news--2020-03-06--Coronavirus: Couple married for 60 years forced to talk through window because of quarantine

Heartbreaking photos have appeared of an elderly couple who have been married for more than 60 years communicating through a window while one of them is quarantined over coronavirus fears .
Gene Campbell , 89 , is being held at the Life Care Center of Kirkland , Washington , where nine people have died from coronavirus .
His wife , Dorothy , has been spotted trying to talk to him through a window at the care facility .
She was joined by their son , Charlie Campbell , who held a phone to the glass so they could communicate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under federal investigation to determine whether it followed guidelines for preventing infections .
It was fined $ 67,000 ( £52,000 ) last April for dealing poorly with two flu outbreaks .
Beecher Hunter , president of Life Care Centers of America , said in a statement : `` Our clinical team is making personal , one-on-one telephone calls with family members to share information about loved ones and respond to questions .
`` Our associates are the true heroes in this fight , overcoming their own fears and concerns about the disease to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our residents .
`` We grieve with the families who have lost loved ones ; people who were important members of our professional family .
`` Life is sacred and precious , and when it is lost , a little bit of those in their circle of friends dies with them .
We extend our sympathies and our prayers for peace and comfort in such time of sorrow . ''
• Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government is not considering stopping flights into the UK • More than 140 Britons are stranded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast • One of the first Britons to catch the virus tells Sky News how he went from `` a bit sniffly '' to being unable to breathe • The Vatican confirms its first case of coronavirus in Vatican City • Germany reports 134 new coronavirus cases in less than 24 hours • Cameroon and Serbia confirm their first cases of the disease • Indian carmaker Tata Motors issues a profit warning at its British luxury car brand Jaguar Land Rover due to sales in China taking a hit over coronavirus • South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country 's total to nearly 6,600 • Shops in Australia are rationing toilet roll , while armed robbers carried out a heist of a delivery in Hong Kong There are more than 98,000 confirmed and suspected cases globally , according to Johns Hopkins University , which is tracking the outbreak .
It says there have been more than 3,380 deaths .
Families of the care home residents have also voiced anger , saying they received conflicting information about the condition of their loved ones .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
One woman was reportedly told her mother had died , before later receiving a phone call from a staff member who said her mother was fine - when she had , in fact , died .
`` This is the level of incompetence we 're dealing with , '' said Kevin Connolly , whose father-in-law is a facility resident .
In a news conference in front of the Kirkland centre , he said : `` We want to know when our loved ones will be tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about how and when the group as a whole will be tested , we want specific information as is pertains to our loved ones . ''
Mike Weatherill , whose mother died at the centre , said : `` Things just moved real slow and I think everybody just moved too slow to recognise this virus . ''
The state of Washington has reported 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases .
Across the US , the number of deaths reached 12 , with all but one victim in Washington state .

Heartbreaking photos have appeared of an elderly couple who have been married for more than 60 years communicating through a window while one of them is quarantined over coronavirus fears.
Gene Campbell, 89, is being held at the Life Care Center of Kirkland, Washington, where nine people have died from coronavirus.
His wife, Dorothy, has been spotted trying to talk to him through a window at the care facility.
Image: The couple have been married for 60 years
Image: Nine people have died at the care facility
She was joined by their son, Charlie Campbell, who held a phone to the glass so they could communicate with each other.
The nursing home is under federal investigation to determine whether it followed guidelines for preventing infections.
It was fined $67,000 (£52,000) last April for dealing poorly with two flu outbreaks.
Beecher Hunter, president of Life Care Centers of America, said in a statement: "Our clinical team is making personal, one-on-one telephone calls with family members to share information about loved ones and respond to questions.
"Our associates are the true heroes in this fight, overcoming their own fears and concerns about the disease to faithfully show up and work sacrificially for our residents.
"We grieve with the families who have lost loved ones; people who were important members of our professional family.
Advertisement
"Life is sacred and precious, and when it is lost, a little bit of those in their circle of friends dies with them. We extend our sympathies and our prayers for peace and comfort in such time of sorrow."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
The latest coronavirus developments:
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the government is not considering stopping flights into the UK
into the UK More than 140 Britons are stranded on a cruise ship off California's coast
One of the first Britons to catch the virus tells Sky News how he went from "a bit sniffly" to being unable to breathe
to catch the virus tells Sky News how he went from "a bit sniffly" to being unable to breathe Religious groups issue guidance on hand-shaking, sharing hymn books and taking communion wine
The Vatican confirms its first case of coronavirus in Vatican City
Germany reports 134 new coronavirus cases in less than 24 hours
Cameroon and Serbia confirm their first cases of the disease
Indian carmaker Tata Motors issues a profit warning at its British luxury car brand Jaguar Land Rover due to sales in China taking a hit over coronavirus
South Korea reports 309 new cases, taking the country's total to nearly 6,600
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declares a state of emergency
Shops in Australia are rationing toilet roll, while armed robbers carried out a heist of a delivery in Hong Kong
There are more than 98,000 confirmed and suspected cases globally, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the outbreak. It says there have been more than 3,380 deaths.
Families of the care home residents have also voiced anger, saying they received conflicting information about the condition of their loved ones.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
One woman was reportedly told her mother had died, before later receiving a phone call from a staff member who said her mother was fine - when she had, in fact, died.
"This is the level of incompetence we're dealing with," said Kevin Connolly, whose father-in-law is a facility resident.
Image: Kevin Connolly speaks at a news conference
Image: A person is loaded into an ambulance at the Life Care Center
In a news conference in front of the Kirkland centre, he said: "We want to know when our loved ones will be tested.
"We don't want general information about how and when the group as a whole will be tested, we want specific information as is pertains to our loved ones."
Mike Weatherill, whose mother died at the centre, said: "Things just moved real slow and I think everybody just moved too slow to recognise this virus."
Image: Mike Weatherill's mother died at the centre
The state of Washington has reported 70 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Across the US, the number of deaths reached 12, with all but one victim in Washington state.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Questions over PPE as draft post-lockdown workplace rules revealed

Businesses are still waiting to be told whether personal protective equipment ( PPE ) will be required for employees who are unable to maintain a two-metre distance when they return to the workplace .
Draft government guidance for safe working was circulated to around 180 employers , unions and business groups on Sunday , setting out the requirements in seven workplace settings , including factories , hospitality , for those working in people 's homes and in vehicles , and outdoors .
However , the TUC later said the proposals `` fall far short of giving any guarantees to workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and risk a second spread of the disease .
The guidelines are part of a staged process to ease lockdown measures and try and help restart the economy in the coming months as the COVID-19 health emergency eases .
• Maintain the `` safe '' social distance of two metres , demarcating office space with tape on floors and desks , and restricting access to lifts .
• Where maintaining a two-metre gap is not possible however the guidelines say that the use of PPE should be considered , along with extra cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as is the case in supermarkets .
• Reduce congestion in offices - shifts are likely to be staggered and many staff who can work from home will be required to continue to do so for many months to come .
• The guidelines set out requirements to improve hygiene and sanitation but do not stipulate what products should be used .
For all seven work environments , however , the section for PPE says only that more detail will follow .
The concern for employers is that they may struggle to source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and could find themselves in competition with health and social care providers .
The draft guidance says companies should apply the guidance to their specific circumstances and then compile a `` risk assessment '' for each of their premises and work settings before staff can return .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker There is significant concern among employers and unions that the process may leave small and medium-sized companies with limited resources exposed to liability should illness spread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines on PPE , employees may not have the confidence to return .
For larger companies , a phased re-opening of the economy envisioned by the government will also need to balance supply and demand .
Car manufacturers are under pressure to reopen factories but without a similar process for car showrooms , which have the extra complexity of social distancing for companies , there is likely to be little demand .
Sources with knowledge of the consultation process told Sky News that companies had 12 hours on Sunday to respond to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by consultants Ernst & Young .
The responses will be examined and are expected to be discussed by the cabinet before being presented publicly later in the week , possibly before the Bank Holiday weekend .
The prime minister has promised to set out a detailed plan for how the UK will ease the current restrictions this week , with a televised address to the nation expected on Sunday .
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady told Sky News ' Ian King Live : `` The documents we saw for the first time on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantees to workers about their health and safety .
`` That 's not just bad for workers and their families , it risks a second spread of the infection too .
`` We need a little less discretion - employers being told they can 'consider ' whether there 's social distancing or even soap and sanitiser at work - and a bit more robust direction and tough enforcement ... '' We need to know that we 've got enough inspectors on the ground to work with unions and employers and get this right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shadow business secretary , said workplace risk assessments should be published by employers before staff are allowed back to work .
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said in response : `` There is work that is ongoing in terms of the consultation , obviously I do n't want to preempt that , but he makes some very important points and of course he is always welcome to write to me and I will look at what he says very carefully . ''

