skynewspolitics--2020-07-28--Government 'too slow' to repatriate stranded Britons at start of pandemic

The government was `` too slow '' to repatriate Britons at the start of the pandemic , according to an influential group of MPs .
The report by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee found that there was a lack of `` empathy and compassion '' shown to some of those stranded abroad .
The chair of the committee , Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat , criticised the department for giving `` misleading and outdated '' advice , which at times was `` entirely absent '' .
Around 1.3 million Britons were stuck abroad as the coronavirus crisis set in .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it worked `` tirelessly '' to bring those stranded home on 186 charter flights .
However the select committee says `` too much reliance '' was placed on commercial travel providers , while countries like France and Germany acted more swiftly to charter flights .
The report found Berlin chartered more than 260 flights for 260,000 citizens .
Mr Tugendhat did praise the `` fantastic '' efforts of FCO staff in challenging conditions but added that there were `` some notable areas of weakness '' .
He said £40m of the £75m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could `` only be explained as cost-cutting '' .
Mr Tugendhat said he hoped the unspent money would be kept aside for anyone stranded during a potential second wave of COVID-19 .
As the UK revises its travel advice against all but essential travel to Spain , the committee chair said he hoped lessons could be learned to ensure better communication .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Tugendhat said : `` A lot of people did n't know how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive the help they needed .
`` These are areas that we hope the Foreign Office will work on so that sadly , as now seems entirely likely , when they happen again the Foreign Office can act better . ''
The FCO says it worked as hard as possible to repatriate Britons `` against the background of local lockdowns and international flight bans '' .
A spokesperson added that `` although the immediate crisis has ended '' , they have `` retained a repatriation team for the remainder of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis management to ensure we are further prepared to support Britons caught up in the pandemic '' .

The government was "too slow" to repatriate Britons at the start of the pandemic, according to an influential group of MPs.
The report by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee found that there was a lack of "empathy and compassion" shown to some of those stranded abroad.
The chair of the committee, Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, criticised the department for giving "misleading and outdated" advice, which at times was "entirely absent".
Around 1.3 million Britons were stuck abroad as the coronavirus crisis set in.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) says it worked "tirelessly" to bring those stranded home on 186 charter flights.
Image: British tourists at Gran Canaria airport in the Canary Islands after the government advised against all but essential travel there
However the select committee says "too much reliance" was placed on commercial travel providers, while countries like France and Germany acted more swiftly to charter flights.
The report found Berlin chartered more than 260 flights for 260,000 citizens.
Mr Tugendhat did praise the "fantastic" efforts of FCO staff in challenging conditions but added that there were "some notable areas of weakness".
He said £40m of the £75m allotted for repatriations was spent, which could "only be explained as cost-cutting".
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Mr Tugendhat said he hoped the unspent money would be kept aside for anyone stranded during a potential second wave of COVID-19.
As the UK revises its travel advice against all but essential travel to Spain, the committee chair said he hoped lessons could be learned to ensure better communication.
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Mr Tugendhat said: "A lot of people didn't know how to get back, didn't know how to receive the help they needed.
"These are areas that we hope the Foreign Office will work on so that sadly, as now seems entirely likely, when they happen again the Foreign Office can act better."
The FCO says it worked as hard as possible to repatriate Britons "against the background of local lockdowns and international flight bans".
A spokesperson added that "although the immediate crisis has ended", they have "retained a repatriation team for the remainder of the year and boosted investment in consular services and crisis management to ensure we are further prepared to support Britons caught up in the pandemic".


skynewspolitics--2020-07-29--More countries could be added to quarantine list 'straight away'

The UK government is poised to put more countries on its quarantine list `` straight away '' if coronavirus runs `` out of control '' in them .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News more announcements could follow the decision to advise against all non-essential trips to Spain over the weekend due to fears over rising levels of COVID-19 .
`` It would be foolhardy of the government not to impose those restrictions if we think there is a risk and we will impose those restrictions as soon as we think the risk has materialised , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it again from other countries where incidences are rising . ''
Mr Dowden added the decision to announce any new restrictions will be taken after an assessment by the Joint Biosecurity Centre - set up at the start of the outbreak - and England 's chief medical officer .
`` We are at a very risky moment with this pandemic , '' he said .
`` So long as you 're aware of that risk and comfortable with that risk , go ahead and take your break . ''
But he added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there we will impose those restrictions straight away . ''
Belgium , Luxembourg and Croatia are being looked at by ministers given the rates of coronavirus there , the Daily Telegraph reports .
Mr Dowden would not say which countries could be next on the quarantine list , but confirmed those where the virus is `` rising rapidly '' and there is a risk of Britons `` coming back in numbers '' from are of most concern .
Madrid has been lobbying for the UK to make regional exemptions for travellers from areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Balearic and Canary islands .
A minister revealed on Tuesday the plan is under consideration but cautioned `` we are not there yet '' .
Jose Ramon Bauza , a former president of the Balearic islands , said he `` does n't understand the decision of the British government '' to change its travel advice on Spain .
`` Of course we had some vacuums of coronavirus in Spain but most of the regions are absolutely low numbers , including better than Britain , '' he told Sky News .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Balearics is absolutely safe - it 's as safe as any other place in Europe . ''
Travel firms have been hit hard by the UK 's decision , with Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary calling it a `` badly-managed overreaction '' and TUI extending holiday cancellations until 4 August .
Meanwhile , New Zealand is reportedly planning to start charging tourists up to $ 3100 ( £1,591 ) for the cost of their stay in hotel rooms where anyone arriving must quarantine .

