skynewspolitics--2020-03-25--Cash handouts for self-employed expected as Sunak to reveal new COVID-19 package

A coronavirus bail-out for the self-employed is being unveiled by the chancellor after pressure from MPs , but handouts could go to only one in three of the five million who work for themselves .
Rishi Sunak will announce an emergency package at Boris Johnson 's daily Downing Street news conference , promising help for groups such as builders , taxi drivers , hairdressers and childminders .
But while he will promise to match the 80 % of earnings he promised staff employees last Friday , the monthly cap is likely to be lower than the £2,500 in that coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it is likely only about 1.7 million , a third of the UK 's self-employed , will qualify , with those who have separate earnings as company employees and those on Universal Credit - already promised help - excluded .
MPs have been warned that the aid package for the self-employed is highly complicated .
And Treasury officials worked through the night in a race against time to complete preparations for its Downing Street launch .
In the Commons on Tuesday , Mr Sunak - poised to unveil his second massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week - told MPs : `` We will not be able to protect every single job or save every single business . ''
And at Prime Minister 's Questions , under pressure from MPs of all parties , Mr Johnson admitted : `` I can not , in all candour , promise that we will be able to get through this crisis without any kind of hardship at all . ''
Later , at his latest Downing Street news conference , the prime minister revealed : `` You 'll be hearing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about what we 're doing to help the self-employed . ''
He added : `` I think people do understand the complexity of their working arrangements has made it harder to come up with the right tailored programme and that is coming forward tomorrow . ''
At PMQs , Mr Johnson promised MPs : `` We will do whatever we can to support the self-employed , just as we are putting our arms around every single employed person in this country . ''
Pressed by the SNP leader Ian Blackford , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the self-employed , matching the handouts announced by the Chancellor last week for those in salaried employment .
`` There are particular difficulties with those who are not on PAYE schemes , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` We are bringing forward a package to ensure that everybody gets the support that they need . ''
Attacking the delay , Jeremy Corbyn challenged the PM : `` The self-employed are having to choose whether they go to work or stay at home and face losing their entire livelihood , relying instead on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay as little as £94 per week .
`` One self-employed person said that they need to pay for baby food , rent , council tax and insurance for the car they use for work , being 'faced with a decision to feed your family and pay your bills , or stay at home and not get paid ' .
`` Why has it taken the prime minister so long to guarantee income for all self-employed workers ?
There are millions of them - our economy has changed . ''
Later , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , John McDonnell told MPs : `` If people claim fraudulently while still working , they will rightly be prosecuted .
`` But right now millions of cabbies , childminders , plumbers , electricians , painters and decorators and actors have all lost work or closed down their businesses .
`` As have builders , designated as the self-employed under the construction industry scheme and they have no income .
They need a solution , now . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes before the Commons adjourned for Easter , Labour and SNP MPs protested angrily over the Chancellor preparing to unveil his package when Parliament is no longer sitting .
But the Commons Leader , Jacob Rees-Mogg , told MPs : `` I have been informed that it is a complicated package that is not in fact ready for announcement today .
Had it been ready today , it would have been brought forward today .
`` The Government are keen to get on with this announcement , which will provide support and comfort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is no discourtesy to the House .
It is being worked on as quickly as possible , but it is not yet ready .
The plans have not been completed .
`` What has been announced , and what was announced by the Prime Minister at his press conference , is that the plans will be announced tomorrow and they will be completed in time for tomorrow 's press conference . ''

A coronavirus bail-out for the self-employed is being unveiled by the chancellor after pressure from MPs, but handouts could go to only one in three of the five million who work for themselves.
Rishi Sunak will announce an emergency package at Boris Johnson's daily Downing Street news conference, promising help for groups such as builders, taxi drivers, hairdressers and childminders.
But while he will promise to match the 80% of earnings he promised staff employees last Friday, the monthly cap is likely to be lower than the £2,500 in that coronavirus scheme because many self-employed pay less tax.
And it is likely only about 1.7 million, a third of the UK's self-employed, will qualify, with those who have separate earnings as company employees and those on Universal Credit - already promised help - excluded.
MPs have been warned that the aid package for the self-employed is highly complicated. And Treasury officials worked through the night in a race against time to complete preparations for its Downing Street launch.
In the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Sunak - poised to unveil his second massive state bailout for workers in less than a week - told MPs: "We will not be able to protect every single job or save every single business."
And at Prime Minister's Questions, under pressure from MPs of all parties, Mr Johnson admitted: "I cannot, in all candour, promise that we will be able to get through this crisis without any kind of hardship at all."
Later, at his latest Downing Street news conference, the prime minister revealed: "You'll be hearing more from Rishi Sunak, the chancellor tomorrow, about what we're doing to help the self-employed."
He added: "I think people do understand the complexity of their working arrangements has made it harder to come up with the right tailored programme and that is coming forward tomorrow."
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At PMQs, Mr Johnson promised MPs: "We will do whatever we can to support the self-employed, just as we are putting our arms around every single employed person in this country."
Pressed by the SNP leader Ian Blackford, Mr Johnson promised "parity of support" for the self-employed, matching the handouts announced by the Chancellor last week for those in salaried employment.
"There are particular difficulties with those who are not on PAYE schemes," Mr Johnson said. "We are bringing forward a package to ensure that everybody gets the support that they need."
Attacking the delay, Jeremy Corbyn challenged the PM: "The self-employed are having to choose whether they go to work or stay at home and face losing their entire livelihood, relying instead on an overstretched welfare system, which could pay as little as £94 per week.
"One self-employed person said that they need to pay for baby food, rent, council tax and insurance for the car they use for work, being 'faced with a decision to feed your family and pay your bills, or stay at home and not get paid'.
"Why has it taken the prime minister so long to guarantee income for all self-employed workers? There are millions of them - our economy has changed."
Later, in his final Commons speech as Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell told MPs: "If people claim fraudulently while still working, they will rightly be prosecuted.
"But right now millions of cabbies, childminders, plumbers, electricians, painters and decorators and actors have all lost work or closed down their businesses.
"As have builders, designated as the self-employed under the construction industry scheme and they have no income. They need a solution, now."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
And in the final minutes before the Commons adjourned for Easter, Labour and SNP MPs protested angrily over the Chancellor preparing to unveil his package when Parliament is no longer sitting.
But the Commons Leader, Jacob Rees-Mogg, told MPs: "I have been informed that it is a complicated package that is not in fact ready for announcement today. Had it been ready today, it would have been brought forward today.
"The Government are keen to get on with this announcement, which will provide support and comfort to a large number of the self-employed.
"There is no discourtesy to the House. It is being worked on as quickly as possible, but it is not yet ready. The plans have not been completed.
"What has been announced, and what was announced by the Prime Minister at his press conference, is that the plans will be announced tomorrow and they will be completed in time for tomorrow's press conference."


skynewspolitics--2020-03-26--Coronairus: Cabinet talks held on video call banned by Ministry of Defence

High-level government talks on Britain 's coronavirus response were held on a videoconference service that Ministry of Defence staff were banned from using just days earlier over security fears .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gathered cabinet ministers earlier this week using Zoom to discuss the latest lockdown measures .
Downing Street even posted a picture of all the secretaries of state dialling in instead of coming in to Number 10 and crowding round one table to avoid catching COVID-19 .
But it has emerged the Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) ordered all workers in the department to immediately stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were investigated .
An email sent to staff also told them to be `` cautious about cyber resilience '' in `` these exceptional times '' .
A source said after the revelation : `` It is astounding that thousands of MoD staff have been banned from using Zoom only to find a sensitive government meeting like that of the prime minister 's cabinet is being conducted over it . ''
Another added `` I ’ d rather the cabinet were using the games feature on Houseparty '' - another video-calling service .
Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown imposed in the UK and many other countries around the world because of coronavirus .
But an industry expert raised concerns over its security .
Andrew Dwyer , who researches cybersecurity at the University of Bristol , wrote on Twitter : `` Seriously worried by the security of cabinet being conducted over Zoom .
`` What is happening here ?
This is not okay .
I doubt the NCSC [ National Cyber Security Centre ] would be happy , if not mortified , by this . ''
Paul Bischoff , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , privacy and networking technology , said the programme is `` fairly secure '' .
But he warned the company was `` slow '' to address a `` webcam security flaw '' last year which `` angered '' some users and security experts .
The problem allowed an attacker to hijack the user 's webcam through Safari on Apple Macs , he said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker According to a media reports earlier this month , users were warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hijacked by strangers sharing porn videos .
A government spokesperson tried to assuage concerns by saying NCSC guidance showed `` there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for conversations below a certain classification '' .
`` In the current unprecedented circumstances the need for effective channels of communication is vital , '' they added .
Zoom has been contacted for comment .

