cityam--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Britain's pandemic response has nothing to do with funding

There have been no good weeks for Britain since the lockdown began , but last week has surely been among the worst .
On Monday , the news that half of all adults are now being paid for by the state and consternation over how the Chancellor will ever roll back the furlough scheme .
On Wednesday , national humiliation as we learnt Professor Neil Ferguson had flouted the mass house arrest he advocated for everyone else .
Yesterday , the news that the UK has the highest death count in Europe .
And on Friday we learnt that 400,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet British safety standards .
When the reckoning comes , the competence and judgment of those who have ( mis ) led Britain through the Coronavirus pandemic will be called into question .
A litany of failures will be brought to light .
Read more : PM to outline lockdown relaxation on Sunday But when bodies like Public Health England come under scrutiny , their defence will likely be unambiguous : underfunding left it poorly equipped to cope when crisis struck .
In a state-run system , the distribution of resources will often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hancock may be flanked by scientists during press briefings but it doesn ’ t disguise the fundamental reality that , in the court of public opinion at least , the buck stops with him .
It has already been widely argued that our pandemic response was crippled by cuts to the public health budget .
In 2018/19 , Public Health England ( PHE ) had a budget of £4bn , of which £3.13bn was given to local authorities as ring-fenced grants .
Yes , like-for-like public health spending by local authorities fell by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But this has little bearing on the government ’ s response to Covid-19 because the responsibility for dealing with such epidemics lies with PHE and the NHS .
In fact – PHE ’ s budget for infectious disease prevention rose from £52m in 2014/15 to £86.9m in 2018/19 .
Claims that the agency ’ s handling of the crisis has been hampered due to funding simply don ’ t hold water .
And while the main complaint about the government ’ s response to the coronavirus epidemic has been the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shortage of ventilators and diagnostic testing kits , procurement is the job of the Department of Health ( even though one of PHE ’ s primary duties is to “ protect the public from infectious diseases ” ) .
Now , you may wish to question why a body designed to shield us from such epidemics isn ’ t tasked with this job , but that is a different discussion for a different day .
Cutting the public health budget has been repeatedly described as a “ false economy ” .
Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and therefore prevent future healthcare costs , so the argument goes .
A study published in 2017 attempted to put a figure on this claim , reporting that public health measures , on average , produce a return on investment of 14.3 ( implying a cash return of 1430 % ) .
But as a briefing paper out today from the IEA ’ s Head of Lifestyle Economic Christopher Snowdon points out , this is a misrepresentation .
It states : “ Most public health interventions are cost-effective if a quality-adjusted year of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer than one in five interventions save money or produce a cash return ” .
More than a third of public health interventions would not be approved if they were NHS treatments because they are not cost-effective .
Moreover , public health interventions provided by local authorities are less cost-effective , on average , than conventional healthcare .
It is not possible to tell from the available data whether England ’ s public health budget is too small , too large or about right , but many of the arguments made for increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a misunderstanding of economics .
If the UK health system has fallen short in its handling of this pandemic , it is not due to lack of funds .
It can not be assumed that further increases to its budget would have left us better prepared – it is quite possible the money would have been diverted towards the nanny state regulation with which PHE is more fondly associated .
When the time comes to assess how Britain fared in this pandemic , ignoring this will only serve as a guarantee of failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director of Communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs .
False Economies : Myths about Public Health Spending was published on Friday .

Coronavirus: Britain’s pandemic response has nothing to do with funding
There have been no good weeks for Britain since the lockdown began, but last week has surely been among the worst.
On Monday, the news that half of all adults are now being paid for by the state and consternation over how the Chancellor will ever roll back the furlough scheme. On Wednesday, national humiliation as we learnt Professor Neil Ferguson had flouted the mass house arrest he advocated for everyone else. Yesterday, the news that the UK has the highest death count in Europe. And on Friday we learnt that 400,000 surgical gowns ordered from Turkey do not meet British safety standards.
When the reckoning comes, the competence and judgment of those who have (mis)led Britain through the Coronavirus pandemic will be called into question. A litany of failures will be brought to light.
Read more: PM to outline lockdown relaxation on Sunday
But when bodies like Public Health England come under scrutiny, their defence will likely be unambiguous: underfunding left it poorly equipped to cope when crisis struck. In a state-run system, the distribution of resources will often be dictated by political decisions. Matt Hancock may be flanked by scientists during press briefings but it doesn’t disguise the fundamental reality that, in the court of public opinion at least, the buck stops with him.
It has already been widely argued that our pandemic response was crippled by cuts to the public health budget. In 2018/19, Public Health England (PHE) had a budget of £4bn, of which £3.13bn was given to local authorities as ring-fenced grants. Yes, like-for-like public health spending by local authorities fell by 17 per cent between 2014/15 and 2018/19. But this has little bearing on the government’s response to Covid-19 because the responsibility for dealing with such epidemics lies with PHE and the NHS.
In fact – PHE’s budget for infectious disease prevention rose from £52m in 2014/15 to £86.9m in 2018/19. Claims that the agency’s handling of the crisis has been hampered due to funding simply don’t hold water.
And while the main complaint about the government’s response to the coronavirus epidemic has been the lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) and the shortage of ventilators and diagnostic testing kits, procurement is the job of the Department of Health (even though one of PHE’s primary duties is to “protect the public from infectious diseases”). Now, you may wish to question why a body designed to shield us from such epidemics isn’t tasked with this job, but that is a different discussion for a different day.
Cutting the public health budget has been repeatedly described as a “false economy”. Public health measures can avert future health problems and therefore prevent future healthcare costs, so the argument goes. A study published in 2017 attempted to put a figure on this claim, reporting that public health measures, on average, produce a return on investment of 14.3 (implying a cash return of 1430%).
But as a briefing paper out today from the IEA’s Head of Lifestyle Economic Christopher Snowdon points out, this is a misrepresentation. It states: “Most public health interventions are cost-effective if a quality-adjusted year of life is valued at £20,000, but fewer than one in five interventions save money or produce a cash return”.
More than a third of public health interventions would not be approved if they were NHS treatments because they are not cost-effective. Moreover, public health interventions provided by local authorities are less cost-effective, on average, than conventional healthcare. It is not possible to tell from the available data whether England’s public health budget is too small, too large or about right, but many of the arguments made for increased spending on public health are based on a misunderstanding of economics.
If the UK health system has fallen short in its handling of this pandemic, it is not due to lack of funds. It cannot be assumed that further increases to its budget would have left us better prepared – it is quite possible the money would have been diverted towards the nanny state regulation with which PHE is more fondly associated. When the time comes to assess how Britain fared in this pandemic, ignoring this will only serve as a guarantee of failure in the future.
Annabel Denham is Director of Communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs. False Economies: Myths about Public Health Spending was published on Friday.


cityam--2020-05-10--London house market set for £52bn post-lockdown splurge as transactions stall

London property buyers could be set to splurge £52bn once the lockdown is lifted due to huge pent-up demand as coronavirus brings the market to standstill .
The figure represents the potential spend for residential buyers and marks a 20 per cent increase on the same time last year .
Read more : UK house prices dip in April as coronavirus lockdown brings market to standstill It comes as the number of lost house sales in the capital continues to increase as a result of Covid-19 , according to new figures from Knight Frank .
While one in five deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressing , transaction numbers in the week ending 2 May were 54 per cent below their five-year average .
However , data on new buyer registrations suggested that people are starting to prepare for life after the lockdown .
In the week ending 28 March registrations were 77 per cent below the five-year average for London .
By 2 May this narrowed to a decline of 60 per cent , while the number of new prospective buyers doubled over this period .
Meanwhile the number of online searches for sales properties in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five-year average at the beginning of May , compared to a 42 per cent decline in the first week of lockdown .
While the slowdown is likely to lead to a decline in prices , this will be mitigated by a fall in supply , which fell more than demand every week in the four-week period to 2 May .
“ That said , the difference between asking prices and exchange prices is widening , ” said Tom Bill , head of London residential research at Knight Frank .
“ In April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 per cent of the original asking price , down from 97 per cent in January , which was a time when the effects of the so-called Boris bounce started to take hold .
“ This reflects the ad hoc renegotiations that are taking place between buyers and sellers , which are not based on comparable evidence.
” Knight Frank ’ s prime central and outer indices were roughly flat year on year in April , which it said reflected “ thin ” trading conditions .
The index in prime central London fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leaving the annual decline at 1.3 per cent — the first time the annual decline has widened in more than a year .
Read more : How badly will coronavirus hit UK house prices in 2020 ?
Figures released last week by Halifax revealed UK house prices fell 0.6 per cent in April compared to the previous month , dropping to an average price of £238,511 .
However , property experts said buyers and sellers will return “ in droves ” once the lockdown has been lifted .