The UK government is poised to put more countries on its quarantine list "straight away" if coronavirus runs "out of control" in them.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News more announcements could follow the decision to advise against all non-essential trips to Spain over the weekend due to fears over rising levels of COVID-19.
"It would be foolhardy of the government not to impose those restrictions if we think there is a risk and we will impose those restrictions as soon as we think the risk has materialised," he said.
Image: Travellers visiting Spain were unexpectedly hit by quarantine measures over the weekend
Image: Jet2 has suspended flights to several locations including Ibiza
"We cannot risk importing it again from other countries where incidences are rising."
Mr Dowden added the decision to announce any new restrictions will be taken after an assessment by the Joint Biosecurity Centre - set up at the start of the outbreak - and England's chief medical officer.
"We are at a very risky moment with this pandemic," he said.
"So long as you're aware of that risk and comfortable with that risk, go ahead and take your break."
But he added: "If we know that risk is there we will impose those restrictions straight away."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:55 Angry tourists vent over quarantine
Belgium, Luxembourg and Croatia are being looked at by ministers given the rates of coronavirus there, the Daily Telegraph reports.
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Mr Dowden would not say which countries could be next on the quarantine list, but confirmed those where the virus is "rising rapidly" and there is a risk of Britons "coming back in numbers" from are of most concern.
Madrid has been lobbying for the UK to make regional exemptions for travellers from areas with much lower levels of coronavirus - such as Balearic and Canary islands.
A minister revealed on Tuesday the plan is under consideration but cautioned "we are not there yet".
Jose Ramon Bauza, a former president of the Balearic islands, said he "doesn't understand the decision of the British government" to change its travel advice on Spain.
"Of course we had some vacuums of coronavirus in Spain but most of the regions are absolutely low numbers, including better than Britain," he told Sky News.
"I can assure you that being here in the Balearics is absolutely safe - it's as safe as any other place in Europe."
Travel firms have been hit hard by the UK's decision, with Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary calling it a "badly-managed overreaction" and TUI extending holiday cancellations until 4 August.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is reportedly planning to start charging tourists up to $3100 (£1,591) for the cost of their stay in hotel rooms where anyone arriving must quarantine.
And holiday operator Jet2 says it has "taken the decision to suspend flights and holidays to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza up to and including 9 August".
The company said it had already suspended flights and holidays to Costa de Almeria, Alicante, Malaga and Murcia up to and including 16 August, and said its staff will be contacting customers already in those locations "to advise them of their options regarding flying back to the UK" and urged customers not to contact them.
People due to travel to these destinations with Jet2 after the dates above will be updated "once we receive more information from the government", the operator added.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-29--PM posts ad for TV spokesperson - and Cummings 'throat slit' gesture is clue of wider agenda

To some it must sound like the job opportunity of a lifetime .
To others , a poisoned chalice .
The memoirs of Sir Bernard Ingham , Margaret Thatcher 's legendary press spokesman , were called `` Kill The Messenger '' .
And that fate surely awaits the person chosen for this new post .
Boris Johnson is advertising for a spokesperson to front new televised White House-style press briefings , a move already denounced by the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle .
`` This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of government , and communicate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister , '' says the job ad .
`` Salary : To be determined based on experience . ''
The pay is certain , however , to be £100,000+ , considerably more than the £82,000 paid to backbench MPs .
Probably not enough to tempt big media stars , though .
`` The successful candidate will become a trusted political adviser to the prime minister and member of the senior team at Downing Street , reporting into the prime minister 's director of communications , '' the ad continues .
`` You will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an audience of millions on a daily basis , across the main broadcast channels and social media , and have the chance to influence and shape public opinion .
`` You will speak directly to the public on the issues they care most about , explaining the government 's position , reassuring people that we are taking action on their priorities and driving positive changes . ''
The idea stems from the daily coronavirus news conferences which made household names out of previously little known medics and scientists , including Chris Whitty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new Number 10 mouthpiece will be more than a household name , however .
He or she is certain to become a controversial and lampooned figure .
Think of Donald Trump 's former spokesman , the much-ridiculed Sean Spicer .
Those with long memories will also recall Ian MacDonald , a mild-mannered mandarin from the Ministry of Defence who became an unlikely TV star with his lugubrious , deadpan style during the Falklands War in 1982 .
There have been controversial Number 10 spokesmen before : Sir Bernard , Harold Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spin doctor Alastair Campbell .
But none of them ever gave televised briefings or news conferences .
This year 's coronavirus briefings attracted big TV audiences and were obviously judged a success by Downing Street .
At first , journalists were inside Number 10 , then on screen , with questions from the public as well .
But there 's also a wider Downing Street agenda here .
Number 10 wants to smash the so-called `` Lobby system '' , favoured by Sir Bernard back in Mrs T 's day in the 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings .
At the Downing Street Christmas party for political journalists - yes , really - the prime minister 's controversial adviser Dominic Cummings was asked what he wanted to do to the Lobby .
His reply was to say nothing but very theatrically move his index finger from left to right in front of his neck .
The message : he wanted to slit the Lobby 's throat .
In Sir Bernard 's day , the Lobby was all very masonic .
Terms like `` blue mantle '' and `` red leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the opposition and there were no on-the-record quotes .
These days it 's on the record , but still off camera .
And until coronavirus , the second of the two daily briefings , in the afternoon , was chaired by a journalist , the `` Lobby chairman '' .
At present , the prime minister 's official spokesman , currently former Daily Mail political editor James Slack , briefs `` the lobby '' , a group of accredited political journalists from newspapers , broadcasting and websites .
The Speaker 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Number 10 risk sidelining parliament .
He says the House of Commons is where MPs and the public should find out what 's happening .
`` Statements should be made to the House first , '' Sir Lindsay said in an interview this week .
`` Once you 've made that statement , by all means go and have a press conference .
But do it after , not before . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker But the signs are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored and the new TV briefings will become box office .
That 's certainly what Mr Johnson and his inner circle appear to be hoping .
`` The demands of the post are high , '' the job ad goes on .
`` And it will appeal to an experienced and confident media operator who would enjoy working on camera and with senior ministers , political advisers , officials and journalists ; who would relish the challenge and pace of televised briefing ; and who has a strong grasp of foreign and domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a seasoned broadcaster and - no doubt - a true believer in the cause of Brexit .
It 's significant that the person chosen will be a special adviser , in other words a political appointment , not a civil servant .
Whoever lands the post will report to the prime minister 's director of communications , Lee Cain , the job advert makes clear .
The shaven-headed Mr Cain is unknown to the public .
He previously did shifts as a reporter on the Daily Mirror and The Sun , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign secretary .
Among journalist colleagues he is remembered for dressing up as the `` Mirror chicken '' during the 2010 election campaign and taunting David Cameron for refusing to answer questions .
`` Lee was actually a great Mirror chicken , '' one former colleague on the paper recalled fondly .
`` He attacked the role with real zeal and a great passion . ''
The new Number 10 spokesperson reporting to Mr Cain will need the same qualities .