High-level government talks on Britain's coronavirus response were held on a videoconference service that Ministry of Defence staff were banned from using just days earlier over security fears.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gathered cabinet ministers earlier this week using Zoom to discuss the latest lockdown measures.
Downing Street even posted a picture of all the secretaries of state dialling in instead of coming in to Number 10 and crowding round one table to avoid catching COVID-19.
Image: Ministers did not, as they normally do, crowd around a packed table
But it has emerged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered all workers in the department to immediately stop using Zoom while "security implications" were investigated.
An email sent to staff also told them to be "cautious about cyber resilience" in "these exceptional times".
A source said after the revelation: "It is astounding that thousands of MoD staff have been banned from using Zoom only to find a sensitive government meeting like that of the prime minister's cabinet is being conducted over it."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:14 Watch the PM's address to the nation
Another added "I’d rather the cabinet were using the games feature on Houseparty" - another video-calling service.
Zoom has had a big popularity boost during the lockdown imposed in the UK and many other countries around the world because of coronavirus.
But an industry expert raised concerns over its security.
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Andrew Dwyer, who researches cybersecurity at the University of Bristol, wrote on Twitter: "Seriously worried by the security of cabinet being conducted over Zoom.
"What is happening here? This is not okay. I doubt the NCSC [National Cyber Security Centre] would be happy, if not mortified, by this."
Paul Bischoff, from Comparitech.com which researches and tests out security, privacy and networking technology, said the programme is "fairly secure".
But he warned the company was "slow" to address a "webcam security flaw" last year which "angered" some users and security experts.
The problem allowed an attacker to hijack the user's webcam through Safari on Apple Macs, he said.
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According to a media reports earlier this month, users were warned against "Zoom bombing" after sessions were hijacked by strangers sharing porn videos.
A government spokesperson tried to assuage concerns by saying NCSC guidance showed "there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for conversations below a certain classification".
"In the current unprecedented circumstances the need for effective channels of communication is vital," they added.
Zoom said it takes users' security "extremely seriously" and that 2,000 institutions - from leading telecoms providers to government agencies and universities - have done exhaustive security reviews of the service.
A spokesperson added: "Zoom are in close communication with the UK Ministry of Defence and National Cyber Security Centre and are focused on providing the documentation they need."


skynewspolitics--2020-03-25--Around 10 more UK sites could become makeshift hospitals

Officials are looking to convert around 10 more sites across the country into makeshift coronavirus hospitals similar to the ExCel exhibition centre in London , Sky News understands .
Military planners are already examining five locations in support of the Department of Health and Social Care , a Whitehall source said .
They would not confirm any of the areas , but said they would likely include major cities like Manchester , Birmingham and Newcastle .
A second source with knowledge of government planning for the COVID-19 pandemic said the aim was to convert between eight to 10 sites into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would not be as large as the ExCel conversion , which will see the creation of two wards , each with the capacity for 2,000 beds .
A third source said the number was set to be between 10 and 13 - though he described the planned facilities as annexes to local hospitals .
Matt Hancock , the health secretary , revealed on Tuesday that the exhibition hall in east London would open next week as the renamed NHS Nightingale Hospital .
The facility will initially have capacity for about 500 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military medics .
Information provided by a fourth source revealed that military planners could be asked to look for 10 `` Excel-type '' hospital sites across the country .
The Ministry of Defence last week said it was creating a COVID-19 Support Force to help the government in its response to the pandemic .
: : Listen to the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Up to 20,000 military personnel are on standby to assist .
Among the tasks they are already looking into is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed capacity amid concerns about the anticipated influx of patients as the outbreak worsens .

Officials are looking to convert around 10 more sites across the country into makeshift coronavirus hospitals similar to the ExCel exhibition centre in London, Sky News understands.
Military planners are already examining five locations in support of the Department of Health and Social Care, a Whitehall source said.
Image: The London ExCel centre will have two wards, each with the capacity for 2,000 beds
They would not confirm any of the areas, but said they would likely include major cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle.
A second source with knowledge of government planning for the COVID-19 pandemic said the aim was to convert between eight to 10 sites into hospital facilities.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:33 'Love and protect the NHS' - COVID-19 patient
However the source said they would not be as large as the ExCel conversion, which will see the creation of two wards, each with the capacity for 2,000 beds.
A third source said the number was set to be between 10 and 13 - though he described the planned facilities as annexes to local hospitals.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, revealed on Tuesday that the exhibition hall in east London would open next week as the renamed NHS Nightingale Hospital.
The facility will initially have capacity for about 500 patients, and will be staffed by NHS and military medics.
Information provided by a fourth source revealed that military planners could be asked to look for 10 "Excel-type" hospital sites across the country.
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The Ministry of Defence last week said it was creating a COVID-19 Support Force to help the government in its response to the pandemic.
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Up to 20,000 military personnel are on standby to assist.
Among the tasks they are already looking into is how to help the NHS generate more hospital bed capacity amid concerns about the anticipated influx of patients as the outbreak worsens.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--UK lockdown extended for at least three more weeks

The UK 's coronavirus lockdown will remain in place for at least another three weeks , the government has announced .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from COVID-19 , said experts had warned that relaxing the lockdown would `` risk damage to both public health and the economy '' .
Speaking at Downing Street 's daily coronavirus news briefing , Mr Raab said : `` The government has decided that the current measures must remain in place for at least the next three weeks . ''
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAGE ) had advised that `` relaxing any of the measures in place '' would `` undo the progress we have made '' .
The extension takes the lockdown to at least 7 May , and Mr Raab hinted it would likely go further in light of a previous suggestion by the prime minister that the UK could `` turn the tide '' of the virus within 12 weeks .
Mr Johnson made the comment on 19 March , and Mr Raab admitted that was `` broadly the outline '' for when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normalcy .
Mr Raab laid out five factors the government `` must be satisfied of '' before considering changes to the lockdown : • Confidence that the NHS can still provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment across the UK • The need to see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident we are beyond the peak • Reliable data from SAGE that the infection rate has decreased to manageable levels • Testing capacity and PPE is in hand to meet supply for future demand • Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelms the NHS Mr Raab said : `` We 've come too far , lost too many loved ones and sacrificed too much to let up now - especially when we are now beginning to see that our efforts are paying off .
`` There is light at the end of the tunnel , but we are at a delicate and dangerous stage of this pandemic . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ahead of Thursday 's news conference , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original three-week timescale laid out by the prime minister last month .
The extension keeps people indoors , only leaving the house for one hour of exercise per day , to shop for essential supplies like food , for medical assistance , or to go to work if doing so from home is not possible .
No measures are being lifted for now as the UK remains a few weeks behind other European countries badly hit by the pandemic .
Italy and Spain have slightly eased some restrictions following consistent daily falls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab said that while the lockdown had seen the rate of infection drop significantly , there were still `` issues with the virus spreading in some hospitals and care homes '' .
The extension came after Mr Raab led a cabinet meeting where ministers were briefed on SAGE 's advice by the government 's chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance .
After then dialling in to a meeting of G7 leaders led by US President Donald Trump , Mr Raab chaired another meeting of the government 's emergency COBRA committee .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wales and Northern Ireland joined in by video link as the lockdown was formally extended .
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford had stolen Mr Raab 's thunder minutes before the government 's briefing began , confirming that the leaders of each administration had agreed to keep the measures in place .
The extension announcement was widely expected , with ministers and some of the government 's top medical and scientific personnel having spent recent days warning that it was too early to consider lifting any restrictions .
Chief medical officer , Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing that while the UK was `` probably reaching the peak '' of the epidemic , thousands more would die before attention turns to easing the lockdown .
Earlier on Thursday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that it would take time for the measures to be phased out and for life to get back to something resembling normality .
He told Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures .
`` People can see that while we may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't coming down yet . ''
The number of deaths of coronavirus patients in UK hospitals jumped by 861 to 13,729 on Thursday , after four consecutive days in which the increases had been below 800 .
It has also been well established that the UK 's true COVID-19 death toll is higher than the hospital figures suggest .
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested there were around 75 % more coronavirus-related fatalities in England and Wales last month than previously reported by the government .
More than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while others took place in people 's homes and in hospices .
On Wednesday , the National Records of Scotland revealed that - as of 12 April - almost 25 % of 962 registered deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate in Scotland had occurred in care homes .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the government must ensure `` more is done to protect our care homes '' before considering any lockdown changes .
He said : `` I fully support the government 's decision to extend the lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure we see a ramp up in testing , that staff get the PPE they desperately need and more is done to protect our care homes from the virus .
`` We also need clarity about what plans are being put in place to lift the lockdown when the time is right . ''

