news--2020-06-17--'Few significant changes to shop prices' but inflation still sinks to four-year low

The rate of inflation has tumbled to its lowest level since 2016 despite official figures suggesting shop prices remained relatively stable during the COVID-19 lockdown last month .
The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said the Consumer Prices Index ( CPI ) measure fell to 0.5 % in May from an annual rate of 0.8 % the previous month .
The rate had stood at 1.5 % in March , when efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus began in earnest .
The easing is welcome for UK household budgets , at a time when jobs and wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic slump resulting from the lockdown .
Figures released on Tuesday by the ONS suggested more than 600,000 people had lost their jobs during April and May despite government support schemes for both businesses and wages .
The number crunchers said the main downward contribution to inflation in May came from motor fuels following a record drop of almost 17 % in costs at the pump - building on earlier falls in April due to a collapse in global oil prices .
: : Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charted continuing declines in clothing and energy prices - falling 3 % and 7 % respectively last month compared to a year earlier .
There are growing expectations among economists that the CPI rate could hit zero this year because of heavy discounting among retailers as shops slowly begin to open their doors from their coronavirus hibernation .
Samuel Tombs , chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics , tweeted to his followers that he expected the rate to continue to fall .
The ONS said that an alternative basket of goods it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available during the lockdown , suggested the CPI rate for May would have been even lower at 0.4 % .
Its deputy national statistician for economic statistics , Jonathan Athow , said : `` The growth in consumer prices again slowed to the lowest annual rate in four years .
`` The cost of games and toys fell back from last month 's rises while there was a continued drop in prices at the pump in May , following the huge crude price falls seen in recent months .
`` Outside these areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the prices in the shops . ''
The figures are the last major data set ahead of the next interest rate decision by the Bank of England 's monetary policy committee ( MPC ) on Thursday .
It has an inflation target of 2 % and there has been speculation in recent weeks that it could set its core Bank rate at a negative level , for the first time in UK history , in a bid to help restore activity in the virus-ravaged economy .
It currently stands at 0.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Bailey has recently spoken of signs the economy is coming back to life - tempering that possibility .
Yael Selfin , chief economist at KPMG , said : `` ( The ) Bank of England 's MPC decision , which is due tomorrow , is expected to include some bolstering of its quantitative easing ( QE ) programme , as it attempts to provide additional support for the economy .
`` More controversial measures , such as a move to negative interest rates , are likely to remain on hold for now @ @

The rate of inflation has tumbled to its lowest level since 2016 despite official figures suggesting shop prices remained relatively stable during the COVID-19 lockdown last month.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure fell to 0.5% in May from an annual rate of 0.8% the previous month.
The rate had stood at 1.5% in March, when efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus began in earnest.
The easing is welcome for UK household budgets, at a time when jobs and wage growth are under significant pressure amid the economic slump resulting from the lockdown.
Image: UK stores are expected to discount widely as the re-opening gathers pace
Figures released on Tuesday by the ONS suggested more than 600,000 people had lost their jobs during April and May despite government support schemes for both businesses and wages.
The number crunchers said the main downward contribution to inflation in May came from motor fuels following a record drop of almost 17% in costs at the pump - building on earlier falls in April due to a collapse in global oil prices.
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It also charted continuing declines in clothing and energy prices - falling 3% and 7% respectively last month compared to a year earlier.
There are growing expectations among economists that the CPI rate could hit zero this year because of heavy discounting among retailers as shops slowly begin to open their doors from their coronavirus hibernation.
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Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, tweeted to his followers that he expected the rate to continue to fall.
The ONS said that an alternative basket of goods it had created, which stripped out items not available during the lockdown, suggested the CPI rate for May would have been even lower at 0.4%.
Its deputy national statistician for economic statistics, Jonathan Athow, said: "The growth in consumer prices again slowed to the lowest annual rate in four years.
"The cost of games and toys fell back from last month's rises while there was a continued drop in prices at the pump in May, following the huge crude price falls seen in recent months.
"Outside these areas, we are seeing few significant changes to the prices in the shops."
The figures are the last major data set ahead of the next interest rate decision by the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) on Thursday.
It has an inflation target of 2% and there has been speculation in recent weeks that it could set its core Bank rate at a negative level, for the first time in UK history, in a bid to help restore activity in the virus-ravaged economy.
It currently stands at 0.1%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 'We see signs of economy coming back to life
However, the Bank's governor Andrew Bailey has recently spoken of signs the economy is coming back to life - tempering that possibility.
Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG, said: "(The) Bank of England's MPC decision, which is due tomorrow, is expected to include some bolstering of its quantitative easing (QE) programme, as it attempts to provide additional support for the economy.
"More controversial measures, such as a move to negative interest rates, are likely to remain on hold for now."


news--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: Hamilton and Les Miserables among West End shows to stay closed until 2021

Some of the biggest shows in London 's West End , such as Les Miserables and Hamilton , will stay closed until 2021 .
Four shows produced by Cameron Mackintosh 's company will leave their stages empty until at least January after coronavirus forced the closure of theatres in March .
The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables , along with multi-award-winning Hamilton and Disney musical Mary Poppins , will all stay shut .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said at Wednesday 's coronavirus briefing that he was convening a team of industry professionals to work out the best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement , Mackintosh 's company blamed the lockdown restrictions and uncertainty over when they will be lifted for having to take the drastic measures .
It also announced it is looking at possible redundancies as a result of closing the shows .
Cameron Mackintosh said : `` This decision is heart-breaking for me , as I am sure it is for my employees , as everyone who has worked with me over the last 50 years , on or off the stage , knows how much I care about what I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the government engaging with the desperate pleas from everyone in the theatre industry , so far there has been no tangible practical support beyond offers to go into debt which I do n't want to do .
`` Their inability to say when the impossible constraints of social distancing will be lifted makes it equally impossible for us to properly plan for whatever the new future is . ''
The company said that even once social distancing measures are lifted , it could take months for bookings to be taken , customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A spokesperson for the Department of Culture , Media and Sport ( DCMS ) told Sky News it was `` completely untrue '' that the government had not provided support to the industry .
`` We are providing unprecedented assistance including a year 's business rates holiday , government loans , the Job Retention Scheme that hundreds of theatres have already received support from , and the Arts Council have provided a £160m emergency response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are committed to getting the curtain up at venues across the country as soon as it is safe to do so and are working directly with the sector on detailed advice and guidance on reopening . ''
According to a DCMS report from 2019 , more than 200,000 people are directly employed in the arts industry in the UK , with the Arts Council saying it contributes £2.8bn a year to the economy .

Some of the biggest shows in London's West End, such as Les Miserables and Hamilton, will stay closed until 2021.
Four shows produced by Cameron Mackintosh's company will leave their stages empty until at least January after coronavirus forced the closure of theatres in March.
The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, along with multi-award-winning Hamilton and Disney musical Mary Poppins, will all stay shut.
Image: The smash hit show Hamilton is also affected
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said at Wednesday's coronavirus briefing that he was convening a team of industry professionals to work out the best way to get theatres open again.
In a statement, Mackintosh's company blamed the lockdown restrictions and uncertainty over when they will be lifted for having to take the drastic measures.
It also announced it is looking at possible redundancies as a result of closing the shows.
Image: Mary Poppins will also not be back until 2021
Cameron Mackintosh said: "This decision is heart-breaking for me, as I am sure it is for my employees, as everyone who has worked with me over the last 50 years, on or off the stage, knows how much I care about what I do and how I do it.
"Despite the government engaging with the desperate pleas from everyone in the theatre industry, so far there has been no tangible practical support beyond offers to go into debt which I don't want to do.
"Their inability to say when the impossible constraints of social distancing will be lifted makes it equally impossible for us to properly plan for whatever the new future is."
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The company said that even once social distancing measures are lifted, it could take months for bookings to be taken, customer confidence to grow and shows to rehearse.
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A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told Sky News it was "completely untrue" that the government had not provided support to the industry.
"We are providing unprecedented assistance including a year's business rates holiday, government loans, the Job Retention Scheme that hundreds of theatres have already received support from, and the Arts Council have provided a £160m emergency response package," said the spokesperson.
"We are committed to getting the curtain up at venues across the country as soon as it is safe to do so and are working directly with the sector on detailed advice and guidance on reopening."
According to a DCMS report from 2019, more than 200,000 people are directly employed in the arts industry in the UK, with the Arts Council saying it contributes £2.8bn a year to the economy.