Businesses are still waiting to be told whether personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required for employees who are unable to maintain a two-metre distance when they return to the workplace.
Draft government guidance for safe working was circulated to around 180 employers, unions and business groups on Sunday, setting out the requirements in seven workplace settings, including factories, hospitality, for those working in people's homes and in vehicles, and outdoors.
However, the TUC later said the proposals "fall far short of giving any guarantees to workers about their health and safety" - and risk a second spread of the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:14 Firms should prove they're safe to work for
The guidelines are part of a staged process to ease lockdown measures and try and help restart the economy in the coming months as the COVID-19 health emergency eases.
It includes requirements to:
Maintain the "safe" social distance of two metres, demarcating office space with tape on floors and desks, and restricting access to lifts.
Where maintaining a two-metre gap is not possible however the guidelines say that the use of PPE should be considered, along with extra cleaning measures, and the use of screens as is the case in supermarkets.
Reduce congestion in offices - shifts are likely to be staggered and many staff who can work from home will be required to continue to do so for many months to come.
The guidelines set out requirements to improve hygiene and sanitation but do not stipulate what products should be used.
For all seven work environments, however, the section for PPE says only that more detail will follow.
The concern for employers is that they may struggle to source sufficient supplies given the soaring global demand, and could find themselves in competition with health and social care providers.
The draft guidance says companies should apply the guidance to their specific circumstances and then compile a "risk assessment" for each of their premises and work settings before staff can return.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Advertisement
There is significant concern among employers and unions that the process may leave small and medium-sized companies with limited resources exposed to liability should illness spread.
There is also anxiety that without clear guidelines on PPE, employees may not have the confidence to return.
For larger companies, a phased re-opening of the economy envisioned by the government will also need to balance supply and demand.
Car manufacturers are under pressure to reopen factories but without a similar process for car showrooms, which have the extra complexity of social distancing for companies, there is likely to be little demand.
Sources with knowledge of the consultation process told Sky News that companies had 12 hours on Sunday to respond to the consultation using a confidential online process run by consultants Ernst & Young.
The responses will be examined and are expected to be discussed by the cabinet before being presented publicly later in the week, possibly before the Bank Holiday weekend.
The prime minister has promised to set out a detailed plan for how the UK will ease the current restrictions this week, with a televised address to the nation expected on Sunday.
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady told Sky News' Ian King Live: "The documents we saw for the first time on Sunday fall far short of giving any guarantees to workers about their health and safety.
"That's not just bad for workers and their families, it risks a second spread of the infection too.
"We need a little less discretion - employers being told they can 'consider' whether there's social distancing or even soap and sanitiser at work - and a bit more robust direction and tough enforcement...
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 Neville not convinced over football's return
"We need to know that we've got enough inspectors on the ground to work with unions and employers and get this right."
Ed Miliband, Labour's shadow business secretary, said workplace risk assessments should be published by employers before staff are allowed back to work.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said in response: "There is work that is ongoing in terms of the consultation, obviously I don't want to preempt that, but he makes some very important points and of course he is always welcome to write to me and I will look at what he says very carefully."


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Heathrow boss says social distancing in airports would mean kilometre-long boarding que

Coronavirus: Heathrow boss says social distancing in airports would mean kilometre-long boarding queues

Social distancing at airports would mean kilometre-long queues to board each jumbo jet , Heathrow 's chief executive has said .
John Holland-Kaye warned the UK 's major airports do not have enough space for social distancing to be a solution to safe travel after the coronavirus lockdown ends .
`` Forget social distancing , it wo n't work in aviation or any other form of public transport , and the problem is not the plane , it is the lack of space in the airport , '' he wrote in the Daily Telegraph .
`` Just one jumbo jet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The world 's largest passenger plane , the A380 - used by many of the world 's airlines - seats about 500 passengers .
Instead of implementing social distancing at airports , Mr Holland-Kaye called on Boris Johnson to quickly find a `` common international standard '' of alternative solutions that could be ready by the summer .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said that should include mandatory health checks for passengers and `` fantastic levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of infection during journeys `` very low '' .
Heathrow 's boss , who has sacrificed his salary for three months , said aviation is the `` cornerstone of the economy '' and that 40 % of annual exports from the UK are transported on passenger flights from Heathrow .
`` If those planes are n't flying , UK factories ca n't get the parts they need and nor can they get their finished goods to market , '' he said .
He also warned thousands of jobs are at stake if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heathrow is the biggest single-site employer in the country '' and other sectors , such as tourism , rely on air travel .
As he does not believe social distancing is feasible in airports , he said the only way to begin international air travel again is to get the infection rate under control in this country and in others .
He said that could take between two and four months .
Mr Holland-Kaye 's suggestions come days after he warned it is `` just physically impossible to socially distance with any volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said social distancing on planes would reduce capacities by more than half and mean `` prices would shoot up '' .

Social distancing at airports would mean kilometre-long queues to board each jumbo jet, Heathrow's chief executive has said.
John Holland-Kaye warned the UK's major airports do not have enough space for social distancing to be a solution to safe travel after the coronavirus lockdown ends.
"Forget social distancing, it won't work in aviation or any other form of public transport, and the problem is not the plane, it is the lack of space in the airport," he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
"Just one jumbo jet would require a queue a kilometre long."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:28 Millions of jobs need Heathrow 'up and running'
The world's largest passenger plane, the A380 - used by many of the world's airlines - seats about 500 passengers.
Instead of implementing social distancing at airports, Mr Holland-Kaye called on Boris Johnson to quickly find a "common international standard" of alternative solutions that could be ready by the summer.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He said that should include mandatory health checks for passengers and "fantastic levels of hygiene" in airports to keep the risk of infection during journeys "very low".
Heathrow's boss, who has sacrificed his salary for three months, said aviation is the "cornerstone of the economy" and that 40% of annual exports from the UK are transported on passenger flights from Heathrow.
Advertisement
"If those planes aren't flying, UK factories can't get the parts they need and nor can they get their finished goods to market," he said.
He also warned thousands of jobs are at stake if airports do not open soon because "Heathrow is the biggest single-site employer in the country" and other sectors, such as tourism, rely on air travel.
As he does not believe social distancing is feasible in airports, he said the only way to begin international air travel again is to get the infection rate under control in this country and in others.
He said that could take between two and four months.
Image: Queues at airports could be a kilometre long if social distancing is implemented
Mr Holland-Kaye's suggestions come days after he warned it is "just physically impossible to socially distance with any volume of passengers in an airport".
He said social distancing on planes would reduce capacities by more than half and mean "prices would shoot up".


news--2020-05-04--Coronavirus: Councils warn against rushing to rubbish tips as they reopen - and long queues form

People are being urged to not rush to rubbish tips when they reopen to avoid long queues after seven weeks of lockdown .
Many household waste and recycling centres closed at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown on 23 March as they could not be operated within social distancing rules and to allow councils to focus on household waste collections .
The government has now said tips will reopen gradually , with social distancing and protective equipment for waste workers in place .
But after long queues were experienced in Greater Manchester over the weekend , residents have been urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tip and instead `` reduce , reuse and recycle '' wherever possible .
The amounts of household rubbish has been exacerbated by people embarking on spring cleaning clear-outs , DIY projects and gardening as they remain at home .
Fly-tipping increased by 75 % after four weeks into the lockdown , research by ClearWaste found .
Nearly all councils have reported higher than usual levels of waste in recent weeks , but 89 % are continuing to operate normal `` black bag '' collections and the rest are only seeing minor disruptions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Councils ' Network warned not everyone will be able to dump their rubbish at tips if the number of people queuing is too high .
They said four-fifths of recycling collections continue to operate as normal and two-thirds of food waste collections are going ahead as normal .
But , less than a third of councils are operating a normal bulky waste collection .
Many councils have seen reductions to their waste teams , with staff self-isolating and collections disrupted by the need for social distancing .
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` sensible '' and the `` right thing to do '' .
`` The longer we delay it , the longer those queues are going to be when the waste sites reopen , '' he said .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dan Humphreys , from the District Councils ' Network , said : `` We appreciate how hard people have been working to keep on top of waste but we would like to stress that it wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any rubbish they have built up over recent weeks all in one go . ''
An Environment Department ( Defra ) spokeswoman added that people should only visit a waste and recycling centre if the journey is essential .