The UK's coronavirus lockdown will remain in place for at least another three weeks, the government has announced.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from COVID-19, said experts had warned that relaxing the lockdown would "risk damage to both public health and the economy".
Speaking at Downing Street's daily coronavirus news briefing, Mr Raab said: "The government has decided that the current measures must remain in place for at least the next three weeks."
Image: Britons must keep staying indoors for at least another three weeks
He added that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) had advised that "relaxing any of the measures in place" would "undo the progress we have made".
The extension takes the lockdown to at least 7 May, and Mr Raab hinted it would likely go further in light of a previous suggestion by the prime minister that the UK could "turn the tide" of the virus within 12 weeks.
Mr Johnson made the comment on 19 March, and Mr Raab admitted that was "broadly the outline" for when the UK might expect to return to some normalcy.
Mr Raab laid out five factors the government "must be satisfied of" before considering changes to the lockdown:
Confidence that the NHS can still provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment across the UK
The need to see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident we are beyond the peak
Reliable data from SAGE that the infection rate has decreased to manageable levels
Testing capacity and PPE is in hand to meet supply for future demand
Not risk a second peak of infection that overwhelms the NHS
Mr Raab said: "We've come too far, lost too many loved ones and sacrificed too much to let up now - especially when we are now beginning to see that our efforts are paying off.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we are at a delicate and dangerous stage of this pandemic."
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Image: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced the extension from Downing Street
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Ahead of Thursday's news conference, the UK's lockdown had already surpassed the original three-week timescale laid out by the prime minister last month.
The extension keeps people indoors, only leaving the house for one hour of exercise per day, to shop for essential supplies like food, for medical assistance, or to go to work if doing so from home is not possible.
No measures are being lifted for now as the UK remains a few weeks behind other European countries badly hit by the pandemic.
Italy and Spain have slightly eased some restrictions following consistent daily falls in their infection and death rates.
Mr Raab said that while the lockdown had seen the rate of infection drop significantly, there were still "issues with the virus spreading in some hospitals and care homes".
Image: The UK is in its fourth week of lockdown
The extension came after Mr Raab led a cabinet meeting where ministers were briefed on SAGE's advice by the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance.
After then dialling in to a meeting of G7 leaders led by US President Donald Trump, Mr Raab chaired another meeting of the government's emergency COBRA committee.
The leaders of the devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland joined in by video link as the lockdown was formally extended.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford had stolen Mr Raab's thunder minutes before the government's briefing began, confirming that the leaders of each administration had agreed to keep the measures in place.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 Lockdown: The dos and don'ts
The extension announcement was widely expected, with ministers and some of the government's top medical and scientific personnel having spent recent days warning that it was too early to consider lifting any restrictions.
Chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, told Wednesday's news briefing that while the UK was "probably reaching the peak" of the epidemic, thousands more would die before attention turns to easing the lockdown.
Earlier on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News that it would take time for the measures to be phased out and for life to get back to something resembling normality.
He told Kay Burley@Breakfast: "It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures.
"People can see that while we may be reaching a peak, the numbers aren't coming down yet."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:03 Your guide to social distancing
The number of deaths of coronavirus patients in UK hospitals jumped by 861 to 13,729 on Thursday, after four consecutive days in which the increases had been below 800.
It has also been well established that the UK's true COVID-19 death toll is higher than the hospital figures suggest.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggested there were around 75% more coronavirus-related fatalities in England and Wales last month than previously reported by the government.
More than half of those happened in care homes, while others took place in people's homes and in hospices.
On Wednesday, the National Records of Scotland revealed that - as of 12 April - almost 25% of 962 registered deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned in the death certificate in Scotland had occurred in care homes.
Image: Britons must keep staying indoors for at least another three weeks
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the government must ensure "more is done to protect our care homes" before considering any lockdown changes.
He said: "I fully support the government's decision to extend the lockdown.
"The priority now must be to ensure we see a ramp up in testing, that staff get the PPE they desperately need and more is done to protect our care homes from the virus.
"We also need clarity about what plans are being put in place to lift the lockdown when the time is right."
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also backed the lockdown extension.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--Government minister reveals father has died with coronavirus

Government minister Greg Hands has revealed his father has died after contracting coronavirus .
The Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham said the loss of his father made Thursday 's Clap for Carers event `` especially poignant '' .
`` Great to be out there , clapping for our carers , including those in our care homes , '' the trade minister said , referring to the now-weekly show of support for Britain 's key workers on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
`` Especially poignant for me this week after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care home , on Monday , of pneumonia brought on by COVID-19 .
`` My father is another care home COVID death , but I remember him as a brilliant grammar school scientist , a single-minded & determined man , worked his way out of poverty , fought hard and gave his best .
`` He will be sorely missed .
1934-2020 , RIP . ''
Boris Johnson took part in this week 's Clap for Carers event , joining many people across the country as they thanked frontline healthcare workers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his Chequers country residence after being discharged from hospital , while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab deputises for him .
A Downing Street spokesman said : `` Like millions of people across the country , the prime minister joined in the Clap for Carers this evening , to say thank you for the incredible efforts of the country 's doctors , nurses and care workers . ''
It is now the fourth week since the country started applauding those treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals and care homes , after the idea went viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Johnson 's fiancee Carrie Symonds said she was `` clapping harder than ever tonight for our carers - you are the best of Britain '' .
She also paid tribute to Captain Tom Moore , 99 , who has raised more than £15m for an NHS charity by walking 100 laps around his garden .
Also taking part in Clap for Carers was Mr Raab and Chancellor Rishi Sunak , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absence of the PM .