To some it must sound like the job opportunity of a lifetime. To others, a poisoned chalice.
The memoirs of Sir Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatcher's legendary press spokesman, were called "Kill The Messenger".
And that fate surely awaits the person chosen for this new post.
Image: The PM answered questions from the media himself during the government's coronavirus briefings
Boris Johnson is advertising for a spokesperson to front new televised White House-style press briefings, a move already denounced by the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
"This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of government, and communicate with the nation on behalf of the prime minister," says the job ad.
"Salary: To be determined based on experience."
The pay is certain, however, to be £100,000+, considerably more than the £82,000 paid to backbench MPs. Probably not enough to tempt big media stars, though.
"The successful candidate will become a trusted political adviser to the prime minister and member of the senior team at Downing Street, reporting into the prime minister's director of communications," the ad continues.
"You will represent the government and the prime minister to an audience of millions on a daily basis, across the main broadcast channels and social media, and have the chance to influence and shape public opinion.
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"You will speak directly to the public on the issues they care most about, explaining the government's position, reassuring people that we are taking action on their priorities and driving positive changes."
The idea stems from the daily coronavirus news conferences which made household names out of previously little known medics and scientists, including Chris Whitty, Sir Patrick Vallance and Jonathan Van-Tam.
The new Number 10 mouthpiece will be more than a household name, however. He or she is certain to become a controversial and lampooned figure.
Think of Donald Trump's former spokesman, the much-ridiculed Sean Spicer.
Image: Sean Spicer quit as White House press secretary in 2017
Those with long memories will also recall Ian MacDonald, a mild-mannered mandarin from the Ministry of Defence who became an unlikely TV star with his lugubrious, deadpan style during the Falklands War in 1982.
There have been controversial Number 10 spokesmen before: Sir Bernard, Harold Wilson's Joe Haines and Tony Blair's spin doctor Alastair Campbell. But none of them ever gave televised briefings or news conferences.
This year's coronavirus briefings attracted big TV audiences and were obviously judged a success by Downing Street.
At first, journalists were inside Number 10, then on screen, with questions from the public as well.
Image: Sky's political editor Beth Rigby asks a question at the government's coronavirus briefings
But there's also a wider Downing Street agenda here.
Number 10 wants to smash the so-called "Lobby system", favoured by Sir Bernard back in Mrs T's day in the 1980s, and seize control of the daily briefings.
At the Downing Street Christmas party for political journalists - yes, really - the prime minister's controversial adviser Dominic Cummings was asked what he wanted to do to the Lobby.
His reply was to say nothing but very theatrically move his index finger from left to right in front of his neck. The message: he wanted to slit the Lobby's throat.
Image: Dominic Cummings suggested he looked unfavourably on 'the Lobby'
In Sir Bernard's day, the Lobby was all very masonic. Terms like "blue mantle" and "red leader" referred to government spokesmen and the leader of the opposition and there were no on-the-record quotes.
These days it's on the record, but still off camera. And until coronavirus, the second of the two daily briefings, in the afternoon, was chaired by a journalist, the "Lobby chairman".
At present, the prime minister's official spokesman, currently former Daily Mail political editor James Slack, briefs "the lobby", a group of accredited political journalists from newspapers, broadcasting and websites.
The Speaker's concern is that daily televised broadcasts from Number 10 risk sidelining parliament. He says the House of Commons is where MPs and the public should find out what's happening.
"Statements should be made to the House first," Sir Lindsay said in an interview this week.
"Once you've made that statement, by all means go and have a press conference. But do it after, not before."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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But the signs are that the Speaker's concerns will be ignored and the new TV briefings will become box office. That's certainly what Mr Johnson and his inner circle appear to be hoping.
"The demands of the post are high," the job ad goes on.
"And it will appeal to an experienced and confident media operator who would enjoy working on camera and with senior ministers, political advisers, officials and journalists; who would relish the challenge and pace of televised briefing; and who has a strong grasp of foreign and domestic policy issues."
In other words, a seasoned broadcaster and - no doubt - a true believer in the cause of Brexit. It's significant that the person chosen will be a special adviser, in other words a political appointment, not a civil servant.
Whoever lands the post will report to the prime minister's director of communications, Lee Cain, the job advert makes clear.
The shaven-headed Mr Cain is unknown to the public. He previously did shifts as a reporter on the Daily Mirror and The Sun, before working for Mr Johnson when he was foreign secretary.
Image: Downing Street director of communications Lee Cain (right) with Dominic Cummings
Among journalist colleagues he is remembered for dressing up as the "Mirror chicken" during the 2010 election campaign and taunting David Cameron for refusing to answer questions.
"Lee was actually a great Mirror chicken," one former colleague on the paper recalled fondly. "He attacked the role with real zeal and a great passion."
The new Number 10 spokesperson reporting to Mr Cain will need the same qualities.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-29--PM promises major public sector recruitment campaign