People are being urged to not rush to rubbish tips when they reopen to avoid long queues after seven weeks of lockdown.
Many household waste and recycling centres closed at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown on 23 March as they could not be operated within social distancing rules and to allow councils to focus on household waste collections.
The government has now said tips will reopen gradually, with social distancing and protective equipment for waste workers in place.
Image: People queue in their cars outside a household waste recycling plant in Manchester
Image: Rubbish piles up outside a Tesco Extra recycling site in Wembley, London
But after long queues were experienced in Greater Manchester over the weekend, residents have been urged by councils to avoid rushing to the tip and instead "reduce, reuse and recycle" wherever possible.
The amounts of household rubbish has been exacerbated by people embarking on spring cleaning clear-outs, DIY projects and gardening as they remain at home.
Fly-tipping increased by 75% after four weeks into the lockdown, research by ClearWaste found.
Nearly all councils have reported higher than usual levels of waste in recent weeks, but 89% are continuing to operate normal "black bag" collections and the rest are only seeing minor disruptions.
The District Councils' Network and County Councils' Network warned not everyone will be able to dump their rubbish at tips if the number of people queuing is too high.
They said four-fifths of recycling collections continue to operate as normal and two-thirds of food waste collections are going ahead as normal.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Rubbish tips gradually reopen in England
But, less than a third of councils are operating a normal bulky waste collection.
Many councils have seen reductions to their waste teams, with staff self-isolating and collections disrupted by the need for social distancing.
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick said reopening tips in a staged manner is "sensible" and the "right thing to do".
"The longer we delay it, the longer those queues are going to be when the waste sites reopen," he said.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Dan Humphreys, from the District Councils' Network, said: "We appreciate how hard people have been working to keep on top of waste but we would like to stress that it won't be possible for everyone to suddenly get rid of any rubbish they have built up over recent weeks all in one go."
An Environment Department (Defra) spokeswoman added that people should only visit a waste and recycling centre if the journey is essential.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: What's the story behind the numbers?

How many people have died with COVID-19 in the UK ?
The question is about the most important one we could be asking now .
And you might have thought it would be relatively easy to answer : just one , simple number , surely ?
But I 'm afraid it 's not simple .
Here 's why .
Let 's start with the statistics produced by the government each day on the number of people who have sadly died of the disease .
Those numbers are the most up-to-date measure of the ultimate mortality impact of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious of which is that the data only covers hospitals .
So we know that terrible figure - which as of this afternoon stood at just over 17,000 - is , sadly , an undercount .
But how much of an undercount ?
Long story short , on the basis of some relatively simple sums it is almost certainly understating the total UK death toll by as much as a third .
Indeed , it is quite possible the current death toll could be considerably bigger still .
Let me explain .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures on how many people are dying outside hospitals of COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , ( why only `` pretty '' reliable ?
We 'll get to that in a moment ) .
These numbers , produced by the Office for National Statistics in England and Wales and by analogous bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland , are less instantly available than those government hospital figures .
There 's a lag of a week and a half before we get them .
But since they are based on death certificates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in care homes and elsewhere .
In other words , they are about as comprehensive and reliable as you could hope for at pretty short notice .
And the ONS and its sister organisations are also helpfully itemising how many of these deaths have COVID-19 mentioned on the certificate .
Add these COVID-19 deaths all up and here 's what you find .
On 10 April , Good Friday , the government announced that the hospital death toll had hit 8,958 .
Yet on that same day , according to the ONS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 death toll in all settings was 11,413 .
In other words , on a very rough rule of thumb , the hospital death toll numbers we get each day are understating the actual death toll elsewhere by at least 28 % ( I 've seen higher estimates but it feels prudent to be conservative in these circumstances ) .
That on its own would imply that the death toll in all places is in fact more than 22,000 today .
But this is n't the end of the story , because even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ONS COVID-19 figures fail to account for something else going on in the total deaths numbers .
As I say , those ONS COVID-19 series include those deaths where the disease is mentioned on the death certificate .
Some might assume from that - because some of those people might have died of other causes as well as the coronavirus - it overstates the true COVID-19 death toll .
But consider the following .
In England and Wales 18,516 people died in that week that ended with Good Friday .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who died in that week , on average , in the previous five years .
But the number of COVID-19 deaths reported by the ONS in that period was 6,213 .
In other words , there was an extra 1,783 `` excess deaths '' - deaths that went above the typical seasonal average without COVID-19 diagnoses - in that week alone .
What is responsible for those deaths ?
In short , we do n't know .
It 's possible people are dying of other causes as a result of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer deaths due to fewer road accidents .
It 's possible people are avoiding going into hospital because of COVID-19 , with tragic consequences .
It 's also possible there are people dying of COVID-19 who never get diagnosed .
That latter possibility feels especially compelling when you consider that in care homes , places where the residents are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their age , `` official '' diagnoses only account for 55 % of all the `` excess deaths '' .
In short , there is some serious undercounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one can do is to focus less on what the government or indeed the ONS is calling `` COVID-19 deaths '' and focus instead on the big numbers : total numbers of people dying versus the average for that time of year .
And here there is a clear pattern .
The latest week for which we have data - the one ending 10 April - was not the worst week for deaths in recent history .
The first week of January 2000 saw more deaths reported .
So too did the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain was still in the grips of the Hong Kong Flu .
So this is not the worst period for UK mortality in history .
But here 's the difference : these `` excess deaths '' are happening not in the middle of winter - traditional flu season - but in the spring .
This matters .
Put simply : more people are dying than we have ever seen at this time of year - at least as far as the past half century 's worth of data goes .
That 's in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to bring the coronavirus under control .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker And the COVID-19 statistics the government is producing on a daily and even a weekly basis still do n't account for one in four of those deaths .
Thousands more people are dying unexpectedly - on top of the COVID-19 numbers .
Those might be undeclared COVID-19 deaths .
They might be something else .
It is all deeply unsettling .