news--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: New Zealand PM brings in military chief after 'unacceptable' quarantine lapse

New Zealand has brought in a top military leader to take charge of the country 's border quarantine measures after the `` unacceptable '' release of two women before they were tested for COVID-19 .
The women , who are New Zealand nationals , had flown from London to visit a dying parent and were granted an exemption to leave their mandatory 14-day quarantine early on compassionate grounds .
This was despite one having symptoms which she attributed to a pre-existing condition .
They then travelled by car from Auckland to Wellington , where they tested positive for coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can not allow the gains we have all made to be squandered by processes that are not followed .
`` This represents an unacceptable failure of the system .
`` We require not one but two tests to be undertaken at those facilities ... it did not , and there are no excuses . ''
Ms Ardern said she was appointing the Assistant Chief of Defence , Air Commodore Digby Webb , to oversee quarantine measures and to manage isolation facilities .
She said Webb can seek access to military logistics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , personnel , for running of the quarantine facilities .
An audit will also be carried out to make sure all processes in place are followed and any changes needed can be made to further strengthen the border facilities .
It comes just days after New Zealand announced it had become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate COVID-19 and return to pre-pandemic normality , lifting all social and economic restrictions except border controls .
However , Ms Ardern warned cases warned cases could appear as New Zealanders return home @

New Zealand has brought in a top military leader to take charge of the country's border quarantine measures after the "unacceptable" release of two women before they were tested for COVID-19.
The women, who are New Zealand nationals, had flown from London to visit a dying parent and were granted an exemption to leave their mandatory 14-day quarantine early on compassionate grounds.
This was despite one having symptoms which she attributed to a pre-existing condition.
They then travelled by car from Auckland to Wellington, where they tested positive for coronavirus.
Image: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has appointed Air Commodore Digby Webb to oversee quarantine measures
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "I cannot allow the gains we have all made to be squandered by processes that are not followed.
"This represents an unacceptable failure of the system.
"We require not one but two tests to be undertaken at those facilities... it did not, and there are no excuses."
Ms Ardern said she was appointing the Assistant Chief of Defence, Air Commodore Digby Webb, to oversee quarantine measures and to manage isolation facilities.
She said Webb can seek access to military logistics, its operational expertise and, if needed, personnel, for running of the quarantine facilities.
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An audit will also be carried out to make sure all processes in place are followed and any changes needed can be made to further strengthen the border facilities.
It comes just days after New Zealand announced it had become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate COVID-19 and return to pre-pandemic normality, lifting all social and economic restrictions except border controls.
However, Ms Ardern warned cases warned cases could appear as New Zealanders return home.


news--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: Health Secretary Matt Hancock seen breaking social distancing rules in parliament

Matt Hancock was seen breaking social distancing rules just moments before joining Boris Johnson for Prime Minister 's Questions .
The health secretary walked up to a colleague in the main Commons chamber - straight into a taped area showing where MPs should avoid to maintain the two metre distance mandated by government coronavirus rules .
Mr Hancock was seen on camera putting his hand on the other MP 's shoulder , with the pair standing inches apart for around 10 seconds .
They are joined by another MP standing in a line filling the width of the pathway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps back , prompting the cabinet minister to sidestep towards the second MP .
He then retreats to the other side of the walkway .
Just minutes later , Mr Hancock went to sit on the frontbench to listen to Mr Johnson take questions from opposition leaders and backbenchers .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The encounter comes despite strict measures that are in place in parliament , designed to ensure MPs can socially distance in the chamber during the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` stay at least two metres ( three steps ) away from anyone you do not live with ( or anyone not in your support bubble ) when outside your home '' .
The Health and Safety Executive also tells employees : `` In your workplace you need to observe , where possible , the social distancing guidance . ''
A statement from the Commons authorities said : `` The House 's priority is to ensure that those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated .
`` Concerns about social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously .
`` Everyone on the Parliamentary Estate has a responsibility to adhere to the guidance , and additional staff are on hand to remind people of the rules . ''

Matt Hancock was seen breaking social distancing rules just moments before joining Boris Johnson for Prime Minister's Questions.
The health secretary walked up to a colleague in the main Commons chamber - straight into a taped area showing where MPs should avoid to maintain the two metre distance mandated by government coronavirus rules.
Mr Hancock was seen on camera putting his hand on the other MP's shoulder, with the pair standing inches apart for around 10 seconds.
Image: Matt Hancock was going to PMQs to listen to Boris Johnson
They are joined by another MP standing in a line filling the width of the pathway, before the first MP Mr Hancock encountered steps back, prompting the cabinet minister to sidestep towards the second MP.
He then retreats to the other side of the walkway.
Just minutes later, Mr Hancock went to sit on the frontbench to listen to Mr Johnson take questions from opposition leaders and backbenchers.
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The encounter comes despite strict measures that are in place in parliament, designed to ensure MPs can socially distance in the chamber during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHS guidance tells people to "stay at least two metres (three steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble) when outside your home".
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The Health and Safety Executive also tells employees: "In your workplace you need to observe, where possible, the social distancing guidance."
Image: Mr Hancock has been regularly updating MPs on the government's coronavirus response
A statement from the Commons authorities said: "The House's priority is to ensure that those on the estate are safe while business is facilitated.
"Concerns about social distancing guidelines not being followed will be taken seriously.
"Everyone on the Parliamentary Estate has a responsibility to adhere to the guidance, and additional staff are on hand to remind people of the rules."


news--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: NHS contact-tracing app originally set for May launch is now planned 'for winter'

The NHS contact-tracing app will not be ready before winter , a health minister has said , despite initially being promised in mid-May .
Lord Bethell said the Department of Health was `` seeking to get something going for the winter '' .
But , he told a committee of MPs , the app was n't `` the priority at the moment '' .
Lord Bethell confirmed the government still planned to introduce a contact-tracing app , describing it as `` a really important option for the future '' .
The app has been the subject of a trial on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health says it has been downloaded by 54,000 people .
Lord Bethell said the trial had been a success , but admitted that one of its principal lessons had been that greater emphasis needed to be placed on manual contact tracing .
`` It was a reminder that you ca n't take a totally technical answer to the problem , '' he said .
Instead , he said , the government was `` focused on getting manual contact tracing correct '' .
Lord Bethell added the Department of Health was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce an app , noting that countries around the world were still in the early stages of introducing their own .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Health Secretary Matt Hancock had originally promised the app would be rolled out nationally from mid-May .
France , Italy and Germany have all released contact-tracing apps to monitor COVID-19 in recent weeks .
Asked why the app had taken so long to release , Lord Bethell told the Science and Technology Committee the Isle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` were n't frightened of it , as we were worried that they might be '' - and had also provided `` concrete examples '' of successes in breaking transmission chains .
But he admitted there had been `` technical challenges '' , as well as an `` ongoing battle '' to persuade people the system was safe and privacy-protecting .
Lord Bethell said that `` people 's concerns about the app are enormous and right and we are really conscious of it . ''
He said the fear of raising privacy concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not released the app earlier , adding : `` If we did n't quite get it right the first time round , we might poison the pool and close off a really important option for the future . ''
In its COVID-19 strategy Plan to Rebuild , the government had described the app an integral part of the Test and Trace programme for combating coronavirus .
In a statement earlier in the day , a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care had said it would be `` rolling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson added : `` The app will complement the NHS Test and Trace programme which is already up and running and helping to save lives . ''

