockdown measures , after judging they have passed through the peak of coronavirus infections .
In Germany , several states have set out plans to reopen restaurants and hotels in the coming weeks .
Bavaria , the country 's second-most populous state , on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May with restaurants opening a week later , albeit with limited numbers of customers , limited opening times and strict hygiene rules .
From 30 May , hotels in the southeastern state - which has had the highest per capita coronavirus infection rate in Germany - will be able to welcome tourists , but wo n't be able to open their saunas or swimming pools .
Fellow states Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have already set out their plans to lift lockdown measures later this month .
Lothar Wieler , head of Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is `` great certainty '' there will be a second wave of coronavirus infections in the country , along with a possible third wave , but that it is prepared to deal with it .
In Norway , churches will be allowed to carry out ceremonies again from 10 May , as long as there is a maximum of 50 people with at least one metre between them .
In neighbouring Sweden , researchers at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology found large concentrations of coronavirus in Stockholm 's sewage system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ water plants could predict any second wave of coronavirus infections .
There are no known cases of infection spreading through waste water or drinking water .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In India , officials in capital New Delhi on Tuesday imposed a special 70 % tax on liquor purchases .
The `` special corona fee '' is aimed at dissuading huge gatherings after people formed long queues at stores on Monday following the easing of some lockdown restrictions .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to baton-charges to disperse crowds .
Nearly 200 Pakistanis left stranded in India by the country 's lockdown were able to return home on Tuesday after the countries ' border opened for the first time in nearly six weeks .

There have now been more than 250,000 deaths of people with coronavirus around the world, according to a tally.
In figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US, there have also been more than 3.6 million confirmed global cases of the virus.
The tally shows the US as the worst-affected country, in terms of deaths, with close to 69,000 people having died with coronavirus.
And New York is by far the worst-affected US state with almost 25,000 deaths, the university said.
The Treasury Department plans to borrow almost $3trn from April to the end of June to cover the US government's response to the coronavirus crisis.
Image: Beer gardens are planned to reopen in Germany's Bavaria on 18 May
Italy, the UK, Spain and France have each suffered between 25,000 to 30,000 COVID-19 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins tally.
It comes as many countries around the world continue to lift lockdown measures, after judging they have passed through the peak of coronavirus infections.
In Germany, several states have set out plans to reopen restaurants and hotels in the coming weeks.
Bavaria, the country's second-most populous state, on Tuesday said beer gardens would open on 18 May with restaurants opening a week later, albeit with limited numbers of customers, limited opening times and strict hygiene rules.
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From 30 May, hotels in the southeastern state - which has had the highest per capita coronavirus infection rate in Germany - will be able to welcome tourists, but won't be able to open their saunas or swimming pools.
Fellow states Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have already set out their plans to lift lockdown measures later this month.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:16 Social distancing at work on Milan metro
Lothar Wieler, head of Germany's national disease control centre, said there is "great certainty" there will be a second wave of coronavirus infections in the country, along with a possible third wave, but that it is prepared to deal with it.
In Norway, churches will be allowed to carry out ceremonies again from 10 May, as long as there is a maximum of 50 people with at least one metre between them.
In neighbouring Sweden, researchers at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology found large concentrations of coronavirus in Stockholm's sewage system.
It has been said analysis of waste water plants could predict any second wave of coronavirus infections.
There are no known cases of infection spreading through waste water or drinking water.
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
In India, officials in capital New Delhi on Tuesday imposed a special 70% tax on liquor purchases.
The "special corona fee" is aimed at dissuading huge gatherings after people formed long queues at stores on Monday following the easing of some lockdown restrictions.
In some places, officers had to resort to baton-charges to disperse crowds.
Nearly 200 Pakistanis left stranded in India by the country's lockdown were able to return home on Tuesday after the countries' border opened for the first time in nearly six weeks.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Meeting friends outside could be allowed as Scotland plans to ease lockdown