A major public sector recruitment campaign is being promised by the prime minister for the fight against coronavirus and beyond .
As the government reveals latest recruitment figures for police officers and teachers , Boris Johnson is also calling on people to apply for jobs in the NHS and prisons .
And after the Tory election pledge to recruit 20,000 police officers , the PM and Home Secretary Priti Patel are visiting a police force to meet new recruits .
Ministers are also announcing plans to recruit 1,000 new probation officers and 9,000 extra university places for engineering , science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have seen more clearly than ever the heroic efforts of our public workers during this pandemic , '' the PM said ahead of the latest recruitment numbers .
`` The fantastic teachers , police officers and NHS workers truly are the pride of the nation and embody the spirit of public duty that every one of us can aspire towards .
`` Together , we are on a mission to build back better - protect our NHS , make our streets safer , educate the next generation and unleash Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anneliese Dodds poured scorn on the government 's recruitment drive , claiming it was only needed because of Tory cuts in recent years .
`` It feels pretty rich for the prime minister to talk of valuing the public sector when the COVID-19 crisis has shown just how starkly his government has let down our NHS and social care workers , '' she said .
`` Let 's not forget that the reason the prime minister needs to launch a recruitment drive is because Conservative governments have cut our public services to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious about attracting people to work in the public sector then he needs to show that he values those who already do , giving them the equipment they need and the pay talks they deserve . ''
The government 's plan to recruit 1,000 new probation officers is part of a major U-turn following the disastrous privatisation of the service by former justice secretary Chris Grayling .
Under the changes , probation officers will support less dangerous criminals with drug and alcohol addiction , as well as continuing to supervise high-risk offenders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work police officers do to capture criminals and bring them to court , '' said Prisons and Probation Minister Lucy Frazer QC .
`` But whether offenders first go to prison or get a community sentence , it is probation officers working hard behind the scenes who help them turn their backs on crime . ''
The extra university places promised by the government to boost science and innovation will include 1,300 for engineering , 756 places for bio-sciences and almost 500 for maths .
A total of 5,611 places for healthcare courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England to support the NHS , with 3,803 of these additional places going to nursing courses .
`` The coronavirus will not stop us from boosting growth in vital subjects like science , engineering , and maths , '' said Universities Minister Michelle Donelan .
`` These courses not only deliver some of the best outcomes for students , they will also be integral to driving innovation , helping our public services and building the skills the country needs . ''

A major public sector recruitment campaign is being promised by the prime minister for the fight against coronavirus and beyond.
As the government reveals latest recruitment figures for police officers and teachers, Boris Johnson is also calling on people to apply for jobs in the NHS and prisons.
And after the Tory election pledge to recruit 20,000 police officers, the PM and Home Secretary Priti Patel are visiting a police force to meet new recruits.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 PM warns of signs of second wave in Europe
Ministers are also announcing plans to recruit 1,000 new probation officers and 9,000 extra university places for engineering, science and nursing, including 3,800 for nurses.
"We have seen more clearly than ever the heroic efforts of our public workers during this pandemic," the PM said ahead of the latest recruitment numbers.
"The fantastic teachers, police officers and NHS workers truly are the pride of the nation and embody the spirit of public duty that every one of us can aspire towards.
"Together, we are on a mission to build back better - protect our NHS, make our streets safer, educate the next generation and unleash Britain's potential."
But Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds poured scorn on the government's recruitment drive, claiming it was only needed because of Tory cuts in recent years.
"It feels pretty rich for the prime minister to talk of valuing the public sector when the COVID-19 crisis has shown just how starkly his government has let down our NHS and social care workers," she said.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:14 Boris Johnson's first year in office
"Let's not forget that the reason the prime minister needs to launch a recruitment drive is because Conservative governments have cut our public services to the bone.
"If the government is serious about attracting people to work in the public sector then he needs to show that he values those who already do, giving them the equipment they need and the pay talks they deserve."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The government's plan to recruit 1,000 new probation officers is part of a major U-turn following the disastrous privatisation of the service by former justice secretary Chris Grayling.
Under the changes, probation officers will support less dangerous criminals with drug and alcohol addiction, as well as continuing to supervise high-risk offenders.
"Every day we hear about the work police officers do to capture criminals and bring them to court," said Prisons and Probation Minister Lucy Frazer QC.
"But whether offenders first go to prison or get a community sentence, it is probation officers working hard behind the scenes who help them turn their backs on crime."
The extra university places promised by the government to boost science and innovation will include 1,300 for engineering, 756 places for bio-sciences and almost 500 for maths.
A total of 5,611 places for healthcare courses have also been allocated at universities in England to support the NHS, with 3,803 of these additional places going to nursing courses.
"The coronavirus will not stop us from boosting growth in vital subjects like science, engineering, and maths," said Universities Minister Michelle Donelan.
"These courses not only deliver some of the best outcomes for students, they will also be integral to driving innovation, helping our public services and building the skills the country needs."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-29--'We had to act': Transport secretary defends Spain quarantine as he returns from trip

The transport secretary has defended reintroducing coronavirus quarantine restrictions for Spain , as he arrived back in the UK to begin his 14 days in isolation .
Grant Shapps said failing to act over growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the country would have been a `` dereliction of duty '' .
`` We had to act when we did , '' he said , after cutting short his own trip to Spain .
`` The figures since have shown why that was required and I 'm desperately sad and sorry for people who have lost their holidays .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early and begin my 14 days quarantine just to make sure that I can get on with my job . ''
Mr Shapps also revealed that ministers had looked at excluding the Balearic and Canary Islands from the coronavirus quarantine .
But he added : `` Chris Whitty , the chief medical officer , was very clear with us that he was concerned about the data , we had seen how the data had come very fast forward in Spain in 20 , 48 hours , it had gone up by 75 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few days .
He was concerned to see what was happening in the islands , and that 's why we make it a whole-country approach in these things . ''
The transport secretary flew to Spain on Saturday morning to start his summer holiday , just hours before the government announced it was scrapping its travel corridor for the whole of the country .
It means that Britons returning to the UK from Spain now have to self-isolate for 14 days when they get back .
Mr Shapps said he `` can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain on the quarantine list .
The decision has angered tourists , airlines and travel firms .
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice for Spain on Monday .
It is now advising against all non-essential travel to the whole of Spain , including the Balearic and Canary Islands .
Jose Ramon Bauza , a former president of the Balearic Islands , said he `` does n't understand '' the decision .
`` Of course we had some vacuums of coronavirus in Spain , but most of the regions are absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he told Sky News .
`` I can assure you that being here in the Balearics is absolutely safe - it 's as safe as any other place in Europe . ''
A minister told Sky News earlier that the government is poised to put more countries on its quarantine list `` straight away '' if coronavirus runs `` out of control '' in them .
Belgium , Luxembourg and Croatia are being looked at by ministers given the rates of coronavirus there , the Daily Telegraph reports .
Culture Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be next on the quarantine list , but confirmed those where the virus is `` rising rapidly '' and there is a risk of Britons `` coming back in numbers '' are of most concern .
Heathrow Airport has proposed a regime of testing in a bid to reduce 14-day quarantines and get people travelling as the travel sector suffers under the strain of the pandemic .
But the transport secretary dismissed this idea , saying : `` One of the things that people do n't realise with testing is if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have any signs of coronavirus on day one when they arrive in an airport .
`` That would only pick up 7 % of people who actually did have the disease , which is n't useful from the point of view of making sure that you get the cases .
`` You have to then test again later and that brings in further complications about ensuring that people have quarantined in the meantime and that does n't work either . ''
Travel firms have been hit hard by the UK 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'Leary calling it a `` badly-managed overreaction '' and TUI extending holiday cancellations until 4 August .
And holiday operator Jet2 says it has `` taken the decision to suspend flights and holidays to Tenerife , Gran Canaria , Fuerteventura , Lanzarote , Majorca , Menorca and Ibiza up to and including 9 August '' .
The company said it had already suspended flights and holidays to Costa de Almeria , Alicante , Malaga and Murcia up to and including 16 August , and said its staff will be contacting customers already in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their options regarding flying back to the UK '' and urged customers not to contact them .
People due to travel to these destinations with Jet2 after the dates above will be updated `` once we receive more information from the government '' , the operator added .