The NHS contact-tracing app will not be ready before winter, a health minister has said, despite initially being promised in mid-May.
Lord Bethell said the Department of Health was "seeking to get something going for the winter".
But, he told a committee of MPs, the app wasn't "the priority at the moment".
Image: The app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight
Lord Bethell confirmed the government still planned to introduce a contact-tracing app, describing it as "a really important option for the future".
The app has been the subject of a trial on the Isle of Wight, where the Department of Health says it has been downloaded by 54,000 people.
Lord Bethell said the trial had been a success, but admitted that one of its principal lessons had been that greater emphasis needed to be placed on manual contact tracing.
"It was a reminder that you can't take a totally technical answer to the problem," he said.
Instead, he said, the government was "focused on getting manual contact tracing correct".
Lord Bethell added the Department of Health was "not feeling great time pressure" to introduce an app, noting that countries around the world were still in the early stages of introducing their own.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock had originally promised the app would be rolled out nationally from mid-May.
France, Italy and Germany have all released contact-tracing apps to monitor COVID-19 in recent weeks.
Asked why the app had taken so long to release, Lord Bethell told the Science and Technology Committee the Isle of Wight trial had shown that people "weren't frightened of it, as we were worried that they might be" - and had also provided "concrete examples" of successes in breaking transmission chains.
But he admitted there had been "technical challenges", as well as an "ongoing battle" to persuade people the system was safe and privacy-protecting.
Lord Bethell said that "people's concerns about the app are enormous and right and we are really conscious of it."
He said the fear of raising privacy concerns was one of the reasons the government had not released the app earlier, adding: "If we didn't quite get it right the first time round, we might poison the pool and close off a really important option for the future."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:53 May: Questions over NHS tracing app
In its COVID-19 strategy Plan to Rebuild, the government had described the app an integral part of the Test and Trace programme for combating coronavirus.
In a statement earlier in the day, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care had said it would be "rolling out the app nationally soon."
The spokesperson added: "The app will complement the NHS Test and Trace programme which is already up and running and helping to save lives."


news--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: Staff at chicken factory supplying M&S self-isolate after COVID-19 outbreak

Staff at a chicken factory in Wales are self-isolating following an outbreak of COVID-19 .
The `` cluster '' of coronavirus cases emerged at the 2 Sisters chicken processing plant in Llangefni , North Wales , and efforts to tackle the outbreak is being treated as a `` priority '' .
Factory owner 2 Sisters Food Group has not confirmed the number of cases .
The company is one of the largest food producers in the UK , with brands including Fox 's Biscuits and Holland 's Pies , while it also lists supermarkets and Marks & Spencer among its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 Sisters website as one of its customers , KFC has told Sky News it does not use the company 's chicken .
The company produces around a third of all poultry products eaten every day in the UK , according to its website .
A spokesman for 2 Sisters said the factory has implemented a `` series of measures in place for some time '' , including regular and intensive deep cleaning and social distancing to keep workers safe .
Staff were also given protective visors in production areas around the factory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key priority is to continue to provide the safest possible workplace and support all colleagues at Llangefni , as we have been doing successfully for three months without one single positive case reported at the site , '' the spokesman said .
He said the company has now `` redoubled '' its efforts to protect factory workers since positive cases were confirmed , adding : `` We have now introduced thermal temperature checks on entry and employed marshals to ensure social distancing is maintained in high traffic areas . ''
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A statement issued by Isle of Anglesey County Council said : `` The North Wales Regional Test , Trace , Protect team is responding to the cluster of coronavirus cases at the 2 Sisters plant in Llangefni as a priority , and supporting the workplace .
`` Key agencies including Public Health Wales , Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board , Health and Safety Executive and both Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils are working together to support and advise the employer and those employees who have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Staff at a chicken factory in Wales are self-isolating following an outbreak of COVID-19.
The "cluster" of coronavirus cases emerged at the 2 Sisters chicken processing plant in Llangefni, North Wales, and efforts to tackle the outbreak is being treated as a "priority".
Factory owner 2 Sisters Food Group has not confirmed the number of cases.
The company is one of the largest food producers in the UK, with brands including Fox's Biscuits and Holland's Pies, while it also lists supermarkets and Marks & Spencer among its customers.
Despite being listed on the 2 Sisters website as one of its customers, KFC has told Sky News it does not use the company's chicken.
The company produces around a third of all poultry products eaten every day in the UK, according to its website.
A spokesman for 2 Sisters said the factory has implemented a "series of measures in place for some time", including regular and intensive deep cleaning and social distancing to keep workers safe.
Staff were also given protective visors in production areas around the factory.
"As a responsible business our key priority is to continue to provide the safest possible workplace and support all colleagues at Llangefni, as we have been doing successfully for three months without one single positive case reported at the site," the spokesman said.
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He said the company has now "redoubled" its efforts to protect factory workers since positive cases were confirmed, adding: "We have now introduced thermal temperature checks on entry and employed marshals to ensure social distancing is maintained in high traffic areas."
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A statement issued by Isle of Anglesey County Council said: "The North Wales Regional Test, Trace, Protect team is responding to the cluster of coronavirus cases at the 2 Sisters plant in Llangefni as a priority, and supporting the workplace.
"Key agencies including Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Health and Safety Executive and both Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils are working together to support and advise the employer and those employees who have tested positive, together with their contacts."
Sky News is awaiting a response from M&S.


news--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: Vladimir Putin installs 'disinfectant tunnels' at home to protect himself from COVID-19

Vladimir Putin has installed `` disinfectant tunnels '' at two of his residences to protect himself from coronavirus .
The safety tunnels - which will douse the Russian president 's visitors with a mist of antibacterial solution - have been introduced at both his main Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow and the Kremlin .
Video of the contraption in use shows men passing through the tunnel , while briefly pausing to receive a spray of the solution from above and from the sides .
This is to ensure their clothes and any exposed skin are covered with the disinfectant , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Putin 's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the tunnels had been installed to coincide with Russia hitting the peak of its COVID-19 outbreak , which is now said to have passed .
They were manufactured by a Russian company based out of Penza .
Back in April , Mr Peskov said anyone meeting the president would undergo a coronavirus test first in order to keep the disease at a distance .
The spokesman later confirmed in May that he had caught the virus himself .
Russia has the third highest number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US and Brazil , having recorded more than half a million cases .
It has also recorded 7,478 deaths - however there are doubts about the accuracy of this figure due to it being much lower than other nations with high case counts .
Lockdown restrictions are now being eased in Moscow as officials say the city has passed the peak of the virus , but some measures at the Kremlin remain .
Mr Peskov has said extra precaution for the president is `` completely justified '' .
Mr Putin has spent little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opting instead to chair video conferences and run the country from his residence outside of the capital .