London house market set for £52bn post-lockdown splurge as transactions stall
The average rate on 2-year mortgages fell to 6.79 per cent yesterday from 6.81 per cent, according to financial data provider Moneyfacts
London property buyers could be set to splurge £52bn once the lockdown is lifted due to huge pent-up demand as coronavirus brings the market to standstill.
The figure represents the potential spend for residential buyers and marks a 20 per cent increase on the same time last year.
It comes as the number of lost house sales in the capital continues to increase as a result of Covid-19, according to new figures from Knight Frank.
While four in five deals underway when the pandemic struck are still progressing, transaction numbers in the week ending 2 May were 54 per cent below their five-year average.
However, data on new buyer registrations suggested that people are starting to prepare for life after the lockdown.
In the week ending 28 March registrations were 77 per cent below the five-year average for London. By 2 May this narrowed to a decline of 60 per cent, while the number of new prospective buyers doubled over this period.
Meanwhile the number of online searches for sales properties in the capital was just 12 per cent below the five-year average at the beginning of May, compared to a 42 per cent decline in the first week of lockdown.
While the slowdown is likely to lead to a decline in prices, this will be mitigated by a fall in supply, which fell more than demand every week in the four-week period to 2 May.
“That said, the difference between asking prices and exchange prices is widening,” said Tom Bill, head of London residential research at Knight Frank.
“In April 2020, the average sale price was 94 per cent of the original asking price, down from 97 per cent in January, which was a time when the effects of the so-called Boris bounce started to take hold.
“This reflects the ad hoc renegotiations that are taking place between buyers and sellers, which are not based on comparable evidence.”
Knight Frank’s prime central and outer indices were roughly flat year on year in April, which it said reflected “thin” trading conditions.
The index in prime central London fell 0.3 per cent between March and April, leaving the annual decline at 1.3 per cent — the first time the annual decline has widened in more than a year.
Figures released last week by Halifax revealed UK house prices fell 0.6 per cent in April compared to the previous month, dropping to an average price of £238,511.
However, property experts said buyers and sellers will return “in droves” once the lockdown has been lifted.


cityam--2020-05-10--Small businesses call for furloughed workers to return to work

Staff should be allowed to return to work while furloughed to help improve the chances of their employer ’ s business of surviving the Covid-19 crisis , small businesses have said .
In an open letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak , business owners said that while the job retention scheme had helped businesses avoid layoffs , the current plan meant employers were “ just kicking that can down the road ” .
“ When your tap stops , we expect many SMEs will no longer exist , and if they do , they won ’ t be able to afford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter read .
The government is currently mulling ways to phase out the current scheme , which is due to run until the end of June .
One option being considered is reducing the amount paid from its current level of 80 per cent of salaries .
But the small business warned this approach could still lead to widespread layoffs or huge pay reductions as struggling businesses will be unable to top up salaries .
Instead , they called for furloughed workers to be allowed to return to work while the Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help boost their employer ’ s revenue and improve their chances of weathering the economic downturn .
A survey commissioned by London-based Volcano Coffee Works , lead signatory on the letter , found almost three-quarters of furloughed employees feared their employer ’ s business would close due to Covid-19 , while 59 per cent were worried they would be made redundant even if the business survived .
However , 86 per cent of these workers said they were willing to work while furloughed to improve their chances of making it through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SME ’ s wanting more , it ’ s about us wanting to work together to do more , ” said Emma Loisel , co-founder and chair at Volcano Coffee Works .
“ Britain is already bearing this huge cost , but today it ’ s a sunk cost , instead it could become the greatest investment into our economy ’ s future .
In starting this campaign and writing the open letter to the chancellor , we ’ re asking him to allow the workers he is already paying for to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s future.
” Theadora Alexander , co-founder of Young Foodies , which co-signed the letter , said allowing furloughed staff to return to the workforce was a “ no-brainer ” .
“ It makes no sense for the government to restrict people from supporting their employers , effectively putting the breaks on the economy and making it harder for businesses to recover.
” Ministers have said that the current scheme , which has so far seen 6.3m workers furloughed at a total cost of £8bn , will be extended beyond the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government announces £617m grants for small businesses in shared spaces The government is reportedly also considering a phased ending of the scheme that could allow some staff to return to work part time .
Officials have held talks on the process this weekend , with chancellor Rishi Sunak expected to lay out his plan as early as this week .

Small businesses call for furloughed workers to return to work
Staff should be allowed to return to work while furloughed to help improve the chances of their employer’s business of surviving the Covid-19 crisis, small businesses have said.
In an open letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak, business owners said that while the job retention scheme had helped businesses avoid layoffs, the current plan meant employers were “just kicking that can down the road”.
“When your tap stops, we expect many SMEs will no longer exist, and if they do, they won’t be able to afford to employ these people again,” the letter read.
The government is currently mulling ways to phase out the current scheme, which is due to run until the end of June. One option being considered is reducing the amount paid from its current level of 80 per cent of salaries.
But the small business warned this approach could still lead to widespread layoffs or huge pay reductions as struggling businesses will be unable to top up salaries.
Instead, they called for furloughed workers to be allowed to return to work while the Treasury’s current scheme is in place to help boost their employer’s revenue and improve their chances of weathering the economic downturn.
A survey commissioned by London-based Volcano Coffee Works, lead signatory on the letter, found almost three-quarters of furloughed employees feared their employer’s business would close due to Covid-19, while 59 per cent were worried they would be made redundant even if the business survived.
However, 86 per cent of these workers said they were willing to work while furloughed to improve their chances of making it through the lockdown.
“This is not about SME’s wanting more, it’s about us wanting to work together to do more,” said Emma Loisel, co-founder and chair at Volcano Coffee Works.
“Britain is already bearing this huge cost, but today it’s a sunk cost, instead it could become the greatest investment into our economy’s future. In starting this campaign and writing the open letter to the chancellor, we’re asking him to allow the workers he is already paying for to return to work and contribute to Britain’s future.”
Theadora Alexander, co-founder of Young Foodies, which co-signed the letter, said allowing furloughed staff to return to the workforce was a “no-brainer”.
“It makes no sense for the government to restrict people from supporting their employers, effectively putting the breaks on the economy and making it harder for businesses to recover.”
Ministers have said that the current scheme, which has so far seen 6.3m workers furloughed at a total cost of £8bn, will be extended beyond the end of June if needed.
The government is reportedly also considering a phased ending of the scheme that could allow some staff to return to work part time.
Officials have held talks on the process this weekend, with chancellor Rishi Sunak expected to lay out his plan as early as this week.


cityam--2020-05-10--Tech firms must now show they're serious about building trust