Government minister Greg Hands has revealed his father has died after contracting coronavirus.
The Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham said the loss of his father made Thursday's Clap for Carers event "especially poignant".
"Great to be out there, clapping for our carers, including those in our care homes," the trade minister said, referring to the now-weekly show of support for Britain's key workers on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Image: Greg Hands (L) with his father. Pic: Greg Hands/Twitter
"Especially poignant for me this week after the death of my father in his care home, on Monday, of pneumonia brought on by COVID-19.
"My father is another care home COVID death, but I remember him as a brilliant grammar school scientist, a single-minded & determined man, worked his way out of poverty, fought hard and gave his best.
"He will be sorely missed. 1934-2020, RIP."
Boris Johnson took part in this week's Clap for Carers event, joining many people across the country as they thanked frontline healthcare workers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Britain applauds its NHS heroes
The prime minister is currently recovering from COVID-19 at his Chequers country residence after being discharged from hospital, while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab deputises for him.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Like millions of people across the country, the prime minister joined in the Clap for Carers this evening, to say thank you for the incredible efforts of the country's doctors, nurses and care workers."
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It is now the fourth week since the country started applauding those treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals and care homes, after the idea went viral on social media at the start of the lockdown.
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Mr Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds said she was "clapping harder than ever tonight for our carers - you are the best of Britain".
She also paid tribute to Captain Tom Moore, 99, who has raised more than £15m for an NHS charity by walking 100 laps around his garden.
Also taking part in Clap for Carers was Mr Raab and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who have been leading the government's response in the absence of the PM.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--Make face masks on London transport compulsory, says mayor

Wearing face masks on public transport in London should be made compulsory , according to Sadiq Khan .
The capital 's mayor has written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to lobby for a change in policy on face coverings in the fight against COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
In his letter , Mr Khan said he feared the UK was `` lagging behind the international community on this issue '' .
`` The latest scientific evidence shows that they can reduce the chances of an individual unknowingly infecting other people with COVID-19 and can therefore help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` This is consistent with the advice from the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and with actions in other cities and countries around the world , many of whom have made wearing a face covering , especially when it is not possible to socially distance , a requirement before lifting lockdown . ''
Mr Khan added : `` I am therefore urgently seeking your support on making the wearing of face coverings obligatory when using all public transport .
`` Here in London , that consistent approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given not all of it is under my control . ''
The mayor said such a move would `` protect staff and passengers now '' and would also be useful when the lockdown started to be eased - a time `` when there will be a challenge to maintain social distancing on an increasingly busy transport network '' .
Public Health England has emphasised the importance of masks for doctors and nurses treating patients with the coronavirus , but it has not suggested widespread public usage .
However , the government 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that the UK 's position on masks was under review and would change if the scientific evidence warranted it .
The WHO has said people should only wear masks if they display symptoms of COVID-19 or are taking care of someone who does .
But it has also said that a mask on its own is not enough to protect people from the virus , emphasising the importance of other preventative measures like hand washing as well .
While there is no conclusive evidence to say that masks can stop people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can block transmission to others .
In April , a study in Nature Medicine suggested surgical masks could help prevent infected people from making others sick with seasonal viruses , including coronaviruses .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Jeremy Howard , a University of San Francisco research scientist and founder of the # Masks4All campaign , led a review panel with 18 other experts from around the globe and discovered `` substantial evidence in favour of widespread mask use to @ @ @ @ @

Wearing masks to avoid spreading COVID-19 might have some advantages, the transport secretary has said.
Grant Shapps explained the policy was under review by the government's chief science advisers and cautioned the face coverings may even be "disadvantageous" if worn wrongly.
He has been urged by the mayor of London to make wearing masks on public transport in the capital compulsory to stop the outbreak of coronavirus.
Image: Mr Khan said the move would protect staff as well as passengers
Sadiq Khan told Sky News that "although it may not stop you catching the virus, what it does do is stop you passing on the virus if you're pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic".
"Where this is really helpful is in stopping the virus spreading in a place where you can't keep your social distance."
He said the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, chief public health officer in Canada and countries like Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Mumbai, China and South Korea are all advising people to wear masks.
"What I'm not advocating for is for precious personal protective equipment to be diverted away from the NHS or care services," he cautioned.
London has been the worst hit region for coronavirus-related deaths, with all travelers to be told to board buses through the middle doors to protect drivers' safety after at least nine of them died.
Public Health England has emphasised the importance of masks for doctors and nurses treating patients with the coronavirus, but it has not suggested widespread public usage.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:27 'We're making transport safe for key worker heroes'
However, the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said on Monday that the UK's position on masks was under review and would change if the scientific evidence warranted it.
Mr Shapps also told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast: "It looks like the advantages might be marginal - there can even be times when it's disadvantageous if they're not used properly.
"We must be guided by the science in defeating this virus at every stage."
The WHO has said people should only wear masks if they display symptoms of COVID-19 or are taking care of someone who does.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:30 Inside one of London's worst-hit hospitals
But it has also said that a mask on its own is not enough to protect people from the virus, emphasising the importance of other preventative measures like hand washing as well.
While there is no conclusive evidence to say that masks can stop people from contracting COVID-19, it is accepted that they can block transmission to others.
Image: Public Health England has not suggested widespread public usage of face masks
In April, a study in Nature Medicine suggested surgical masks could help prevent infected people from making others sick with seasonal viruses, including coronaviruses.
Jeremy Howard, a University of San Francisco research scientist and founder of the #Masks4All campaign, led a review panel with 18 other experts from around the globe and discovered "substantial evidence in favour of widespread mask use to reduce community transmission".
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock also revealed on Friday the government initially considered only locking down London, but ministers decided it was better the measures be rolled out "across the country as a whole".
"And that's for two reasons," he told a Commons committee.
"The first is that if you put a lockdown in one part of the country, then there's still travel from there to the rest of the country, so it isn't as easy as that.
"And the second reason is that actually one of the really strong things that's come through this crisis is that the country is acting in lockstep."


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--Raab warns China: No more 'business as usual' after COVID-19

Dominic Raab has said there is `` no doubt '' it will not be `` business as usual '' with China once the coronavirus crisis is over .
The foreign secretary , who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from contracting COVID-19 , said there needs to be a `` deep dive '' review into how the virus was able to spread from China .
He added that `` hard questions '' need to be asked about how the coronavirus came about and how its spread was not halted earlier .
`` I think there absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep dive after the event review of the lessons - including of the outbreak of the virus - and I do n't think we can flinch from that at all , it needs to be driven by the science , '' Mr Raab told the government 's daily COVID-19 news conference .
His remarks came as Sky News learnt the UK is investigating the origin of the coronavirus pandemic , including a possibility it could be linked to a Chinese laboratory conducting research into diseases in bats .
Mr Raab said the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to the procurement of equipment and the return of UK nationals , adding that the review would need to be carried out in a `` balanced way '' .
However , he went on to say : `` But there is no doubt we ca n't have business as usual after this crisis , and we will have to ask the hard questions about how it came about and how it could n't have been stopped earlier . ''
The outbreak began in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Globally , more than 100,000 people have died after contracting COVID-19 .
MPs have been critical of China 's response in recent weeks .
The Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee warned recently that disinformation propagated by Beijing and other countries was costing lives and hindering the battle against COVID-19 .
As the country where the outbreak originated , China should have played a central role in collecting data on its spread , MPs on the committee said .
Instead they said China had , from the outset , tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening .
It called on the British government , in conjunction with international allies , to actively `` confront and rebut '' disinformation from foreign powers .
The MPs also named Iran and Russia as being behind false information about the coronavirus and suggested other nations might be involved .
But their ire was mainly focused on China .
The committee highlighted the way Li Wenliang , the Wuhan doctor who first raised the alarm about COVID-19 , was forced to confess to `` making false comments '' before he died from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tugendhat said Beijing had at first `` allowed disinformation to spread as quickly as the virus '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` Rather than helping other countries prepare a swift and strong response , it is increasingly apparent that they manipulated vital information about the virus in order to protect the regime 's image .
`` The government needs to tackle these lies with a clear and quick response , working with our allies to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false facts and deadly disinformation . ''