People could be allowed to meet with small groups of friends again - but only outside - under Scotland 's plans to ease lockdown measures .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used her coronavirus briefing to reveal options being considered as the country emerges from the peak of the outbreak , saying the `` severity of restrictions we are living under '' can not continue indefinitely .
These also include allowing some children to return to schools , relaxing rules on daily exercise and clearing the way for more businesses to reopen .
It came as Ms Sturgeon announced a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland after testing positive for COVID-19 , up 44 from 1,576 on Monday .
She said lifting the lockdown would be a gradual process and not like `` flipping a switch '' .
And she explained decisions were being guided by the fact that the R number - the number of people infected by each person who has the virus - is slightly higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK .
Around 26,000 people are believed to be infectious north of the border and Ms Sturgeon said the `` best estimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.7 and one .
However , she added : `` We ca n't be sure it is not closer to one than 0.7 . ''
Detailing the measures under consideration , she said they would include : • A slight relaxation of rules to allow `` meeting up with small defined groups '' of people , even if only outdoors at first • Letting some children , such as those at transition points of education or studying for exams , return to school • Allowing exercise more than once a day • Gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home working where possible for the near future Boris Johnson is set to reveal UK-wide proposals for easing restrictions on Sunday , despite criticism that he is not informing MPs in parliament first .
The prime minister 's spokesman confirmed the possibility of easing restrictions outdoors was also under consideration in Westminster .
`` Broadly the scientific and medical experts have been clear that there is less likelihood of transmission of this disease outdoors than indoors , '' he said .
`` That will obviously be something we are considering as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily briefing , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the second phase of the UK 's response to the virus would be different , with Britons asked to adjust to a `` new normal '' .
`` We have never experienced anything like this first stage of COVID-19 in terms of the scale of the lives lost but also the lockdown it has required .
`` As we go forward we want to make sure that the next phase is more comfortable , is more sustainable and prevents lasting damage to jobs and livelihoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be under no illusions ; the next stage wo n't be easy '' .
Scotland 's first minister emphasised the plans she outlined would only be implemented `` when we judge it is safe to make them , which I am afraid is not right now '' .
While current lockdown restrictions are due to be reviewed again on Thursday , Ms Sturgeon said it was `` highly unlikely '' any significant changes would be made yet .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could `` quickly see transmission of the virus increase again '' .
She said data from Denmark indicated that if Scotland was to fully reopen nurseries and primary schools now `` the most likely scenario would be a resurgence in the virus which would overwhelm our hospital capacity in matter of weeks '' .
`` The hard fact is we must see further restrictions in new cases , hospital and ICU admissions and deaths to be sure the overall level of infection and the R number are lower than they are now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the moment we do need to stick with the current lockdown restrictions . ''
The first minister also said 12,437 people had now tested positive in Scotland , up 171 from the day before .
There are 104 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms , an increase of five , while 1,656 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 , a decrease of 64 .
Since 5 March , 2,847 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland have left hospital .

People could be allowed to meet with small groups of friends again - but only outside - under Scotland's plans to ease lockdown measures.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used her coronavirus briefing to reveal options being considered as the country emerges from the peak of the outbreak, saying the "severity of restrictions we are living under" cannot continue indefinitely.
These also include allowing some children to return to schools, relaxing rules on daily exercise and clearing the way for more businesses to reopen.
It came as Ms Sturgeon announced a total of 1,620 people had now died in Scotland after testing positive for COVID-19, up 44 from 1,576 on Monday.
She said lifting the lockdown would be a gradual process and not like "flipping a switch".
And she explained decisions were being guided by the fact that the R number - the number of people infected by each person who has the virus - is slightly higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK.
Around 26,000 people are believed to be infectious north of the border and Ms Sturgeon said the "best estimate" of the R number is between 0.7 and one.
However, she added: "We can't be sure it is not closer to one than 0.7."
Detailing the measures under consideration, she said they would include:
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A slight relaxation of rules to allow "meeting up with small defined groups" of people, even if only outdoors at first
Letting some children, such as those at transition points of education or studying for exams, return to school
Allowing exercise more than once a day
Resuming some NHS and community care services
Gradually allowing businesses to reopen but insisting on home working where possible for the near future
Boris Johnson is set to reveal UK-wide proposals for easing restrictions on Sunday, despite criticism that he is not informing MPs in parliament first.
The prime minister's spokesman confirmed the possibility of easing restrictions outdoors was also under consideration in Westminster.
"Broadly the scientific and medical experts have been clear that there is less likelihood of transmission of this disease outdoors than indoors," he said.
"That will obviously be something we are considering as part of the review."
Speaking at the daily briefing, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the second phase of the UK's response to the virus would be different, with Britons asked to adjust to a "new normal".
"We have never experienced anything like this first stage of COVID-19 in terms of the scale of the lives lost but also the lockdown it has required.
"As we go forward we want to make sure that the next phase is more comfortable, is more sustainable and prevents lasting damage to jobs and livelihoods."
He added that "we need to be under no illusions; the next stage won't be easy".
Scotland's first minister emphasised the plans she outlined would only be implemented "when we judge it is safe to make them, which I am afraid is not right now".
While current lockdown restrictions are due to be reviewed again on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said it was "highly unlikely" any significant changes would be made yet.
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She warned changes could "quickly see transmission of the virus increase again".
She said data from Denmark indicated that if Scotland was to fully reopen nurseries and primary schools now "the most likely scenario would be a resurgence in the virus which would overwhelm our hospital capacity in matter of weeks".
"The hard fact is we must see further restrictions in new cases, hospital and ICU admissions and deaths to be sure the overall level of infection and the R number are lower than they are now," she said.
"That means for the moment we do need to stick with the current lockdown restrictions."
The first minister also said 12,437 people had now tested positive in Scotland, up 171 from the day before.
There are 104 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, an increase of five, while 1,656 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, a decrease of 64.
Since 5 March, 2,847 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland have left hospital.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Circus industry could 'die' after 'falling through the cracks' for govt funds