The pandemic lockdown has supercharged the already dizzying speed of technological change .
In six weeks we ’ ve come to accept a world where the office has become Zoom , the classroom Google and the theatre YouTube .
Neighbours support each other through Slack channels .
The dying say their farewells on FaceTime .
And with little prospect of significant changes on the horizon , our hopes of getting back to a world lived in real life rest , it seems , on the effectiveness of an app .
After two years of techlash and a relentless drip-feed of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis reminds us what a phenomenal enabler technology can be .
But this hyper-dependence makes it even more critical to get to grips with the industry and ensure that technology is built and used responsibly .
To do that we need to listen carefully to what people want from the technology that shapes their day-to-day lives .
Today Doteveryone publishes new research into the public ’ s digital attitudes .
Based on a nationally representative survey conducted just before lockdown and focus groups shortly after it began , it finds the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them ( 81 % ) and – to a lesser extent – has been positive for society as a whole ( 58 % ) .
But these benefits are overshadowed by distrust and disempowerment .
Only 19 % believe tech companies design their products with people ’ s best interests in mind .
Over a quarter ( 26 % ) have reported experiencing a problem online but found nothing happened .
In lockdown , this means people are reliant on a digital infrastructure to connect with the outside world , but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who control it to account .
Last week Facebook announced the members of its new oversight board – an array of the global great and good who will pass judgement on dilemmas about when to take down content .
But even if these wise owls prove sceptics wrong and turn out to be both independent and effective , they won ’ t fix the nuts and bolts of bad complaints systems .
The public wants clear and speedy resolution to everyday problems like scams , misinformation and bullying – problems that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies must create accessible and straightforward ways for people to report their concerns and provide clear information about the actions they take as a result .
By taking people ’ s concerns seriously , they will show they are serious about building trust .
In this crisis the tech sector has shown willing .
Facebook , Google and Twitter have tried to wipe misinformation from people ’ s feeds while Uber and Deliveroo have sent their drivers to feed NHS workers .
But in showing that they are able , these companies demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have simply chosen not to behave responsibly .
Civic duty isn ’ t something tech companies should get to turn on and off when it suits them .
They should be accountable to the checks and balances of a democratic society .
In Doteveryone ’ s research , 58 % said the tech sector is regulated too little .
And although there ’ s been a proliferation of policy ideas to tackle tech , so far there ’ s been little tangible impact on people ’ s lives .
The Online Harms bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been pushed off first by Brexit and then by Covid-19 .
Now is not the time to delay further .
The government ’ s reliance on technology for its crisis response must not result in subservience to tech lobbying .
We need a concerted , coordinated and urgent effort to regulate so that the benefits of technology are evenly shared in a post-pandemic world .
Doteveryone recommends creating an independent Office for Responsible Technology to steward a regulatory system fit for the digital age .
The changes that are wrought in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure this transformation is driven by the needs of people , communities and planet – and not just the profit margins of the big tech companies .
Catherine Miller is interim CEO of Doteveryone , the responsible technology think tank

Tech firms must now show they’re serious about building trust
The pandemic lockdown has supercharged the already dizzying speed of technological change.
In six weeks we’ve come to accept a world where the office has become Zoom, the classroom Google and the theatre YouTube. Neighbours support each other through Slack channels. The dying say their farewells on FaceTime. And with little prospect of significant changes on the horizon, our hopes of getting back to a world lived in real life rest, it seems, on the effectiveness of an app.
After two years of techlash and a relentless drip-feed of wrongdoing from the tech sector, this crisis reminds us what a phenomenal enabler technology can be. But this hyper-dependence makes it even more critical to get to grips with the industry and ensure that technology is built and used responsibly.
Read more: Covid-19 tracking app launched amid privacy concerns
To do that we need to listen carefully to what people want from the technology that shapes their day-to-day lives. Today Doteveryone publishes new research into the public’s digital attitudes. Based on a nationally representative survey conducted just before lockdown and focus groups shortly after it began, it finds the vast majority think the internet has made life better for them (81%) and – to a lesser extent – has been positive for society as a whole (58%).
But these benefits are overshadowed by distrust and disempowerment. Only 19% believe tech companies design their products with people’s best interests in mind. Over a quarter (26%) have reported experiencing a problem online but found nothing happened. In lockdown, this means people are reliant on a digital infrastructure to connect with the outside world, but have no real means to hold the companies who control it to account.
Last week Facebook announced the members of its new oversight board – an array of the global great and good who will pass judgement on dilemmas about when to take down content. But even if these wise owls prove sceptics wrong and turn out to be both independent and effective, they won’t fix the nuts and bolts of bad complaints systems.
The public wants clear and speedy resolution to everyday problems like scams, misinformation and bullying – problems that have been amplified by our pandemic-driven digitisation.
Tech companies must create accessible and straightforward ways for people to report their concerns and provide clear information about the actions they take as a result. By taking people’s concerns seriously, they will show they are serious about building trust.
In this crisis the tech sector has shown willing. Facebook, Google and Twitter have tried to wipe misinformation from people’s feeds while Uber and Deliveroo have sent their drivers to feed NHS workers.
But in showing that they are able, these companies demonstrate that, up till now, they have simply chosen not to behave responsibly.
Civic duty isn’t something tech companies should get to turn on and off when it suits them. They should be accountable to the checks and balances of a democratic society.
In Doteveryone’s research, 58% said the tech sector is regulated too little. And although there’s been a proliferation of policy ideas to tackle tech, so far there’s been little tangible impact on people’s lives. The Online Harms bill that the government promised would be world-leading has been pushed off first by Brexit and then by Covid-19.
Now is not the time to delay further. The government’s reliance on technology for its crisis response must not result in subservience to tech lobbying. We need a concerted, coordinated and urgent effort to regulate so that the benefits of technology are evenly shared in a post-pandemic world. Doteveryone recommends creating an independent Office for Responsible Technology to steward a regulatory system fit for the digital age.
The changes that are wrought in this period will be lasting. We need to make sure this transformation is driven by the needs of people, communities and planet – and not just the profit margins of the big tech companies.
Catherine Miller is interim CEO of Doteveryone, the responsible technology think tank


cityam--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: How business responded to Boris Johnson's lockdown plan

Business groups have welcomed Boris Johnson ’ s call for millions of people to return to work but called for clearer guidance on how to maintain safety standards and support furloughed employees .
In a speech this evening Johnson said that anyone who can not work from home — such as those in construction and manufacturing — should be “ actively encouraged ” to go to work from tomorrow .
However , anyone who can work from home is still encouraged to do so , while the prime minister said guidelines had been drawn up for employers to ensure workplaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of policy at the Institute of Directors ( IoD ) , said the announcements would be most relevant to companies that have continued to operate during the lockdown .
“ Most of our members will take three to four weeks to get up and running again fully from where we are now , ” he told Sky News .
Read more : Coronavirus lockdown : Boris Johnson tells millions to get back to work Adam Marshall , director general of the British Chambers of Commerce ( BCC ) , said businesses would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and customers , but would need to see “ detailed plans ” about the phased easing of restrictions .
“ It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace , including clarity on the use of PPE , ” he said .
IoD director general Jonathan Geldart added that it was “ vital ” bosses were given clear guidance on how to return to work safely .
“ As people with ultimate legal responsibility , directors need to have confidence that it ’ s safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they won ’ t be at undue risk , ” he said .
“ Businesses should consult with their people to put in place robust policies , which in many cases might not be an overnight process.
” So far 6.3m people have been furloughed under the government ’ s job retention scheme to a total cost of £8bn , but businesses have warned of the dangers of a “ cliff edge ” when this support is withdrawn .
BCC boss Marshall said government schemes should be continued as long as needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The timing of further easing of restrictions must be guided by the public health evidence , but businesses need their practical questions answered so they can plan to restart , rebuild and renew , ” he said .
The IoD ’ s Geldart added that social distancing rules would mean “ significantly reduced activity ” for many firms , and so government measures should match restrictions .
“ A more flexible furlough system would help businesses get back on their feet , bringing people back to workplaces gradually , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors continue to find themselves left out in the cold , unable to access the government ’ s aid , and this needs to be changed quickly.
” Read more : Lifting the lockdown : Boris Johnson ’ s speech in full Johnson tonight said a phased reopening of shops would begin no sooner that 1 June , though he did not clarify which retailers will be allowed to begin trading again .
Helen Dickinson , chief executive of the British Retail Consortium , said that safety — rather than shop size or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores can reopen .
“ Already retailers around the country are working on plans for reopening safely and with all necessary social distancing measures in place , ” she said .
“ The BRC and Usdaw have supported this process with our own social distancing guidance , learning from the experiences of thousands of supermarkets and other essential retailers.
” She added : “ We need a plan for shopping as well as shops — this means a plan that allows safe navigation both to and through our retail centres — and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the government to support this process.
” But the prime minister ’ s speech offered less hope for the UK ’ s hospitality industry , stating only that the government hoped to reopen “ at least some ” of the sector in July at the earliest , providing they were safe and enforced social distancing .
Emma McClarkin , chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association , said that while the industry was looking for a “ glimmer of hope ” it now faced weeks of further uncertainty .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reopen , our sector remains in limbo and facing severe uncertainty and financial devastation , ” she said .
“ If the government plans to keep pubs closed until the final phase of release , as rumoured , this would make pubs first in and last out of lockdown.
” McClarkin added : “ Despite this , the government hasn ’ t outlined any specific additional financial support for pubs to assure and help them through the extended lockdown hardship they face .
We understand that pubs should only open when safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown without offering additional support will be devastating.
” Kate Nicholls , chief executive of UK Hospitality , said : “ Mr Johnson was explicit about his commitment to support those workers whose businesses are not able to return soon , and we remain committed to continuing our dialogue with the government to achieve that .
“ We have been calling for a more flexible , extended furlough system and today ’ s statement appears to leave the door open for that .
”