Vladimir Putin has installed "disinfectant tunnels" at two of his residences to protect himself from coronavirus.
The safety tunnels - which will douse the Russian president's visitors with a mist of antibacterial solution - have been introduced at both his main Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow and the Kremlin.
Video of the contraption in use shows men passing through the tunnel, while briefly pausing to receive a spray of the solution from above and from the sides.
This is to ensure their clothes and any exposed skin are covered with the disinfectant, according to the state-controlled RIA news agency.
Image: The mist is sprayed from the ceiling and the sides to cover clothes and any exposed flesh. Pic: MIZZOTTY
Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the tunnels had been installed to coincide with Russia hitting the peak of its COVID-19 outbreak, which is now said to have passed.
They were manufactured by a Russian company based out of Penza.
Back in April, Mr Peskov said anyone meeting the president would undergo a coronavirus test first in order to keep the disease at a distance.
The spokesman later confirmed in May that he had caught the virus himself.
Image: The tunnel douses visitors with antibacterial solution. Pic: MIZZOTTY
Russia has the third highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the world behind the US and Brazil, having recorded more than half a million cases.
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It has also recorded 7,478 deaths - however there are doubts about the accuracy of this figure due to it being much lower than other nations with high case counts.
Image: One has been installed at the residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, while two more are at the Kremlin. Pic: MIZZOTTY
Lockdown restrictions are now being eased in Moscow as officials say the city has passed the peak of the virus, but some measures at the Kremlin remain.
Mr Peskov has said extra precaution for the president is "completely justified".
Mr Putin has spent little time at the Kremlin during pandemic - opting instead to chair video conferences and run the country from his residence outside of the capital.


news--2020-06-17--Black Lives Matter: Players and referee 'take a knee' before kick-off as Premier League returns

All 22 players and the referee `` took a knee '' in support of the Black Lives Matter movement as the first Premier League match since lockdown got under way at Villa Park .
Referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle for kick-off , before he and his officials joined all Aston Villa and Sheffield United 's starting line-up in kneeling for around 10 seconds .
As the scene unfolded , Sky Sports ' commentator Rob Hawthorne said : `` Look at this .
`` A powerful image to show football 's social conscience as all of the players take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The players all warmed up in Black Lives Matters t-shirts with names on the back of their match shirts replaced with the same message , as will be the case across the league .
Manchester City and Arsenal players also took the knee before the second match of the evening , and both squads had the movement emblazoned on the back of their shirts .
It marked the league 's endorsement of the international protest campaign sparked by the death last month of George Floyd , a black man , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The gestures at Villa Park and the Etihad Stadium followed a moment 's silence at both grounds in memory of those who died in the coronavirus pandemic .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It prompted widespread praise on social media , including from former England and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand , who tweeted a photo of the players alongside a message simply saying : `` Respect '' .
Aston Villa released a statement , which read : `` Aston Villa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in solidarity with the actions of the players and coaching staff of both football clubs during the first ten seconds of tonight 's Premier League fixture , expressing our collective support for the Black Lives Matter movement .
`` In the first Premier League fixture of Project Restart both clubs hope that the act of 'taking a knee ' will send a strong message of unity and amplify the many messages of support from Premier League players and the wider football family .
`` The directors of both clubs , Dean Smith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharp and the players of United and Villa are in full support of this action .
`` We believe that 'taking a knee ' at the start of the fixture and after the pre-match minute 's silence , allowed both clubs to pay their respects to COVID-19 victims and to show the deep gratitude we all feel for our brave and selfless front-line workers . ''
The match , which ended 0-0 , was the first of the Premier League 's remaining 92 fixtures to be played since the competition was suspended in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Etihad Stadium , Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-0 .
All will be played behind closed doors , although the culture secretary said today that football fans could start returning to stadiums at the start of next season .
Oliver Dowden said there had been `` productive discussions '' over plans for supporters to begin attending matches again .
The match also saw a variety of cleanliness measures in place to protect against coronavirus such as balls , goal posts and corner flags being wiped down .

All 22 players and the referee "took a knee" in support of the Black Lives Matter movement as the first Premier League match since lockdown got under way at Villa Park.
Referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle for kick-off, before he and his officials joined all Aston Villa and Sheffield United's starting line-up in kneeling for around 10 seconds.
As the scene unfolded, Sky Sports' commentator Rob Hawthorne said: "Look at this.
"A powerful image to show football's social conscience as all of the players take the knee. The referee did as well."
Image: Aston Villa players take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign
Image: The players wore shirts supporting the anti-racism movement
The players all warmed up in Black Lives Matters t-shirts with names on the back of their match shirts replaced with the same message, as will be the case across the league.
Manchester City and Arsenal players also took the knee before the second match of the evening, and both squads had the movement emblazoned on the back of their shirts.
Image: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement
It marked the league's endorsement of the international protest campaign sparked by the death last month of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers.
The gestures at Villa Park and the Etihad Stadium followed a moment's silence at both grounds in memory of those who died in the coronavirus pandemic.
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It prompted widespread praise on social media, including from former England and Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, who tweeted a photo of the players alongside a message simply saying: "Respect".
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Aston Villa released a statement, which read: "Aston Villa and Sheffield United were proud to stand in solidarity with the actions of the players and coaching staff of both football clubs during the first ten seconds of tonight's Premier League fixture, expressing our collective support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
"In the first Premier League fixture of Project Restart both clubs hope that the act of 'taking a knee' will send a strong message of unity and amplify the many messages of support from Premier League players and the wider football family.
Image: The match was held in front of empty stands at the Birmingham ground
"The directors of both clubs, Dean Smith, Chris Wilder, Jack Grealish and Billy Sharp and the players of United and Villa are in full support of this action.
"We believe that 'taking a knee' at the start of the fixture and after the pre-match minute's silence, allowed both clubs to pay their respects to COVID-19 victims and to show the deep gratitude we all feel for our brave and selfless front-line workers."
The match, which ended 0-0, was the first of the Premier League's remaining 92 fixtures to be played since the competition was suspended in March.
In the later kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-0.
Image: A staff member disinfects a corner flag as part of measures to protect against coronavirus
Image: There are no ball boys anymore - instead spare balls are placed on cones
All will be played behind closed doors, although the culture secretary said today that football fans could start returning to stadiums at the start of next season.
Oliver Dowden said there had been "productive discussions" over plans for supporters to begin attending matches again.
The match also saw a variety of cleanliness measures in place to protect against coronavirus such as balls, goal posts and corner flags being wiped down.


news--2020-06-17--Sir Simon McDonald: Top Foreign Office civil servant 'to retire early next year' amid department sha

Sir Simon McDonald: Top Foreign Office civil servant 'to retire early next year' amid department shake-up

The top Foreign Office mandarin has told staff he plans to retire early next year amid a controversial shake-up of Britain 's global footprint , according to sources .
Sir Simon McDonald is understood to have said in a call that he would stay on as permanent secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ( FCO ) as it merges with the Department for International Development ( DfID ) in a major restructuring .
He would then take on the role of top civil servant at what will be called the Foreign , Commonwealth and Development Office when it opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is thought to have said he plans to step down early next year to make way for a successor , the sources said .
Asked about the prospect of Sir Simon leaving , a Foreign Office source said issues surrounding the merger were very much ongoing and nothing had been decided or announced .
But - according to the other sources - Sir Simon told staff the job of permanent secretary at the new Foreign , Commonwealth and Development Office is set to be advertised from the autumn .
If the departure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be an earlier exit than had previously been anticipated .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sir Simon had in the past articulated to colleagues a desire to serve for an extra two years once his current five-year term at the FCO finishes in September , sources said .
The apparent change of heart is being interpreted by some as a sign that possibly Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had not indicated they would like him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source said .
There has been speculation in the past that Sir Simon may not be granted a longer term because - like many diplomats during the Brexit referendum - he was seen as someone who had been in favour of remaining in the European Union , according to the source .
He also scored an unfortunate own goal in April when he gave confused evidence to a committee of MPs about Britain 's decision not to join an EU scheme to buy ventilators when the coronavirus pandemic hit .
Responding to questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simon claimed the decision had been political , triggering outrage among MPs .
Hours later , he backtracked , issuing an extraordinary letter to the chair of the committee in which he said his evidence had been wrong .
But Sir Simon has enjoyed a hugely successful career during 38 years of diplomatic service .
He has been posted around the world , including to Germany , Saudi Arabia , the US and Israel .
Sir Simon was ambassador to Berlin from 2010 to 2015 and ambassador to Israel from 2003 to 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FCO included Mr Johnson 's stint as foreign secretary .
The prospect of musical chairs at the helm of the diplomatic service emerged after Mr Johnson announced the scrapping of DfID on Tuesday and the merger of foreign policy with international development under one `` super department '' .
Such a move had long-been speculated but it received a hostile response from three previous prime ministers - David Cameron , Gordon Brown and Tony Blair - as well as from past international development secretaries and the charity sector .
They warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £15bn aid budget - the third largest in the world - starts to prioritise overseas projects in the UK national interest over those that are of the greatest humanitarian need .
But Mr Johnson said the new ministry would be of `` huge benefit '' to Britain 's overseas aid mission .
He also assured MPs that a commitment to spend 0.7 % of national income on international aid would remain in place .
The definition of what constitutes aid , however , is under review .

