skynewspolitics--2020-10-31--PM may decide to bring forward announcements on lockdown plans after details leaked

A second national lockdown .
It was something that the prime minister said would be a `` disaster '' for this country and something he vowed to do `` everything in his power '' to avoid .
But now Mr Johnson is poised to announce exactly that .
The measures are still under discussion - with a cabinet meeting planned this afternoon - but on the PM 's table is a month-long lockdown through November .
The public is expected to be asked to stay at home once more .
But unlike the last lockdown , the prime minister will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hope is that the action would slow the spread of the disease and allow ministers to ease restrictions into Christmas .
Under plans being discussed today , the government would use its tiering measures to allow different regions to come out of the national lockdown at different points depending on the rate of infection .
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around the world It is undoubtedly politically extremely difficult for a prime minister who has robustly rejected calls for a national lockdown for weeks .
Many of his MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this U-turn , with some senior ministers pressing the prime minister to stick with his regional approach and introduce a new stricter 'Tier 4 ' rather than locking the entire country down .
But the numbers of cases and projections of ICU cases are `` terrifying '' to quote one senior government figure .
`` Politically it would be easier to keep with the regional approach and introduce a new tier rather than nationwide measures , but our first duty is a moral one , '' a senior government figure said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take these difficult decisions . ''
The papers , presented at a meeting on Friday between the prime minister , Chancellor Rishi Sunak , Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove , show that `` all models suggest a significantly higher peak than those estimated at any point in the current 'Reasonable Worst Case Scenario ' '' .
The document says `` median peak infections are projected to be 50 % to 150 % greater '' than those in the first wave .
The warnings have been there for weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers had been told the pandemic was on course to breach the `` reasonable worst-case scenario '' drafted by the Cabinet Office .
85,000 deaths had been the planning assumptions over the winter - but the data is worsening .
At the heart of No 10 's concern is NHS capacity .
One document circulating in government paints the picture of an NHS unable to accept more patients by Christmas , with hospitalisations forecast to peak in the middle of December before falling again in the new year .
The prime minister was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but No 10 may decide this weekend to bring forward announcements following a leak of the meeting between the PM and his three cabinet ministers on Friday night .
No 10 are furious that the details of national measures have been leaked to journalists and have launched an official inquiry .
This is a U-turn that may well be fiercely contested by his own MPs and seized upon by his political opponents who called for the PM to follow the advice from his own scientific advisers and introduce a short two-week lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now we look to be moving into a month-long lockdown in November instead .

A second national lockdown. It was something that the prime minister said would be a "disaster" for this country and something he vowed to do "everything in his power" to avoid. But now Mr Johnson is poised to announce exactly that.
The measures are still under discussion but on the PM's table is a month-long lockdown through November.
The public is expected to be asked to stay at home once more. But unlike the last lockdown, the prime minister will keep schools, colleges and universities open.
The hope is that the action would slow the spread of the disease and allow ministers to ease restrictions into Christmas.
Under plans being discussed today, the government would use its tiering measures to allow different regions to come out of the national lockdown at different points depending on the rate of infection.
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around the world
It is undoubtedly politically extremely difficult for a prime minister who has robustly rejected calls for a national lockdown for weeks.
Many of his MPs are this morning furious at the prospect of this U-turn, with some senior ministers pressing the prime minister to stick with his regional approach and introduce a new stricter 'Tier 4' rather than locking the entire country down.
But the numbers of cases and projections of ICU cases are "terrifying" to quote one senior government figure.
Advertisement
"Politically it would be easier to keep with the regional approach and introduce a new tier rather than nationwide measures, but our first duty is a moral one," a senior government figure said. "And that makes it easier to take these difficult decisions."
The papers, presented at a meeting on Friday between the prime minister, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, show that "all models suggest a significantly higher peak than those estimated at any point in the current 'Reasonable Worst Case Scenario'".
The document says "median peak infections are projected to be 50% to 150% greater" than those in the first wave.
The warnings have been there for weeks. Documents released by SAGE revealed that ministers had been told the pandemic was on course to breach the "reasonable worst-case scenario" drafted by the Cabinet Office.
85,000 deaths had been the planning assumptions over the winter - but the data is worsening.
At the heart of No 10's concern is NHS capacity. One document circulating in government paints the picture of an NHS unable to accept more patients by Christmas, with hospitalisations forecast to peak in the middle of December before falling again in the new year.
The prime minister was expected to announce his plans on Monday, but No 10 may decide this weekend to bring forward announcements following a leak of the meeting between the PM and his three cabinet ministers on Friday night.
No 10 are furious that the details of national measures have been leaked to journalists and have launched an official inquiry.
This is a U-turn that may well be fiercely contested by his own MPs and seized upon by his political opponents who called for the PM to follow the advice from his own scientific advisers and introduce a short two-week lockdown in October.
Mr Johnson refused, and now we look to be moving into a month-long lockdown in November instead.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-31--'You must stay home from Thursday': England to enter second lockdown

England will enter a month-long lockdown from Thursday , Boris Johnson has announced .
Until 2 December , people in England will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons , such as education , work or food shopping .
Mr Johnson , speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Saturday evening , said there was `` no alternative '' to a second period of national lockdown restrictions .
The prime minister urged the country to return to his spring message of `` stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives '' and acknowledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year '' .
However , Mr Johnson suggested that `` tough action now '' could allow families to be together over the festive period .
Mr Johnson said that `` no responsible prime minister '' could ignore the rising number of coronavirus infections across England .
And he warned that , without action , there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the spring 's first wave of the pandemic .
Schools , colleges and universities will remain open while those who can not work from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing , will be encouraged to continue going to their workplaces .
Pubs , bars and restaurants will close across the country , although they will be able to offer takeaway and delivery services .
Non-essential shops , hairdressers and leisure and entertainment venues will also be shut .
The prime minister said the furlough scheme , which has seen the government pay a proportion of peoples ' wages during the COVID-19 crisis but was due to end on Saturday , would now be extended through November .
Different households will be banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ childcare bubbles will remain and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated .
Gyms will be shut but people can continue to exercise for unlimited periods outdoors , either with people from their own households or on a one-to-one basis with one person from another household .
People will be able to travel internationally for work , but will not be allowed to go abroad for holidays .
Premier League football and other elite sports will be allowed to continue , due to the testing regimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amateur sports will be put on hold .
The prime minister said those who are vulnerable would not be asked to shield in the same way as they did in the spring and early summer .
But he urged those who are at risk to minimise their contact with others and not go to work if they are unable to work from home .
MPs are expected to vote on the fresh measures on Wednesday .
Mr Johnson said there was a need to be `` humble in the face of nature '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the reasonable worst case scenario of our scientific advisers '' .
`` Unless we act , we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day - a peak of mortality , alas , far bigger than the one we saw in April , '' he added .
The government 's scientists have warned that hospitals could run out of beds by early December without new measures .
And Mr Johnson warned that `` the risk is that for the first time in our lives , the NHS will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our families '' .
Also appearing at the news conference , England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said there were now several hospitals with more coronavirus patients than they 'd had during the first wave of infections .
Sir Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , said that `` if nothing is done '' then the number of deaths could be close to the peak of the first wave by early December .
The prime minister highlighted how other countries , such as France and Germany , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by re-entering lockdown restrictions as the second wave of the virus spreads across Europe .
But he said better medicine , the `` realistic hope of a vaccine '' in early 2021 , and the prospect of millions of 15-minute COVID-19 tests made him optimistic `` that this will feel very different and better by the spring '' .
`` We will get through this , but we must act now to contain this autumn surge , '' Mr Johnson added .
`` We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less prohibitive and less restrictive , but from Thursday the basic message is the same ; stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives . ''
Until now , the government has been pursuing a localised approach to COVID-19 restrictions , with England divided into three levels of measures , depending on local infection rates .
Mr Johnson said he still `` passionately '' believed the three-tier strategy `` was the right thing to do '' , despite growing calls over recent weeks for him to abandon the plan in favour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The prime minister outlined the government 's aim that , after the month-long period of tougher national measures , different parts of the country will be released back into the existing three tiers , depending on regional transmission rates .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson should have scrapped the regional strategy `` weeks ago '' .
`` Everybody is concerned about the rise in infections , hospital admissions and - tragically - the number of deaths , '' he said .
`` That 's why three weeks ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , in line with SAGE 's recommendation to bring infections down .
`` The government completely rejected that , only to now announce the same thing .
That delay in introducing restrictions will come at an economic cost and a human cost .
`` I 'm glad that the government has finally taken this decision - but it should have done so weeks ago . ''
Sir Keir also said it was not fair to `` pretend that Christmas is going to be normal in any sense of the word '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mantra of blanket lockdown The prime minister uttered the phrase he hoped he 'd never have to say again ; `` stay home , protect the NHS , save lives '' .
The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown .
It came with an acknowledgement there was no alternative to what he had previously described as the `` nuclear option '' .
The 80 % pay furlough scheme that his chancellor had insisted would end today will now be extended until 2 December .
There are notable differences from the restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year - not least that schools will stay open - but the public may be forgiven for that not being the main message .
Just yesterday senior cabinet figures were still adamant a national lockdown was not necessary and that the tiered approach was the right one .
What prompted such an abrupt change ?
The message from the scientists ' data slides were used to substantiate the prime minister 's core message - failure to act could see the NHS overwhelmed in weeks .
This was n't to protect Christmas , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent doctors and nurses being forced to ration who they can try to save .
The prime minister claimed the regional tier approach was right while there were disparities in the incidence rates in different areas .
But he acknowledged rates are now growing too quickly everywhere to stick with it .
In other words , Boris Johnson is not conceding he should have followed SAGE and the calls of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and instituted a `` circuit breaker '' lockdown two weeks ago .
The prime minster concluded by saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be much closer to normal by the spring , citing improved treatments , the prospect of a vaccine and rapid mass testing .
But back in July from the same podium , the prime minister expressed similar optimism that we might be easing restrictions significantly by November .
So much for that .