Dominic Raab has said there is "no doubt" it will not be "business as usual" with China once the coronavirus crisis is over.
The foreign secretary, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from contracting COVID-19, said there needs to be a "deep dive" review into how the virus was able to spread from China.
He added that "hard questions" need to be asked about how the coronavirus came about and how its spread was not halted earlier.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:07 Relaxing UK lockdown would risk lives - Raab
"I think there absolutely needs to be a very, very deep dive after the event review of the lessons - including of the outbreak of the virus - and I don't think we can flinch from that at all, it needs to be driven by the science," Mr Raab told the government's daily COVID-19 news conference.
His remarks came as Sky News learnt the UK is investigating the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, including a possibility it could be linked to a Chinese laboratory conducting research into diseases in bats.
Mr Raab said the UK and China had good cooperation when it comes to the procurement of equipment and the return of UK nationals, adding that the review would need to be carried out in a "balanced way".
However, he went on to say: "But there is no doubt we can't have business as usual after this crisis, and we will have to ask the hard questions about how it came about and how it couldn't have been stopped earlier."
The outbreak began in the Chinese city of Wuhan at the beginning of the year, but soon spread around the world.
Globally, more than 100,000 people have died after contracting COVID-19.
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MPs have been critical of China's response in recent weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:46 Why has the UK lockdown been extended?
The Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee warned recently that disinformation propagated by Beijing and other countries was costing lives and hindering the battle against COVID-19.
As the country where the outbreak originated, China should have played a central role in collecting data on its spread, MPs on the committee said.
Instead they said China had, from the outset, tried to "obfuscate" over what was really happening.
It called on the British government, in conjunction with international allies, to actively "confront and rebut" disinformation from foreign powers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:07 Chinese minister: 'You can't blame us'
The MPs also named Iran and Russia as being behind false information about the coronavirus and suggested other nations might be involved.
But their ire was mainly focused on China.
The committee highlighted the way Li Wenliang, the Wuhan doctor who first raised the alarm about COVID-19, was forced to confess to "making false comments" before he died from the virus in February.
Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat said Beijing had at first "allowed disinformation to spread as quickly as the virus".
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He added: "Rather than helping other countries prepare a swift and strong response, it is increasingly apparent that they manipulated vital information about the virus in order to protect the regime's image.
"The government needs to tackle these lies with a clear and quick response, working with our allies to show a united front in the face of false facts and deadly disinformation."


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--New loans scheme launched for firms with turnovers above £45m

Businesses with a turnover of more than £45m will be allowed to access funding through a new government scheme , the chancellor has announced .
Rishi Sunak said the government wanted to ensure that `` no viable business slips through our safety net of support as we help protect jobs and the economy '' during the coronavirus outbreak .
Sky 's city editor Mark Kleinman reported at the weekend that ministers were preparing to overhaul the emergency loan programme for larger companies whose future has been put at risk of collapse by the COVID-19 pandemic .
From Monday , firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British Business Bank , through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CLBILS ) .
Companies with sales between £45m and £250m will be able to apply for the short-term loans and financial support of up to £25m if they have been forced to halt operations or been impacted by the virus shutdown .
Larger firms with sales of more than £250m will also be able to access the support .
But if they access CLBILS , they will be unable to use the Bank of England 's Covid Corporate Financing Facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have both already borrowed from the latter .
Sky News has learnt that the Treasury has decided to allow companies which are majority-owned by major private equity groups to access CLBILS on an individual basis .
Buyout firms had been uncertain about whether a single £50m loan cap would be applied across a financial sponsor 's entire portfolio of investments .
Mr Sunak said : `` I want to ensure that no viable business slips through our safety net of support as we help protect jobs and the economy .
That is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger firms .
`` This is a national effort and we 'll continue to work with the financial services sector to ensure that our £330bn of government support , through loans and guarantees , reaches as many businesses in need as possible . ''
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said expanding the scheme would `` provide larger firms with the support they need during the pandemic , helping to provide job security to thousands of people and protect our economy '' .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keith Morgan , chief executive of British Business Bank , said : `` The new Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme focuses on a relatively narrow area of the market , but one that is vitally important to the UK economy .
`` More finance for viable mid-sized and larger firms will help them protect jobs and be in a better position to resume normal business when the current pandemic subsides . ''
With the news that the UK 's COVID-19 lockdown will continue for at least another three weeks , businesses will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay solvent until the economy gets back to a semblance of normality .
The government said the new loans would be 80 % guaranteed by the state and added that banks must not request personal guarantees on any loans under £250,000 .
For anything above , `` claims on personal guarantees can not exceed 20 % of losses after all other recoveries have been applied '' .

More large businesses will be able to apply for financial support from the government after a loophole left many facing ruin because of coronavirus paralysing the economy.
Announcing the move, Rishi Sunak said the government wanted to ensure that "no viable business slips through our safety net of support as we help protect jobs and the economy" during the coronavirus outbreak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:42 UK lockdown: Could public patience run out?
Sky's city editor Mark Kleinman reported at the weekend that ministers were preparing to overhaul the emergency loan programme for bigger firms whose future has been put at risk of collapse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of the Treasury change, all companies with revenue of more than £45m will be able to apply for the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme when it launches on Monday.
Previously, the scheme excluded companies with revenue of more than £500m because the government had hoped
they would be covered by a separate Bank of England programme.
But that scheme only assists companies that have an investment-grade credit rating, or the equivalent in terms of
financial health.
As a result, many viable large firms were excluded from the government's financial support.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 Raab announces UK lockdown extension
The expanded scheme is part of a £330bn loan guarantee programme announced by the chancellor last month, aimed at reducing the damage to the UK economy.
A survey this week from the Office for National Statistics showed 25% of businesses had temporarily closed or halted
trading since the lockdown.
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Mr Sunak said: "I want to ensure that no viable business slips through our safety net of support as we help protect jobs and the economy. That is why we are expanding this generous scheme for larger firms.
"This is a national effort and we'll continue to work with the financial services sector to ensure that our £330bn of government support, through loans and guarantees, reaches as many businesses in need as possible."
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said expanding the scheme would "provide larger firms with the support they need during the pandemic, helping to provide job security to thousands of people and protect our economy".
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Keith Morgan, chief executive of British Business Bank, said: "The new Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme focuses on a relatively narrow area of the market, but one that is vitally important to the UK economy.
"More finance for viable mid-sized and larger firms will help them protect jobs and be in a better position to resume normal business when the current pandemic subsides."
With the news that the UK's COVID-19 lockdown will continue for at least another three weeks, businesses will be eager to make sure they can stay solvent until the economy gets back to a semblance of normality.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--McDonnell tells Starmer to suspend former staff following leaked report