How many people have died with COVID-19 in the UK?
The question is about the most important one we could be asking now. And you might have thought it would be relatively easy to answer: just one, simple number, surely?
But I'm afraid it's not simple. Here's why.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:56 COVID-19 deaths: UK figures and analysis
Let's start with the statistics produced by the government each day on the number of people who have sadly died of the disease.
Those numbers are the most up-to-date measure of the ultimate mortality impact of the virus, but there are problems, the most obvious of which is that the data only covers hospitals.
So we know that terrible figure - which as of this afternoon stood at just over 17,000 - is, sadly, an undercount. But how much of an undercount?
Image: Health secretary Matt Hancock leads the government's daily coronavirus press briefing
Long story short, on the basis of some relatively simple sums it is almost certainly understating the total UK death toll by as much as a third. Indeed, it is quite possible the current death toll could be considerably bigger still.
Let me explain. We are now finally getting some pretty reliable figures on how many people are dying outside hospitals of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, (why only "pretty" reliable? We'll get to that in a moment).
These numbers, produced by the Office for National Statistics in England and Wales and by analogous bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland, are less instantly available than those government hospital figures. There's a lag of a week and a half before we get them.
Advertisement
But since they are based on death certificates they include those who die at home, in care homes and elsewhere.
Image: The UK's number of deaths is on par with Italy and nearly at the same levels as Spain
In other words, they are about as comprehensive and reliable as you could hope for at pretty short notice.
And the ONS and its sister organisations are also helpfully itemising how many of these deaths have COVID-19 mentioned on the certificate.
Add these COVID-19 deaths all up and here's what you find.
On 10 April, Good Friday, the government announced that the hospital death toll had hit 8,958. Yet on that same day, according to the ONS and those other statistical agencies, the COVID-19 death toll in all settings was 11,413.
In other words, on a very rough rule of thumb, the hospital death toll numbers we get each day are understating the actual death toll elsewhere by at least 28% (I've seen higher estimates but it feels prudent to be conservative in these circumstances).
That on its own would imply that the death toll in all places is in fact more than 22,000 today. But this isn't the end of the story, because even that might be an understatement.
Image: The white line shows deaths in hospitals only. The black line shows deaths in all locations including hospitals, care homes and private homes
For the ONS COVID-19 figures fail to account for something else going on in the total deaths numbers.
As I say, those ONS COVID-19 series include those deaths where the disease is mentioned on the death certificate. Some might assume from that - because some of those people might have died of other causes as well as the coronavirus - it overstates the true COVID-19 death toll. But consider the following.
In England and Wales 18,516 people died in that week that ended with Good Friday. That was about 8,000 more than the average number of people who died in that week, on average, in the previous five years.
But the number of COVID-19 deaths reported by the ONS in that period was 6,213. In other words, there was an extra 1,783 "excess deaths" - deaths that went above the typical seasonal average without COVID-19 diagnoses - in that week alone.
What is responsible for those deaths? In short, we don't know.
It's possible people are dying of other causes as a result of the lockdown - though one might also expect fewer deaths due to fewer road accidents.
It's possible people are avoiding going into hospital because of COVID-19, with tragic consequences. It's also possible there are people dying of COVID-19 who never get diagnosed.
Image: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the number of deaths in England and Wales this year
That latter possibility feels especially compelling when you consider that in care homes, places where the residents are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their age, "official" diagnoses only account for 55% of all the "excess deaths".
In short, there is some serious undercounting going on here. The safest thing one can do is to focus less on what the government or indeed the ONS is calling "COVID-19 deaths" and focus instead on the big numbers: total numbers of people dying versus the average for that time of year.
And here there is a clear pattern. The latest week for which we have data - the one ending 10 April - was not the worst week for deaths in recent history.
The first week of January 2000 saw more deaths reported. So too did the second week of January in 1970, when Britain was still in the grips of the Hong Kong Flu.
So this is not the worst period for UK mortality in history. But here's the difference: these "excess deaths" are happening not in the middle of winter - traditional flu season - but in the spring. This matters.
Put simply: more people are dying than we have ever seen at this time of year - at least as far as the past half century's worth of data goes.
That's in spite of a nationwide lockdown and unprecedented measures to bring the coronavirus under control.
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
And the COVID-19 statistics the government is producing on a daily and even a weekly basis still don't account for one in four of those deaths.
Thousands more people are dying unexpectedly - on top of the COVID-19 numbers. Those might be undeclared COVID-19 deaths. They might be something else.
It is all deeply unsettling.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Spain aims to ease lockdown in second half of May

Spain is aiming to ease its coronavirus lockdown in the second half of May , Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said .
Restrictions could return , however , if COVID-19 cases begin to rise again .
There may be some `` back-and-forth '' as the pandemic evolves , Mr Sanchez told parliament , despite it appearing to have passed its peak in Spain .
Mr Sanchez said measures would be eased slowly and gradually , and asked for the state of emergency to be extended until 9 May .
The health ministry reported a further 435 deaths on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been more than 208,000 infections , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The country has the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world - behind the US - and has imposed one of the most stringent lockdowns .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Children have been stopped from leaving their homes , even for walks , although that is due to be relaxed in the coming days .
Initially , it was announced that children would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy food or medicine .
But after criticism and pot-banging protests on balconies , the government said on Tuesday evening that those under 14 would be able to take short walks outside if they were supervised .
Some non-essential workers have returned to their jobs .
Carmaker SEAT , which employs about 15,000 people , said it planned to resume production from 27 April , while carrying out 3,000 coronavirus tests a week on its workforce .
Meanwhile , the San Fermin bull-running fiesta in Pamplona has been suspended for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Valencian town of Bunol have postponed the 75th annual Tomatina festival , where thousands gather every August to pelt each other with fresh tomatoes .
It is the first cancellation since 1957 .

Spain is aiming to ease its coronavirus lockdown in the second half of May, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said.
Restrictions could return, however, if COVID-19 cases begin to rise again.
There may be some "back-and-forth" as the pandemic evolves, Mr Sanchez told parliament, despite it appearing to have passed its peak in Spain.
Image: A volunteer arranges free food packages at the parish church of Santa Anna in Barcelona
Mr Sanchez said measures would be eased slowly and gradually, and asked for the state of emergency to be extended until 9 May.
The health ministry reported a further 435 deaths on Wednesday, taking Spain's total to 21,717.
There have been more than 208,000 infections, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The country has the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world - behind the US - and has imposed one of the most stringent lockdowns.
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
Children have been stopped from leaving their homes, even for walks, although that is due to be relaxed in the coming days.
Advertisement
Initially, it was announced that children would only be allowed to accompany parents to buy food or medicine.
But after criticism and pot-banging protests on balconies, the government said on Tuesday evening that those under 14 would be able to take short walks outside if they were supervised.
Image: A park in Madrid which has been sealed by police
Some non-essential workers have returned to their jobs.
Carmaker SEAT, which employs about 15,000 people, said it planned to resume production from 27 April, while carrying out 3,000 coronavirus tests a week on its workforce.
Meanwhile, the San Fermin bull-running fiesta in Pamplona has been suspended for the first time in four decades.
And authorities in the Valencian town of Bunol have postponed the 75th annual Tomatina festival, where thousands gather every August to pelt each other with fresh tomatoes.
It is the first cancellation since 1957.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: JK Rowling shares glimpse into her huge home library

JK Rowling has posted a video of her enviable library on Twitter , revealing she 's spent lockdown organising her books by colour .
`` Rearranging books is a very soothing lockdown activity , '' she posted on her social media , alongside a clip of her bookshelves .
Earlier this month Rowling announced she had fully recovered after suffering a suspected case of coronavirus .
The author followed up her video by responding to people asking where her own books were , saying `` yes , of course I 've got Harry Potter books ! ''
`` These are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply the ones I decided to arrange by colour during tea breaks . ''
The video revealed her library also includes a quote by the 14th-century poet Edmund Spenser , painted along the top of her shelves .
The quote is from his poem The Faerie Queene , and reads : `` It is the mind that maketh good of ill , that maketh wretch or happy , rich or poor . ''
The Harry Potter author has previously said she could not be sure she 'd had COVID-19 as she had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered all the symptoms of the disease .
She also criticised social media influencers for pressuring followers to learn a new skill during the pandemic saying that getting through something was more than enough .

JK Rowling has posted a video of her enviable library on Twitter, revealing she's spent lockdown organising her books by colour.
"Rearranging books is a very soothing lockdown activity," she posted on her social media, alongside a clip of her bookshelves.
Earlier this month Rowling announced she had fully recovered after suffering a suspected case of coronavirus.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The author followed up her video by responding to people asking where her own books were, saying "yes, of course I've got Harry Potter books!"
"These aren't my only bookshelves, they're simply the ones I decided to arrange by colour during tea breaks."
Image: The Harry Potter said colour co-ordinating her books was soothing
The video revealed her library also includes a quote by the 14th-century poet Edmund Spenser, painted along the top of her shelves.
The quote is from his poem The Faerie Queene, and reads: "It is the mind that maketh good of ill, that maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor."
The Harry Potter author has previously said she could not be sure she'd had COVID-19 as she had not been tested, but that she had suffered all the symptoms of the disease.
Image: The author said these were just some of her books
She also criticised social media influencers for pressuring followers to learn a new skill during the pandemic saying that getting through something was more than enough.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: 'Virtual' parliament leaves government less accountable