England will enter a month-long lockdown from Thursday, Boris Johnson has announced.
Until 2 December, people in England will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons, such as education, work or food shopping.
Mr Johnson, speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Saturday evening, said there was "no alternative" to a second period of national lockdown restrictions.
Follow live coronavirus updates
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:35 Whitty: COVID-19 prevalence is going up extremely rapidly
The prime minister urged the country to return to his spring message of "stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives" and acknowledged that "Christmas is going to be different this year".
However, Mr Johnson suggested that "tough action now" could allow families to be together over the festive period.
Mr Johnson said that "no responsible prime minister" could ignore the rising number of coronavirus infections across England.
And he warned that, without action, there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the spring's first wave of the pandemic.
Schools, colleges and universities will remain open while those who cannot work from home, such as workers in construction or manufacturing, will be encouraged to continue going to their workplaces.
Advertisement
Pubs, bars and restaurants will close across the country, although they will be able to offer takeaway and delivery services.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers and leisure and entertainment venues will also be shut.
The prime minister said the furlough scheme, which has seen the government pay a proportion of peoples' wages during the COVID-19 crisis but was due to end on Saturday, would now be extended through November.
Different households will be banned from mixing, although support bubbles and childcare bubbles will remain and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.
Gyms will be shut but people can continue to exercise for unlimited periods outdoors, either with people from their own households or on a one-to-one basis with one person from another household.
People will be able to travel internationally for work, but will not be allowed to go abroad for holidays.
Premier League football and other elite sports will be allowed to continue, due to the testing regimes in place for professional sportspeople - but amateur sports will be put on hold.
The prime minister said those who are vulnerable would not be asked to shield in the same way as they did in the spring and early summer.
But he urged those who are at risk to minimise their contact with others and not go to work if they are unable to work from home.
MPs are expected to vote on the fresh measures on Wednesday.
Mr Johnson said there was a need to be "humble in the face of nature" with the virus "spreading even faster than the reasonable worst case scenario of our scientific advisers".
"Unless we act, we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day - a peak of mortality, alas, far bigger than the one we saw in April," he added.
The government's scientists have warned that hospitals could run out of beds by early December without new measures.
And Mr Johnson warned that "the risk is that for the first time in our lives, the NHS will not be there for us and for our families".
Image: Sir Patrick Vallance warned deaths could be close to the peak of the first wave by early December
Also appearing at the news conference, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said there were now several hospitals with more coronavirus patients than they'd had during the first wave of infections.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said that "if nothing is done" then the number of deaths could be close to the peak of the first wave by early December.
The prime minister highlighted how other countries, such as France and Germany, had already been forced to take similar action by re-entering lockdown restrictions as the second wave of the virus spreads across Europe.
But he said better medicine, the "realistic hope of a vaccine" in early 2021, and the prospect of millions of 15-minute COVID-19 tests made him optimistic "that this will feel very different and better by the spring".
"We will get through this, but we must act now to contain this autumn surge," Mr Johnson added.
"We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of March and April.
"It is less prohibitive and less restrictive, but from Thursday the basic message is the same; stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."
Until now, the government has been pursuing a localised approach to COVID-19 restrictions, with England divided into three levels of measures, depending on local infection rates.
Mr Johnson said he still "passionately" believed the three-tier strategy "was the right thing to do", despite growing calls over recent weeks for him to abandon the plan in favour of a "circuit break" lockdown.
The prime minister outlined the government's aim that, after the month-long period of tougher national measures, different parts of the country will be released back into the existing three tiers, depending on regional transmission rates.
Image: England is returning to the 'stay home' message from the spring
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Johnson should have scrapped the regional strategy "weeks ago".
"Everybody is concerned about the rise in infections, hospital admissions and - tragically - the number of deaths," he said.
"That's why three weeks ago, Labour called for a circuit breaker in England, in line with SAGE's recommendation to bring infections down.
"The government completely rejected that, only to now announce the same thing. That delay in introducing restrictions will come at an economic cost and a human cost.
"I'm glad that the government has finally taken this decision - but it should have done so weeks ago."
Sir Keir also said it was not fair to "pretend that Christmas is going to be normal in any sense of the word".
Analysis: The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown
By Tom Rayner, political correspondent
The prime minister uttered the phrase he hoped he'd never have to say again; "stay home, protect the NHS, save lives".
The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown.
It came with an acknowledgement there was no alternative to what he had previously described as the "nuclear option".
The 80% pay furlough scheme that his chancellor had insisted would end today will now be extended until 2 December.
There are notable differences from the restrictions that were in place earlier in the year - not least that schools will stay open - but the public may be forgiven for that not being the main message.
Just yesterday senior cabinet figures were still adamant a national lockdown was not necessary and that the tiered approach was the right one.
What prompted such an abrupt change?
The message from the scientists' data slides were used to substantiate the prime minister's core message - failure to act could see the NHS overwhelmed in weeks.
This wasn't to protect Christmas, as some had supposed, this was to prevent doctors and nurses being forced to ration who they can try to save.
The prime minister claimed the regional tier approach was right while there were disparities in the incidence rates in different areas.
But he acknowledged rates are now growing too quickly everywhere to stick with it.
In other words, Boris Johnson is not conceding he should have followed SAGE and the calls of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and instituted a "circuit breaker" lockdown two weeks ago.
The prime minster concluded by saying he was "optimistic" things would be much closer to normal by the spring, citing improved treatments, the prospect of a vaccine and rapid mass testing.
But back in July from the same podium, the prime minister expressed similar optimism that we might be easing restrictions significantly by November.
So much for that.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-31--What you can and can't do after new measures come in