The top Foreign Office mandarin has told staff he plans to retire early next year amid a controversial shake-up of Britain's global footprint, according to sources.
Sir Simon McDonald is understood to have said in a call that he would stay on as permanent secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as it merges with the Department for International Development (DfID) in a major restructuring.
He would then take on the role of top civil servant at what will be called the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office when it opens in September.
However, Sir Simon is thought to have said he plans to step down early next year to make way for a successor, the sources said.
Image: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will be in charge of the new department
Asked about the prospect of Sir Simon leaving, a Foreign Office source said issues surrounding the merger were very much ongoing and nothing had been decided or announced.
But - according to the other sources - Sir Simon told staff the job of permanent secretary at the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is set to be advertised from the autumn.
If the departure of the highly-experienced civil servant is confirmed it would be an earlier exit than had previously been anticipated.
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
Sir Simon had in the past articulated to colleagues a desire to serve for an extra two years once his current five-year term at the FCO finishes in September, sources said.
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The apparent change of heart is being interpreted by some as a sign that possibly Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had not indicated they would like him to stay on for longer, one diplomatic source said.
There has been speculation in the past that Sir Simon may not be granted a longer term because - like many diplomats during the Brexit referendum - he was seen as someone who had been in favour of remaining in the European Union, according to the source.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:20 'Machinery of government' is decided by prime minister and was not discussed with Cabinet, says Matt Hancock.
He also scored an unfortunate own goal in April when he gave confused evidence to a committee of MPs about Britain's decision not to join an EU scheme to buy ventilators when the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Responding to questions from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sir Simon claimed the decision had been political, triggering outrage among MPs.
Hours later, he backtracked, issuing an extraordinary letter to the chair of the committee in which he said his evidence had been wrong.
But Sir Simon has enjoyed a hugely successful career during 38 years of diplomatic service.
He has been posted around the world, including to Germany, Saudi Arabia, the US and Israel. Sir Simon was ambassador to Berlin from 2010 to 2015 and ambassador to Israel from 2003 to 2006.
His time as permanent secretary at the FCO included Mr Johnson's stint as foreign secretary.
The prospect of musical chairs at the helm of the diplomatic service emerged after Mr Johnson announced the scrapping of DfID on Tuesday and the merger of foreign policy with international development under one "super department".
Such a move had long-been speculated but it received a hostile response from three previous prime ministers - David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair - as well as from past international development secretaries and the charity sector.
They warned that the poorest would suffer if Britain's £15bn aid budget - the third largest in the world - starts to prioritise overseas projects in the UK national interest over those that are of the greatest humanitarian need.
But Mr Johnson said the new ministry would be of "huge benefit" to Britain's overseas aid mission. He also assured MPs that a commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on international aid would remain in place.
The definition of what constitutes aid, however, is under review.
The FCO declined to comment.


news--2020-06-22--Coronavirus: Manufacturers suffer record quarterly decline - CBI

Britain 's industrial output suffered its biggest quarterly fall on record in the three months to June , according to latest CBI figures .
The survey also pointed to further decline ahead , as the manufacturing sector faces major disruption as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
It comes as ministers prepare to launch latest plans to ease the lockdown by reopening further parts of the economy - as Britain faces a recession of unprecedented scale .
The CBI 's measure of industrial output for the latest period sank to -57 to -54 , its lowest level since it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at order books for factories were also at or close to record lows .
Expectations for the next three months were improved compared to May but still deep in negative territory and lower than the long-run average .
Tom Crotty , group director of chemicals producer INEOS and chair of the CBI 's manufacturing council , said : `` The COVID-19 crisis has been hugely challenging for the manufacturing sector , and these figures reflect the tough circumstances faced by firms across the country . ''
The CBI said the steepest falls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mechanical engineering and metals sectors .
It comes after official data for April showed a record 28.5 % slump in factory output - in the first full month of the coronavirus lockdown - as the overall economy contracted by 20.4 % .
Some of the factories that closed during the period have now begun to reopen while introducing social distancing measures though others - such as Vauxhall 's factory in Ellesmere Port - have stayed shut as demand remains weak .
Elsewhere in the economy , ministers last week allowed non-essential retailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from data analysts Springboard showed that while shopping visits did jump 45 % on the previous week , they were 54 % lower compared to the same period last year .

Britain's industrial output suffered its biggest quarterly fall on record in the three months to June, according to latest CBI figures.
The survey also pointed to further decline ahead, as the manufacturing sector faces major disruption as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
It comes as ministers prepare to launch latest plans to ease the lockdown by reopening further parts of the economy - as Britain faces a recession of unprecedented scale.
The CBI's measure of industrial output for the latest period sank to -57 to -54, its lowest level since it started in July 1975.
Other metrics looking at order books for factories were also at or close to record lows.
Expectations for the next three months were improved compared to May but still deep in negative territory and lower than the long-run average.
Tom Crotty, group director of chemicals producer INEOS and chair of the CBI's manufacturing council, said: "The COVID-19 crisis has been hugely challenging for the manufacturing sector, and these figures reflect the tough circumstances faced by firms across the country."
The CBI said the steepest falls in production came in the car making, mechanical engineering and metals sectors.
It comes after official data for April showed a record 28.5% slump in factory output - in the first full month of the coronavirus lockdown - as the overall economy contracted by 20.4%.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 Rural pubs 'may struggle' with reopening app
Some of the factories that closed during the period have now begun to reopen while introducing social distancing measures though others - such as Vauxhall's factory in Ellesmere Port - have stayed shut as demand remains weak.
Elsewhere in the economy, ministers last week allowed non-essential retailers to reopen.
But latest footfall figures from data analysts Springboard showed that while shopping visits did jump 45% on the previous week, they were 54% lower compared to the same period last year.


news--2020-06-22--Coronavirus: Steelmaker Celsa agrees pay curbs in £30m state loan deal