Considering this was a day of firsts in the House of Commons , it was perhaps a shame that so few MPs - between 30 and 40 - were in the chamber to take part .
It was the first time `` in 700 years of history '' that Prime Minister 's Questions had been conducted by videolink , Speaker Hoyle declared at the start of the day 's proceedings , which began with Welsh questions - one of the lowlights of the parliamentary week .
It was the first outing at PMQs for Dominic Raab , first secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he recovers from coronavirus .
He is a deputy chosen for his unswerving loyalty to the Brexit cause rather than flair or ability .
And it was the first PMQs for Sir Keir Starmer since his election as Labour leader .
Wisely , he opted to attend in person rather than appear remotely , as the other opposition party leaders - Ian Blackford , Sir Ed Davey and Liz Savile-Roberts - chose to .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be that from the government 's point of view `` if this is parliamentary scrutiny , let 's have more of it '' .
It 's early days , obviously , but this is a poor substitute for the real thing .
There 's no cut and thrust , tension or pressure and on the evidence so far , ministers are going to get off lightly .
But of the three historic firsts , however , it was Sir Keir who was probably the most successful : courteous but forensic , detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A solid start , but then most Labour MPs will conclude that he did n't have to be that good to be better than his predecessor .
Talking of whom , Jeremy Corbyn turned up , sitting on the back row at the end of the chamber furthest from the Speaker , where he sat for many years in his left-wing rebel days .
He was n't called in PMQs , but did ask a question during the Health Secretary Matt Hancock 's coronavirus statement later , however .
Was n't Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though ?
Labour 's new leader even bettered the stand-in PM in the `` hear hear '' stakes from their own backbenchers .
Both entered the chamber in silence just before noon , in keeping with the subdued - eerie , even - atmosphere .
But Sir Keir 's MPs were more vocal when they cheered on their man .
The undoubted star of the proceedings , predictably , was Speaker Hoyle , who has played a blinder in making sure parliament was back in action on time after the Easter recess this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 62-year-old rugby league fanatic was bobbing up and down in the chair like a hyper-active scrum half .
Man-of-the-match to Sir Lindsay .
The technology was only a qualified success .
Before PMQs , the Welsh Secretary Simon Hart - unkindly described by some as a Brian Clough lookalike - managed to answer all his questions without any hitches .
But a question by the Labour MP Kevin Brennan was lost in a dodgy phone signal .
In PMQs , the first Tory due to be called after the Raab-Starmer exchanges , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Unable to connect ! ''
boomed Sir Lindsay .
Sadly , Mr Mundell did n't get a second chance later in PMQs .
And Mr Raab , despite his appearances standing in for the prime minister at several Downing Street news conferences now , still ca n't relax .
He looks nervous , is still somewhat robotic and lacks the confidence of contemporaries like Michael Gove or former top Tories like David Cameron , George Osborne or William Hague .
Even his medical bulletin on his boss 's recovery was wooden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a good recovery and is in good spirits , '' he said , repeating the familiar Downing Street script .
Then came a gem that stretched credibility , however .
`` I know he would want to be here , '' he said in response to Sir Keir 's first question .
Really ?
Most prime minister 's do n't relish PMQs and do everything they can to avoid them .
The real thing , that is .
Not this gentler version .
But we should have some sympathy for Mr Raab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commons authorities penalise the person at the despatch box more than anyone else .
During PMQs , the nearest figure to Mr Raab was the burly figure of the Chief Whip Mark Spencer , a ruddy-faced farmer from Nottinghamshire with a bone-crushing handshake .
But Mr Spencer was the required two metres away and there was no other minister within shouting distance - let alone whispering distance - of the lonely Mr Raab .
Normally at PMQs , the Prime Minister and his or her Cabinet are squashed together on the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally alongside to act as prompt with a good gag or important point of detail .
On economic questions , the chancellor of the exchequer is usually on hand , though George Osborne acted as David Cameron 's prompt on just about every issue .
The other problem for Mr Raab - and indeed other ministers in the weeks ahead - was that there was no-one behind him to feed him bits of paper with key answers to difficult questions .
Normally the parliamentary private secretary - bag carrier - sits directly behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing notes .
Not this time - you 're on your own in this virtual House of Commons , minister !
The government and opposition benches were both very sparsely occupied .
Just a few diehards , workaholics and parliamentary procedure nerds on either side .
OK , unfair .
Conscientious and diligent representatives of the people !
On the opposition front bench , the wise and wily Labour chief whip Nick Brown - now serving his fourth party leader - was in his place .
But Labour 's new deputy leader Angela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could n't possibly have communicated with each other .
The civilised tone of the Raab-Starmer exchanges did almost come to an abrupt end after the Labour leader 's last question , when he repeated his `` too slow on the lockdown , too slow on testing , too slow on PPE and now too slow on care homes '' attack that he first used in a Mail on Sunday article .
Unflappable until that point , Mr Raab was tetchy in his response .
Talking of diehard backbenchers , rather surprisingly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology rather turn up in person .
But he asked a blockbuster of a question , on banks failing to help adequately those businesses in trouble because of the lockdown , before he was mysteriously cut off .
The Parliamentary TV director did enterprisingly cut to Mr Bone shaking his head in frustration at Mr Raab 's reply , however .
Labour 's best backbench question came from Barry Gardiner , the great survivor - until now - ruthlessly sacked by Sir Keir in his Shadow Cabinet reshuffle .
Had the government followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was the question Barry bellowed from his living room .
Hell hath no fury like a shadow cabinet member sacked by his party leader !
Most MPs observed the virtual dress code demanded by Mr Speaker , though Sir Ed Davey was tieless , as was Kevin Brennan , which may explain why there were gremlins in his phone signal earlier .
From MPs dialling in , we were treated to the sight of some impressive bookcases ( Plaid Cymru 's Liz Saville Roberts ' library looked very learned during her predictable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some attractive artwork ( Ruth Cadbury 's stood out ) .
The SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford dialled in from what looked like a homely living room in his Highland crofter 's cottage , complete with what looked like a greetings card behind him .
Image is everything in politics .
( He is an ex-banker , though . )
The final question was from brainy Angela Eagle , who also boasted impressive book shelves , although there appeared to be an opened box of chocolates on the top shelf .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , surely .
Heroes ?
Possibly .
When PMQs was over , after an extended session of 45 minutes , Mr Hancock began his statement by declaring : `` How pleased I am that this House is sitting once again . ''
He probably did n't feel that way after his lengthy and uncomfortable interrogation by MPs , though a number of Tories were relieved and thankful that the Commons was not at its most brutal .
In comparison with Mr Hancock , already being tipped as the first ministerial casualty of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his increasingly unachievable 100,000 tests pledge , Mr Raab got off comparatively lightly in PMQs .
No wonder the government is happy with this form of scrutiny .
In the weeks ahead , after this solid debut Sir Keir will undoubtedly be tougher with Mr Raab .
Unless the Labour leader is saving his sharpest attacks until the prime minister is fit enough to return to PMQs .
But we also need the Commons to return to its usual boisterous , raucous and spontaneous normality if government ministers are to be held @ @ @