England is to be placed under stricter nationwide restrictions from Thursday in an attempt to slow down the spread of coronavirus .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new measures just after confirmed COVID-19 cases passed the one million mark across the UK .
The new restrictions will initially be imposed from 0001 on 5 November until 2 December across the whole of England , with the plan to then ease them on a local and regional basis .
The furlough scheme will remain until then .
Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around the world Northern Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These are the new restrictions for England : • Only leave your home for specific reasons - education , work if you can not work from home , exercise , medical reasons , to escape injury or harm , shop for food and essentials , and provide care for vulnerable people , or as a volunteer • No mixing of households inside homes , except for childcare and other support • No mixing of households outside , except for exercising or visiting a public place with one other person • People who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shield again , but clinically vulnerable and over-60s are advised to limit social contacts and follow rules carefully • All pubs , bars and restaurants to close - takeaways and deliveries allowed , but no takeaway alcohol • All non-essential retail to close but supermarkets can still sell non-essential goods - click and collect can continue • International travel out of the UK banned , except for work • Travel within the UK discouraged , except for work • Work places should stay open where people can not work from home • Children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separated • Outdoor exercise and recreation encouraged and is unlimited - only with your household/bubble , on your own or with one other person from a different household ( golf is not allowed ) • People can sit on park benches and have picnics as long as it is with their household • Services in places of worship banned but private prayer permitted • Professional sports allowed but amateur sports are not • Hotels and hostels to remain open for people travelling for work and limited other reasons Scotland has a four-tier system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different levels of restriction .
Northern Ireland is under a four-week circuit breaker that started on 16 October .
Wales is under a two-week `` firebreak '' system that will end on 9 November .

England is now under stricter nationwide restrictions in an attempt to slow down the spread of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new measures just after confirmed COVID-19 cases passed the one million mark across the UK.
The new restrictions will initially be imposed until 2 December across the whole of England, with the plan to then ease them on a local and regional basis.
The furlough scheme will remain until then.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have their own restrictions.
These are the new restrictions for England:
Only leave your home for specific reasons - Childcare or education For work if you cannot work from home Exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place Medical reasons, to escape injury or harm Shop for food and essentials To provide care for vulnerable people or visit people in your support bubble, or as a volunteer To attend an event commemorating Remembrance Sunday Visiting estate agents and show homes Moving house Visits to waste disposal or recycling centres
No mixing of different households inside homes, except for childcare and other support
No mixing of households outside, except for exercising or visiting a public place with one other person
People who shielded in March do not have to shield again, but clinically vulnerable and over-60s are advised to limit social contacts and follow rules carefully
All pubs, bars and restaurants to close - takeaways and deliveries are allowed
All non-essential retail to close, but deliveries to customers and click-and-collect can continue
Food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open. For the full list of what can remain open click here
Some venues will be allowed to remain open for specific exempt activities, like childcare and support groups
Support groups that are essential to be in-person can remain open, with up to 15 participants, where organised to give mutual aid, therapy or any other means of support. For example, support to victims of crime, people in drug and alcohol recovery, new parents and guardians, people with long-term illnesses, people facing issues relating to their sexuality or gender, and those who have suffered bereavement
International travel out of the UK banned, except for work
Avoid all non-essential travel by private or public transport
Overnight stays and holidays away from your home are not allowed, including holidays in the UK and abroad. This includes staying in a second home, if you own one, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with. Staying away from home for work purposes is allowed
Work places should stay open where people cannot work from home
Support bubbles remain
Children allowed to move between homes if parents separated
Outdoor exercise and recreation encouraged and is unlimited - only with your household/bubble, on your own or for an individual to meet one other person from a different household (golf and tennis not allowed)
Children under school age who are with their parents will not count towards the limit on two people meeting outside - so a parent can see a friend or family member with their baby or young children
People can sit on park benches and have picnics as long as it is with their household
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be allowed except in exceptional circumstances
Services in places of worship banned but private prayer permitted
Funerals allowed to continue with a maximum of 30 people, with only close friends and family advised to attend
Linked ceremonial events like stone settings and ash scatterings can also keep going ahead, with up to 15 people
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:42 England's second lockdown: PM details new rules
Manufacturing and construction to continue
Childcare settings, schools, colleges and universities to remain open
University students must not move back and forth between their permanent home and student accommodation during term time and should only return home at the end of term for Christmas
Playgrounds to remain open
Medical appointments to continue as normal
Vets to remain open
Courts to remain open
Job centres to remain open
Professional sports, including the Premier League, allowed but amateur sports are not
Hotels and hostels to remain open for people travelling for work and limited other reasons.
What is the guidance for care home visits during the second lockdown?
All care home residents can receive visits from friends and family. However, measures must be in place to ensure safety - such as floor to ceiling screens, visiting pods, and window visits
Outdoor visits with one other person are permitted, provided it can be accessed by the loved one without going into the main building
The guidance allows care home providers, families and local professionals to work together to find the right balance between the benefits of visiting on wellbeing and quality of life, and the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to social care staff and vulnerable residents
Care homes are encouraged to arrange "virtual visits" using video calls.
Scotland has a five-tier system in place, with different areas under different levels of restriction.
The tiers begin at Level 0, described by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as "the closest to normality we can safely get to without more effective treatments for COVID or a vaccine against COVID".
Advertisement
The most severe is Level 4, under which non-essential shops would close but the government will seek to keep manufacturing and construction firms open.
Northern Ireland is under a four-week circuit breaker that started on 16 October.
Pubs and restaurants there are closed except for takeaways and deliveries. Schools were shut for two weeks.
Retail outlets remain open, along with gyms for individual training.
People have been told they should work from home if possible.
Wales is under a two-week "firebreak" system that will end on 9 November.
People there can only leave their homes for limited reasons and must work from home where possible.
Leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses, community centres, libraries and recycling centres are all closed. Places of worship are shut except for funerals or wedding ceremonies.
When that ends, two households will be able to join together to form a bubble and up to 15 people will be allowed to meet indoors for an activity, with 30 outdoors. Schools will reopen in full however travel outside Wales during the England lockdown will be prohibited.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-31--In full: Prime minister's statement as second lockdown announced