Coronavirus: How business responded to Boris Johnson’s lockdown plan
Business groups have welcomed Boris Johnson’s call for millions of people to return to work but called for clearer guidance on how to maintain safety standards and support furloughed employees.
In a speech this evening Johnson said that anyone who cannot work from home — such as those in construction and manufacturing — should be “actively encouraged” to go to work from tomorrow.
However, anyone who can work from home is still encouraged to do so, while the prime minister said guidelines had been drawn up for employers to ensure workplaces were kept safe.
Edwin Morgan, director of policy at the Institute of Directors (IoD), said the announcements would be most relevant to companies that have continued to operate during the lockdown.
“Most of our members will take three to four weeks to get up and running again fully from where we are now,” he told Sky News.
Safety strategy is key
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said businesses would do everything they could to protect employees and customers, but would need to see “detailed plans” about the phased easing of restrictions.
“It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace, including clarity on the use of PPE,” he said.
IoD director general Jonathan Geldart added that it was “vital” bosses were given clear guidance on how to return to work safely.
“As people with ultimate legal responsibility, directors need to have confidence that it’s safe, and that if they act responsibly they won’t be at undue risk,” he said.
“Businesses should consult with their people to put in place robust policies, which in many cases might not be an overnight process.”
Avoiding the ‘cliff edge’
So far 6.3m people have been furloughed under the government’s job retention scheme to a total cost of £8bn, but businesses have warned of the dangers of a “cliff edge” when this support is withdrawn.
BCC boss Marshall said government schemes should be continued as long as needed to give businesses confidence to plan ahead.
“The timing of further easing of restrictions must be guided by the public health evidence, but businesses need their practical questions answered so they can plan to restart, rebuild and renew,” he said.
The IoD’s Geldart added that social distancing rules would mean “significantly reduced activity” for many firms, and so government measures should match restrictions.
“A more flexible furlough system would help businesses get back on their feet, bringing people back to workplaces gradually,” he said.
“Meanwhile, countless small company directors continue to find themselves left out in the cold, unable to access the government’s aid, and this needs to be changed quickly.”
Retail hope and hospitality woe
Johnson tonight said a phased reopening of shops would begin no sooner that 1 June, though he did not clarify which retailers will be allowed to begin trading again.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said that safety — rather than shop size or type — was key to determining when stores can reopen.
“Already retailers around the country are working on plans for reopening safely and with all necessary social distancing measures in place,” she said.
“The BRC and Usdaw have supported this process with our own social distancing guidance, learning from the experiences of thousands of supermarkets and other essential retailers.”
She added: “We need a plan for shopping as well as shops — this means a plan that allows safe navigation both to and through our retail centres — and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the government to support this process.”
But the prime minister’s speech offered less hope for the UK’s hospitality industry, stating only that the government hoped to reopen “at least some” of the sector in July at the earliest, providing they were safe and enforced social distancing.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said that while the industry was looking for a “glimmer of hope” it now faced weeks of further uncertainty.
“With insufficient clarity as to when pubs will reopen, our sector remains in limbo and facing severe uncertainty and financial devastation,” she said.
“If the government plans to keep pubs closed until the final phase of release, as rumoured, this would make pubs first in and last out of lockdown.”
McClarkin added: “Despite this, the government hasn’t outlined any specific additional financial support for pubs to assure and help them through the extended lockdown hardship they face. We understand that pubs should only open when safe to do so, but extending the lockdown without offering additional support will be devastating.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said: “Mr Johnson was explicit about his commitment to support those workers whose businesses are not able to return soon, and we remain committed to continuing our dialogue with the government to achieve that.
“We have been calling for a more flexible, extended furlough system and today’s statement appears to leave the door open for that.”


cityam--2020-05-10--Boris Johnson sets out new Covid-19 alert levels for lockdown exit

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a new Covid-19 alert system that will measure the level of risk from the pandemic and determine the UK ’ s lockdown exit strategy .
In a speech this evening Johnson said the Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by the reproductive rate of the virus — known as R — and the number of coronavirus cases .
Read more : UK coronavirus death toll rises by 626 to 31,241 ahead of lockdown easing In turn , the alert level will be used to determine how strictly the government will enforce social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lifted .
The new system , which mirrors the UK ’ s terrorist threat level framework , consists of five alert levels , with level one marking a complete eradication of the disease and level five the most critical .
The prime minister said the UK had been at level four over the course of the lockdown , but was now moving into level three .
However , Johnson warned the plan was conditional , stating that the government would not move forward until it has satisfied its five key tests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The R rate is currently between 0.5 and 0.9 , with Johnson warning it was “ potentially only just below one ” .
The prime minister urged the public to help keep the infection rate down by “ staying alert and following the rules ” .
But he said the UK must also reverse the “ awful epidemics ” in care homes in the NHS and develop a “ world-beating ” system for testing people and tracing their contacts .
The government has come under criticism for escalating Covid-19 deaths in care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet testing targets and a lack of personal protection equipment for healthcare workers .
Johnson said the aim was to test “ literally hundreds of thousands of people every day ” .
The government last week began trialling a contact-tracing app which — if successful — would help track the spread of the virus .
The prime minister said the new tracing system would allow authorities to detect local flare-ups of the virus , as well as developing a national picture .
“ We will be monitoring our progress locally , regionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks , if there are problems , we will not hesitate to put on the brakes , ” he said .
“ We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous .
”

Boris Johnson sets out new Covid-19 alert levels for lockdown exit
Boris Johnson sets out new Covid-19 alert levels for lockdown exit
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a new Covid-19 alert system that will measure the level of risk from the pandemic and determine the UK’s lockdown exit strategy.
In a speech this evening Johnson said the Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by the reproductive rate of the virus — known as R — and the number of coronavirus cases.
In turn, the alert level will be used to determine how strictly the government will enforce social distancing rules and how quickly the lockdown can be lifted.
The new system, which mirrors the UK’s terrorist threat level framework, consists of five alert levels, with level one marking a complete eradication of the disease and level five the most critical.
The prime minister said the UK had been at level four over the course of the lockdown, but was now moving into level three.
However, Johnson warned the plan was conditional, stating that the government would not move forward until it has satisfied its five key tests, including keeping the R rate below one.
The R rate is currently between 0.5 and 0.9, with Johnson warning it was “potentially only just below one”.
The prime minister urged the public to help keep the infection rate down by “staying alert and following the rules”.
But he said the UK must also reverse the “awful epidemics” in care homes in the NHS and develop a “world-beating” system for testing people and tracing their contacts.
The government has come under criticism for escalating Covid-19 deaths in care homes, as well as its failure to meet testing targets and a lack of personal protection equipment for healthcare workers.
Johnson said the aim was to test “literally hundreds of thousands of people every day”.
The government last week began trialling a contact-tracing app which — if successful — would help track the spread of the virus.
The prime minister said the new tracing system would allow authorities to detect local flare-ups of the virus, as well as developing a national picture.
“We will be monitoring our progress locally, regionally, and nationally and if there are outbreaks, if there are problems, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes,” he said.
“We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous.”