Considering this was a day of firsts in the House of Commons, it was perhaps a shame that so few MPs - between 30 and 40 - were in the chamber to take part.
It was the first time "in 700 years of history" that Prime Minister's Questions had been conducted by videolink, Speaker Hoyle declared at the start of the day's proceedings, which began with Welsh questions - one of the lowlights of the parliamentary week.
It was the first outing at PMQs for Dominic Raab, first secretary of state and Boris Johnson's stand-in while he recovers from coronavirus. He is a deputy chosen for his unswerving loyalty to the Brexit cause rather than flair or ability.
Image: It was a far emptier - and quieter - Commons. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
And it was the first PMQs for Sir Keir Starmer since his election as Labour leader.
Wisely, he opted to attend in person rather than appear remotely, as the other opposition party leaders - Ian Blackford, Sir Ed Davey and Liz Savile-Roberts - chose to.
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
But after this historic PMQs, the overwhelming conclusion must be that from the government's point of view "if this is parliamentary scrutiny, let's have more of it".
It's early days, obviously, but this is a poor substitute for the real thing.
There's no cut and thrust, tension or pressure and on the evidence so far, ministers are going to get off lightly.
Advertisement
Image: Sir Keir said the government was 'too slow' on testing. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
But of the three historic firsts, however, it was Sir Keir who was probably the most successful: courteous but forensic, detailed but not too bogged down by statistics.
A solid start, but then most Labour MPs will conclude that he didn't have to be that good to be better than his predecessor.
Talking of whom, Jeremy Corbyn turned up, sitting on the back row at the end of the chamber furthest from the Speaker, where he sat for many years in his left-wing rebel days.
He wasn't called in PMQs, but did ask a question during the Health Secretary Matt Hancock's coronavirus statement later, however. Wasn't Mr Corbyn flouting coronavirus for the over-70s, though?
Image: Jeremy Corbyn turned up to speak from the backbenches. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
Labour's new leader even bettered the stand-in PM in the "hear hear" stakes from their own backbenchers.
Both entered the chamber in silence just before noon, in keeping with the subdued - eerie, even - atmosphere. But Sir Keir's MPs were more vocal when they cheered on their man.
The undoubted star of the proceedings, predictably, was Speaker Hoyle, who has played a blinder in making sure parliament was back in action on time after the Easter recess this week.
Questions via Zoom meant the 62-year-old rugby league fanatic was bobbing up and down in the chair like a hyper-active scrum half. Man-of-the-match to Sir Lindsay.
Image: Speaker Sir Lindsay oversaw proceedings. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
The technology was only a qualified success. Before PMQs, the Welsh Secretary Simon Hart - unkindly described by some as a Brian Clough lookalike - managed to answer all his questions without any hitches. But a question by the Labour MP Kevin Brennan was lost in a dodgy phone signal.
In PMQs, the first Tory due to be called after the Raab-Starmer exchanges, former Scottish secretary David Mundell, missed out.
"Unable to connect!" boomed Sir Lindsay. Sadly, Mr Mundell didn't get a second chance later in PMQs.
And Mr Raab, despite his appearances standing in for the prime minister at several Downing Street news conferences now, still can't relax.
He looks nervous, is still somewhat robotic and lacks the confidence of contemporaries like Michael Gove or former top Tories like David Cameron, George Osborne or William Hague.
Image: Mr Raab let rip at one of Sir Keir's questions. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
Even his medical bulletin on his boss's recovery was wooden and lacked empathy. "He is making a good recovery and is in good spirits," he said, repeating the familiar Downing Street script.
Then came a gem that stretched credibility, however.
"I know he would want to be here," he said in response to Sir Keir's first question.
Image: No-one knows when the Commons will return to normal. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
Really? Most prime minister's don't relish PMQs and do everything they can to avoid them. The real thing, that is. Not this gentler version.
But we should have some sympathy for Mr Raab. The social distancing rules imposed by the Commons authorities penalise the person at the despatch box more than anyone else.
During PMQs, the nearest figure to Mr Raab was the burly figure of the Chief Whip Mark Spencer, a ruddy-faced farmer from Nottinghamshire with a bone-crushing handshake.
But Mr Spencer was the required two metres away and there was no other minister within shouting distance - let alone whispering distance - of the lonely Mr Raab.
Normally at PMQs, the Prime Minister and his or her Cabinet are squashed together on the front bench and the PM has a chosen ally alongside to act as prompt with a good gag or important point of detail.
On economic questions, the chancellor of the exchequer is usually on hand, though George Osborne acted as David Cameron's prompt on just about every issue.
The other problem for Mr Raab - and indeed other ministers in the weeks ahead - was that there was no-one behind him to feed him bits of paper with key answers to difficult questions.
Image: MPs called in via videolink. Pic: Jessica Taylor/ UK parliament
Normally the parliamentary private secretary - bag carrier - sits directly behind the PM or Cabinet minister constantly supplying briefing notes.
Not this time - you're on your own in this virtual House of Commons, minister!
The government and opposition benches were both very sparsely occupied. Just a few diehards, workaholics and parliamentary procedure nerds on either side. OK, unfair. Conscientious and diligent representatives of the people!
On the opposition front bench, the wise and wily Labour chief whip Nick Brown - now serving his fourth party leader - was in his place.
But Labour's new deputy leader Angela Rayner was so far from Sir Keir they couldn't possibly have communicated with each other.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Starmer tackles Raab on coronavirus testing
The civilised tone of the Raab-Starmer exchanges did almost come to an abrupt end after the Labour leader's last question, when he repeated his "too slow on the lockdown, too slow on testing, too slow on PPE and now too slow on care homes" attack that he first used in a Mail on Sunday article.
Unflappable until that point, Mr Raab was tetchy in his response.
Talking of diehard backbenchers, rather surprisingly the Tory veteran Peter Bone chose to use technology rather turn up in person.
But he asked a blockbuster of a question, on banks failing to help adequately those businesses in trouble because of the lockdown, before he was mysteriously cut off.
The Parliamentary TV director did enterprisingly cut to Mr Bone shaking his head in frustration at Mr Raab's reply, however.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:50 Hancock: 'We are at the peak' of coronavirus
Labour's best backbench question came from Barry Gardiner, the great survivor - until now - ruthlessly sacked by Sir Keir in his Shadow Cabinet reshuffle.
Had the government followed the scientific advice on coronavirus or not, was the question Barry bellowed from his living room. Hell hath no fury like a shadow cabinet member sacked by his party leader!
Most MPs observed the virtual dress code demanded by Mr Speaker, though Sir Ed Davey was tieless, as was Kevin Brennan, which may explain why there were gremlins in his phone signal earlier.
From MPs dialling in, we were treated to the sight of some impressive bookcases (Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville Roberts' library looked very learned during her predictable attack on second homers in Wales) and some attractive artwork (Ruth Cadbury's stood out).
Stephen Kinnock's decor was minimalist and Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher's wallpaper fetchingly floral.
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford dialled in from what looked like a homely living room in his Highland crofter's cottage, complete with what looked like a greetings card behind him. Image is everything in politics. (He is an ex-banker, though.)
The final question was from brainy Angela Eagle, who also boasted impressive book shelves, although there appeared to be an opened box of chocolates on the top shelf. Celebrations? Not in these serious times, surely. Heroes? Possibly.
When PMQs was over, after an extended session of 45 minutes, Mr Hancock began his statement by declaring: "How pleased I am that this House is sitting once again."
He probably didn't feel that way after his lengthy and uncomfortable interrogation by MPs, though a number of Tories were relieved and thankful that the Commons was not at its most brutal.
In comparison with Mr Hancock, already being tipped as the first ministerial casualty of the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis after his increasingly unachievable 100,000 tests pledge, Mr Raab got off comparatively lightly in PMQs.
No wonder the government is happy with this form of scrutiny.
In the weeks ahead, after this solid debut Sir Keir will undoubtedly be tougher with Mr Raab. Unless the Labour leader is saving his sharpest attacks until the prime minister is fit enough to return to PMQs.
But we also need the Commons to return to its usual boisterous, raucous and spontaneous normality if government ministers are to be held truly accountable.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: This is what it's like inside the UK's first mental health COVID-19 ward

`` I 'm just fed up man !
I want to know what you are keeping me in here for ? ''
shouts a 56-year-old man suffering from paranoid schizophrenia .
The COVID-19 ward in Hammersmith , run by West London NHS Trust , is unique because every patient is being detained under the mental health act - so they are not in treatment under their own free will .
Add to that the isolation at the coronavirus ward and it creates a complicated relationship between patient and doctor .
`` So , you are otherwise feeling ok ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ But you 're a bit upset about being on this ward which is understandable . ''
She wants the nurse to bring in a vitals monitoring machine to test whether the patient is improving or deteriorating , but it 's a negotiation to get it through the door .
After a few minutes of dealing with the patient 's personal needs , they wheel in the machine .
The good news is the patient 's symptoms are receding .
Just as this is distressing and confusing for the patient , the medics too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mental health specialists are now dealing with a deadly virus .
The Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit is the first COVID-19 ward in the UK for mental health patients , and it is a huge gear change from what the staff are used to .
Dr Khara says : `` I am a general adult psychiatrist , so this is a slightly different sphere of competency for me to be working in .
But all of my colleagues on the ward are working on the edges of our normal competencies .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that . ''
The unit has been in close liaison with colleagues in A & E , as well as specialists in infectious diseases , to try to bridge the gap between their respective disciplines .
They have set up a `` red zone '' within the ward and a sterile area where they change into personal protective equipment .
The aim is where possible for the mental health unit to ease the burden on other NHS departments by dealing with their own COVID-19 patients .
Only if the individual deteriorates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care wards elsewhere .
Francisca Fearon , the matron at the Avonmore ward , says : `` One of the first times I had to tell a patient they had COVID-19 , the patient turned to me and said : 'Am I going to die ? '
.
`` It took me by surprise because suddenly I was struck by the reality of what we are dealing with .
But we tell them most people recover , and we try to reassure them . ''
Dr Khara says : `` Our duty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to be responsive to the changing needs - and these really are changing needs .
`` But what 's unique about mental health units is most patients here do n't know why they are in hospital , do n't want to be in hospital and they do n't know why the doctors working with them are wearing personal protective equipment . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Staff at the Avonmore ward say they have enough PPE , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone to the red zone which involves dressing up in masks , goggles and aprons , then taking them off and sterilising afterwards .
Staff Nurse Kathleen Divers says : `` We can go in and they might ask for a cup of tea and then we have to go out and do the whole process again . ''
As mental health specialists the staff are aware of the personal impact of this changing environment .
`` We all have our moments , '' says nurse Divers .
`` We 're still human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have psychological support for the staff as well .
Morale in the unit is really high . ''
Dr Khara adds : `` It 's a worrying time for everybody .
It is a worrying time for doctors .
I come from a very big family of doctors and we are all worried about going to work every day .
`` But what I try to keep in mind is that a lot of people are isolated at home and the positive part of this is at least we are in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work every day and we can see our colleagues every day and I try to focus on the positive side of it . ''
The Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit will be the blueprint for other mental health wards in the UK dealing with the virus .
It 's clear that the staff here are eager to adapt and are dedicated in their task of helping the most vulnerable in society .
Even if that means being shouted at by their patients .
Already they are bracing themselves for the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health problems in society caused by the isolation of lockdown .
But for now , they have to find a way to adapt and cope with these new challenges .