The circus industry could `` wither and die '' if government funding is not made available during the coronavirus pandemic , according to one of the biggest names in the business .
Martin Burton , the founder of Zippos Circus , told Sky News his performers have been forced to rely on food banks since the lockdown because his company had `` fallen through the cracks '' for government funds .
He said one full-time staff member had been furloughed but his 20 other performers - including 12 Mongolians , five Kenyans , three Argentinians and two Moroccans - had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the outbreak of COVID-19 , Mr Burton said his performers were in `` dire straits '' due to their specific visas not allowing them to access public funds .
He added : `` There are a number of people in exactly the same position .
There are pockets of unemployed foreigners with no recourse to public funds .
`` The clowns and the trapeze artists will be left hung out to dry .
`` Unless someone helps us , it feels as though the whole thing will wither and die .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life `` travelling around the world looking for astounding acts to bring back to Britain '' .
But he warned the longer the lockdown goes on `` the harder it will be to reopen unless someone helps us '' .
He said his circus was not eligible for a government grant because it does not pay business rates as it trades from locations other than its headquarters in Berkshire , leaving it in `` danger '' without further help .
`` We 're not asking for more than anyone else has got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burton said .
`` If we got the same , we will be fine , and we will be able to wait until we get the green light to go on . ''
Mr Burton said he had sine been sending out at least 10 emails and letters every day to government bodies , MPs and `` like-minded people '' , but had received little in return .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` The closure could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most circuses close during the winter and use the time to repair and replace equipment and sew costumes .
`` All of that is expensive , but we never worry because once we open at Easter , it 's a busy time . ''
On the future of the circus , he said he expected there to be a `` coronavirus effect '' , meaning `` there will be things we have to do differently '' .
But he added : `` Without tangible help , we would see an awful lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Sky News has approached the government for comment .

The circus industry could "wither and die" if government funding is not made available during the coronavirus pandemic, according to one of the biggest names in the business.
Martin Burton, the founder of Zippos Circus, told Sky News his performers have been forced to rely on food banks since the lockdown because his company had "fallen through the cracks" for government funds.
He said one full-time staff member had been furloughed but his 20 other performers - including 12 Mongolians, five Kenyans, three Argentinians and two Moroccans - had been left "utterly without support".
Image: Martin Burton (left) with ringmaster Norman Barrett
With the outbreak of COVID-19, Mr Burton said his performers were in "dire straits" due to their specific visas not allowing them to access public funds.
He added: "There are a number of people in exactly the same position. There are pockets of unemployed foreigners with no recourse to public funds.
"The clowns and the trapeze artists will be left hung out to dry.
"Unless someone helps us, it feels as though the whole thing will wither and die."
Mr Burton said he had spent his life "travelling around the world looking for astounding acts to bring back to Britain".
But he warned the longer the lockdown goes on "the harder it will be to reopen unless someone helps us".
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Image: Mr Burton said he had spent his life 'travelling around the world looking for astounding acts to bring back to Britain'
He said his circus was not eligible for a government grant because it does not pay business rates as it trades from locations other than its headquarters in Berkshire, leaving it in "danger" without further help.
"We're not asking for more than anyone else has got, just the same," Mr Burton said.
"If we got the same, we will be fine, and we will be able to wait until we get the green light to go on."
Mr Burton said he had sine been sending out at least 10 emails and letters every day to government bodies, MPs and "like-minded people", but had received little in return.
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He added: "The closure couldn't have happened at a worse time. Most circuses close during the winter and use the time to repair and replace equipment and sew costumes.
"All of that is expensive, but we never worry because once we open at Easter, it's a busy time."
On the future of the circus, he said he expected there to be a "coronavirus effect", meaning "there will be things we have to do differently".
But he added: "Without tangible help, we would see an awful lot of circuses close - never to come back."
Sky News has approached the government for comment.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Warning about potential COVID hospital crisis was made a month before lockdown