cityam--2020-05-10--Coronavirus lockdown: Boris Johnson tells millions to get back to work

Thousands of workplaces across England have been told to open up from tomorrow and people will be able to spend more time outside from Wednesday , after Boris Johnson outlined the government ’ s three-stage roadmap for easing the coronavirus lockdown .
The Prime Minister said during a pre-recorded address tonight that “ anyone who can ’ t work from home ” such as manufacturing and construction workers “ should be actively encouraged to go to work ” .
However , he also told people to avoid public transport where possible “ because we must and will maintain social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The Prime Minister also announced that from Wednesday , people in England will be able to sit in parks , beaches and outdoor areas as long as they keep a two-metre distance from other people .
It will also be possible to drive to other destinations and play sports in public spaces with members of your household .
There will no longer be a limit to how many times a day someone can exercise , with individual sports such as golf and fishing now allowed .
There will be increased fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown rules .
Johnson said the lockdown would be eased through two further stages .
Stage two includes a “ phased reopening of shops ” and primary schools and will happen no sooner than 1 June .
Stage three will be from 1 July at the earliest and will see the government “ re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places , provided they are safe and enforce social distancing ” .
It is understood that this could include outdoor dining areas , with pubs potentially shut for longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s road map to easing the lockdown will also be to force people entering the UK from overseas into quarantine for 14 days .
Johnson said the government would be “ driven by the science , the data and public health ” when deciding to move to different stages of the lockdown .
“ We will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections , and the progress we are making , and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out , then in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to go further , ” he said .
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I must stress again that all of this is conditional , it all depends on a series of big ‘ ifs ’ .
“ It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice , to observe social distancing , and to keep that R down.
” The government will hope the announcement eases fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
The Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) predicts GDP will plummet 35 per cent in the second quarter , while there has been 1.8m more Universal Credit claims and a further 6.3m people are being paid by the state through the furlough scheme .
However , Johnson said it was not the time to completely lift the social distancing restrictions , as some speculated he would earlier this week .
“ This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to modify our measures .
It would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike .
“ We must stay alert .
We must continue to control the virus and save lives.
” The government also unveiled a new slogan today to replace the government ’ s “ stay at home , protect the NHS , save lives ” message .
The new message is “ stay alert , control the virus , save lives ” .
A Number 10 spokesperson clarified what this meant , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being too vague .
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon , for instance , said : “ I don ’ t know what stay alert means ” .
A number 10 spokesperson said “ stay alert ” meant “ staying at home as much as possible…working from home if you can…limiting contact with other people…keeping distance if you go out…washing your hands regularly ” .
Read more : UK coronavirus death toll rises by 626 to 31,241 ahead of lockdown easing They added : “ We can control the virus by keeping the rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of infections down .
“ This is how we can continue to save lives and livelihoods as we start to recover from Coronavirus .
”

Coronavirus lockdown: Boris Johnson tells millions to get back to work
Thousands of workplaces across England have been told to open up from tomorrow and people will be able to spend more time outside from Wednesday, after Boris Johnson outlined the government’s three-stage roadmap for easing the coronavirus lockdown.
The Prime Minister said during a pre-recorded address tonight that “anyone who can’t work from home” such as manufacturing and construction workers “should be actively encouraged to go to work”.
However, he also told people to avoid public transport where possible “because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited”.
The Prime Minister also announced that from Wednesday, people in England will be able to sit in parks, beaches and outdoor areas as long as they keep a two-metre distance from other people.
It will also be possible to drive to other destinations and play sports in public spaces with members of your household.
There will no longer be a limit to how many times a day someone can exercise, with individual sports such as golf and fishing now allowed.
There will be increased fines for those who break the new coronavirus lockdown rules.
Coronavirus lockdown ‘road map’
Johnson said the lockdown would be eased through two further stages.
Stage two includes a “phased reopening of shops” and primary schools and will happen no sooner than 1 June.
Stage three will be from 1 July at the earliest and will see the government “re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing”.
It is understood that this could include outdoor dining areas, with pubs potentially shut for longer.
A part of the government’s road map to easing the lockdown will also be to force people entering the UK from overseas into quarantine for 14 days.
Johnson said the government would be “driven by the science, the data and public health” when deciding to move to different stages of the lockdown.
“We will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections, and the progress we are making, and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further,” he said.
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big ‘ifs’.
“It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.”
‘Not the time’ to end lockdown
The government will hope the announcement eases fears of the impending economic damage caused by the coronavirus crisis.
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) predicts GDP will plummet 35 per cent in the second quarter, while there has been 1.8m more Universal Credit claims and a further 6.3m people are being paid by the state through the furlough scheme.
However, Johnson said it was not the time to completely lift the social distancing restrictions, as some speculated he would earlier this week.
The UK’s official Covid-19 death toll hit 31,587 yesterday.
“This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week,” he said.
“Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures. It would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike.
“We must stay alert. We must continue to control the virus and save lives.”
The government also unveiled a new slogan today to replace the government’s “stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives” message.
The new message is “stay alert, control the virus, save lives”.
A Number 10 spokesperson clarified what this meant, after the new slogan was criticised today for being too vague.
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon, for instance, said: “I don’t know what stay alert means”.
A number 10 spokesperson said “stay alert” meant “staying at home as much as possible…working from home if you can…limiting contact with other people…keeping distance if you go out…washing your hands regularly”.
They added: “We can control the virus by keeping the rate of infection [R] and the number of infections down.
“This is how we can continue to save lives and livelihoods as we start to recover from Coronavirus.”