The transport secretary has defended reintroducing coronavirus quarantine restrictions for Spain, as he arrived back in the UK to begin his 14 days in isolation.
Grant Shapps said failing to act over growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the country would have been a "dereliction of duty".
"We had to act when we did," he said, after cutting short his own trip to Spain.
"The figures since have shown why that was required and I'm desperately sad and sorry for people who have lost their holidays.
"I decided I needed to come home early and begin my 14 days quarantine just to make sure that I can get on with my job."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Anger grows over Spain ruling
Mr Shapps also revealed that ministers had looked at excluding the Balearic and Canary Islands from the coronavirus quarantine.
But he added: "Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, was very clear with us that he was concerned about the data, we had seen how the data had come very fast forward in Spain in 20, 48 hours, it had gone up by 75%.
"It had doubled in just a few days. He was concerned to see what was happening in the islands, and that's why we make it a whole-country approach in these things."
The transport secretary flew to Spain on Saturday morning to start his summer holiday, just hours before the government announced it was scrapping its travel corridor for the whole of the country.
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It means that Britons returning to the UK from Spain now have to self-isolate for 14 days when they get back.
Mr Shapps said he "cannot rule out" other countries joining Spain on the quarantine list.
The decision has angered tourists, airlines and travel firms.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice for Spain on Monday.
It is now advising against all non-essential travel to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Jose Ramon Bauza, a former president of the Balearic Islands, said he "doesn't understand" the decision.
"Of course we had some vacuums of coronavirus in Spain, but most of the regions are absolutely low numbers - including better than Britain," he told Sky News.
"I can assure you that being here in the Balearics is absolutely safe - it's as safe as any other place in Europe."
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A minister told Sky News earlier that the government is poised to put more countries on its quarantine list "straight away" if coronavirus runs "out of control" in them.
Belgium, Luxembourg and Croatia are being looked at by ministers given the rates of coronavirus there, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden would not say which countries could be next on the quarantine list, but confirmed those where the virus is "rising rapidly" and there is a risk of Britons "coming back in numbers" are of most concern.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 Minister: 'Very risky moment' in pandemic
Heathrow Airport has proposed a regime of testing in a bid to reduce 14-day quarantines and get people travelling as the travel sector suffers under the strain of the pandemic.
But the transport secretary dismissed this idea, saying: "One of the things that people don't realise with testing is if you test somebody who's asymptomatic, they don't have any signs of coronavirus on day one when they arrive in an airport.
"That would only pick up 7% of people who actually did have the disease, which isn't useful from the point of view of making sure that you get the cases.
"You have to then test again later and that brings in further complications about ensuring that people have quarantined in the meantime and that doesn't work either."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:22 How Heathrow's 'double test' idea would work
Travel firms have been hit hard by the UK's quarantine decision, with Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary calling it a "badly-managed overreaction" and TUI extending holiday cancellations until 4 August.
And holiday operator Jet2 says it has "taken the decision to suspend flights and holidays to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza up to and including 9 August".
The company said it had already suspended flights and holidays to Costa de Almeria, Alicante, Malaga and Murcia up to and including 16 August, and said its staff will be contacting customers already in those locations "to advise them of their options regarding flying back to the UK" and urged customers not to contact them.
People due to travel to these destinations with Jet2 after the dates above will be updated "once we receive more information from the government", the operator added.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-29--Council sets up own tracing system amid anger at government's version