Scientists warned that intensive care units in London would be overwhelmed by the end of March Scientists were warning the government about the potentially catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on hospitals almost a month before the lockdown , according to a batch of previously secret documents .
The 16 documents - a mixture of consensus statements and emerging evidence - were channelled through the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) and were released under a new commitment to transparency .
Membership of the committee was only revealed on Monday .
The documents show that on 27 February SAGE heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people in the UK could be infected in one or more waves .
It said there were `` no clinical countermeasures '' and that more than 540,000 people would need ventilation in critical care units .
This was still early on in the UK 's outbreak , a week before the first death was announced , around the time that Italian authorities quarantined 10 northern towns .
They show that at first scientists struggled with a paucity of data on the emerging coronavirus and based assumptions on the existing plan for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly realised that the coronavirus was potentially far more serious .
On 3 March the committee heard evidence that there was sustained transmission of the virus within the UK .
At the time the prime minister said the country was `` extremely well prepared '' , with `` fantastic testing and surveillance '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Over the following three weeks the virus spread rapidly and the alarm calls grew louder .
By the time the committee met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 9,000 reported cases and 285 deaths .
The committee members were presented with a stark warning that intensive care units in London would be overwhelmed by the end of the month `` even if additional measures are put in place today '' , with the rest of the country a week or two behind .
That evening the prime minister addressed the nation and announced a lockdown .
The timeline suggests scientists knew the threat posed by the COVID-19 at an early stage , but there were critical delays .
The Scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) had prepared the evidence that critical care units would imminently run out of beds on 20 March , three days before the meeting of SAGE .
At the time the outbreak was entering the exponential phase and a delay of just a few days would have had a big impact on the overall number of deaths .
Of course we now view these documents with the benefit of hindsight .
But questions will be asked of the government whether it had been listening to the evidence and acted with sufficient urgency .

On 27 February SAGE heard a worst case scenario would see 33 million people infected with COVID -19 in one or more waves.
Scientists warned that intensive care units in London would be overwhelmed by the end of March
Scientists were warning the government about the potentially catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on hospitals almost a month before the lockdown, according to a batch of previously secret documents.
The 16 documents - a mixture of consensus statements and emerging evidence - were channelled through the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and were released under a new commitment to transparency. Membership of the committee was only revealed on Monday.
The documents show that on 27 February SAGE heard evidence that in a worst-case scenario 33 million people in the UK could be infected in one or more waves.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:29 Hancock: Employers must offer safe workplaces
It said there were "no clinical countermeasures" and that more than 540,000 people would need ventilation in critical care units.
This was still early on in the UK's outbreak, a week before the first death was announced, around the time that Italian authorities quarantined 10 northern towns.
The documents date back to early February.
Image: The Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling warned critical care units would run out of beds on 20 March
They show that at first scientists struggled with a paucity of data on the emerging coronavirus and based assumptions on the existing plan for a flu pandemic.
But the government committee rapidly realised that the coronavirus was potentially far more serious.
On 3 March the committee heard evidence that there was sustained transmission of the virus within the UK. At the time the prime minister said the country was "extremely well prepared", with "fantastic testing and surveillance".
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Over the following three weeks the virus spread rapidly and the alarm calls grew louder.
By the time the committee met on 23 March there had been more than 9,000 reported cases and 285 deaths.
The committee members were presented with a stark warning that intensive care units in London would be overwhelmed by the end of the month "even if additional measures are put in place today", with the rest of the country a week or two behind.
That evening the prime minister addressed the nation and announced a lockdown.
The timeline suggests scientists knew the threat posed by the COVID-19 at an early stage, but there were critical delays.
The Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) had prepared the evidence that critical care units would imminently run out of beds on 20 March, three days before the meeting of SAGE.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 'It's humanity against the virus'
At the time the outbreak was entering the exponential phase and a delay of just a few days would have had a big impact on the overall number of deaths.
Of course we now view these documents with the benefit of hindsight.
But questions will be asked of the government whether it had been listening to the evidence and acted with sufficient urgency.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Millions entered UK in three months before lockdown but just 273 were quarantined

Fewer than 300 people out of millions entering the UK were quarantined by the government in the three months before lockdown , figures show .
Nearly 18.1 million people arrived in the UK from all destinations between 1 January and 23 March .
But just 273 passengers from China and Japan were taken to government isolation centres during that period , according to data provided to Labour MP Stephen Doughty .
Passengers on three repatriation flights from Wuhan , the original epicentre of the virus , and another carrying passengers from the COVID-19-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship , were taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Doughty had requested the information from the government to find out how many people arriving at the UK border from Spain , China , Italy , USA , Iran , Turkey and France were taken to government-supported COVID-19 quarantine centres in this period .
• 83 passengers who arrived on an evacuation flight from Wuhan on 31 January • 11 passengers on a French-led evacuation flight , again from Wuhan , on 2 February • 147 people on a final evacuation flight from Wuhan on 9 February • 32 passengers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruise ship and were flown to the UK from Tokyo : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Some people arriving in the UK may have chosen to self-isolate at home , and they will not be included in the figures , which were first reported by The Guardian .
Questions have been raised about the government 's decision not to screen or quarantine more arrivals , which Home Secretary Priti Patel says is based on evidence from the scientific advisory group for emergencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Our approach to tackling coronavirus is , and has always been , driven by the latest scientific and medical advice , and procedures at the border have been strictly following the latest government guidance throughout .
`` The scientific advice showed that placing restrictions at the border would not have had a significant impact on the spread of the virus in the UK .
`` Passenger numbers arriving in the UK are currently down by 99 % but we continue to keep this under review . ''