cityam--2020-05-10--Lifting the lockdown: Boris Johnson's speech in full

On Sunday evening the Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation , outlining the steps Britain will take as the coronavirus lockdown lifts .
Below is the transcript of his speech .
It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war .
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly .
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as the experience of every other country has shown , it ’ s the only way to defeat the coronavirus – the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime .
And though the death toll has been tragic , and the suffering immense .
And though we grieve for all those we have lost , it is a fact that by adopting those measures we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down .
And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives .
And so I know – you know – that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike .
We must stay alert.We must continue to control the virus and save lives .
And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life .
We can see it all around us in the shuttered shops and abandoned businesses and darkened pubs and restaurants .
And there are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease , and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical wellbeing .
To their futures and the futures of their children .
So I want to provide tonight – for you – the shape of a plan to address both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society .
A sense of the way ahead , and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed.I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening .
I have consulted across the political spectrum , across all four nations of the UK .
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates .
And though it is right to be flexible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – Scotland , England , Wales , Northern Ireland , there is a strong resolve to defeat this together .
And today a general consensus on what we could do .
And I stress could .
Because although we have a plan , it is a conditional plan .
And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives , we can not move forward unless we satisfy the five tests .
We must protect our NHS .
We must see sustained falls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection.We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it , and yes , it is a global problem but we must fix it .
And last , we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease – the R – back up over one , so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago .
And to chart our progress and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre .
And that Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R and the number of coronavirus cases .
And in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures – the lower the level the fewer the measures .
The higher the level , the tougher and stricter we will have to be .
There will be five alert levels .
Level One means the disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed .
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four , and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three .
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down.By staying alert and following the rules .
And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in the NHS , and though the numbers are coming down sharply now , there is plainly much more to be done .
And if we are to control this virus , then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims , and for tracing their contacts .
So that – all told – we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day .
We have made fast progress on testing – but there is so much more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When this began , we hadn ’ t seen this disease before , and we didn ’ t fully understand its effects .
With every day we are getting more and more data .
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer , and we will pick it up where it strikes .
Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups – in your area – as well as giving us a national picture .
And yet when I look at where we are tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , between 0.5 and 0.9 – but potentially only just below one.And though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given .
We have by no means fulfilled all of them .
And so no , this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week .
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week .
We said that you should work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only go to work if you must .
We now need to stress that anyone who can ’ t work from home , for instance those in construction or manufacturing , should be actively encouraged to go to work .
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work .
So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing , and capacity will therefore be limited .
So work from home if you can , but you should go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work from home.And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure .
And when you do go to work , if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle .
But just as with workplaces , public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards .
And from this Wednesday , we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise .
You can sit in the sun in your local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destinations , you can even play sports but only with members of your own household .
You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.And so every day , with ever increasing data , we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections , and the progress we are making , and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out , then in the next few weeks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further .
In step two – at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools , in stages , beginning with reception , Year 1 and Year 6 .
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays .
And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And step three – at the earliest by July – and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice ; if and only if the numbers support it , we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places , provided they are safe and enforce social distancing .
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity .
We are going to be driven by the science , the data and public health .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is conditional , it all depends on a series of big Ifs.It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice , to observe social distancing , and to keep that R down .
And to prevent re-infection from abroad , I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission significantly lower – to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air .
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now be effective .
And of course we will be monitoring our progress locally , regionally , and nationally and if there are outbreaks , if there are problems , we will not hesitate to put on the brakes .
We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous .
We have a route , and we have a plan , and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives , restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end this is a plan that everyone must make work .
And when I look at what you have done already .
The patience and common sense you have shown .
The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can .
The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff , our care workers .
The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease .
Police , bus drivers , train drivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bin collectors , cleaners , security guards , postal workers , our teachers and a thousand more .
The scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine .
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country .
And that have helped to get us through this first phase.I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next .
And if we can ’ t do it by those dates , and if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.We will come back from this devilish illness .
We will come back to health , and robust health .
And though the UK will be changed by this experience , I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before .
More resilient , more innovative , more economically dynamic , but also more generous and more sharing .
But for now we must stay alert , control the virus and save lives .
Thank you very much @

Lifting the lockdown: Boris Johnson’s speech in full
On Sunday evening the Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation, outlining the steps Britain will take as the coronavirus lockdown lifts. Below is the transcript of his speech.
It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war.
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly.
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing. Because you understand that as things stand, and as the experience of every other country has shown, it’s the only way to defeat the coronavirus – the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime.
And though the death toll has been tragic, and the suffering immense. And though we grieve for all those we have lost, it is a fact that by adopting those measures we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities.
And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down. And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives. And so I know – you know – that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike.
We must stay alert.We must continue to control the virus and save lives. And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life. We can see it all around us in the shuttered shops and abandoned businesses and darkened pubs and restaurants.
And there are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease, and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical wellbeing.
To their futures and the futures of their children. So I want to provide tonight – for you – the shape of a plan to address both fears.
Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society. A sense of the way ahead, and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed.I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening.
I have consulted across the political spectrum, across all four nations of the UK.
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates. And though it is right to be flexible in our response.
I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, there is a strong resolve to defeat this together. And today a general consensus on what we could do.
And I stress could. Because although we have a plan, it is a conditional plan. And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives, we cannot move forward unless we satisfy the five tests.
We must protect our NHS.
We must see sustained falls in the death rate.
We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection.We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it, and yes, it is a global problem but we must fix it.
And last, we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease – the R – back up over one, so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago.
And to chart our progress and to avoid going back to square one, we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre. And that Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R and the number of coronavirus cases.
And in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures – the lower the level the fewer the measures. The higher the level, the tougher and stricter we will have to be. There will be five alert levels. Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed.
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three.
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down.By staying alert and following the rules. And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two more things we must do.
We must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in the NHS, and though the numbers are coming down sharply now, there is plainly much more to be done. And if we are to control this virus, then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims, and for tracing their contacts.
So that – all told – we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day. We have made fast progress on testing – but there is so much more to do now, and we can. When this began, we hadn’t seen this disease before, and we didn’t fully understand its effects. With every day we are getting more and more data.
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer, and we will pick it up where it strikes. Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups – in your area – as well as giving us a national picture.
And yet when I look at where we are tonight, we have the R below one, between 0.5 and 0.9 – but potentially only just below one.And though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given. We have by no means fulfilled all of them.
And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week.
We said that you should work from home if you can, and only go to work if you must.
We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work. So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.
So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure.
And when you do go to work, if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle. But just as with workplaces, public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards.
And from this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.
You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.And so every day, with ever increasing data, we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections, and the progress we are making, and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further.
In step two – at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays. And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport.
And step three – at the earliest by July – and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice; if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing.
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity. We are going to be driven by the science, the data and public health. And I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big Ifs.It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.
And to prevent re-infection from abroad, I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission significantly lower – to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air.
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections down here, that this measure will now be effective.
And of course we will be monitoring our progress locally, regionally, and nationally and if there are outbreaks, if there are problems, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes.
We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous. We have a route, and we have a plan, and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives, restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need.
But in the end this is a plan that everyone must make work. And when I look at what you have done already.
The patience and common sense you have shown. The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can. The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff, our care workers. The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease.
Police, bus drivers, train drivers, pharmacists, supermarket workers, road hauliers, bin collectors, cleaners, security guards, postal workers, our teachers and a thousand more. The scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine.
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country.
And that have helped to get us through this first phase.I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next.
And if we can’t do it by those dates, and if the alert level won’t allow it, we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.We will come back from this devilish illness.
We will come back to health, and robust health.
And though the UK will be changed by this experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before. More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing.
But for now we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
Thank you very much.


cityam--2020-05-10--Captain Tom Moore to be honoured with City of London award

The 100-year-old who captured the nation ’ s heart Captain Tom Moore will be awarded the Freedom of City of London award next week .
Moore has raised more than £33m for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis by doing laps of his backyard on his walking frame .
The World War II veteran , who has been tipped by some for a knighthood , will be given one of the City of London Corporation ’ s highest honours on Tuesday in a virtual ceremony .
He was nominated for the award by London Lord Mayor William Russell and City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his “ outstanding charitable work ” .
In a statement , Moore said : “ I am deeply honoured to be granted the Freedom of the City of London .
I remain humbled by the love and gratitude that I have received from the British public , and this honour is something that I will truly value for the rest of my life.
” Russell said Moore was “ a credit to this country ” .
“ My colleagues and I were touched greatly by Captain Moore ’ s inspirational efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkable achievement , his commitment to this cause , and the sheer generosity of his supporters , ” he said .
Moore began his “ Walk for the NHS ” on 6 April with the aim of raising £1,000 by his 100th birthday on 30 April .
On the morning of his birthday he had reached £30m , with the final total just below £33m .
During that period he became a national figure , completing many TV and radio interviews .
He received 150,000 birthday cards from across the nation on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colonel by the Army Foundation College .