A council struggling to stave off a coronavirus local lockdown has got so fed up with perceived failures with the government 's contact tracing system that it is setting up its own version .
Sandwell 's director of public health , Lisa McNally , told Sky News that dozens of staff had been seconded to the new team to battle COVID-19 outbreaks in the area .
Sandwell , in the West Midlands , currently has the seventh highest case rate in England - 54.1 per 100,000 people - having seen a sharp jump of 332 % in the 14 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would n't quite go as far as to say we 've given up on Test and Trace , but we 're not happy with just allowing them to do their job anymore , '' Ms McNally said .
`` I just do n't see the urgency to fix this ; I really do n't see them running around in a panic . ''
The council has instead decided to set up its own system to deliver `` a lite version of contact tracing '' to plug the gaps of people with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular barrier amid a struggle to provide staff with translation services to help them communicate with people who do n't speak English .
`` As soon as the new case comes in now we 're not waiting for Test and Trace to fail to reach them , we 're phoning them the same day , '' Ms McNally said .
`` We will have a language speaker available for them , immediately - if we find out they only speak Punjabi , Urdu , Arabic etc - so we can first of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to know .
`` We can also do a lite version of contact tracing , in that we can ask them if they 've been to any social events , to prayers on a Friday , to Gurdwara .
`` And if , of course , they have been within a 48-hour period before they tested positive or have symptoms , we will then alert that setting to say you 've had a confirmed case in your setting and here 's the action you need to take .
`` So we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Ms McNally claimed the government 's system is only reaching 60 % of cases , meaning four in 10 are going untraced .
She added that some of the information provided by the government 's tracing system is `` meaningless '' - for example that a person 's occupation is not listed 80 % of the time , or if it is , it can be as broad as `` citizen '' .
`` If we had been getting workplaces exactly three weeks ago , we would probably now not have 79 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this factory , '' she said .
`` It even caused a bit of an outbreak at a farm in Worcestershire , because two of the household contacts of the factory workers got on a little minibus , taking workers to a farm in Worcestershire to pick vegetables .
`` We 're at the point where we 're missing really important information , we 're still not having enough people contacted by Test and Trace .
`` So we 're having to deploy resources that we do n't really have out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ourselves .
And essentially , the taxpayer 's paying twice for this . ''
She said she had been `` shouting about this now for several weeks '' but questioned : `` It 's almost like if they decide to accept help is that an admission of failure ?
I do n't know .
`` They seriously need to engage with real life public health experience . ''
Labour MP John Spellar , whose Warley constituency contains southern parts of Sandwell , told Sky News he `` thoroughly welcomed '' the new tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council have been responding rapidly to incidents but I understand their exasperation with the central bodies , both in terms of speed of response and lack of communication . ''
Earlier today , the local McDonald 's was temporarily closed down , after five members of staff there reportedly tested positive for coronavirus .
The Local Government Association , which represents councils , said local public health teams `` need to be able to use their unique expertise , including speaking other languages , and understanding of their communities to try to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Test and Trace system '' .
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said : `` In just seven weeks NHS test and trace has tested over 2.3 million people for coronavirus , identified nearly 39,000 with the virus and reached almost 200,000 of their close contacts , advising them to isolate to help us control the spread of the virus and save lives .
`` High quality data is critical to tackle local outbreaks and we 've been sharing detailed data every day with local authorities to help them take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health England and the three other MPs whose constituencies take in parts of Sandwell have all been contacted for comment but none was received at the time of publication .

A council struggling to stave off a coronavirus local lockdown has got so fed up with perceived failures with the government's contact tracing system that it is setting up its own version.
Sandwell's director of public health, Lisa McNally, told Sky News that dozens of staff had been seconded to the new team to battle COVID-19 outbreaks in the area.
Sandwell, in the West Midlands, currently has the seventh highest case rate in England - 54.1 per 100,000 people - having seen a sharp jump of 332% in the 14 days up to 26 July.
"I wouldn't quite go as far as to say we've given up on Test and Trace, but we're not happy with just allowing them to do their job anymore," Ms McNally said.
"I just don't see the urgency to fix this; I really don't see them running around in a panic."
Image: Four in 10 cases are being missed in the area, Ms McNally said
The council has instead decided to set up its own system to deliver "a lite version of contact tracing" to plug the gaps of people with the virus not being reached.
Language has been a particular barrier amid a struggle to provide staff with translation services to help them communicate with people who don't speak English.
"As soon as the new case comes in now we're not waiting for Test and Trace to fail to reach them, we're phoning them the same day," Ms McNally said.
"We will have a language speaker available for them, immediately - if we find out they only speak Punjabi, Urdu, Arabic etc - so we can first of all give the important messages that they need to know.
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"We can also do a lite version of contact tracing, in that we can ask them if they've been to any social events, to prayers on a Friday, to Gurdwara.
"And if, of course, they have been within a 48-hour period before they tested positive or have symptoms, we will then alert that setting to say you've had a confirmed case in your setting and here's the action you need to take.
"So we're immediately filling that gap in ourselves."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:50 Is Europe set for a coronavirus second wave?
Ms McNally claimed the government's system is only reaching 60% of cases, meaning four in 10 are going untraced.
She added that some of the information provided by the government's tracing system is "meaningless" - for example that a person's occupation is not listed 80% of the time, or if it is, it can be as broad as "citizen".
"If we had been getting workplaces exactly three weeks ago, we would probably now not have 79 cases and growing around this area linked to this factory," she said.
"It even caused a bit of an outbreak at a farm in Worcestershire, because two of the household contacts of the factory workers got on a little minibus, taking workers to a farm in Worcestershire to pick vegetables.
"We're at the point where we're missing really important information, we're still not having enough people contacted by Test and Trace.
"So we're having to deploy resources that we don't really have out of other services to try and do it ourselves. And essentially, the taxpayer's paying twice for this."
Image: People's occupation was allegedly sometimes just shown as 'citizen'
She said she had been "shouting about this now for several weeks" but questioned: "It's almost like if they decide to accept help is that an admission of failure? I don't know.
"They seriously need to engage with real life public health experience."
Labour MP John Spellar, whose Warley constituency contains southern parts of Sandwell, told Sky News he "thoroughly welcomed" the new tracing system being set up.
"The council have been responding rapidly to incidents but I understand their exasperation with the central bodies, both in terms of speed of response and lack of communication."
Image: Sandwell is battling to avoid a local lockdown like Leicester
Earlier today, the local McDonald's was temporarily closed down, after five members of staff there reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils, said local public health teams "need to be able to use their unique expertise, including speaking other languages, and understanding of their communities to try to reach those who cannot be contacted by the Test and Trace system".
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "In just seven weeks NHS test and trace has tested over 2.3 million people for coronavirus, identified nearly 39,000 with the virus and reached almost 200,000 of their close contacts, advising them to isolate to help us control the spread of the virus and save lives.
"High quality data is critical to tackle local outbreaks and we've been sharing detailed data every day with local authorities to help them take appropriate action where necessary."
Public Health England and the three other MPs whose constituencies take in parts of Sandwell have all been contacted for comment but none was received at the time of publication.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-29--Ministers accused of undermining social distancing rules by sitting inches apart