England is to enter a second national lockdown from Thursday , Boris Johnson has announced , as a second wave of coronavirus cases continues to grow .
In a speech on Saturday the prime minister detailed new the new rules which will be in place from 5 November until 2 December .
Here is that speech in full : Thank you very much Patrick , and Chris .
I am afraid that no responsible PM can ignore the message of those figures .
When I told you two weeks ago that we were pursuing a local and a regional approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then and I still believe passionately that it was the right thing to do .
Because we know the cost of these restrictions , the damage they do , the impact on jobs , and on livelihoods , and on people 's mental health .
No one wants to be imposing these kinds of measures anywhere .
We did n't want to be shutting businesses , pubs and restaurants in one part of the country , where incidence was very low , when the vast bulk of infections were taking place elsewhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ action , strong local leadership , we could get the rates of infection down where the disease was surging , and address the problem thereby across the whole country .
And I want to thank the millions of people who have been putting up with these restrictions in their areas for so long .
I want to thank local leaders who have stepped up and local communities .
Because as you can see from some of those charts , the R has been kept lower than it would otherwise have been , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been paying off And we will continue as far as we possibly can to adopt a pragmatic and local approach in the months ahead But as we 've also seen from those charts , we 've got to be humble in the face of nature And in this country alas as across much of Europe the virus is spreading even faster than the reasonable worst case scenario of our scientific advisers Whose models as you 've just seen now suggest that unless we act we could see deaths in this country running at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortality alas far bigger than the one we saw in April Even in the South West , where incidence was so low , and still is so low , it is now clear that current projections mean they will run out of hospital capacity in a matter of weeks unless we act .
And let me explain why the overrunning of the NHS would be a medical and moral disaster beyond the raw loss of life Because the huge exponential growth in the number of patients - by no means all of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean that doctors and nurses would be forced to choose which patients to treat Who would get oxygen and who wouldn't Who would live and who would die , And doctors and nurses would be forced to choose between saving covid patients and non-covid patients And the sheer weight of covid demand would mean depriving tens of thousands , if not hundreds of thousands , if not millions , of non-covid patients of the care they need It is crucial to grasp this that the general threat to public health comes not from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from not focusing enough , from failing to get it under control And if we let the lines on those graphs grow in the way they could and in the way they 're projected to grow , then the risk is that for the first time in our lives , the NHS will not be there for us and for our families And even if I could now double capacity overnight - and obviously I am proud that we have massively increased capacity , we do have the Nightingales , we 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have many more doctors - but it still would not be enough , because the virus is doubling faster than we could conceivably add capacity And so now is the time to take action because there is no alternative .
From Thursday until the start of December , you must stay at home .
You may only leave home for specific reasons , including : For education ; For work , say if you can not work from home ; For exercise and recreation outdoors , with your household or on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household ; For medical reasons , appointments and to escape injury or harm ; To shop for food and essentials ; And to provide care for vulnerable people , or as a volunteer .
I 'm afraid non-essential shops , leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed - though click and collect services can continue and essential shops will remain open , so there is no need to stock up .
Pubs , bars , restaurants must close except for takeaway and delivery services .
Workplaces should stay open where people ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the construction or manufacturing sectors .
Single adult households can still form exclusive support bubbles with one other household , and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated .
If you are clinically vulnerable , or over the age of 60 , you should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others .
I know how tough shielding was , and we will not ask people to shield again in the same way again .
However we are asking those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their contact with others , and not to go to work if they are unable to work from home .
I am under no illusions about how difficult this will be for businesses which have already had to endure hardship this year .
I am truly , truly sorry for that .
This is why we are also going to extend the furlough system through November .
The furlough scheme was a success in the spring .
It supported people and businesses in a critical time .
We will not end it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ There will be some differences compared to March .
These measures above all will be time-limited , starting next Thursday 5 November .
They will end on Wednesday 2 December , when we will seek to ease restrictions , going back into the tiered system on a local and regional basis according to the latest data and trends .
Christmas is going to be different this year , very different , but it is my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now , we can allow families across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our priority , remains keeping people in education - so childcare , early years settings , schools , colleges and universities will all remain open .
Our senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be .
We can not let this virus damage our children 's futures even more than it has already .
I urge parents to continue taking their children to school and I am extremely grateful to teachers across the country for their dedication in enabling schools to remain open .
And it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-Covid healthcare groups going .
So please - this is really important - unless your clinicians tell you otherwise , you should continue to use the NHS , get your scans , turn up for your appointments and pick up your treatments .
If at all possible , we want you to continue to access these services , now and through the winter .
Indeed it 's only by taking this action that we can protect the NHS for you .
On Monday I will set out our plans to parliament .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these measures which , if passed , will as I say come into force on Thursday .
We have updated the devolved administrations on the action we are taking in England and stand ready to work with them on plans for Christmas and beyond .
We should remember we are not alone in what we 're going through .
Our friends in Belgium , France and Germany have had to take very similar action .
So as we come together now to fight this second wave , I want to say something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonably ask when will this all end And as I have said before I am optimistic that this will feel very different and better by the spring It is not just that we have ever better medicine and therapies , and the realistic hope of a vaccine in the first quarter of next year We now have the immediate prospect of using many millions of cheap , reliable and above all rapid turnaround tests Tests that you can use yourself to tell whether or not you are infectious and get the result within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from trial across the country in schools and hospitals that we can use these tests not just to locate infectious people but to drive down the disease And so over the next few days and weeks , we plan a steady but massive expansion in the deployment of these quick turnaround tests Applying them in an ever-growing number of situations From helping women to have their partners with them in labour wards when they 're giving birth to testing whole towns and even whole cities The army has been brought in to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin in a matter of days Working with local communities , local government , public health directors and organisations of all kinds to help people discover whether or not they are infectious , and then immediately to get them to self-isolate and to stop the spread And I can tell you tonight that the scientists may be unanimously gloomy about the immediate options But they are unanimously optimistic about the medium and the long term future We will get through this - but we must act now to contain this autumn surge We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown of March and April It is less prohibitive and less restrictive But from Thursday the basic message is the same Stay at home .
Protect the NHS .
And save lives .

England is to enter a second national lockdown from Thursday, Boris Johnson has announced, as a second wave of coronavirus cases continues to grow.
In a speech on Saturday the prime minister detailed new the new rules which will be in place from 5 November until 2 December.
Here is that speech in full:
Thank you very much Patrick, and Chris. I am afraid that no responsible PM can ignore the message of those figures.
When I told you two weeks ago that we were pursuing a local and a regional approach to tackling this virus, I believed then and I still believe passionately that it was the right thing to do.
Because we know the cost of these restrictions, the damage they do, the impact on jobs, and on livelihoods, and on people's mental health.
No one wants to be imposing these kinds of measures anywhere.
We didn't want to be shutting businesses, pubs and restaurants in one part of the country, where incidence was very low, when the vast bulk of infections were taking place elsewhere.
Our hope was that by strong local action, strong local leadership, we could get the rates of infection down where the disease was surging, and address the problem thereby across the whole country.
And I want to thank the millions of people who have been putting up with these restrictions in their areas for so long. I want to thank local leaders who have stepped up and local communities.
Because as you can see from some of those charts, the R has been kept lower than it would otherwise have been, and there are signs that your work has been paying off
And we will continue as far as we possibly can to adopt a pragmatic and local approach in the months ahead
But as we've also seen from those charts, we've got to be humble in the face of nature
And in this country alas as across much of Europe the virus is spreading even faster than the reasonable worst case scenario of our scientific advisers
Whose models as you've just seen now suggest that unless we act we could see deaths in this country running at several thousand a day
A peak of mortality alas far bigger than the one we saw in April
Even in the South West, where incidence was so low, and still is so low, it is now clear that current projections mean they will run out of hospital capacity in a matter of weeks unless we act.
And let me explain why the overrunning of the NHS would be a medical and moral disaster beyond the raw loss of life
Because the huge exponential growth in the number of patients - by no means all of them elderly, by the way - would mean that doctors and nurses would be forced to choose which patients to treat
Who would get oxygen and who wouldn't
Who would live and who would die,
And doctors and nurses would be forced to choose between saving covid patients and non-covid patients
And the sheer weight of covid demand would mean depriving tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of non-covid patients of the care they need
It is crucial to grasp this that the general threat to public health comes not from focusing too much on covid, but from not focusing enough, from failing to get it under control
And if we let the lines on those graphs grow in the way they could and in the way they're projected to grow, then the risk is that for the first time in our lives, the NHS will not be there for us and for our families
And even if I could now double capacity overnight - and obviously I am proud that we have massively increased capacity, we do have the Nightingales, we've got 13,000 more nurses now than last year, we have many more doctors - but it still would not be enough, because the virus is doubling faster than we could conceivably add capacity
And so now is the time to take action because there is no alternative.
From Thursday until the start of December, you must stay at home.
You may only leave home for specific reasons, including:
For education; For work, say if you cannot work from home; For exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household or on your own with one person from another household; For medical reasons, appointments and to escape injury or harm; To shop for food and essentials; And to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer.
I'm afraid non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed - though click and collect services can continue and essential shops will remain open, so there is no need to stock up.
Pubs, bars, restaurants must close except for takeaway and delivery services.
Workplaces should stay open where people can't work from home - for example in the construction or manufacturing sectors.
Single adult households can still form exclusive support bubbles with one other household, and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.
If you are clinically vulnerable, or over the age of 60, you should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others.
I know how tough shielding was, and we will not ask people to shield again in the same way again. However we are asking those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to minimise their contact with others, and not to go to work if they are unable to work from home.
I am under no illusions about how difficult this will be for businesses which have already had to endure hardship this year. I am truly, truly sorry for that.
This is why we are also going to extend the furlough system through November. The furlough scheme was a success in the spring. It supported people and businesses in a critical time. We will not end it. We will extend it until December.
There will be some differences compared to March.
These measures above all will be time-limited, starting next Thursday 5 November. They will end on Wednesday 2 December, when we will seek to ease restrictions, going back into the tiered system on a local and regional basis according to the latest data and trends.
Christmas is going to be different this year, very different, but it is my sincere hope and belief that by taking tough action now, we can allow families across the country to be together.
My priority, our priority, remains keeping people in education - so childcare, early years settings, schools, colleges and universities will all remain open. Our senior clinicians still advise that school is the best place for children to be.
We cannot let this virus damage our children's futures even more than it has already. I urge parents to continue taking their children to school and I am extremely grateful to teachers across the country for their dedication in enabling schools to remain open.
And it is vital that we will keep provision for non-Covid healthcare groups going.
So please - this is really important - unless your clinicians tell you otherwise, you should continue to use the NHS, get your scans, turn up for your appointments and pick up your treatments. If at all possible, we want you to continue to access these services, now and through the winter. Indeed it's only by taking this action that we can protect the NHS for you.
On Monday I will set out our plans to parliament. On Wednesday, parliament will debate and vote on these measures which, if passed, will as I say come into force on Thursday.
We have updated the devolved administrations on the action we are taking in England and stand ready to work with them on plans for Christmas and beyond.
We should remember we are not alone in what we're going through. Our friends in Belgium, France and Germany have had to take very similar action.
So as we come together now to fight this second wave, I want to say something about the way ahead
Because people will reasonably ask when will this all end
And as I have said before I am optimistic that this will feel very different and better by the spring
It is not just that we have ever better medicine and therapies, and the realistic hope of a vaccine in the first quarter of next year
We now have the immediate prospect of using many millions of cheap, reliable and above all rapid turnaround tests
Tests that you can use yourself to tell whether or not you are infectious and get the result within ten to 15 minutes
And we know from trial across the country in schools and hospitals that we can use these tests not just to locate infectious people but to drive down the disease
And so over the next few days and weeks, we plan a steady but massive expansion in the deployment of these quick turnaround tests
Applying them in an ever-growing number of situations
From helping women to have their partners with them in labour wards when they're giving birth to testing whole towns and even whole cities
The army has been brought in to work on the logistics and the programme will begin in a matter of days
Working with local communities, local government, public health directors and organisations of all kinds to help people discover whether or not they are infectious, and then immediately to get them to self-isolate and to stop the spread
And I can tell you tonight that the scientists may be unanimously gloomy about the immediate options
But they are unanimously optimistic about the medium and the long term future
We will get through this - but we must act now to contain this autumn surge
We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of March and April
It is less prohibitive and less restrictive
But from Thursday the basic message is the same
Stay at home. Protect the NHS. And save lives.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-01--England's month-long lockdown could be extended, says Michael Gove