A Spanish-owned steel producer has agreed to tough new curbs on executive pay and dividends in exchange for a £30m government loan that could result in British taxpayers becoming shareholders in the company .
Sky News has learnt that Celsa UK Holdings has signed up to a series of commitments - encompassing its route towards becoming a net-zero carbon emissions company , the safeguarding of its local workforce in Wales , transparency around its tax arrangements , and restraining executive payouts - in order to secure the loan from Whitehall .
Steel industry sources said ministers were expected to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Celsa by the middle of the week - a deal that will set a critical precedent for further government intervention in British industry during the coronavirus crisis .
The series of undertakings made by Celsa will be the broadest agreed so far by a private company seeking state support during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Ministers have already imposed pay and dividend restrictions on companies accessing government-backed loans of up to £250m under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Scheme .
Companies utilising the Covid Corporate Financing Facility - a commercial paper scheme run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also subject to those constraints .
Sky News revealed last week that Celsa had agreed to give the government warrants that could convert into a 20 % equity stake in the company .
That agreement will remain in place until the end of next year , according to one insider .
Celsa 's UK arm is the country 's biggest producer of reinforcement steel , which is used by the construction industry and is seen by ministers as strategically important to the economic recovery .
The company is a subsidiary of Spain 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steel producers .
Ministers at the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy are said to have driven `` a hard bargain '' over the terms of the loan .
As part of the deal , Celsa Steel UK 's existing lenders are understood to be lending a further £50m to the company .
In total , the group employs about 1600 people in the UK , with the majority based at its plants in Cardiff .
The structure of the government 's impending loan agreement underlines the Treasury 's willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regards as being of strategic importance to key industries during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Its assessment of loan requests from companies which are unable to access other coronavirus support schemes is being undertaken through Project Birch - the existence of which was revealed by Sky News last month .
Some companies have been unable to access CLBILS loans or the CCFF , either for reasons of eligibility or because the funding they provide is not sufficient to ease funding challenges .
During the crisis , companies including McLaren Group , Petroineos , Jaguar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all made such approaches .
The steel industry is deemed by senior ministers to be of national importance , meaning the government may view other funding requests from the industry sympathetically .
Tata Steel UK , owner of the vast steelworks at Port Talbot , has approached ministers about securing a £500m government loan , while talks have also been taking place between officials and other players in the sector , including Liberty Steel and British Steel , which is now owned by the Chinese conglomerate Jingye Group .
The government has sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing financing from existing shareholders and lenders before approaching it for taxpayers ' support .
Celsa , which is one of Europe 's biggest steel groups , has also sought access to government guarantee schemes in Spain .
The company employs more than 9000 people around the world .
Neither Celsa Steel UK nor BEIS could be reached for comment .

A Spanish-owned steel producer has agreed to tough new curbs on executive pay and dividends in exchange for a £30m government loan that could result in British taxpayers becoming shareholders in the company.
Sky News has learnt that Celsa UK Holdings has signed up to a series of commitments - encompassing its route towards becoming a net-zero carbon emissions company, the safeguarding of its local workforce in Wales, transparency around its tax arrangements, and restraining executive payouts - in order to secure the loan from Whitehall.
Steel industry sources said ministers were expected to make an announcement about the financial aid package to Celsa by the middle of the week - a deal that will set a critical precedent for further government intervention in British industry during the coronavirus crisis.
The series of undertakings made by Celsa will be the broadest agreed so far by a private company seeking state support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministers have already imposed pay and dividend restrictions on companies accessing government-backed loans of up to £250m under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Scheme.
Companies utilising the Covid Corporate Financing Facility - a commercial paper scheme run by the Bank of England - are also subject to those constraints.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:49 Painful decisions for employers to come
Sky News revealed last week that Celsa had agreed to give the government warrants that could convert into a 20% equity stake in the company.
That agreement will remain in place until the end of next year, according to one insider.
Celsa's UK arm is the country's biggest producer of reinforcement steel, which is used by the construction industry and is seen by ministers as strategically important to the economic recovery.
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The company is a subsidiary of Spain's Celsa, one of Europe's biggest steel producers.
Ministers at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are said to have driven "a hard bargain" over the terms of the loan.
As part of the deal, Celsa Steel UK's existing lenders are understood to be lending a further £50m to the company.
In total, the group employs about 1600 people in the UK, with the majority based at its plants in Cardiff.
The structure of the government's impending loan agreement underlines the Treasury's willingness to consider taking direct shareholdings in companies it regards as being of strategic importance to key industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Its assessment of loan requests from companies which are unable to access other coronavirus support schemes is being undertaken through Project Birch - the existence of which was revealed by Sky News last month.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:51 How COVID-19 saw the UK borrow huge sums
Some companies have been unable to access CLBILS loans or the CCFF, either for reasons of eligibility or because the funding they provide is not sufficient to ease funding challenges.
During the crisis, companies including McLaren Group, Petroineos, Jaguar Land Rover and Virgin Atlantic Airways have all made such approaches.
The steel industry is deemed by senior ministers to be of national importance, meaning the government may view other funding requests from the industry sympathetically.
Tata Steel UK, owner of the vast steelworks at Port Talbot, has approached ministers about securing a £500m government loan, while talks have also been taking place between officials and other players in the sector, including Liberty Steel and British Steel, which is now owned by the Chinese conglomerate Jingye Group.
The government has sought to emphasise that companies should be exploring securing financing from existing shareholders and lenders before approaching it for taxpayers' support.
Celsa, which is one of Europe's biggest steel groups, has also sought access to government guarantee schemes in Spain.
The company employs more than 9000 people around the world.
Neither Celsa Steel UK nor BEIS could be reached for comment.


news--2020-06-22--London congestion charge rises to £15 a day and extends to 7 days a week

A 30 % rise in London 's congestion charge and extension in its hours of operation from 7am to 10pm , seven days a week , have come into force today .
Transport for London ( TfL ) said the temporary measures are being introduced under the terms of its £1.6bn bailout by the government .
The daily fee for driving a car into the centre of the capital will rise from £11.50 to £15 .
Charges were previously enforced from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm , but will be extended to between 7am and 10pm , seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic in the charging zone is already back to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels , and roads will become `` unusably congested '' if no action is taken as lockdown restrictions are eased further .
It believes the changes being made could reduce car trips by a third and encourage more people to make journeys by walking or cycling .
A scheme which reimburses NHS staff making additional journeys in the zone as part of their role in tackling the pandemic is being extended to include more people , such as ambulance workers and care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last month , TfL secured the government bailout , consisting of a £1.1bn grant and a £505m loan , after the coronavirus pandemic caused its fares income to fall by 90 % .
But London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was n't the deal he wanted for Londoners , warning that conditions of the bailout would mean that public transport users would be hit by fare increases and restrictions on free travel .
Mr Khan accused the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making ordinary Londoners pay the cost for doing the right thing on COVID-19 '' .
The DfT said the rescue package meant TfL would be able to increase bus and Tube service levels `` as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network '' .

A 30% rise in London's congestion charge and extension in its hours of operation from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week, have come into force today.
Transport for London (TfL) said the temporary measures are being introduced under the terms of its £1.6bn bailout by the government.
The daily fee for driving a car into the centre of the capital will rise from £11.50 to £15.
Charges were previously enforced from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm, but will be extended to between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week.
TfL says car traffic in the charging zone is already back to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, and roads will become "unusably congested" if no action is taken as lockdown restrictions are eased further.
It believes the changes being made could reduce car trips by a third and encourage more people to make journeys by walking or cycling.
A scheme which reimburses NHS staff making additional journeys in the zone as part of their role in tackling the pandemic is being extended to include more people, such as ambulance workers and care home staff.
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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Last month, TfL secured the government bailout, consisting of a £1.1bn grant and a £505m loan, after the coronavirus pandemic caused its fares income to fall by 90%.
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But London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it wasn't the deal he wanted for Londoners, warning that conditions of the bailout would mean that public transport users would be hit by fare increases and restrictions on free travel.
Mr Khan accused the Department for Transport (DfT) of "making ordinary Londoners pay the cost for doing the right thing on COVID-19".
The DfT said the rescue package meant TfL would be able to increase bus and Tube service levels "as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network".


news--2020-06-22--New FCA boss will get £455,000 a year but faces a number of 'hot potatoes'