Fewer than 300 people out of millions entering the UK were quarantined by the government in the three months before lockdown, figures show.
Nearly 18.1 million people arrived in the UK from all destinations between 1 January and 23 March.
But just 273 passengers from China and Japan were taken to government isolation centres during that period, according to data provided to Labour MP Stephen Doughty.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 Feb 22: Britons leave virus-hit ship and return to UK
Passengers on three repatriation flights from Wuhan, the original epicentre of the virus, and another carrying passengers from the COVID-19-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship, were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital in the Wirral.
Mr Doughty had requested the information from the government to find out how many people arriving at the UK border from Spain, China, Italy, USA, Iran, Turkey and France were taken to government-supported COVID-19 quarantine centres in this period.
The breakdown was:
83 passengers who arrived on an evacuation flight from Wuhan on 31 January
11 passengers on a French-led evacuation flight, again from Wuhan, on 2 February
147 people on a final evacuation flight from Wuhan on 9 February
32 passengers who had been on board the Diamond Princess Cruise ship and were flown to the UK from Tokyo
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Some people arriving in the UK may have chosen to self-isolate at home, and they will not be included in the figures, which were first reported by The Guardian.
Questions have been raised about the government's decision not to screen or quarantine more arrivals, which Home Secretary Priti Patel says is based on evidence from the scientific advisory group for emergencies (SAGE).
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A government spokesperson said: "Our approach to tackling coronavirus is, and has always been, driven by the latest scientific and medical advice, and procedures at the border have been strictly following the latest government guidance throughout.
"The scientific advice showed that placing restrictions at the border would not have had a significant impact on the spread of the virus in the UK.
"Passenger numbers arriving in the UK are currently down by 99% but we continue to keep this under review."


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: When will UK schools reopen and what can we learn from Europe about how it will happen?

The majority of children in the UK have now been at home for several weeks , after the government closed schools in mid-March to help stop the spread of COVID-19 .
The date they will be allowed to reopen is likely to be announced on Sunday , when Boris Johnson is expected to lay out his strategy for ending the lockdown .
The government is reportedly hoping pupils will be able to return to classes by 1 June .
But education is a devolved issue , so schools in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland could return sooner , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their coronavirus outbreaks .
When schools do reopen , it is unlikely all students will be allowed back straight away .
Newspapers reports over the weekend suggested pupils in year 6 ( aged 10-11 ) would be the first to return .
The remaining primary school-aged children would be next , along with students in years 10 and 12 , who are due to sit their GCSEs and A-levels in 2021 .
Summer exams have already been cancelled for year 11 and 13 students , who should have sat their GCSEs and A-levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been asked to use coursework , bookwork and the results of any existing modules or mock exams to award students the grades they would have expected them to get .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Pupils returning to school are likely to find things very different to when they left if the government does give them the go-ahead to reopen before the summer .
Class sizes may be reduced , desks may have to be spaced two metres apart and break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate .
These are some of the measures that have been adopted in schools across Europe as they begin to reopen , and are the sorts of changes UK schools will have to adopt .
When and how have other European countries reopened schools ?
Denmark was among the first to reopen schools , with primary pupils returning to class from 15 April .
However , desks now have to be placed six feet apart ( 1.8m ) and start times have been staggered in order to follow social distancing guidelines .
Parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to reduce the risk of infection .
High schools and universities in the country are still closed .
Nurseries in Norway were allowed to reopen from 20 April , while primary schools reopened on 27 April .
Classes are kept to a maximum of 15 pupils , with many children being kept in much smaller groups , and regular hand and desk washing is encouraged .
Schools and universities for older students have remained closed .
In Germany , pupils who are either about to make the move from primary school to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exams soon returned to school on 4 May .
However , education in Germany is devolved to individual states , some of which have allowed graduating classes to return a week earlier .
Schools are operating under strict hygiene regulations and desks have been separated by two metres .
A decision about when the rest of pupils will return has yet to be made .
Primary schools in France will reopen for children aged 5-11 from 12 May , but class sizes will be limited to 15 pupils and attendance will be voluntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed back to class the following week ( 18 May ) under the same conditions .
Lycées , which provide education for 15 to 18 year-olds , may open from the 25 May if there are no major outbreaks of the disease in their area .
The decision to reopen schools has proved controversial with local leaders and some parents urging President Emmanuel Macron to keep them closed .
Primary schools in the Netherlands are reopening the same week as those in France , with pupils allowed back from 11 May .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen a month later , if there are no major COVID-19 outbreaks in primaries .
Schools in Belgium will be permitted to start welcoming pupils back from 18 May , but no more than 10 pupils will be allowed in a class .
The country has the highest number of coronavirus deaths per million people .
Schools are still shut in all three of the countries worst affected by coronavirus .
But children in Spain and Italy are now allowed outside in both countries , after having to stay inside for several weeks @