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called on Keir Starmer to `` go further '' in his response to a leaked internal report on Labour 's handling of antisemitism , claiming `` angry '' members are leaving the party as a result of its contents .
Mr McDonnell called for the immediate suspension of some former staff named in the document , pending the results of the independent investigation instigated by the new party leader .
The dossier , which was leaked at the weekend , claimed factional hostility towards Jeremy Corbyn contributed to Labour 's ineffective handling of antisemitism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former shadow chancellor said the document should be provided to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission investigation into the party `` warts and all '' , adding : `` I think the truth has got to come out…if that means the EHRC comes to a finding saying that the Labour Party is institutionally antisemitic , well , so be it . ''
Asked whether that amounted to a `` scorched earth '' mentality , Mr McDonnell responded : `` No , not at all .
Whatever allows the EHRC to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So everything in this report , if it is true , should be exposed to the EHRC .
`` They 've got to have access to all of the information .
We 've got to rid ourselves of this culture that prevented a Labour government when we desperately needed one but also , by the looks of it , undermined the party 's ability to deal with antisemitism effectively . ''
The report was compiled during the last few months of Jeremy Corbyn 's leadership .
It was put together by the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Mr McDonnell , was commissioned by general secretary Jennie Formby .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker On Saturday night , Sky News reported that party lawyers had blocked the document from being submitted to the EHRC , despite the text of the document itself indicating that was the authors ' intention .
Pressed on whether putting the report into the public domain amounted to treating the Jewish community like `` pawns in a game of someone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested by the national secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement Peter Mason , Mr McDonnell said : `` No , not at all .
Quite the reverse… I understand where Peter 's coming from .
This is n't about using people or pawns or individuals or groups or whatever , this is the search for the truth .
`` Because I 've had enough , I had years of asking what was happening on antisemitism .
We were being told , according to this report , inaccurate information consistently .
If it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should never allow this to happen again , we 've got to end this culture . ''
The former shadow chancellor said he agreed with Mr Starmer that the dossier should `` never have been leaked , and certainly should n't have been leaked in an unredacted form , that 's wrong , full stop '' , but added `` it is out there now , so we 've got to deal with it '' .
He then claimed the party was losing members as a result .
`` I think a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , they 're like me , they 're pretty shocked and actually pretty angry .
`` Our members , most of our members will need to be reassured that in addition to the investigation , action is taken now as well on the basis that these are serious charges , '' he said .
`` People should be treated fairly overall .
And , of course , the investigation will look into these matters , but just as other members , when serious charges have been made against them , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And if the investigation finds that this report is accurate , these members should be expelled , '' the former shadow chancellor said .
`` We 've lost members , we 're losing members .
I was told yesterday , at the weekend , I do n't know whether this is accurate or not - 3,000 members have gone , have left us .
So we 've got to get the message out there .
Keir 's doing the right thing .
`` He has my 100 % support [ in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said as well yesterday that the investigation would be independent and it would be fast .
He 's done the right thing .
But members expect him to go a bit further , '' he added .
Responding to the interview , Peter Mason from the Jewish Labour Movement urged Mr McDonnell to `` take responsibility '' .
He said : `` Mr McDonnell has been asked by us on a number of occasions to disassociate himself with factions within the party that have denied , undermined and victimised those who have called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so .
`` He must take responsibility , as must others , for his own contribution to enabling and fostering a culture of harassment and racist bullying within the party . ''
He added JLM has `` mobilised '' 70 whistleblower testimonies into the other EHRC accounts from former and existing staff and officers , as well as hundreds of accounts from victims .
`` Ever since we called in the EHRC to launch an independent investigation in the autumn of 2018 , we have consistently maintained that the leadership and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken , '' he said .
`` For that , each and every person involved must take their responsibility .
There can be no excuses for deeply offensive , racist language and behaviour , whether expressed by senior staff in private messages to each other , or by Labour Party members directed toward Jewish members in meetings and online .
`` The report , authored by the current legal and governance unit , is but one account that seeks to explain how such an a culture of anti-Jewish racism has gripped the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner announced an independent investigation was to be launched which would focus on the commissioning and contents of the report , as well as how it was put into the public domain .

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell has called on Keir Starmer to "go further" in his response to a leaked internal report on Labour's handling of antisemitism, claiming "angry" members are leaving the party as a result of its contents.
Mr McDonnell called for the immediate suspension of some former staff named in the document, pending the results of the independent investigation instigated by the new party leader.
The dossier, which was leaked at the weekend, claimed factional hostility towards Jeremy Corbyn contributed to Labour's ineffective handling of antisemitism complaints.
Image: Newly elected Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has launched an investigation into the commission of the report and how it came into the public domain
Speaking exclusively to Sky News, the former shadow chancellor said the document should be provided to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission investigation into the party "warts and all", adding: "I think the truth has got to come out…if that means the EHRC comes to a finding saying that the Labour Party is institutionally antisemitic, well, so be it."
Asked whether that amounted to a "scorched earth" mentality, Mr McDonnell responded: "No, not at all. Whatever allows the EHRC to find the truth is the key issue. So everything in this report, if it is true, should be exposed to the EHRC.
"They've got to have access to all of the information. We've got to rid ourselves of this culture that prevented a Labour government when we desperately needed one but also, by the looks of it, undermined the party's ability to deal with antisemitism effectively."
The report was compiled during the last few months of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. It was put together by the party's governance and legal unit, and according to Mr McDonnell, was commissioned by general secretary Jennie Formby.
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On Saturday night, Sky News reported that party lawyers had blocked the document from being submitted to the EHRC, despite the text of the document itself indicating that was the authors' intention.
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Pressed on whether putting the report into the public domain amounted to treating the Jewish community like "pawns in a game of someone else's design", as has been suggested by the national secretary of the Jewish Labour Movement Peter Mason, Mr McDonnell said: "No, not at all. Quite the reverse… I understand where Peter's coming from. This isn't about using people or pawns or individuals or groups or whatever, this is the search for the truth.
"Because I've had enough, I had years of asking what was happening on antisemitism. We were being told, according to this report, inaccurate information consistently. If it's true, that's appalling. We should never allow this to happen again, we've got to end this culture."
Image: The dossier was compiled in the final few months of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership
The former shadow chancellor said he agreed with Mr Starmer that the dossier should "never have been leaked, and certainly shouldn't have been leaked in an unredacted form, that's wrong, full stop", but added "it is out there now, so we've got to deal with it".
He then claimed the party was losing members as a result.
"I think a lot of our party members and supporters, well, they're like me, they're pretty shocked and actually pretty angry.
"Our members, most of our members will need to be reassured that in addition to the investigation, action is taken now as well on the basis that these are serious charges," he said.
Image: Labour has been racked with antisemitism allegations for several years
"People should be treated fairly overall. And, of course, the investigation will look into these matters, but just as other members, when serious charges have been made against them, have been suspended, I think this should happen. And if the investigation finds that this report is accurate, these members should be expelled," the former shadow chancellor said.
"We've lost members, we're losing members. I was told yesterday, at the weekend, I don't know whether this is accurate or not - 3,000 members have gone, have left us. So we've got to get the message out there. Keir's doing the right thing.
"He has my 100% support [in terms of the] investigation. And he said as well yesterday that the investigation would be independent and it would be fast. He's done the right thing. But members expect him to go a bit further," he added.
Responding to the interview, Peter Mason from the Jewish Labour Movement urged Mr McDonnell to "take responsibility".
He said: "Mr McDonnell has been asked by us on a number of occasions to disassociate himself with factions within the party that have denied, undermined and victimised those who have called out antisemitism, and he has failed to do so.
"He must take responsibility, as must others, for his own contribution to enabling and fostering a culture of harassment and racist bullying within the party."
He added JLM has "mobilised" 70 whistleblower testimonies into the other EHRC accounts from former and existing staff and officers, as well as hundreds of accounts from victims.
"Ever since we called in the EHRC to launch an independent investigation in the autumn of 2018, we have consistently maintained that the leadership and governance of the Labour Party is fundamentally broken," he said.
"For that, each and every person involved must take their responsibility. There can be no excuses for deeply offensive, racist language and behaviour, whether expressed by senior staff in private messages to each other, or by Labour Party members directed toward Jewish members in meetings and online.
"The report, authored by the current legal and governance unit, is but one account that seeks to explain how such an a culture of anti-Jewish racism has gripped the party."
Earlier this week, Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner announced an independent investigation was to be launched which would focus on the commissioning and contents of the report, as well as how it was put into the public domain.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--End to 700 years of history as 'virtual parliament' plan approved

Plans for a `` virtual parliament '' to let MPs quiz ministers during the coronavirus outbreak have been approved by authorities .
Breaking with nearly 700 years of tradition , around 120 MPs will be able to dial into Zoom calls to ask questions - with a further 50 allowed to sit in the chamber under `` strict social distancing rules '' .
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the hybrid solution will let MPs `` stay close to their communities '' and continue `` their important work scrutinising the government '' during the COVID-19 pandemic .
He explained he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff who work on the Westminster estate `` putting themselves at risk '' as the country remains in lockdown .
`` By working virtually , this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home , protect the NHS and save lives , '' Sir Lindsay added .
The step will need to be formally approved by MPs themselves when recess ends on Tuesday 21 April .
When it is , those attending virtually will be allowed to take part in Prime Minister 's Questions and any urgent questions or statements within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They will not be allowed to display or draw attention to any objects to illustrate their remarks or make any interventions or points of order .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Screens will be placed around the main chamber where MPs debate so Sir Lindsay and those in the room can see who is present virtually , with MPs able to be called later in proceedings if they `` can not be heard or seen for technological reasons '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs to decide if they want to change the rules on voting , which remain that each politician has to physically walk through one of two voting lobbies .
In a bid to assuage fears over the security of Zoom , which staff at the Ministry of Defence were banned from using , the National Cyber Security Centre has advised it thinks the video service 's use is `` appropriate '' for public parliamentary business .
Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society welcomed the `` good progress '' on representing constituents during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The elephant in the room seems to be the question of how MPs will vote .
`` What is paramount is that voters are represented , and that members are safe .
That means we must either see a rapid rollout of proxy voting for MPs and Peers , or allowing them to vote digitally .
`` This is an urgent matter of scrutiny , representation and safety .
We hope all parties work together to make it happen . ''
Parliament shut a week early for the Easter break because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handing the government powers were rushed through .
Fears also grew about the spread of the virus when first a junior health minister , then the health secretary and eventually the prime minister all contracted it .