It is one of the toughest jobs in the public sector .
Being chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority , the main regulator of the UK 's financial markets and financial services companies , does bring some positives .
It pays an annual salary of £455,000 and pension contributions equal to 12 % of that .
On the downside the holder of the post becomes the immediate whipping boy , so far as MPs are concerned , every time there is a financial scandal .
One involving losses to even a few hundred people usually guarantees a public pillorying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The job entails a delicate balancing act .
Take too lax an approach to financial regulation and you risk an eruption of such scandals ; take too tough an approach and the City 's legions of highly-paid lobbyists will complain to ministers that you are doing down one of the UK 's greatest export industries .
These are all challenges now for Nikhil Rathi who , today , was named as the FCA 's chief executive for the next five years .
He has big shoes to fill .
His last permanent predecessor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having taken on a poisoned chalice when he became chief executive in 2016 .
He discharged his duties sufficiently well for it not to prevent him becoming governor of the Bank of England .
Mr Rathi , who grew up in Barrow-in-Furness , Cumbria , will need Mr Bailey 's deftness of touch as he tackles a big inbox .
One immediate hot potato is the ongoing investigation into whether Jes Staley , the chief executive of Barclays , told the truth to the bank 's board when it questioned him about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein .
A second investigation he will inherit is one into how NMC Healthcare , previously the biggest hospital in the United Arab Emirates , collapsed earlier this year .
It is one of the biggest financial scandals to have involved a former FTSE-100 company and its failure on the FCA 's watch is , to say the least , embarrassing .
Those are not the only investigations on which the FCA is currently working .
Others include reviews into Neil Woodford , the fallen fund management star , and into London Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unregulated mini-bonds .
The FCA is also seeking clarity on the thorny issue of whether insurance companies were entitled to refuse pay-outs on business interruption policies to firms hit by the coronavirus lockdown .
It has asked the courts to adjudicate but will inevitably end up disappointing one side .
A fourth challenge , also related to coronavirus , is more testing still .
When COVID-19 struck the economy the FCA quickly ordered the banking sector to support customers who might have been struggling financially , for example , by offering mortgage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from repossessing homes .
Both measures , though , are due to expire at the end of October and steering the regulator through what will hopefully be a post-coronavirus period will be hard work .
Then there is the end of the Brexit transition period .
One of the FCA 's key responsibilities is to ensure the integrity of financial markets and it has joined forces with a number of groups , including the Bank , the Payment Systems Regulator and the Competition & Markets Authority , to help financial firms navigate through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign firms wishing to continue doing business in Britain and British firms seeking to continue to do business in the EU will both need support and clarity .
That is not the only transition with which the FCA must grapple in coming months .
Financial markets are due to transition from the old inter-bank lending rate , LIBOR , to a new benchmark by the end of next year .
That also poses a risk to the smooth functioning of financial markets .
Meanwhile , there is also the need to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pace of technological change , for example the rise of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin .
These have the potential for great good but also provide great opportunities for scammers .
It also means encouraging financial services firms to embrace new technology where required .
Another change in the nature of modern business , namely grappling with climate change , will also create work for the FCA .
The regulator announced plans earlier this year to make the UK 's top companies disclose how they would be effected by climate change or to explain why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on disclosure will also be a lot of work .
No wonder Catherine McGuinness , policy chair of the City of London Corporation , summed up Mr Rathi 's inbox thus : `` Together , we face the global challenges of stimulating a post-pandemic economic recovery , tackling climate change , and the rise of technology . ''
Apart from these specific issues , there are also the everyday tasks the regulator must carry out , chiefly promoting competition in the financial services sector - something on which Mr Bailey was particularly keen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly identifying those businesses not meeting its standards .
And all this under the gimlet eye of the Treasury Select Committee which , in March , said it had `` a number of serious concerns regarding the performance of the FCA '' .
Among the cultural issues at the FCA that MPs claimed to have identified were an `` explosion '' of bullying and harassment claims at the regulator - something disputed by Mr Bailey - a lack of transparency and an insufficient speed of action .
The new FCA chief may also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least two of the most senior figures at the FCA - Christopher Woolard , the head of strategy and interim chief executive , and Megan Butler , the director of enforcement - had been in the running to succeed Mr Bailey on a permanent basis and would not be a surprise to see either move on .
There is a precedent here : Tracey McDermott , a previous interim chief executive of the FCA , left to become head of corporate , public and regulatory affairs at Standard Chartered shortly after George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed in a radio interview that she was not in the running to take the job on a full-time basis .
Yet a glance at his CV suggests he is well-equipped to deal with the challenges ahead .
For a start , in his current job at the London Stock Exchange , he has built relationships with bankers and brokers that will be vital in his new role .
As someone who has promoted the UK 's financial sector overseas , for example by making it easier for Indian and Chinese companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high level of trust among City chieftains .
He also knows the worlds of Westminster and Whitehall well from his time working as a private secretary to both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and at the Treasury - where he was instrumental in the recapitalisation of Royal Bank of Scotland during the global financial crisis and later liaised closely with EU regulators on shared interests in financial services .
That latter experience should stand him in good stead come the end of the Brexit transition period - and his appointment suggests this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the chancellor , who had the final say on Mr Rathi 's appointment .
So , on paper then , Mr Rathi looks a good man for the job .
It is a job , though , which has shown itself to be no respecter of reputations .