The majority of children in the UK have now been at home for several weeks, after the government closed schools in mid-March to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The date they will be allowed to reopen is likely to be announced on Sunday, when Boris Johnson is expected to lay out his strategy for ending the lockdown.
The government is reportedly hoping pupils will be able to return to classes by 1 June.
But education is a devolved issue, so schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could return sooner, or later, depending on the severity of their coronavirus outbreaks.
Image: Only the children of key workers have been allowed to go to school during the lockdown.
When schools do reopen, it is unlikely all students will be allowed back straight away.
Newspapers reports over the weekend suggested pupils in year 6 (aged 10-11) would be the first to return.
The remaining primary school-aged children would be next, along with students in years 10 and 12, who are due to sit their GCSEs and A-levels in 2021.
Summer exams have already been cancelled for year 11 and 13 students, who should have sat their GCSEs and A-levels next month.
Instead, schools have been asked to use coursework, bookwork and the results of any existing modules or mock exams to award students the grades they would have expected them to get.
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Pupils returning to school are likely to find things very different to when they left if the government does give them the go-ahead to reopen before the summer.
Class sizes may be reduced, desks may have to be spaced two metres apart and break times may be staggered to keep students separate.
These are some of the measures that have been adopted in schools across Europe as they begin to reopen, and are the sorts of changes UK schools will have to adopt.
When and how have other European countries reopened schools?
Denmark
Image: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks with pupils at the reopening of a school in Copenhagen.
Denmark was among the first to reopen schools, with primary pupils returning to class from 15 April.
However, desks now have to be placed six feet apart (1.8m) and start times have been staggered in order to follow social distancing guidelines.
Parents are not allowed in school buildings in order to reduce the risk of infection.
High schools and universities in the country are still closed.
Norway
Image: An employee cleans an outdoor toy in the playground of a nursery in Oslo.
Nurseries in Norway were allowed to reopen from 20 April, while primary schools reopened on 27 April.
Classes are kept to a maximum of 15 pupils, with many children being kept in much smaller groups, and regular hand and desk washing is encouraged.
Schools and universities for older students have remained closed.
Germany
Image: Students in Munich returned to class on 27 April.
In Germany, pupils who are either about to make the move from primary school to secondary school or those preparing to take exams soon returned to school on 4 May.
However, education in Germany is devolved to individual states, some of which have allowed graduating classes to return a week earlier.
Schools are operating under strict hygiene regulations and desks have been separated by two metres.
A decision about when the rest of pupils will return has yet to be made.
France
Image: French President Emmanuel Macron visits a school that has stayed open for the children of key workers.
Primary schools in France will reopen for children aged 5-11 from 12 May, but class sizes will be limited to 15 pupils and attendance will be voluntary.
Secondary schools pupils aged 11-15 will be allowed back to class the following week (18 May) under the same conditions.
Lycées, which provide education for 15 to 18 year-olds, may open from the 25 May if there are no major outbreaks of the disease in their area.
The decision to reopen schools has proved controversial with local leaders and some parents urging President Emmanuel Macron to keep them closed.
Netherlands
Image: Some school exams went ahead in the Netherlands in April despite the coronavirus outbreak shutting schools.
Primary schools in the Netherlands are reopening the same week as those in France, with pupils allowed back from 11 May.
Secondary schools may then be allowed to reopen a month later, if there are no major COVID-19 outbreaks in primaries.
Belgium
Image: Schools in Belgium won't begin taking pupils back until 18 May.
Schools in Belgium will be permitted to start welcoming pupils back from 18 May, but no more than 10 pupils will be allowed in a class.
The country has the highest number of coronavirus deaths per million people.
Spain, Italy and the UK
Image: Schools are still shut in Spain.
Schools are still shut in all three of the countries worst affected by coronavirus.
But children in Spain and Italy are now allowed outside in both countries, after having to stay inside for several weeks.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Michigan family charged with murdering security guard who was enforcing face mask polic