Two ministers have been accused of undermining social distancing rules by sitting next to each other for an hour in a meeting .
Lords leader Baroness Natalie Evans and chief whip in the upper house Lord Ashton of Hyde did not appear to be sat even one metre apart while answering questions during a virtual committee session .
They were sat within inches of each other for an hour , as they were quizzed by peers on the constitution committee .
Social distancing rules advise people to stay two metres apart where possible , but it can be lower if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place .
Neither peer acknowledged they were sat close together , but at one point Lord Ashton said : `` We want to come back [ to work ] - that 's the message we 're sending to people .
`` It 's the reverse of what we had before which was 'stay at home unless you have to come ' , now it 's the other way round - we want people to come unless people have to stay at home . ''
Wera Hobhouse , a Liberal Democrat MP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the refusal of Conservative politicians to abide by social distancing when in parliament '' - and has regularly challenged those breaking the rules but has sometimes been `` laughed at '' .
She told Sky News : `` These images of Baroness Evans and Lord Ashton are just one more example of Tory politicians thinking the rules do not apply to them .
`` How does Boris Johnson expect his public health messaging to be successful when his own parliamentarians are so open about disregarding it ? ''
Ms Hobhouse added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
COVID-19 does not discriminate and no one is above social distancing . ''
A spokesperson for Baroness Evans did not comment and Lord Ashton 's office did not respond to a request for comment .
It is not the first time a politician has been come under fire for not following social distancing rules .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock walked up to a colleague in the main Commons chamber - straight into a taped area showing where MPs should avoid - and patted him on the shoulder .

Two ministers have been accused of undermining social distancing rules by sitting next to each other for an hour in a meeting.
Lords leader Baroness Natalie Evans and chief whip in the upper house Lord Ashton of Hyde did not appear to be sat even one metre apart while answering questions during a virtual committee session.
They were sat within inches of each other for an hour, as they were quizzed by peers on the constitution committee.
Image: The peers were answering questions in front of a parliamentary committee
Social distancing rules advise people to stay two metres apart where possible, but it can be lower if protections such as masks or screens are in place.
Neither peer acknowledged they were sat close together, but at one point Lord Ashton said: "We want to come back [to work] - that's the message we're sending to people.
"It's the reverse of what we had before which was 'stay at home unless you have to come', now it's the other way round - we want people to come unless people have to stay at home."
Wera Hobhouse, a Liberal Democrat MP, said she was "consistently appalled by the refusal of Conservative politicians to abide by social distancing when in parliament" - and has regularly challenged those breaking the rules but has sometimes been "laughed at".
She told Sky News: "These images of Baroness Evans and Lord Ashton are just one more example of Tory politicians thinking the rules do not apply to them.
"How does Boris Johnson expect his public health messaging to be successful when his own parliamentarians are so open about disregarding it?"
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 Health secretary flouts social distancing to pat MP on the back
Ms Hobhouse added: "In parliament we should be setting examples. COVID-19 does not discriminate and no one is above social distancing."
A spokesperson for Baroness Evans did not comment and Lord Ashton's office did not respond to a request for comment.
It is not the first time a politician has been come under fire for not following social distancing rules.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock walked up to a colleague in the main Commons chamber - straight into a taped area showing where MPs should avoid - and patted him on the shoulder.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-30--Separate households banned from meeting up indoors in parts of northern England

Separate households are banned from meeting indoors from today in Greater Manchester , East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire after a rise in coronavirus cases .
The news comes after the UK saw its highest daily total of COVID-19 cases for more than a month .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the virus was `` bubbling up '' in up to 30 areas across the UK .
• All of Greater Manchester : Bolton , Bury , Manchester , Oldham , Rochdale , Salford , Stockport , Tameside , Trafford and Wigan • The city of Leicester , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It means people in these areas will not be permitted to mix with other households ( apart from those in their support bubbles ) in private homes or gardens .
Some exemptions will be put in place , including for the vulnerable .
The government will sign new regulations to make these changes legally enforceable .
The regulations will give local authorities and police forces the powers to enforce these restrictions and more details on these will be set out when the regulations are published .
Households may go to hospitality , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance will make clear that two households should not go to hospitality together .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said `` households gathering and not abiding by the social distancing rules '' was a reason for the decision , which had been taken in order to `` keep the country safe '' .
He said : `` We take this action with a heavy heart but unfortunately it 's necessary because we 've seen that households meeting up and a lack of social distancing is one of the causes of this rising rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary to keep the country safe . ''
Mr Hancock added : `` We 're constantly vigilant and we 've been looking at the data , and unfortunately we 've seen across parts of northern England an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised the way the announcement was made , branding it a `` new low for the government 's communications '' .
`` No one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government 's communications during this crisis .
`` When the government ended the daily press conferences , they said they would hold them for `` significant announcements '' , including local lockdowns .
It 's hard to imagine what could be more significant than this .
`` For all the bluster , government has failed to deliver a functioning track and trace system that would spot local flare ups like these . ''
Out of the 19 local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 in the seven days to 27 July has gone up in 13 of them , with 1,536 cases recorded in the space of a week .
Leicester 's local lockdown was imposed at the end of June , but Labour 's MPs for the area - Liz Kendall , Jonathan Ashworth and Claudia Webbe - said on Twitter that some restrictions there will now be lifted .
`` The great news is our pubs , cafes , bars & restaurants can re-open and people can go on holiday with their own household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But leisure centres , gyms & pools still closed , and no meeting up with other households indoors . ''
The Department of Health later confirmed the restrictions will be eased from Monday .
Ms Webbe said Eid celebrations can take place at places of worship - provided social distancing is maintained - but not in private homes .
It has also been announced that from Saturday Luton will be brought in line with the rest of the country after `` significant progress '' .
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said there had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus across the area .
`` We have gone from a falling rate of cases in nearly all of our boroughs last week to a rising rate in nine out of 10 affecting communities across a much wider geography , '' he said .
Mr Burnham said he agreed with the health secretary `` that it is right to act on the precautionary principle and introduce modest measures now to bring down the rate of new infections '' .
He added : `` I ask all Greater Manchester residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect each other by observing these new requirements .
They will be reviewed weekly ; meaning the more we stick to them , the quicker they will be removed . ''