England 's month-long lockdown could be extended beyond 2 December if necessary , cabinet minister Michael Gove has told Sky News .
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday , the Tory frontbencher also defended the delay in reintroducing the nationwide restrictions , which had been called by the government 's own scientific advisers back in September .
Tougher action was needed now because the `` situation has been worse than any of us expected '' and threatened to overwhelm the NHS , said Mr Gove .
Pubs , bars , restaurants and non-essential retail will close from Thursday for four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 80 % extended for the duration of the new measures .
People will be allowed to exercise and socialise in public spaces outside with their household or one other person , but not indoors or in private gardens , and will be able to travel to work if they can not work from home .
People will be able to travel internationally for work , but will not be allowed to go abroad for holidays .
Unlike during the first lockdown , schools , universities and nurseries will remain open .
Announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` no alternative '' to a second lockdown and that `` no responsible prime minister '' could ignore the rising number of coronavirus infections across England .
He also warned that , without action , there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the spring 's first wave of the pandemic .
MPs are expected to vote on the fresh measures on Wednesday .
Mr Gove said the government would review the data during November , adding he hoped the infection rate would be `` significantly reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he said it would be `` foolish '' to predict what would happen with the pandemic over the next four weeks , and admitted the lockdown may have to be extended .
Asked if the national restrictions could be extended , he replied : `` Yes . ''
He said : `` We will always take a decision in the national interest , based on evidence .
`` We want to be in a position where we can - and I believe that this is likely to be the case - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the rate of infection sufficiently we can reduce measures nationally and also reduce measures regionally . ''
Mr Gove said a regional approach was `` one that wherever possible we want to take '' , because it would allow the future targeting of `` a specific upsurge in specific areas '' .
His warning was echoed by former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport , who said while the latest lockdown in England was `` definitely '' better late than never , it was `` obviously a possibility '' the restrictions could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Ridge : `` The lockdown is not as severe as it was first time round , so the only way to know is to see how quickly the new cases start dropping .
`` As we know , there 's a lag between the case developing , hospitalisation and the horrible consequences of severe illness or death .
`` It 's unlikely this time to come down quite as fast as it did during the first lockdown because we have got schools open . ''
Pressed if the new lockdown could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sir Mark said : `` It 's obviously a possibility , yes and the only way to know is going to be to really count cases as accurately as possible . ''
He also cast doubt on people being able to gather at Christmas , telling Ridge : `` I think the virus is sublimely indifferent as to what day of the week it is and indeed whether it 's Christmas or any other festivals , so it does seem a bit unlikely that it 's going to be a completely normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Professor Jeremy Farrar , a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , has also suggested restrictions could be extended beyond 2 December .
Referring to the date , he told BBC 's Andrew Marr : `` I think it 's useful , I just do n't think we can become fixed on it .
We do n't know what the situation is going to be like in the last week of November and the first week of December , we all hope that four weeks is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Keir Starmer said Labour `` will support the government 's message '' but called on them to fix the issues around the troubled NHS test and trace system .
He added : `` They 've promised so much and delivered so little . ''
Analysis : Prospect of open-ended restrictions likely to fuel backbench discontent Last time the national lockdown lasted longer than expected , this morning we got the first clue that may happen again .
Michael Gove eventually admitted to Sophy Ridge that `` yes '' - lockdown could carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the review will be `` driven by the data '' and the R number - the coronavirus reproduction rate .
It 's likely to set alarm bells ringing because we know the numbers can take a long time to come down and , as former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport told Ridge , the R number is unlikely to come down as quickly this time .
Sir Mark said it is `` obviously a possibility '' that lockdown could go on for longer than the last one .
Yesterday , we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there was `` hope '' of family reunions at Christmas .
Mr Gove 's words today are a clear contrast , and exactly what businesses and many conservatives fear .
Backbenchers are already grumbling , Tory former leader Iain Duncan Smith has described the lockdown as a `` body blow to the British people '' .
The prospect of open-ended restrictions wo n't help .
With the backing of Labour , the government wo n't lose the vote on this on Wednesday , but strains are showing on the Conservative benches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for relief in December may well require a Christmas miracle .