Nikhil Rathi, who grew up in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, will need Andrew Bailey's deftness of touch as he tackles a big inbox.
Nikhil Rathi has been appointed the next chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority
It is one of the toughest jobs in the public sector.
Being chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, the main regulator of the UK's financial markets and financial services companies, does bring some positives. It pays an annual salary of £455,000 and pension contributions equal to 12% of that.
On the downside the holder of the post becomes the immediate whipping boy, so far as MPs are concerned, every time there is a financial scandal. One involving losses to even a few hundred people usually guarantees a public pillorying from one select committee or another.
The job entails a delicate balancing act. Take too lax an approach to financial regulation and you risk an eruption of such scandals; take too tough an approach and the City's legions of highly-paid lobbyists will complain to ministers that you are doing down one of the UK's greatest export industries.
These are all challenges now for Nikhil Rathi who, today, was named as the FCA's chief executive for the next five years.
He has big shoes to fill. His last permanent predecessor, Andrew Bailey, was seen as having taken on a poisoned chalice when he became chief executive in 2016. He discharged his duties sufficiently well for it not to prevent him becoming governor of the Bank of England.
Mr Rathi, who grew up in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, will need Mr Bailey's deftness of touch as he tackles a big inbox.
Image: One immediate hot potato is the ongoing investigation regarding Barclays chief Jes Staley
One immediate hot potato is the ongoing investigation into whether Jes Staley, the chief executive of Barclays, told the truth to the bank's board when it questioned him about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A second investigation he will inherit is one into how NMC Healthcare, previously the biggest hospital in the United Arab Emirates, collapsed earlier this year. It is one of the biggest financial scandals to have involved a former FTSE-100 company and its failure on the FCA's watch is, to say the least, embarrassing.
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Those are not the only investigations on which the FCA is currently working. Others include reviews into Neil Woodford, the fallen fund management star, and into London Capital & Finance, the crashed former purveyor of unregulated mini-bonds.
Image: Other investigations include one into Neil Woodford, the fallen fund management star
The FCA is also seeking clarity on the thorny issue of whether insurance companies were entitled to refuse pay-outs on business interruption policies to firms hit by the coronavirus lockdown. It has asked the courts to adjudicate but will inevitably end up disappointing one side.
A fourth challenge, also related to coronavirus, is more testing still. When COVID-19 struck the economy the FCA quickly ordered the banking sector to support customers who might have been struggling financially, for example, by offering mortgage repayment holidays. It also banned lenders from repossessing homes. Both measures, though, are due to expire at the end of October and steering the regulator through what will hopefully be a post-coronavirus period will be hard work.
Then there is the end of the Brexit transition period. One of the FCA's key responsibilities is to ensure the integrity of financial markets and it has joined forces with a number of groups, including the Bank, the Payment Systems Regulator and the Competition & Markets Authority, to help financial firms navigate through what could be a tricky period. Foreign firms wishing to continue doing business in Britain and British firms seeking to continue to do business in the EU will both need support and clarity.
That is not the only transition with which the FCA must grapple in coming months. Financial markets are due to transition from the old inter-bank lending rate, LIBOR, to a new benchmark by the end of next year. That also poses a risk to the smooth functioning of financial markets.
Meanwhile, there is also the need to ensure the financial services sector keeps up with the pace of technological change, for example the rise of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. These have the potential for great good but also provide great opportunities for scammers. It also means encouraging financial services firms to embrace new technology where required.
Another change in the nature of modern business, namely grappling with climate change, will also create work for the FCA. The regulator announced plans earlier this year to make the UK's top companies disclose how they would be effected by climate change or to explain why not. Implementing these tough new rules on disclosure will also be a lot of work.
No wonder Catherine McGuinness, policy chair of the City of London Corporation, summed up Mr Rathi's inbox thus: "Together, we face the global challenges of stimulating a post-pandemic economic recovery, tackling climate change, and the rise of technology."
Apart from these specific issues, there are also the everyday tasks the regulator must carry out, chiefly promoting competition in the financial services sector - something on which Mr Bailey was particularly keen - while protecting consumers from fraudsters and quickly identifying those businesses not meeting its standards.
And all this under the gimlet eye of the Treasury Select Committee which, in March, said it had "a number of serious concerns regarding the performance of the FCA". Among the cultural issues at the FCA that MPs claimed to have identified were an "explosion" of bullying and harassment claims at the regulator - something disputed by Mr Bailey - a lack of transparency and an insufficient speed of action.
The new FCA chief may also have to make some key appointments. At least two of the most senior figures at the FCA - Christopher Woolard, the head of strategy and interim chief executive, and Megan Butler, the director of enforcement - had been in the running to succeed Mr Bailey on a permanent basis and would not be a surprise to see either move on. There is a precedent here: Tracey McDermott, a previous interim chief executive of the FCA, left to become head of corporate, public and regulatory affairs at Standard Chartered shortly after George Osborne, the then chancellor, tactlessly revealed in a radio interview that she was not in the running to take the job on a full-time basis.
Image: Nikhil Rathi was previously chief executive of the London Stock Exchange
So Mr Rathi's inbox is piled high.
Yet a glance at his CV suggests he is well-equipped to deal with the challenges ahead. For a start, in his current job at the London Stock Exchange, he has built relationships with bankers and brokers that will be vital in his new role. As someone who has promoted the UK's financial sector overseas, for example by making it easier for Indian and Chinese companies to raise money here, he will enjoy a high level of trust among City chieftains.
He also knows the worlds of Westminster and Whitehall well from his time working as a private secretary to both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and at the Treasury - where he was instrumental in the recapitalisation of Royal Bank of Scotland during the global financial crisis and later liaised closely with EU regulators on shared interests in financial services. That latter experience should stand him in good stead come the end of the Brexit transition period - and his appointment suggests this was a key priority to Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, who had the final say on Mr Rathi's appointment.
So, on paper then, Mr Rathi looks a good man for the job. It is a job, though, which has shown itself to be no respecter of reputations.


news--2020-06-22--Britain owes 'debt of gratitude' to Windrush generation, says Prince Charles

Prince Charles has spoken of the `` debt of gratitude '' the nation owes the Windrush generation in a video message thanking the Caribbean community for its contribution to the `` rich diversity '' of British modern society .
The footage was shared by Clarence House on Twitter on Monday to mark 72 years since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex with around 500 people from Jamaica - just months before the Prince of Wales was born .
`` They came to lend their hard work and skill to a country rebuilding in peacetime , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families , '' said the royal .
He said they could hardly have imagined `` the immeasurable difference '' they , their children and grandchildren would go on to make `` to so many aspects of public life , to our culture and to every sector of our economy '' .
The prince went on to pay tribute to the `` indispensable '' doctors , nurses and other key workers during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The black community has been hit particularly hard by this pernicious virus , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost loved ones `` in such heartbreaking circumstances '' , the prince said : `` I can only convey my most profound sympathy ... To everyone on the front line who has been put under such intense pressure over the last three months and risen heroically to the unprecedented challenge , I want to say on behalf of all of us how inordinately proud we are of them and the way they carry out their onerous duties . ''
The prince described Britain 's diversity as its `` greatest strength '' and recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Duchess of Cornwall , which he described as `` an inspiring place '' .
`` Recognising the rich diversity of cultures which make this country so special - and in many ways unique - lies at the heart of what we can be as a nation , '' he said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Each thread comprises individual human stories of courage and sacrifice , ingenuity , determination and remarkable strength of character .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the full range of these stories is heard and valued .
`` We can only understand who we are as a nation , where we have come from , and what future path we should take , if we are able to look at the past , present and future from each other 's perspectives . ''
He added : `` Today , as we honour the legacy of the Windrush generation , and the invaluable contribution of black people in Britain , I dearly hope that we can continue to listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn from one another .
`` The diversity of our society is its greatest strength and gives us so much to celebrate . ''
The Windrush generation are named after a ship that carried migrants from the Caribbean to Britain in 1948 .
Citizens from the Commonwealth who arrived before 1973 were automatically given indefinite leave to remain .
However some lost their jobs , were unable to get treatment on the NHS and had their driving licences withdrawn in the wake of changes to UK immigration law , despite the fact they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades .

Prince Charles has spoken of the "debt of gratitude" the nation owes the Windrush generation in a video message thanking the Caribbean community for its contribution to the "rich diversity" of British modern society.
The footage was shared by Clarence House on Twitter on Monday to mark 72 years since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex with around 500 people from Jamaica - just months before the Prince of Wales was born.
"They came to lend their hard work and skill to a country rebuilding in peacetime, and to forge a better future for themselves and their families," said the royal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 I felt like an alien, says Windrush scandal victim
He said they could hardly have imagined "the immeasurable difference" they, their children and grandchildren would go on to make "to so many aspects of public life, to our culture and to every sector of our economy".
The prince went on to pay tribute to the "indispensable" doctors, nurses and other key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
"The black community has been hit particularly hard by this pernicious virus," he said.
Image: The Empire Windrush brought settlers from the Caribbean to the UK after the Second World War
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Speaking directly to those who have lost loved ones "in such heartbreaking circumstances", the prince said: "I can only convey my most profound sympathy... To everyone on the front line who has been put under such intense pressure over the last three months and risen heroically to the unprecedented challenge, I want to say on behalf of all of us how inordinately proud we are of them and the way they carry out their onerous duties."
The prince described Britain's diversity as its "greatest strength" and recalled visiting the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton with the Duchess of Cornwall, which he described as "an inspiring place".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 Charles and Camilla in first public lockdown event
"Recognising the rich diversity of cultures which make this country so special - and in many ways unique - lies at the heart of what we can be as a nation," he said.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"Each thread comprises individual human stories of courage and sacrifice, ingenuity, determination and remarkable strength of character. It is vital, it seems to me, that the full range of these stories is heard and valued.
"We can only understand who we are as a nation, where we have come from, and what future path we should take, if we are able to look at the past, present and future from each other's perspectives."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 22:44 In Full: Prince Charles on life after the pandemic
He added: "Today, as we honour the legacy of the Windrush generation, and the invaluable contribution of black people in Britain, I dearly hope that we can continue to listen to each other's stories and to learn from one another.
"The diversity of our society is its greatest strength and gives us so much to celebrate."
The Windrush generation are named after a ship that carried migrants from the Caribbean to Britain in 1948.
Citizens from the Commonwealth who arrived before 1973 were automatically given indefinite leave to remain.
However some lost their jobs, were unable to get treatment on the NHS and had their driving licences withdrawn in the wake of changes to UK immigration law, despite the fact they had lived in the UK legally for decades.