Coronavirus: Michigan family charged with murdering security guard who was enforcing face mask policy

Three members of the same family have been charged with murdering a security guard after he told their relative she should be wearing a face mask .
Sharmel Teague was shopping with her daughter at a Family Dollar store in Flint , Michigan , when security guard Calvin Munerlyn , 43 , told the younger woman she had to leave unless she put on a face mask .
Police say Teague argued with Mr Munerlyn and spat on him before driving away in a red GMC Envoy .
About 20 minutes later , her car returned to the store , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop confronted Mr Munerlyn , according to investigators who spoke to witnesses in the store and reviewed surveillance video .
Bishop pulled out a gun and shot Mr Munerlyn , prosecutor David Leyton said .
Sharmel Teague , 45 , Larry Teague , 45 , and Ramonyea Bishop , 23 , have been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and firearms charges .
Sharmel Teague has been arrested , but the men are being sought by police .
Mr Munerlyn , a husband and father-of-eight , known as `` Big Duper '' , died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` The death of Calvin Munerlyn is senseless and tragic , and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' From all indications , Mr Munerlyn was simply doing his job in upholding the governor 's executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the safety of store employees and customers . ''
Mr Munerlyn 's mother , Bernadett , told the Associated Press news agency : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his job . ''
A donations page set up to cover the cost of Mr Munerlyn 's funeral has raised more than $ 154,000 ( £124,000 ) , far exceeding its goal .
Latryna Sims Munerlyn , his wife of 10 years , told NBC 25 he had worked at the store for more than a year .
`` He would have given you the shirt off his back , the food off his table .
He was the life of the party , '' Courtney Cabine , a family friend , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now compulsory in Michigan , one of the US states worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic .
Some residents have protested against the strict lockdown imposed by governor Gretchen Whitmer .

Three members of the same family have been charged with murdering a security guard after he told their relative she should be wearing a face mask.
Sharmel Teague was shopping with her daughter at a Family Dollar store in Flint, Michigan, when security guard Calvin Munerlyn, 43, told the younger woman she had to leave unless she put on a face mask.
Police say Teague argued with Mr Munerlyn and spat on him before driving away in a red GMC Envoy.
Image: Sharmel Teague is said to have argued with the security guard. Pic: Genessee County Prosecutors Office
Image: Larry Teague (L) and Ramonyea Bishop, who police said shot Mr Munerlyn. Pic: Genessee County Prosecutors Office
About 20 minutes later, her car returned to the store, and her husband Larry and son Ramonyea Bishop confronted Mr Munerlyn, according to investigators who spoke to witnesses in the store and reviewed surveillance video.
Bishop pulled out a gun and shot Mr Munerlyn, prosecutor David Leyton said.
Sharmel Teague, 45, Larry Teague, 45, and Ramonyea Bishop, 23, have been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and firearms charges.
Sharmel Teague has been arrested, but the men are being sought by police.
Mr Munerlyn, a husband and father-of-eight, known as "Big Duper", died in a local hospital.
Mr Leyton said: "The death of Calvin Munerlyn is senseless and tragic, and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
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"From all indications, Mr Munerlyn was simply doing his job in upholding the governor's executive order related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the safety of store employees and customers."
Mr Munerlyn's mother, Bernadett, told the Associated Press news agency: "All my baby was doing was his job."
A donations page set up to cover the cost of Mr Munerlyn's funeral has raised more than $154,000 (£124,000), far exceeding its goal.
Latryna Sims Munerlyn, his wife of 10 years, told NBC 25 he had worked at the store for more than a year.
"He would have given you the shirt off his back, the food off his table. He was the life of the party," Courtney Cabine, a family friend, told the network.
Wearing a face mask is now compulsory in Michigan, one of the US states worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Some residents have protested against the strict lockdown imposed by governor Gretchen Whitmer.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Online child abuse will increase during lockdown after 45 arrests in a month, police wa

Coronavirus: Online child abuse will increase during lockdown after 45 arrests in a month, police warn