England's month-long lockdown could be extended beyond 2 December if necessary, cabinet minister Michael Gove has told Sky News.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, the Tory frontbencher also defended the delay in reintroducing the nationwide restrictions, which had been called for by the government's own scientific advisers back in September.
Tougher action was needed now because the "situation has been worse than any of us expected" and threatened to overwhelm the NHS, said Mr Gove.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:42 England's second lockdown: PM details new rules
Pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential retail will close from Thursday for four weeks across England, with furlough payments at 80% extended for the duration of the new measures.
People will be allowed to exercise and socialise in public spaces outside with their household or one other person, but not indoors or in private gardens, and will be able to travel to work if they cannot work from home.
People will be able to travel internationally for work, but will not be allowed to go abroad for holidays.
Unlike during the first lockdown, schools, universities and nurseries will remain open.
Announcing the measures, Boris Johnson said there was "no alternative" to a second lockdown and that "no responsible prime minister" could ignore the rising number of coronavirus infections across England.
He also warned that, without action, there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the spring's first wave of the pandemic.
Advertisement
MPs are expected to vote on the fresh measures on Wednesday.
Mr Gove said the government would review the data during November, adding he hoped the infection rate would be "significantly reduced" by the start of next month.
But he said it would be "foolish" to predict what would happen with the pandemic over the next four weeks, and admitted the lockdown may have to be extended.
Asked if the national restrictions could be extended, he replied: "Yes."
He said: "We will always take a decision in the national interest, based on evidence.
"We want to be in a position where we can - and I believe that this is likely to be the case - have an approach where if we bring down the rate of infection sufficiently we can reduce measures nationally and also reduce measures regionally."
Mr Gove said a regional approach was "one that wherever possible we want to take", because it would allow the future targeting of "a specific upsurge in specific areas".
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
:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
His warning was echoed by former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport, who said while the latest lockdown in England was "definitely" better late than never, it was "obviously a possibility" the restrictions could last longer than the first.
He told Ridge: "The lockdown is not as severe as it was first time round, so the only way to know is to see how quickly the new cases start dropping.
"As we know, there's a lag between the case developing, hospitalisation and the horrible consequences of severe illness or death.
"It's unlikely this time to come down quite as fast as it did during the first lockdown because we have got schools open."
Pressed if the new lockdown could be longer than the one in the spring, Sir Mark said: "It's obviously a possibility, yes and the only way to know is going to be to really count cases as accurately as possible."
He also cast doubt on people being able to gather at Christmas, telling Ridge: "I think the virus is sublimely indifferent as to what day of the week it is and indeed whether it's Christmas or any other festivals, so it does seem a bit unlikely that it's going to be a completely normal Christmas, that's for sure."
Professor Jeremy Farrar, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), has also suggested restrictions could be extended beyond 2 December.
Referring to the date, he told BBC's Andrew Marr: "I think it's useful, I just don't think we can become fixed on it. We don't know what the situation is going to be like in the last week of November and the first week of December, we all hope that four weeks is going to be enough."
Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "We called for a circuit break three weeks ago to coincide with half term so there has been a delay which has been costly, but these measures are necessary and we will vote in favour of them."
Stressing the need to fix the troubled test, trace and isolate system, Sir Keir said: "If you can't test people quickly enough, you can't trace them and if you can't trace them you can't isolate."
He added: "This has ben busted for months. The government has promised a better system. Use these four weeks to fix that because otherwise it's very difficult to see how we get the infection rate down sufficiently to come out of this on 2 December."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Fix 'busted' test and trace system, says Starmer
London mayor Sadiq Khan hit out at the government's handling of COVID-19, telling Sky News: "Frankly I'm astonished that the government have surpassed themselves in the shambolic way they're dealing with this pandemic."
He added: "They got it wrong and they should just have the humility to say 'we got it wrong'."
Analysis: Prospect of open-ended restrictions likely to fuel backbench discontent
By Ali Fortescue, political correspondent
Last time the national lockdown lasted longer than expected, this morning we got the first clue that may happen again.
Michael Gove eventually admitted to Sophy Ridge that "yes" - lockdown could carry on beyond 2 December, and said the review will be "driven by the data" and the R number - the coronavirus reproduction rate.
It's likely to set alarm bells ringing because we know the numbers can take a long time to come down and, as former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport told Ridge, the R number is unlikely to come down as quickly this time.
Sir Mark said it is "obviously a possibility" that lockdown could go on for longer than the last one.
Yesterday, we were firmly told this was a time-limited intervention, and there was "hope" of family reunions at Christmas. Mr Gove's words today are a clear contrast, and exactly what businesses and many Conservatives fear.
Backbenchers are already grumbling, Tory former leader Iain Duncan Smith has described the lockdown as a "body blow to the British people".
The prospect of open-ended restrictions won't help.
With the backing of Labour, the government won't lose the vote on this on Wednesday, but strains are showing on the Conservative benches and the prime minister's "hope" for relief in December may well require a Christmas miracle.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-01--Transport for London secures £1.8bn bailout as Khan 'kills off very worst government proposals'

Transport for London ( TfL ) has secured an estimated £1.8bn bailout from the government to help the service through the coronavirus pandemic .
The capital 's transport body said the agreement will enable it to continue operating until the end of March 2021 .
The exact amount of money involved will be subject to passenger revenue in the coming months .
It follows discussions between the Department for Transport and TfL , which is chaired by London mayor Sadiq Khan , to secure a six-month funding deal and prevent the collapse of the capital 's bus and Tube networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` not ideal '' but he fought hard to get to the `` best possible place '' , and claimed he had succeeded in `` killing off the very worst government proposals '' .
He insisted : `` The only reason TfL needs government support is because almost all our fares income has dried up since March as Londoners have done the right thing . ''
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said : `` This deal is proof of our commitment to supporting London and the transport network on which it depends .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national rail operators , we 'll make up the fare income which TfL is losing due to COVID . ''
The latest round of negotiations were aimed at preventing TfL from being forced to file a Section 114 notice - a process which would effectively declare it insolvent , and lead to services being severely curtailed .
The deadline for talks was Saturday night .
Amendments to the congestion charge introduced in June as part of a previous bailout - a 30 % increase in the fee and longer operating hours - will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
Mr Khan said the government wanted TfL to extend the charging zone to the North and South Circular roads , covering around four million more Londoners .
Other proposed measures described by Mr Khan as `` ill-advised and draconian '' included above-inflation public transport fare rises .
Responding to the new agreement , Mr Khan said : `` I am pleased that we have succeeded in killing off the very worst government proposals .
`` I am determined that none of this will now happen .
`` These proposals from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding the congestion charge zone , scrapping free travel for older and younger Londoners and increasing TfL fares by more than RPI+1 . ''
Mr Khan said the negotiations have been `` an appalling and totally unnecessary distraction at a time when every ounce of attention should have been focused on trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protecting jobs '' .
A two-week extension to TfL 's funding was granted earlier this month amid a row between Mr Khan and ministers including Mr Shapps .
Last month Boris Johnson claimed TfL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and proposals to hike charges were `` entirely the responsibility '' of Mr Khan .
Mr Shapps said : `` The mayor has pledged that national taxpayers will not pay for benefits for Londoners that they do not get themselves elsewhere in the country . ''
He added discussions will continue over the coming months to achieve a `` long-term settlement '' , which will include London being given `` more control over key taxes so it can pay more costs of the transport network itself '' .
City Hall said current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth around £1.8bn in grants and borrowing .
TfL will carry out cost savings to make up a remaining £160m `` gap '' based on its forecasts .

Sadiq Khan has warned Londoners their council tax bills could have to rise because of the "draconian" conditions attached to a £1.8bn government bailout of Transport for London (TfL).
The capital's transport body said the agreement will enable it to continue operating until the end of March 2021.
The exact amount of money involved will be subject to passenger revenue in the coming months.
Image: Sadiq Khan said the agreement was 'not ideal'. File pic
It follows discussions between the Department for Transport and TfL, which is chaired by Mr Khan, to secure a six-month funding deal and prevent the collapse of the capital's bus and Tube networks.
The mayor said the deal was "not ideal" but he fought hard to get to the "best possible place", and claimed he had succeeded in "killing off the very worst government proposals".
He insisted: "The only reason TfL needs government support is because almost all our fares income has dried up since March as Londoners have done the right thing."
Asked in a later interview with Sky News whether people living in the capital should prepare for the possibility of higher council tax to fund TfL, Mr Khan said: "They should be as a consequence of the conditions imposed by the government."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "This deal is proof of our commitment to supporting London and the transport network on which it depends.
"Just as we've done for the national rail operators, we'll make up the fare income which TfL is losing due to COVID."
Advertisement
TfL said: "Discussions on longer-term sustainable funding continue."
The latest round of negotiations were aimed at preventing TfL from being forced to file a Section 114 notice - a process which would effectively declare it insolvent, and lead to services being severely curtailed.
The deadline for talks was Saturday night.
Amendments to the congestion charge introduced in June as part of a previous bailout - a 30% increase in the fee and longer operating hours - will remain in place due to the new deal.
Mr Khan said the government wanted TfL to extend the charging zone to the North and South Circular roads, covering around four million more Londoners.
Other proposed measures described by Mr Khan as "ill-advised and draconian" included above-inflation public transport fare rises.
Responding to the new agreement, Mr Khan said: "I am pleased that we have succeeded in killing off the very worst government proposals.
"I am determined that none of this will now happen.
"These proposals from the government would have hammered Londoners by massively expanding the congestion charge zone, scrapping free travel for older and younger Londoners and increasing TfL fares by more than RPI+1."
Mr Khan said the negotiations have been "an appalling and totally unnecessary distraction at a time when every ounce of attention should have been focused on trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protecting jobs".
A two-week extension to TfL's funding was granted earlier this month amid a row between Mr Khan and ministers including Mr Shapps.
Last month Boris Johnson claimed TfL was "effectively bankrupted" before coronavirus, and proposals to hike charges were "entirely the responsibility" of Mr Khan.
Mr Shapps said: "The mayor has pledged that national taxpayers will not pay for benefits for Londoners that they do not get themselves elsewhere in the country."
He added discussions will continue over the coming months to achieve a "long-term settlement", which will include London being given "more control over key taxes so it can pay more costs of the transport network itself".
City Hall said current passenger revenue projections mean the bailout is worth around £1.8bn in grants and borrowing.
TfL will carry out cost savings to make up a remaining £160m "gap" based on its forecasts.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-01--Antisemitism report is a 'stain on Labour', David Miliband says