Captain Tom Moore to be honoured with City of London award
A birthday message for Captain Tom Moore is displayed on the advertising boards in Piccadilly Circus in London on April 30, 2020 as the country celebrates his 100th birthday. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
The 100-year-old who captured the nation’s heart Captain Tom Moore will be awarded the Freedom of City of London award next week.
Moore has raised more than £33m for the NHS during the coronavirus crisis by doing laps of his backyard on his walking frame.
The World War II veteran, who has been tipped by some for a knighthood, will be given one of the City of London Corporation’s highest honours on Tuesday in a virtual ceremony.
He was nominated for the award by London Lord Mayor William Russell and City of London Corporation policy chair Catherine McGuinness for his “outstanding charitable work”.
In a statement, Moore said: “I am deeply honoured to be granted the Freedom of the City of London. I remain humbled by the love and gratitude that I have received from the British public, and this honour is something that I will truly value for the rest of my life.”
Russell said Moore was “a credit to this country”.
“My colleagues and I were touched greatly by Captain Moore’s inspirational efforts to support the NHS and impressed by his remarkable achievement, his commitment to this cause, and the sheer generosity of his supporters,” he said.
Moore began his “Walk for the NHS” on 6 April with the aim of raising £1,000 by his 100th birthday on 30 April.
On the morning of his birthday he had reached £30m, with the final total just below £33m.
During that period he became a national figure, completing many TV and radio interviews.
He received 150,000 birthday cards from across the nation on his 100th birthday and was made an honorary colonel by the Army Foundation College.


cityam--2020-05-10--Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski beefs up Metro Bank stake

Colombian tycoon Jaime Gilinski has tightened his grip on Metro Bank after ramping up his stake in the troubled lender .
Gilinski , formerly the largest investor in TSB ’ s Spanish owner Sabadell , has increased his holding to nine per cent , the Sunday Times reported .
Read more : Metro Bank shares fall despite rise in customer deposits In December the mogul , who holds his stake through British Virgin Islands-based Spaldy Investments , became Metro Bank ’ s largest shareholder in December after upping his interest to 6.1 per cent .
The move usurped US hedge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slimmed down his holding to just three per cent .
Gilinski ’ s increased interest will add to speculation that the tycoon , who also owns Miami-headquartered JGB Bank , is mulling a takeover bid .
Metro Bank is still reeling from an accounting error in January last year that all but wiped out its market value , with shares plunging from highs of £40 in 2018 to just 80p .
The error led to the departure of founder and chairman Vernon Hill , as well as chief executive Craig Donaldson .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to customers after breaching unarranged overdraft charge rules The challenger bank swung to a loss of £131m in 2019 in the wake of the scandal , compared to a £40m profit the previous year .
Earlier this month shares continued their slide after Metro Bank said its net lending had fallen by £169m , though the bank did report a rise in customer deposits .

Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski beefs up Metro Bank stake
Colombian tycoon Jaime Gilinski has tightened his grip on Metro Bank after ramping up his stake in the troubled lender.
Gilinski, formerly the largest investor in TSB’s Spanish owner Sabadell, has increased his holding to nine per cent, the Sunday Times reported.
In December the mogul, who holds his stake through British Virgin Islands-based Spaldy Investments, became Metro Bank’s largest shareholder in December after upping his interest to 6.1 per cent.
The move usurped US hedge fund boss Steve Cohen, who has slimmed down his holding to just three per cent.
Gilinski’s increased interest will add to speculation that the tycoon, who also owns Miami-headquartered JGB Bank, is mulling a takeover bid.
Metro Bank is still reeling from an accounting error in January last year that all but wiped out its market value, with shares plunging from highs of £40 in 2018 to just 80p.
The error led to the departure of founder and chairman Vernon Hill, as well as chief executive Craig Donaldson.
The challenger bank swung to a loss of £131m in 2019 in the wake of the scandal, compared to a £40m profit the previous year.
Earlier this month shares continued their slide after Metro Bank said its net lending had fallen by £169m, though the bank did report a rise in customer deposits.


cityam--2020-05-10--Obama: Donald Trump's coronavirus response a 'chaotic disaster'

Barack Obama has labelled Donald Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus crisis as a “ chaotic disaster ” in a private conference call to former staff .
The former President was on the call to urge the former members of staff to join the Joe Biden presidential campaign , according to CNN .
Read more : White House to shelve coronavirus task force as Trump targets reopening Trump has been widely criticised for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak , with the US death toll now at almost 80,000 .
The country has recorded 1.4m confirmed cases of Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the US ’ world-leading death toll .
“ It would have been bad even with the best of government , ” Obama said .
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ , when that mindset is operationalised in our government.
” Trump has had an inconsistent approach to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat “ hoax ” in February .
Less than a month later the US moved into a coronavirus lockdown as the rate of infection surged in pockets of the country .
Read more : Trump hails climbing oil prices as lockdowns begin to lift around world The President at one stage said he wanted to have the country open by Easter , however this never eventuated .
Trump also two weeks ago suggested that perhaps injecting disinfectant could cleanse the lungs of Covid-19 as it did such a good job of killing @ @ @

Obama: Donald Trump’s coronavirus response a ‘chaotic disaster’
Barack Obama has labelled Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus crisis as a “chaotic disaster” in a private conference call to former staff.
The former President was on the call to urge the former members of staff to join the Joe Biden presidential campaign, according to CNN.
Trump has been widely criticised for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak, with the US death toll now at almost 80,000.
The country has recorded 1.4m confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Obama pointed the finger at Trump for the US’ world-leading death toll.
“It would have been bad even with the best of government,” Obama said.
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’, when that mindset is operationalised in our government.”
Trump has had an inconsistent approach to the virus, after he first called it a Democrat “hoax” in February.
Less than a month later the US moved into a coronavirus lockdown as the rate of infection surged in pockets of the country.
The President at one stage said he wanted to have the country open by Easter, however this never eventuated.
Trump also two weeks ago suggested that perhaps injecting disinfectant could cleanse the lungs of Covid-19 as it did such a good job of killing the virus.


cityam--2020-05-11--TfL: Londoners must must wear face masks on Tube

Transport for London ( TfL ) has warned commuters that they will have to “ significantly change ” the way they travel as the country begins to ease coronavirus lockdown measures .
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night said that those who could not work from home should return to work , the operator laid out its initial plan to get public transport operating safely in the capital .
Read more : French passengers not included in UK quarantine plans Stressing again that those who could work from home should continue to do so , it said that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tube would only be able to carry 13 to 15 per cent of its normal capacity .
It said that those who had to use public transport should wear a face covering or mask , carry hand sanitiser , and wash their hands before and after travelling .
From today , all frontline TfL staff will also be offered the use of free face masks .
TfL urged everyone to “ reimagine ” how they make their journeys in the capital , asking people to walk and cycle wherever possible .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to pre-coronavirus levels again , saying it would seek to run 85 per cent of bus services and 70 per cent of tube services by 18 May .
At the moment , TfL is running 80 per cent of bus services and 60 per cent of Tube services .
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
It also called on employers to help ease the burden on transport systems by helping staff avoid using the services at peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also aiming to restore the Circle Line and to re-open some of the 37 stations that have been closed for several weeks .
TfL said the new advice will be supplemented over the coming days following advice on travel to be issued by the government .
London mayor Sadiq Khan said : “ We will all have to continue playing our part in reducing demand on services by working from home if we possibly can .
Please avoid public transport wherever possible .
I urge all Londoners to rethink the way they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed high numbers on parts of the underground network this morning as commuters returned to work after Johnson ’ s announcement .
Read more : Heathrow calls for border reopening plan as passenger numbers fall 97 per cent Footage from Sky News showed that Jubilee Line platforms at Canning Town and Queensbury were packed with passengers .
The capital ’ s roads were also reportedly full of cars as commuters began to move back to work after six weeks of lockdown .
Speaking to the BBC this morning , foreign secretary Dominic Raab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance for public transport tomorrow .
TfL also confirmed that it was still in discussions with the government over financial support to help protect it through the crisis .
Around 80 per cent of the operator ’ s revenue comes through fares and commercial revenue , which have fallen to their lowest levels for a hundred years , TfL said .
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that TfL was in negotiations with the government over a £2bn bailout .
The body has just £1bn left in the bank , and with spending currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of cash within two months without a bailout .
As a result , upgrades such as the Bakerloo line extension may be under threat .