Police have warned online child abuse is set to rise after 45 people were arrested and nearly 100 children safeguarded across London in the first month of lockdown .
The new Met Police figures revealed 92 children in the capital were protected from 23 March to 23 April after indecent images of them were found online as internet usage soared while people stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic .
A total of 68 warrants for suspected perpetrators were issued in that time , with 45 of them arrested by the Met 's Online Child Abuse and Exploitation Unit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not currently higher than last year - although over the past three years online indecent image offences have risen by 130 % .
She warned officers are anticipating the numbers of children affected during lockdown will only show up in statistics later in the year because it can take weeks for a case to be analysed and enough intelligence to be gathered to justify an arrest warrant being granted .
Det Supt Flanagan said : `` Online offenders can consider themselves less harmful than 'real life ' abusers as they hide behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable child at the heart of every indecent image or video and by viewing and distributing these , the abuse is repeated over and over again .
`` The internet can be a great space for young people to connect , socialise and learn - but it is also used by offenders as a place to engage with children and commit serious offences - grooming , abuse , and other serious harm .
`` The restrictions have led to a huge growth in internet use , including by children doing school work or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy - and inevitably there are a greater number of sexual predators online looking to target and groom young people . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker She said officers have been `` working around the clock '' since the pandemic started to identify and pursue online offenders and protect children .
As part of that , she urged parents to teach their children - no matter what age - about online safety and said they should not be afraid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Findlater , chief executive of the Lucy Faithfull child protection charity , said it had seen an increase in the use of porn websites .
`` We know this can be a precursor for some men with addictions to move into illegal child abuse material , '' he said .
`` Parents can help in tackling this and think about what their children are doing when they are being quiet in their rooms , because that lack of supervision can make them more vulnerable online . ''
There are 208 specialist anti-child abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2019 - who investigate cases , with one suspect quite possibly having thousands or even millions of images saved on multiple devices .
The warning comes days after the NSPCC said there has been an almost 20 % rise in calls since the lockdown started from adults concerned about child abuse .
Calls from concerned adults such as neighbours , extended family or delivery drivers rose from 1,867 in the month before lockdown to 2,216 between 23 March and 19 April .
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said : `` The longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intense and at-risk children are if they are invisible to the outside world . ''
Anyone who is concerned about a child 's wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or via help @ nspcc.org.uk , the Internet Watch Foundation on www.iwf.org.uk or the Stop It Now !
helpline on 0808 1000 900 .
For information about how to keep young people safe online , visit www.safe.met.police.uk .

Police have warned online child abuse is set to rise after 45 people were arrested and nearly 100 children safeguarded across London in the first month of lockdown.
The new Met Police figures revealed 92 children in the capital were protected from 23 March to 23 April after indecent images of them were found online as internet usage soared while people stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 68 warrants for suspected perpetrators were issued in that time, with 45 of them arrested by the Met's Online Child Abuse and Exploitation Unit.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:31 Are vulnerable children at risk in lockdown?
Detective Superintendent Helen Flanagan said the figures are not currently higher than last year - although over the past three years online indecent image offences have risen by 130%.
She warned officers are anticipating the numbers of children affected during lockdown will only show up in statistics later in the year because it can take weeks for a case to be analysed and enough intelligence to be gathered to justify an arrest warrant being granted.
Det Supt Flanagan said: "Online offenders can consider themselves less harmful than 'real life' abusers as they hide behind a screen, but there is a vulnerable child at the heart of every indecent image or video and by viewing and distributing these, the abuse is repeated over and over again.
"The internet can be a great space for young people to connect, socialise and learn - but it is also used by offenders as a place to engage with children and commit serious offences - grooming, abuse, and other serious harm.
"The restrictions have led to a huge growth in internet use, including by children doing school work or occupying themselves while parents and carers are busy - and inevitably there are a greater number of sexual predators online looking to target and groom young people."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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She said officers have been "working around the clock" since the pandemic started to identify and pursue online offenders and protect children.
As part of that, she urged parents to teach their children - no matter what age - about online safety and said they should not be afraid to ask questions or set boundaries.
Donald Findlater, chief executive of the Lucy Faithfull child protection charity, said it had seen an increase in the use of porn websites.
"We know this can be a precursor for some men with addictions to move into illegal child abuse material," he said.
"Parents can help in tackling this and think about what their children are doing when they are being quiet in their rooms, because that lack of supervision can make them more vulnerable online."
There are 208 specialist anti-child abuse officers in the Met - double that of 2019 - who investigate cases, with one suspect quite possibly having thousands or even millions of images saved on multiple devices.
The warning comes days after the NSPCC said there has been an almost 20% rise in calls since the lockdown started from adults concerned about child abuse.
Calls from concerned adults such as neighbours, extended family or delivery drivers rose from 1,867 in the month before lockdown to 2,216 between 23 March and 19 April.
NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: "The longer the lockdown goes on, the more intense and at-risk children are if they are invisible to the outside world."
Anyone who is concerned about a child's wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk, the Internet Watch Foundation on www.iwf.org.uk or the Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900.
For information about how to keep young people safe online, visit www.safe.met.police.uk.