Former foreign secretary David Miliband has told Sophy Ridge on Sunday it is `` shameful '' to have been found `` colluding… in what is essentially racist behaviour '' when asked about Labour 's antisemitism report .
He said : `` You ca n't think of anything more shameful really than to be found to be colluding , conniving in what is essentially racist behaviour or actions .
`` So this is painful , this is shameful , as [ leader ] Keir Starmer said , I think he used that word , for every member of the Labour Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be erased with absolute drive and determination . ''
Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from Labour on Friday after saying complaints of antisemitism in the party were `` overstated '' , in a damning report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) .
The report concluded the party broke the law in its failure to handle antisemitism complaints and that there were `` serious failings '' by its leadership .
Mr Miliband , who is now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee , told the show it was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been suspended from the party , and that the former Labour leader 's response `` showed all of the blindness , all of the arrogance , all of the sticking of your fingers in your ears that we 'd seen in his time as leader '' .
He accused Mr Corbyn of having `` suspended himself '' , and `` put himself beyond the pale '' .
Speaking from his home in New York , the former Labour minister told Sky News the issue extended to other members of the `` hard left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've always been more on the centre-left and I 've had disagreements with those on the hard-left but never in my worst thoughts did I think that the hill that they would choose to fight on would be the hill of anti-Semitism .
`` I mean , they put themselves beyond the pale and I think the hard questions frankly are for them . ''
Speaking about the party 's history , Mr Miliband said Mr Corbyn was `` never going to be elected as prime minister '' .
`` If you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can win elections and put your values into practice .
`` If you have a candidate like Jeremy Corbyn who repels voters , you 've got no chance of being able to put your values into practice and that is the tragedy of British politics over the last 10 years . ''
He criticised President Trump , saying he had made no progress engaging with North Korea or China and that Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than four years ago .
He added : `` When it comes to engagement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have paid the price of the tariffs that have come in and China is actually in a much stronger position today than it was four years ago . ''

Former foreign secretary David Miliband has told Sophy Ridge on Sunday it is "shameful" to have been found "colluding… in what is essentially racist behaviour" when asked about Labour's antisemitism report.
He said: "You can't think of anything more shameful really than to be found to be colluding, conniving in what is essentially racist behaviour or actions.
"So this is painful, this is shameful, as [leader] Keir Starmer said, I think he used that word, for every member of the Labour Party and it's a stain that has to be erased with absolute drive and determination."
Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from Labour on Friday after saying complaints of antisemitism in the party were "overstated", in a damning report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The report concluded the party broke the law in its failure to handle antisemitism complaints and that there were "serious failings" by its leadership.
Mr Miliband, who is now chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, told the show it was "definitely" right that Mr Corbyn had been suspended from the party, and that the former Labour leader's response "showed all of the blindness, all of the arrogance, all of the sticking of your fingers in your ears that we'd seen in his time as leader".
He accused Mr Corbyn of having "suspended himself", and "put himself beyond the pale".
Speaking from his home in New York, the former Labour minister told Sky News the issue extended to other members of the "hard left".
He said: "I've always been more on the centre-left and I've had disagreements with those on the hard-left but never in my worst thoughts did I think that the hill that they would choose to fight on would be the hill of anti-Semitism.
Advertisement
"I mean, they put themselves beyond the pale and I think the hard questions frankly are for them."
Speaking about the party's history, Mr Miliband said Mr Corbyn was "never going to be elected as prime minister".
"If you have a candidate who attracts people, you can win elections and put your values into practice.
"If you have a candidate like Jeremy Corbyn who repels voters, you've got no chance of being able to put your values into practice and that is the tragedy of British politics over the last 10 years."
He criticised President Trump, saying he had made no progress engaging with North Korea or China and that Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than four years ago.
He added: "When it comes to engagement with China, obviously American farmers and consumers have paid the price of the tariffs that have come in and China is actually in a much stronger position today than it was four years ago."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-31--England to enter month-long lockdown as PM faces backlash over delay

Boris Johnson has ordered a four-week national lockdown in England from Thursday , but is facing criticism that his delay in imposing restrictions will have a `` very real '' human cost .
The prime minister rejected calls last month for a short , sharp shutdown , but after local restrictions failed to reduce infections , he was forced to tell the country to `` stay at home '' once again .
From Thursday until 2 December , people in England will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons , such as education , work or food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference on Saturday evening , Mr Johnson said there was `` no alternative '' to a second period of national lockdown restrictions .
The government 's scientific advisers have warned that hospitals could run out of beds by early December without new measures .
The prime minister urged the country to return to his spring message of `` stay at home , protect the NHS and save lives '' and acknowledged that `` Christmas is going to be different this year '' .
However , Mr Johnson suggested that `` tough action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together over the festive period .
Mr Johnson said that `` no responsible prime minister '' could ignore the rising number of coronavirus infections across England .
And he warned that , without action , there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the spring 's first wave of the pandemic .
Schools , colleges and universities will remain open while those who can not work from home , such as workers in construction or manufacturing , will be encouraged to continue going to their workplaces .
Pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , although they will be able to offer takeaway and delivery services .
Non-essential shops , hairdressers and leisure and entertainment venues will also be shut .
The prime minister said the furlough scheme , which has seen the government pay a proportion of peoples ' wages during the COVID-19 crisis but was due to end on Saturday , would now be extended through November .
Different households will be banned from mixing , although support bubbles and childcare bubbles will remain and children will still be able to move between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gyms will be shut but people can continue to exercise for unlimited periods outdoors , either with people from their own households or on a one-to-one basis with one person from another household .
People will be able to travel internationally for work , but will not be allowed to go abroad for holidays .
Premier League football and other elite sports will be allowed to continue , due to the testing regimes in place for professional sportspeople - but amateur sports will be put on hold .
The prime minister said those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shield in the same way as they did in the spring and early summer .
But he urged those who are at risk to minimise their contact with others and not go to work if they are unable to work from home .
MPs are expected to vote on the fresh measures on Wednesday .
It emerged earlier in October that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , which advises the government on its response to the pandemic , called for a short lockdown in September , prompting Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson to impose such restrictions .
Sir Keir said on Saturday that Mr Johnson should have scrapped the regional strategy `` weeks ago '' .
`` Everybody is concerned about the rise in infections , hospital admissions and - tragically - the number of deaths , '' he said .
`` That 's why three weeks ago , Labour called for a circuit breaker in England , in line with SAGE 's recommendation to bring infections down .
`` The government completely rejected that only now to announce the self-same thing .
Alas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown will be longer , it 'll be harder and there 's a human cost which will be very , very real . ''
He also said : `` I 'm glad that the government has finally taken this decision - but it should have done so weeks ago . ''
The British Medical Association also said it was `` regrettable that warnings from SAGE were not actioned as long ago as 21 September '' .
Also appearing at the news conference , England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients than they 'd had during the first wave of infections .
Sir Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , said that `` if nothing is done '' then the number of deaths could be close to the peak of the first wave by early December .
The prime minister highlighted how other countries , such as France and Germany , had already been forced to take similar action by re-entering lockdown restrictions as the second wave of the virus spreads across Europe .
But he said better medicine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in early 2021 , and the prospect of millions of 15-minute COVID-19 tests made him optimistic `` that this will feel very different and better by the spring '' .
`` We will get through this , but we must act now to contain this autumn surge , '' Mr Johnson added .
`` We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of March and April .
`` It is less prohibitive and less restrictive , but from Thursday the basic message is the same ; stay at home , protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Until now , the government has been pursuing a localised approach to COVID-19 restrictions , with England divided into three levels of measures , depending on local infection rates .
Mr Johnson said he still `` passionately '' believed the three-tier strategy `` was the right thing to do '' , despite growing calls over recent weeks for him to abandon the plan in favour of a `` circuit break '' lockdown .
The prime minister outlined the government 's aim that , after the month-long period of tougher national measures , different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back into the existing three tiers , depending on regional transmission rates .
Analysis : The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown The prime minister uttered the phrase he hoped he 'd never have to say again ; `` stay home , protect the NHS , save lives '' .
The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown .
It came with an acknowledgement there was no alternative to what he had previously described as the `` nuclear option '' .
The 80 % pay furlough scheme that his chancellor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be extended until 2 December .
There are notable differences from the restrictions that were in place earlier in the year - not least that schools will stay open - but the public may be forgiven for that not being the main message .
Just yesterday senior cabinet figures were still adamant a national lockdown was not necessary and that the tiered approach was the right one .
What prompted such an abrupt change ?
The message from the scientists ' data slides were used to substantiate the prime minister 's core message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS overwhelmed in weeks .
This was n't to protect Christmas , as some had supposed , this was to prevent doctors and nurses being forced to ration who they can try to save .
The prime minister claimed the regional tier approach was right while there were disparities in the incidence rates in different areas .
But he acknowledged rates are now growing too quickly everywhere to stick with it .
In other words , Boris Johnson is not conceding he should have followed SAGE and the calls of Labour leader Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaker '' lockdown two weeks ago .
The prime minster concluded by saying he was `` optimistic '' things would be much closer to normal by the spring , citing improved treatments , the prospect of a vaccine and rapid mass testing .
But back in July from the same podium , the prime minister expressed similar optimism that we might be easing restrictions significantly by November .
So much for that .