Plans for a "virtual parliament" to let MPs quiz ministers during the coronavirus outbreak have been approved by authorities.
Breaking with nearly 700 years of tradition, around 120 MPs will be able to dial into Zoom calls to ask questions - with a further 50 allowed to sit in the chamber under "strict social distancing rules".
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the hybrid solution will let MPs "stay close to their communities" and continue "their important work scrutinising the government" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image: Speaker Sir Lindsay urged people to 'stay home'
He explained he did not want MPs or the thousands of staff who work on the Westminster estate "putting themselves at risk" as the country remains in lockdown.
"By working virtually, this is our contribution to the guidance of stay home, protect the NHS and save lives," Sir Lindsay added.
Image: Only 50 MPs will be allowed into the chamber and will have to social distance
The step will need to be formally approved by MPs themselves when recess ends on Tuesday 21 April.
When it is, those attending virtually will be allowed to take part in Prime Minister's Questions and any urgent questions or statements within the first two hours of proceedings starting.
Image: The MOD banned staff using Zoom over security fears
They will not be allowed to display or draw attention to any objects to illustrate their remarks or make any interventions or points of order.
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Screens will be placed around the main chamber where MPs debate so Sir Lindsay and those in the room can see who is present virtually, with MPs able to be called later in proceedings if they "cannot be heard or seen for technological reasons".
Image: The lockdown has been in place for three weeks
The Commons said it is up to MPs to decide if they want to change the rules on voting, which remain that each politician has to physically walk through one of two voting lobbies.
In a bid to assuage fears over the security of Zoom, which staff at the Ministry of Defence were banned from using, the National Cyber Security Centre has advised it thinks the video service's use is "appropriate" for public parliamentary business.
Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society welcomed the "good progress" on representing constituents during the crisis.
But he cautioned: "The elephant in the room seems to be the question of how MPs will vote.
"What is paramount is that voters are represented, and that members are safe. That means we must either see a rapid rollout of proxy voting for MPs and Peers, or allowing them to vote digitally.
"This is an urgent matter of scrutiny, representation and safety. We hope all parties work together to make it happen."
Image: Prime Minister Boris Johnson contracted coronavirus
Parliament shut a week early for the Easter break because of the coronavirus outbreak, after emergency laws handing the government powers were rushed through.
Fears also grew about the spread of the virus when first a junior health minister, then the health secretary and eventually the prime minister all contracted it.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--UK launches review into why ethnic minorities worst-hit by coronavirus

A government review is to be launched into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 , Sky News understands .
It follows calls for the government to investigate the number of deaths of people from the BAME community and those working for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News analysis has found that of the 54 front line health and social care workers in England and Wales that have died because of COVID-19 , 70 % of them were black or from an ethnic minority .
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Our analysis also found that four of the five health trusts in England that have recorded the most deaths so far cover areas with some of the highest combined South Asian and black populations .
Many of these are in London and the West Midlands which together account for almost half of all deaths in England .
Despite only accounting for 13 % of the population in England and Wales , 44 % of all NHS doctors and 24 % of nurses are from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre ( ICNARC ) found that last week 34 % of critically ill coronavirus patients in England , Wales and Northern Ireland were from black or minority ethnic backgrounds .
According to the 2011 census , just 14 % of the population is from those backgrounds .
The research was based on 3,300 patients from intensive care units .
Nadir Nur , a 48-year-old bus driver from London , is one of the key workers to have died after contracting coronavirus .
One of his nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a `` hardworking , strong '' man .
`` It 's incredibly heart-breaking to have my dad taken away at such a young age because he wo n't ever get to see his grandchildren or ever see any of us getting married , '' said Yusuf .
`` We wo n't be able to have any other memories like go on holidays again or gather for Eid .
There 's a big hole that 's been left for any of these things . ''
He added : `` It 's horrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , none of it really does feel real .
I could n't even go to the funeral , or see his face for one last time . ''
Yusuf said his father was n't given any PPE and the family thinks he contracted the virus on his busy route which took people to the hospital .
`` I knew that he was definitely worried about it all and I knew that , despite that , he would still carry on doing his job because it 's his job .
He was always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would never run away and hide from it all . ''
Downing Street has confirmed the review will get under way .
It will be led by the NHS and Public Health England along with other organisations , including the British Medical Association .
Asked about the Sky News data during the daily Downing Street news conference , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said : `` Absolutely we 're on the side of anyone .
This virus does n't discriminate but we want to follow analysis of the data that you 've described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's chief medical officer , added : `` It 's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them .
Three things are clear and ethnicity is less clear .
The three things that are clear are age , people who 've got more than one other disease and male sex is a clear risk factor .
`` Being a member of an ethnic minority group is less clear .
I 've had discussions with scientists about this in terms of trying to tease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking very specifically at healthcare workers with leaders of the NHS .
This is something we 're very keen to get extremely clear .
We 've asked PHE to look at this in some detail and then what we really want , if we see any signal at all , we want to then know what next to do about it to minimise risk .
`` This is not yet clear in terms of ethnic minorities . ''
In reaction to the government 's decision to carry out a review , the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Chaand Nagpaul , said : `` BAME deaths do n't just happen in hospitals , they are prevalent in the community too .
It 's incredibly important that the government looks at the data and understands why this is happening .
`` In the meantime , they need to put in place specific measures to address this disproportionate number of deaths which is incredibly shocking and sad to see . ''
On the other side of the Atlantic , there has also been alarm over the growing number of coronavirus deaths among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data suggested that people who are black or hispanic in the US are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 .
There are fears that pre-existing health inequalities are making people from minority communities more likely to lose their lives .
Aggressive public health campaigns have been launched in cities including Chicago , where black people accounted for 72 % of deaths from COVID-19 complications and 52 % of positive tests , despite making up only 30 % of the population .