TfL: Londoners should wear face masks on Tube
Packed tubes and fewer vaccinated youth are likely what fuelled London’s shift to home working more than any other UK region.
Transport for London (TfL) has warned commuters that they will have to “significantly change” the way they travel as the country begins to ease coronavirus lockdown measures.
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night said that those who could not work from home should return to work, the operator laid out its initial plan to get public transport operating safely in the capital.
Stressing again that those who could work from home should continue to do so, it said that in order to fulfil social distancing requirements the Tube would only be able to carry 13 to 15 per cent of its normal capacity.
It said that those who had to use public transport should wear a face covering or mask, carry hand sanitiser, and wash their hands before and after travelling.
From today, all frontline TfL staff will also be offered the use of free face masks.
TfL urged everyone to “reimagine” how they make their journeys in the capital, asking people to walk and cycle wherever possible.
It also laid out plans to build services levels up to pre-coronavirus levels again, saying it would seek to run 85 per cent of bus services and 70 per cent of tube services by 18 May.
At the moment, TfL is running 80 per cent of bus services and 60 per cent of Tube services.
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
It also called on employers to help ease the burden on transport systems by helping staff avoid using the services at peak times.
On the Tube, TfL is also aiming to restore the Circle Line and to re-open some of the 37 stations that have been closed for several weeks.
TfL said the new advice will be supplemented over the coming days following advice on travel to be issued by the government.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “We will all have to continue playing our part in reducing demand on services by working from home if we possibly can. Please avoid public transport wherever possible. I urge all Londoners to rethink the way they travel.
The plan came after footage showed high numbers on parts of the underground network this morning as commuters returned to work after Johnson’s announcement.
Footage from Sky News showed that Jubilee Line platforms at Canning Town and Queensbury were packed with passengers.
Commuters can be seen piling onto tube trains a day after Boris Johnson said those who are unable to work from home should now be "actively encouraged" to go to work from Wednesday.
More on easing the #COVID19 lockdown here: https://t.co/moOxdDFEK7 pic.twitter.com/wmwlHcd4vc — Sky News (@SkyNews) May 11, 2020
The capital’s roads were also reportedly full of cars as commuters began to move back to work after six weeks of lockdown.
Speaking to the BBC this morning, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the government would set out detailed guidance for public transport tomorrow.
TfL also confirmed that it was still in discussions with the government over financial support to help protect it through the crisis.
Around 80 per cent of the operator’s revenue comes through fares and commercial revenue, which have fallen to their lowest levels for a hundred years, TfL said.
The Sunday Times reported yesterday that TfL was in negotiations with the government over a £2bn bailout.
The body has just £1bn left in the bank, and with spending currently at £21m a day, will run out of cash within two months without a bailout.
As a result, upgrades such as the Bakerloo line extension may be under threat.


cityam--2020-05-11--Starbucks to reopen stores for takeaway and drive-thru this week

Starbucks will begin a phased reopening of drive-thru and takeaway-only stores with social distancing measures in place this week .
The coffee shop giant said stores will begin reopening from Thursday after the government eased the lockdown restrictions to allow more traffic on the roads .
Read more : Coronavirus : Starbucks bans reusable cups in bid to prevent spread of Covid-19 Starbucks said it will offer a “ near complete ” drinks menu and reduced food options .
Only contactless payments will be accepted .
Social distancing will be in place at all Starbucks branches , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement today Starbucks said : “ As has been the case since the onset of the outbreak , we continue to make every decision with the safety of our employees and customers as our greatest priority .
“ During our closure we have been testing and refining our new operational plans and upweighted safety procedures , drawing where we can on the successes our global teams have seen in China and the US localising as necessary in line with the latest guidance form national government and health authorities.
” The cafe chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China were now open , as were 85 per cent of its branches in the US .
McDonald ’ s is also set to reopen some UK stores this week , after announcing last week that 15 branches would be open for takeaway and delivery from Wednesday .
Read more : Toyota , Starbucks and LVMH shut down some China operations over coronavirus fears However , in order to comply with social distancing measures , McDonald ’ s will offer a limited menu that will be available for delivery only .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10pm , and McDonald ’ s will not be offering a breakfast menu or drive-thru services .

Starbucks to reopen stores for takeaway and drive-thru this week
Starbucks will begin a phased reopening of drive-thru and takeaway-only stores with social distancing measures in place this week.
The coffee shop giant said stores will begin reopening from Thursday after the government eased the lockdown restrictions to allow more traffic on the roads.
Starbucks said it will offer a “near complete” drinks menu and reduced food options. Only contactless payments will be accepted.
Social distancing will be in place at all Starbucks branches, as well as increased cleaning and sanitising measures.
In a statement today Starbucks said: “As has been the case since the onset of the outbreak, we continue to make every decision with the safety of our employees and customers as our greatest priority.
“During our closure we have been testing and refining our new operational plans and upweighted safety procedures, drawing where we can on the successes our global teams have seen in China and the US localising as necessary in line with the latest guidance form national government and health authorities.”
The cafe chain said 90 per cent of its stores in China were now open, as were 85 per cent of its branches in the US.
McDonald’s is also set to reopen some UK stores this week, after announcing last week that 15 branches would be open for takeaway and delivery from Wednesday.
However, in order to comply with social distancing measures, McDonald’s will offer a limited menu that will be available for delivery only.
The restaurants will be open between 11am and 10pm, and McDonald’s will not be offering a breakfast menu or drive-thru services.


cityam--2020-05-11--Coronavirus lockdown: London records busiest week since restrictions began

Central London has recorded the busiest period since the UK coronavirus lockdown began , as more people returned to work and the government moved towards easing restrictions .
Pedestrian activity in central London was up 10.2 per cent last week , driven by a sharp uptick on Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday as more workers travelled around the capital .
Read more : Coronavirus lockdown : 1m firms warn of collapse if restrictions continue for three months Between 5 May to 7 May , Hoxton Analytics recorded the busiest weekday period in central London since the coronavirus lockdown was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns that the hot weather over the VE Day bank holiday weekend would encourage more Londoners to leave the house , there were similar levels of activity compared to the previous weekend .
While there was a weekly jump in activity levels , pedestrian levels were down 89.4 per cent compared to last year .
The spike in activity came ahead of a speech by the prime minister , which was expected to include the easing of some coronavirus lockdown restrictions .
Boris Johnson last night announced the modification of some restrictions including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parks .
He also encouraged people who can not work from home to return to their workplace .
Read more : Coronavirus : How business responded to Boris Johnson ’ s lockdown plan Johnson revealed a “ roap map ” for exiting the coronavirus lockdown .
The second phase , which will not happen until 1 June at the earliest , could allow some shops to reopen and primary school children return to school .
The third stage , which will see some hospitality venues reopen , will not happen until at @ @ @

Coronavirus lockdown: London records busiest week since restrictions began
Central London has recorded the busiest period since the UK coronavirus lockdown began, as more people returned to work and the government moved towards easing restrictions.
Pedestrian activity in central London was up 10.2 per cent last week, driven by a sharp uptick on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as more workers travelled around the capital.
Between 5 May to 7 May, Hoxton Analytics recorded the busiest weekday period in central London since the coronavirus lockdown was announced on 23 March.
However, despite concerns that the hot weather over the VE Day bank holiday weekend would encourage more Londoners to leave the house, there were similar levels of activity compared to the previous weekend.
While there was a weekly jump in activity levels, pedestrian levels were down 89.4 per cent compared to last year.
The spike in activity came ahead of a speech by the prime minister, which was expected to include the easing of some coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Boris Johnson last night announced the modification of some restrictions including allowing unlimited daily exercise and permitting sunbathing in parks.
He also encouraged people who can not work from home to return to their workplace.
Johnson revealed a “roap map” for exiting the coronavirus lockdown. The second phase, which will not happen until 1 June at the earliest, could allow some shops to reopen and primary school children return to school.
The third stage, which will see some hospitality venues reopen, will not happen until at least July.