Boris Johnson has ordered a four-week national lockdown in England from Thursday, but is facing criticism that his delay in imposing restrictions will have a "very real" human cost.
The prime minister rejected calls last month for a short, sharp shutdown, but after local restrictions failed to reduce infections, he was forced to tell the country to "stay at home" once again.
From Thursday until 2 December, people in England will only be allowed to leave their homes for specific reasons, such as education, work or food shopping.
Speaking at a Downing Street news conference on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson said there was "no alternative" to a second period of national lockdown restrictions.
The government's scientific advisers have warned that hospitals could run out of beds by early December without new measures.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:35 Whitty: COVID-19 prevalence is going up extremely rapidly
The prime minister urged the country to return to his spring message of "stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives" and acknowledged that "Christmas is going to be different this year".
However, Mr Johnson suggested that "tough action now" could allow families to be together over the festive period.
Mr Johnson said that "no responsible prime minister" could ignore the rising number of coronavirus infections across England.
And he warned that, without action, there could be a greater number of COVID-19 deaths this winter than during the spring's first wave of the pandemic.
Advertisement
Schools, colleges and universities will remain open while those who cannot work from home, such as workers in construction or manufacturing, will be encouraged to continue going to their workplaces.
Pubs, bars and restaurants will close across the country, although they will be able to offer takeaway and delivery services.
Non-essential shops, hairdressers and leisure and entertainment venues will also be shut.
The prime minister said the furlough scheme, which has seen the government pay a proportion of peoples' wages during the COVID-19 crisis but was due to end on Saturday, would now be extended through November.
Different households will be banned from mixing, although support bubbles and childcare bubbles will remain and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.
Gyms will be shut but people can continue to exercise for unlimited periods outdoors, either with people from their own households or on a one-to-one basis with one person from another household.
People will be able to travel internationally for work, but will not be allowed to go abroad for holidays.
Premier League football and other elite sports will be allowed to continue, due to the testing regimes in place for professional sportspeople - but amateur sports will be put on hold.
The prime minister said those who are vulnerable would not be asked to shield in the same way as they did in the spring and early summer.
But he urged those who are at risk to minimise their contact with others and not go to work if they are unable to work from home.
MPs are expected to vote on the fresh measures on Wednesday.
It emerged earlier in October that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which advises the government on its response to the pandemic, called for a short lockdown in September, prompting Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to urge Mr Johnson to impose such restrictions.
Sir Keir said on Saturday that Mr Johnson should have scrapped the regional strategy "weeks ago".
"Everybody is concerned about the rise in infections, hospital admissions and - tragically - the number of deaths," he said.
"That's why three weeks ago, Labour called for a circuit breaker in England, in line with SAGE's recommendation to bring infections down.
"The government completely rejected that only now to announce the self-same thing. Alas the delay now will cost, the lockdown will be longer, it'll be harder and there's a human cost which will be very, very real."
He also said: "I'm glad that the government has finally taken this decision - but it should have done so weeks ago."
The British Medical Association also said it was "regrettable that warnings from SAGE were not actioned as long ago as 21 September".
Image: Sir Patrick Vallance warned deaths could be close to the peak of the first wave by early December
Also appearing at the news conference, England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said there were now several hospitals with more coronavirus patients than they'd had during the first wave of infections.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said that "if nothing is done" then the number of deaths could be close to the peak of the first wave by early December.
The prime minister highlighted how other countries, such as France and Germany, had already been forced to take similar action by re-entering lockdown restrictions as the second wave of the virus spreads across Europe.
But he said better medicine, the "realistic hope of a vaccine" in early 2021, and the prospect of millions of 15-minute COVID-19 tests made him optimistic "that this will feel very different and better by the spring".
"We will get through this, but we must act now to contain this autumn surge," Mr Johnson added.
"We are not going back to the full-scale lockdown of March and April.
"It is less prohibitive and less restrictive, but from Thursday the basic message is the same; stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives."
Until now, the government has been pursuing a localised approach to COVID-19 restrictions, with England divided into three levels of measures, depending on local infection rates.
Mr Johnson said he still "passionately" believed the three-tier strategy "was the right thing to do", despite growing calls over recent weeks for him to abandon the plan in favour of a "circuit break" lockdown.
The prime minister outlined the government's aim that, after the month-long period of tougher national measures, different parts of the country will be released back into the existing three tiers, depending on regional transmission rates.
Image: England is returning to the 'stay home' message from the spring
Analysis: The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown
By Tom Rayner, political correspondent
The prime minister uttered the phrase he hoped he'd never have to say again; "stay home, protect the NHS, save lives".
The return of the blunt mantra of blanket lockdown.
It came with an acknowledgement there was no alternative to what he had previously described as the "nuclear option".
The 80% pay furlough scheme that his chancellor had insisted would end today will now be extended until 2 December.
There are notable differences from the restrictions that were in place earlier in the year - not least that schools will stay open - but the public may be forgiven for that not being the main message.
Just yesterday senior cabinet figures were still adamant a national lockdown was not necessary and that the tiered approach was the right one.
What prompted such an abrupt change?
The message from the scientists' data slides were used to substantiate the prime minister's core message - failure to act could see the NHS overwhelmed in weeks.
This wasn't to protect Christmas, as some had supposed, this was to prevent doctors and nurses being forced to ration who they can try to save.
The prime minister claimed the regional tier approach was right while there were disparities in the incidence rates in different areas.
But he acknowledged rates are now growing too quickly everywhere to stick with it.
In other words, Boris Johnson is not conceding he should have followed SAGE and the calls of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and instituted a "circuit breaker" lockdown two weeks ago.
The prime minster concluded by saying he was "optimistic" things would be much closer to normal by the spring, citing improved treatments, the prospect of a vaccine and rapid mass testing.
But back in July from the same podium, the prime minister expressed similar optimism that we might be easing restrictions significantly by November.
So much for that.