"I'm just fed up man! I want to know what you are keeping me in here for?" shouts a 56-year-old man suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
The COVID-19 ward in Hammersmith, run by West London NHS Trust, is unique because every patient is being detained under the mental health act - so they are not in treatment under their own free will.
Add to that the isolation at the coronavirus ward and it creates a complicated relationship between patient and doctor.
"So, you are otherwise feeling ok?" asks Dr Roopak Khara politely. "But you're a bit upset about being on this ward which is understandable."
She wants the nurse to bring in a vitals monitoring machine to test whether the patient is improving or deteriorating, but it's a negotiation to get it through the door.
Image: The ward is the blueprint for other similar centres around the UK
After a few minutes of dealing with the patient's personal needs, they wheel in the machine. The good news is the patient's symptoms are receding.
Just as this is distressing and confusing for the patient, the medics too are out of their comfort zones.
Mental health specialists are now dealing with a deadly virus. The Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit is the first COVID-19 ward in the UK for mental health patients, and it is a huge gear change from what the staff are used to.
Dr Khara says: "I am a general adult psychiatrist, so this is a slightly different sphere of competency for me to be working in. But all of my colleagues on the ward are working on the edges of our normal competencies. We are making sure we've got support to do that."
Advertisement
The unit has been in close liaison with colleagues in A&E, as well as specialists in infectious diseases, to try to bridge the gap between their respective disciplines. They have set up a "red zone" within the ward and a sterile area where they change into personal protective equipment.
The aim is where possible for the mental health unit to ease the burden on other NHS departments by dealing with their own COVID-19 patients. Only if the individual deteriorates are they then passed on to intensive care wards elsewhere.
Image: Sky News enters a sterile area where staff change into PPE
Francisca Fearon, the matron at the Avonmore ward, says: "One of the first times I had to tell a patient they had COVID-19, the patient turned to me and said: 'Am I going to die?'.
"It took me by surprise because suddenly I was struck by the reality of what we are dealing with. But we tell them most people recover, and we try to reassure them."
Dr Khara says: "Our duty of care is always to the patient we just have to be responsive to the changing needs - and these really are changing needs.
"But what's unique about mental health units is most patients here don't know why they are in hospital, don't want to be in hospital and they don't know why the doctors working with them are wearing personal protective equipment."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Staff at the Avonmore ward say they have enough PPE, but they are constantly moving from the sterile zone to the red zone which involves dressing up in masks, goggles and aprons, then taking them off and sterilising afterwards.
Staff Nurse Kathleen Divers says: "We can go in and they might ask for a cup of tea and then we have to go out and do the whole process again."
As mental health specialists the staff are aware of the personal impact of this changing environment.
"We all have our moments," says nurse Divers. "We're still human but we deal with it together. We have psychological support for the staff as well. Morale in the unit is really high."
Dr Khara adds: "It's a worrying time for everybody. It is a worrying time for doctors. I come from a very big family of doctors and we are all worried about going to work every day.
"But what I try to keep in mind is that a lot of people are isolated at home and the positive part of this is at least we are in a job where we are able to come to work every day and we can see our colleagues every day and I try to focus on the positive side of it."
The Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health Unit will be the blueprint for other mental health wards in the UK dealing with the virus. It's clear that the staff here are eager to adapt and are dedicated in their task of helping the most vulnerable in society. Even if that means being shouted at by their patients.
Already they are bracing themselves for the next wave of complications, with increased mental health problems in society caused by the isolation of lockdown.
But for now, they have to find a way to adapt and cope with these new challenges.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Standard Life Aberdeen backs delay to pay policy changes

One of the most influential investors in the London stock market has told Britain 's biggest companies it will support them deferring changes to boardroom pay policies amid the coronavirus maelstrom .
Sky News has seen a letter sent by Aberdeen Standard Investments ( ASI ) to FTSE-350 bosses , which urges companies with sufficiently strong balance sheets to continue paying dividends through the COVID-19 crisis .
The plea follows the cancellation or suspensions of tens of billions of pounds in dividend payments as boards seek to conserve cash , while in the case of Britain 's major banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulators .
ASI , which holds stakes worth about £25bn in the UK 's largest listed companies , said those which are scheduled to hold binding votes on executive remuneration policies should consider delaying them for a year .
`` A number of companies will be seeking the triennial approval of their remuneration policies which will apply for the next three years , '' it said .
`` If necessary we will support companies seeking approval of the continuation of their existing policy for a further year to allow the deferral of changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Last week , Sky News revealed that AstraZeneca and British American Tobacco were facing investor revolts over pay packages for their chief executives - with substantial opposition expected to draw increased political scrutiny this year .
ASI 's letter is one of several sent in recent weeks by fund managers such as Invesco , Legal & General Investment Management and Schroders setting out expectations of boardroom behaviour during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Many companies dealing with the current crisis will incur costs , particularly as they seek to treat stakeholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is owned by Standard Life Aberdeen , said .
`` Taking all possible steps to protect the health and financial security of employees will be vital for companies in these times of stress .
`` Companies also need to work with their suppliers so these enduring relationships are still in place when a degree of normality begins to return . ''

One of the most influential investors in the London stock market has told Britain's biggest companies it will support them deferring changes to boardroom pay policies amid the coronavirus maelstrom.
Sky News has seen a letter sent by Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) to FTSE-350 bosses, which urges companies with sufficiently strong balance sheets to continue paying dividends through the COVID-19 crisis.
The plea follows the cancellation or suspensions of tens of billions of pounds in dividend payments as boards seek to conserve cash, while in the case of Britain's major banks, the withholding of payouts followed pressure from regulators.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:04 Lockdown: Life in Scotland
ASI, which holds stakes worth about £25bn in the UK's largest listed companies, said those which are scheduled to hold binding votes on executive remuneration policies should consider delaying them for a year.
"A number of companies will be seeking the triennial approval of their remuneration policies which will apply for the next three years," it said.
"If necessary we will support companies seeking approval of the continuation of their existing policy for a further year to allow the deferral of changes until a more normal business environment exists."
Last week, Sky News revealed that AstraZeneca and British American Tobacco were facing investor revolts over pay packages for their chief executives - with substantial opposition expected to draw increased political scrutiny this year.
ASI's letter is one of several sent in recent weeks by fund managers such as Invesco, Legal & General Investment Management and Schroders setting out expectations of boardroom behaviour during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Many companies dealing with the current crisis will incur costs, particularly as they seek to treat stakeholders with fairness and respect," ASI, which is owned by Standard Life Aberdeen, said.
Advertisement
"Taking all possible steps to protect the health and financial security of employees will be vital for companies in these times of stress.
"Companies also need to work with their suppliers so these enduring relationships are still in place when a degree of normality begins to return."