A government review is to be launched into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19, Sky News understands.
It follows calls for the government to investigate the number of deaths of people from the BAME community and those working for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News analysis has found that of the 54 front line health and social care workers in England and Wales that have died because of COVID-19, 70% of them were black or from an ethnic minority.
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Our analysis also found that four of the five health trusts in England that have recorded the most deaths so far cover areas with some of the highest combined South Asian and black populations.
Many of these are in London and the West Midlands which together account for almost half of all deaths in England.
Despite only accounting for 13% of the population in England and Wales, 44% of all NHS doctors and 24% of nurses are from a BAME background.
Early research from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) found that last week 34% of critically ill coronavirus patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were from black or minority ethnic backgrounds.
According to the 2011 census, just 14% of the population is from those backgrounds.
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The research was based on 3,300 patients from intensive care units.
Nadir Nur, a 48-year-old bus driver from London, is one of the key workers to have died after contracting coronavirus.
One of his nine children, Yusuf, told Sky News he was a "hardworking, strong" man.
Image: Nadir Nur, a 48-year-old bus driver from London, is one of the key workers to have died after contracting coronavirus
"It's incredibly heart-breaking to have my dad taken away at such a young age because he won't ever get to see his grandchildren or ever see any of us getting married," said Yusuf.
"We won't be able to have any other memories like go on holidays again or gather for Eid. There's a big hole that's been left for any of these things."
He added: "It's horrible to think that he's buried right now, none of it really does feel real. I couldn't even go to the funeral, or see his face for one last time."
Yusuf said his father wasn't given any PPE and the family thinks he contracted the virus on his busy route which took people to the hospital.
"I knew that he was definitely worried about it all and I knew that, despite that, he would still carry on doing his job because it's his job. He was always hardworking and he was strong, and he would never run away and hide from it all."
Downing Street has confirmed the review will get under way.
It will be led by the NHS and Public Health England along with other organisations, including the British Medical Association.
Asked about the Sky News data during the daily Downing Street news conference, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "Absolutely we're on the side of anyone. This virus doesn't discriminate but we want to follow analysis of the data that you've described."
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, added: "It's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them. Three things are clear and ethnicity is less clear. The three things that are clear are age, people who've got more than one other disease and male sex is a clear risk factor.
"Being a member of an ethnic minority group is less clear. I've had discussions with scientists about this in terms of trying to tease this apart today.
"Also, looking very specifically at healthcare workers with leaders of the NHS. This is something we're very keen to get extremely clear. We've asked PHE to look at this in some detail and then what we really want, if we see any signal at all, we want to then know what next to do about it to minimise risk.
"This is not yet clear in terms of ethnic minorities."
In reaction to the government's decision to carry out a review, the council chair of the British Medical Association, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, said: "BAME deaths don't just happen in hospitals, they are prevalent in the community too. It's incredibly important that the government looks at the data and understands why this is happening.
"In the meantime, they need to put in place specific measures to address this disproportionate number of deaths which is incredibly shocking and sad to see."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:51 Racial disparities in US COVID-19 deaths
On the other side of the Atlantic, there has also been alarm over the growing number of coronavirus deaths among African-American communities across the US.
Fresh data suggested that people who are black or hispanic in the US are twice as likely to die from COVID-19.
There are fears that pre-existing health inequalities are making people from minority communities more likely to lose their lives.
Aggressive public health campaigns have been launched in cities including Chicago, where black people accounted for 72% of deaths from COVID-19 complications and 52% of positive tests, despite making up only 30% of the population.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-16--Life won't go back to normal when lockdown eased - Hancock

Life in the UK will not go straight back to normal when coronavirus lockdown measures are eased , the health secretary has said .
Matt Hancock warned it will `` take time '' for the enforced social distancing measures to be fully phased out .
He suggested the government will later announce an extension to the three-week emergency `` stay-at-home '' rules in a bid to suppress the COVID-19 outbreak , which has already seen at least 12,868 people die .
Cabinet ministers were briefed on the latest scientific and medical advice via video conference , before a special meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as COBRA this afternoon - chaired by stand-in prime minister Dominic Raab .
The foreign secretary , who is deputising for Boris Johnson while he recovers from coronavirus in the countryside retreat of Chequers , is expected to announce the lockdown extension at this afternoon 's daily news conference .
Questions of when the lockdown might end were raised by a health minister , Nadine Dorries , on Wednesday night .
She tweeted : `` There is only one way we can 'exit ' full lockdown and that is when we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy . ''
Responding to the comment , Mr Hancock told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` The key word in that is full - she was being quite precise , I think .
`` It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures .
`` People can see that while we may be reaching a peak the numbers are n't coming down yet .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be returning to some , just straight back to how things were before .
This will take time . ''
Professor Neil Ferguson - of Imperial College London , which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - echoed the warning .
`` We will have to maintain some form of social distancing , a significant level of social distancing , probably indefinitely until we have a vaccine available , '' he told BBC Radio 4 .
He suggested that like Brexit the government could set up a specific department to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street dismissed the idea , the prime minister 's spokesman telling journalists `` the entire focus of government is on the response to the coronavirus '' .
He also confirmed a formal review will be launched into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 .
Mr Hancock also said 15 % of care homes in England have seen an outbreak of coronavirus , after Scottish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have there .
The government has promised that everyone in care homes who needs a COVID-19 test will get one , after the NHS Confederation chief executive said fatalities were going `` under the radar '' because daily figures only count hospital patient deaths .
Mr Hancock said 10,000 care home residents have been tested and 4,000 workers in them have been referred for tests .
He added the reason there were thousands of unused tests over the Easter weekend was fewer people than expected turned up at the new drive-through test centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health showed 11,170 people were tested in a day - despite it saying on 18 March that within four weeks tests would increase to 25,000 a day .
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he will support a lockdown extension but is calling on the government to publish its exit strategy to ensure `` transparency '' and maintain public confidence .
Asked why the UK was not doing so like countries including Germany and Italy , Mr Hancock said yesterday : `` Different countries are in different stages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things that I think we have learnt during this crisis is that the clarity of the guidance to the public is incredibly important and hence we repeat it . ''
Jon Ashworth , the shadow health secretary , said the public needs `` greater clarity '' on the exit strategy soon as a vaccine could take up to 18 months .
`` If you want to return to some greater degree of normality then you need to combine it with a proper testing and tracing strategy , '' he told Sky News @

Life in the UK will not go straight back to normal when coronavirus lockdown measures are eased, the health secretary has said.
Matt Hancock warned it will "take time" for the enforced social distancing measures to be fully phased out.
He suggested the government will later announce an extension to the three-week emergency "stay-at-home" rules in a bid to suppress the COVID-19 outbreak, which has already seen at least 12,868 people die.
Image: The initial lockdown was set to last three weeks
Cabinet ministers were briefed on the latest scientific and medical advice via video conference, before a special meeting of the government's emergency committee known as COBRA this afternoon - chaired by stand-in prime minister Dominic Raab.
The foreign secretary, who is deputising for Boris Johnson while he recovers from coronavirus in the countryside retreat of Chequers, is expected to announce the lockdown extension at this afternoon's daily news conference.
Image: Dominic Raab is deputising for the PM while he recovers from COVID-19
Questions of when the lockdown might end were raised by a health minister, Nadine Dorries, on Wednesday night.
She tweeted: "There is only one way we can 'exit' full lockdown and that is when we have a vaccine. Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy."
Responding to the comment, Mr Hancock told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast: "The key word in that is full - she was being quite precise, I think.
"It is too early to say now that we should remove the measures.
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Image: People have been urged to stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading
"People can see that while we may be reaching a peak the numbers aren't coming down yet.
"The point Nadine was making is we will not be returning to some, just straight back to how things were before. This will take time."
Professor Neil Ferguson - of Imperial College London, which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - echoed the warning.
"We will have to maintain some form of social distancing, a significant level of social distancing, probably indefinitely until we have a vaccine available," he told BBC Radio 4.
He suggested that like Brexit the government could set up a specific department to deal with the "national emergency".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Downing Street dismissed the idea, the prime minister's spokesman telling journalists "the entire focus of government is on the response to the coronavirus".
He also confirmed a formal review will be launched into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 'Things will be better', says inspirational veteran
Mr Hancock also said 15% of care homes in England have seen an outbreak of coronavirus, after Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 40% have there.
The government has promised that everyone in care homes who needs a COVID-19 test will get one, after the NHS Confederation chief executive said fatalities were going "under the radar" because daily figures only count hospital patient deaths.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 Care worker: 'We lose someone every shift'
Mr Hancock said 10,000 care home residents have been tested and 4,000 workers in them have been referred for tests.
He added the reason there were thousands of unused tests over the Easter weekend was fewer people than expected turned up at the new drive-through test centres.
Image: Prof Neil Ferguson said measures will probably continue 'until we have a vaccine'
The latest figures from the UK Department of Health showed 11,170 people were tested in a day - despite it saying on 18 March that within four weeks tests would increase to 25,000 a day.
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he will support a lockdown extension but is calling on the government to publish its exit strategy to ensure "transparency" and maintain public confidence.
Image: More than 12,000 coronavirus patients have died in UK hospitals
Asked why the UK was not doing so like countries including Germany and Italy, Mr Hancock said yesterday: "Different countries are in different stages in this epidemic.
"And one of the things that I think we have learnt during this crisis is that the clarity of the guidance to the public is incredibly important and hence we repeat it."
Jon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said the public needs "greater clarity" on the exit strategy soon as a vaccine could take up to 18 months.
"If you want to return to some greater degree of normality then you need to combine it with a proper testing and tracing strategy," he told Sky News.