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: China calls for 'solidarity' as Missouri sues over pandemic

The US state of Missouri is suing China for inflicting `` enormous death , suffering and economic losses '' on the world .
Around 200 people have died from coronavirus in the Midwestern state , which is the first to sue the Chinese government over its handling of the outbreak .
However , China has called for solidarity and co-operation , saying it is not the time for `` finger-pointing '' .
The remarks were made by Consul-General Huang Ping as Beijing 's diplomats in New York handed over a donation of medical supplies to the city .
New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus with over 250,000 people testing positive and nearly 20,000 deaths .
Mr Huang said , in an online ceremony , that his president Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump `` called for anti-epidemic co-operation between our two nations and the world '' in their last phone call on 17 March .
He added : `` As the two biggest economies in the world , China and the United States need to lead the effort to fighting the coronavirus .
`` This is not the time for finger-pointing .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mutual support . ''
The lawsuit , filed in federal court by the state 's top lawyer , alleges Chinese officials are `` responsible for the enormous death , suffering , and economic losses they inflicted on the world , including Missourians '' .
After weeks of elaborate praise of Mr Xi 's performance in the pandemic , Mr Trump has turned to blaming China and halting US contributions to the World Health Organisation , accusing it of parroting misinformation from Beijing .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker China 's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun stressed the importance of multilateralism , saying `` we live in one world '' and COVID-19 `` knows no borders '' .
He said : `` We need to support the United Nations and the WHO in playing a leading and co-ordinating role in defeating COVID-19 , the common enemy of all mankind .
`` We should stand firm against the politicisation of the pandemic and remove all obstacles which hinder our co-operation . ''
Mr Huang said the American people helped China `` without hesitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and its consulate and UN mission have donated 25,000 N95 masks , 2,000 protective suits , and 75,000 pairs of medical gloves , which reached New York last weekend .
Penny Abeywardena , New York City 's commissioner for international affairs , thanked China for its `` extremely generous donation '' , adding : `` It is what our health care workers need and we are absolutely grateful that you are in this fight with us . ''
After nearly two weeks of negotiations and deadlock , a near $ 500bn ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the US Senate on Tuesday , after Congress and the White House reached a deal to replenish a small business payroll fund and provided new money for hospitals and testing .
The package now goes to the House of Representatives .
Passage was swift and unanimous , despite opposition from conservative Republicans , and President Donald Trump tweeted his support , pledging to sign it into law .
`` The Senate is continuing to stand by the American people , '' said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell .

The US state of Missouri is suing China for inflicting "enormous death, suffering and economic losses" on the world.
Around 200 people have died from coronavirus in the Midwestern state, which is the first to sue the Chinese government over its handling of the outbreak.
However, China has called for solidarity and co-operation, saying it is not the time for "finger-pointing".
The remarks were made by Consul-General Huang Ping as Beijing's diplomats in New York handed over a donation of medical supplies to the city.
New York state has become a global hotspot for coronavirus with over 250,000 people testing positive and nearly 20,000 deaths.
Image: There is a growing national movement against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the US
Mr Huang said, in an online ceremony, that his president Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump "called for anti-epidemic co-operation between our two nations and the world" in their last phone call on 17 March.
He added: "As the two biggest economies in the world, China and the United States need to lead the effort to fighting the coronavirus.
"This is not the time for finger-pointing. This is the time for solidarity, collaboration, co-operation and mutual support."
The lawsuit, filed in federal court by the state's top lawyer, alleges Chinese officials are "responsible for the enormous death, suffering, and economic losses they inflicted on the world, including Missourians".
Advertisement
After weeks of elaborate praise of Mr Xi's performance in the pandemic, Mr Trump has turned to blaming China and halting US contributions to the World Health Organisation, accusing it of parroting misinformation from Beijing.
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
China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun stressed the importance of multilateralism, saying "we live in one world" and COVID-19 "knows no borders".
He said: "We need to support the United Nations and the WHO in playing a leading and co-ordinating role in defeating COVID-19, the common enemy of all mankind.
Image: Fire Department of New York medical staff attend to a patient with difficulty breathing outside an apartment
"We should stand firm against the politicisation of the pandemic and remove all obstacles which hinder our co-operation."
Mr Huang said the American people helped China "without hesitation" when it was in great difficulty, and its consulate and UN mission have donated 25,000 N95 masks, 2,000 protective suits, and 75,000 pairs of medical gloves, which reached New York last weekend.
Penny Abeywardena, New York City's commissioner for international affairs, thanked China for its "extremely generous donation", adding: "It is what our health care workers need and we are absolutely grateful that you are in this fight with us."
After nearly two weeks of negotiations and deadlock, a near $500bn (£403bn) coronavirus aid package was approved by the US Senate on Tuesday, after Congress and the White House reached a deal to replenish a small business payroll fund and provided new money for hospitals and testing.
Image: A man crosses the street at a nearly empty Time Square on April 09, 2020 in New York City.
The package now goes to the House of Representatives.
Passage was swift and unanimous, despite opposition from conservative Republicans, and President Donald Trump tweeted his support, pledging to sign it into law.
"The Senate is continuing to stand by the American people," said Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Plunge in clothing and fuel costs help inflation ease to 1.5%

Falling clothing and fuel prices drove an easing in the rate of inflation as the UK geared up for the coronavirus lockdown , official figures have shown .
The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said the Consumer Prices Index ( CPI ) measure slowed from an annual rate of 1.7 % in February to 1.5 % last month - a level last seen in November .
The data charted the first fall in prices for clothing and footwear over the period since 2015 - given that spring fashion lines are usually available and popular in the shops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ category was 0.3 % down on the month compared to a 1 % increase last year and was the biggest drag on the index .
The ONS said it measured prices on 17 March - days before the COVID-19 lockdown began which shuttered high streets - but said it was likely consumer and retailer behaviour was already influenced by the coronavirus pandemic on that date .
A 0.6 % fall in transport costs came almost entirely from fuel as global oil prices plunged , the ONS said .
Petrol prices fell by 5.1p @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest drop since December 2018 .
Food and drink costs were measured as flat despite stockpiling by supermarket shoppers , though ONS price collectors reported difficulties in securing cost data on household staples because of social distancing measures .
ONS head of inflation , Mike Hardie , said : `` The inflation rate slowed again in March , mainly due to falling prices for clothing and motor fuel .
`` Clothing prices normally rise between February and March as new year discounting ends .
`` However , this year the price of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering discounts due to decreased footfall in stores before the lockdown started .
`` The cost of raw materials for manufacturers fell significantly over the year , driven by a global fall in the price for crude oil , which is at its lowest level since early 2016 . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Bank of England , which has a 2 % inflation target , is likely to see the fall in inflation as keeping the way clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a looming and deep coronavirus recession .
Yael Selfin , chief economist at KPMG , said of the figures : `` Record low oil prices and a weak economic environment are expected to see further falls in inflation this year .
`` We now expect inflation to average only 0.7 % in 2020 and 1.3 % next year , giving the Bank of England ample room to keep interest rates low for longer . ''

Falling clothing and fuel prices drove an easing in the rate of inflation as the UK geared up for the coronavirus lockdown, official figures have shown.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure slowed from an annual rate of 1.7% in February to 1.5% last month - a level last seen in November.
The data charted the first fall in prices for clothing and footwear over the period since 2015 - given that spring fashion lines are usually available and popular in the shops in anticipation of good weather ahead.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 The York high street adapting to lockdown
The category was 0.3% down on the month compared to a 1% increase last year and was the biggest drag on the index.
The ONS said it measured prices on 17 March - days before the COVID-19 lockdown began which shuttered high streets - but said it was likely consumer and retailer behaviour was already influenced by the coronavirus pandemic on that date.
A 0.6% fall in transport costs came almost entirely from fuel as global oil prices plunged, the ONS said.
Petrol prices fell by 5.1p per litre between February and March, the biggest drop since December 2018.
Food and drink costs were measured as flat despite stockpiling by supermarket shoppers, though ONS price collectors reported difficulties in securing cost data on household staples because of social distancing measures.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 How will oil slump hit the economy?
ONS head of inflation, Mike Hardie, said: "The inflation rate slowed again in March, mainly due to falling prices for clothing and motor fuel.
Advertisement
"Clothing prices normally rise between February and March as new year discounting ends.
"However, this year the price of clothes has eased due to some retailers offering discounts due to decreased footfall in stores before the lockdown started.
"The cost of raw materials for manufacturers fell significantly over the year, driven by a global fall in the price for crude oil, which is at its lowest level since early 2016."
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 Bank of England, which has a 2% inflation target, is likely to see the fall in inflation as keeping the way clear for its massive stimulus push to soften a looming and deep coronavirus recession.
Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG, said of the figures: "Record low oil prices and a weak economic environment are expected to see further falls in inflation this year.
"We now expect inflation to average only 0.7% in 2020 and 1.3% next year, giving the Bank of England ample room to keep interest rates low for longer."