Scotland has advised against travel to virus hotspots in the north of England after new restrictions were imposed in several areas.
People in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire are now banned from meeting others from different households indoors, following a rise in infections.
The Scottish government said citizens should only travel to these areas if "absolutely essential".
People already staying in the affected areas do not need to return to Scotland early but should monitor themselves for coronavirus symptoms.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "We have always been clear that localised flare-ups are likely as we continue to suppress the virus but by responding quickly and appropriately we can limit the effect these have on wider transmission.
"I strongly advise anyone planning to travel to areas affected in the north of England, or anyone planning to travel to Scotland from those same areas, to cancel their plans."
The news comes after the UK saw its highest daily total of COVID-19 cases for more than a month.
The R number has risen in England to between 0.8-0.9, while it is estimated to be between 0.8-1.1 in the North West.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News the new restrictions, which affect around four million people, are "absolutely necessary".
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The order covers:
All of Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan
East Lancashire: Pendle, Hyndburn, Burnley, Rossendale and Blackburn with Darwen
West Yorkshire: Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees
The city of Leicester, which saw the UK's first local lockdown
It means people in these areas will not be permitted to mix with other households (apart from those in their support bubbles) in private homes or gardens.
It is understood there is currently no endpoint to the restrictions but they will be subject to a weekly review.
Some exemptions will be put in place, including for the vulnerable.
The government will sign new regulations to make these changes legally enforceable.
The regulations will give local authorities and police forces the powers to enforce these restrictions and more details on these will be set out when the regulations are published.
Households may go to hospitality, for instance bars and pubs, but new guidance will make clear that two households should not go to hospitality together.
Mr Hancock said "households gathering and not abiding by the social distancing rules" was a reason for the decision, which had been taken to "keep the country safe".
Data shows that there has been less transmission in the area when people go to work or shops, he added.
"This is not the sort of decision anybody would want to take but as we've seen before it is important to move quickly," the health secretary said.
He also said his "heart goes out" to the Muslim community ahead of Eid celebrations, which will be heavily impacted by the new restrictions.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticised the way the announcement was made, branding it a "new low for the government's communications".
"No one would argue with putting in place local action to reduce the transmission of coronavirus," he tweeted.
"But announcing measures affecting potentially millions of people late at night on Twitter is a new low for the government's communications during this crisis."
There is disquiet too from backbench Conservatives over the handling of the announcement, with Hazel Grove MP Will Wragg tweeting: "Greater Manchester is not one homogeneous area. We must always err on the side of caution with COVID-19, but to treat all 10 boroughs the same is not the right approach."
Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham & Sale West, shared the post, adding: "I agree. Latest update for Trafford says 'infections continue to be at a low level'."
Out of the 19 local authority areas affected, the rate of COVID-19 in the seven days to 27 July has gone up in 13 of them, with 1,536 cases recorded in the space of a week.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 COVID-19: Isolation period extended
Leicester's local lockdown was imposed at the end of June, but Labour's MPs for the area - Liz Kendall, Jonathan Ashworth and Claudia Webbe - said on Twitter that some restrictions there will now be lifted.
"The great news is our pubs, cafes, bars & restaurants can re-open and people can go on holiday with their own household," Ms Kendall tweeted.
"But leisure centres, gyms & pools still closed, and no meeting up with other households indoors."
The Department of Health later confirmed the restrictions will be eased from Monday.
Ms Webbe said Eid celebrations can take place at places of worship - provided social distancing is maintained - but not in private homes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 UK's excess death rate worst in Europe
It has also been announced that from Saturday Luton will be brought in line with the rest of the country after "significant progress".
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham told Sky News the "picture changed" in Greater Manchester over the last week and said the government was "right to take quick action".
He said the rise in cases "doesn't just relate to multi-generational households" but also a spike in cases amongst younger people.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 Hancock announces meet-up bans in North
Lisa Nandy, Labour's shadow foreign secretary whose Wigan constituency is affected by the restrictions, told Sky News the government "needs to be ready".
"They need to make sure that the guidance and clarity is there when they announce, not trickling out over Twitter and then hastily scrambling around to schedule a press conference," she said.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-30--UK sees highest daily total of coronavirus cases for more than a month

The government has reported the highest daily number of coronavirus cases in more than a month - as a quarantine for arrivals from Luxembourg was announced .
A total of 846 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday , the highest UK total since 28 June ( 901 cases ) .
A further 38 people have died across all settings after testing positive for coronavirus , taking the official death toll to 45,999 .
The 14-day self-isolation requirement for arrivals from Luxembourg has been reintroduced across the UK from midnight on Thursday following a rise in cases in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK reintroduced the same restrictions for those returning from Spain .
The decision has provoked an ongoing row , with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps saying the government `` had to act '' .
In the wake of the move , Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned there are signs a `` second wave '' is surfacing in Europe .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has echoed this , telling Sky News earlier he is `` worried '' about another spike of infections , with a `` second wave starting to roll across Europe '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus on Thursday , its highest daily total in more than a month .
Meanwhile , health authorities in France reported 1,377 more cases on Wednesday .
This brings the rolling seven-day average in France above the 1,000 threshold for the first time since May .
In the UK , it was announced on Thursday evening that separate households will be banned from meeting indoors from Friday in Greater Manchester , East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire after a rise in coronavirus cases .
Earlier , Boris Johnson said coronavirus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 areas across the UK .
He said levels of COVID-19 are `` going down '' in Leicester - the first city subject to a local lockdown - but Britons have to be wary of a `` really damaging second wave '' .
`` It 's absolutely vital as a country we continue to keep our focus and our discipline and that we do n't delude ourselves that somehow we 're out of the woods or that this is all over because it is n't all over , '' the PM warned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 people according to NHS Digital 's latest data are Blackburn with Darwen ( 85.3 ) , Leicester ( 57.7 ) , Oldham ( 53.1 ) , Bradford ( 44.9 ) and Trafford ( 39.3 ) .
Behind them are Calderdale ( 32.4 ) , Rochdale ( 30.9 ) and Sandwell ( 27.5 ) - which has set up its own contact-tracing system in a bid to contain outbreaks and out of frustration with the one run by Whitehall .
The full list of no-quarantine countries for English holidaymakers is below - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be found here :

The government has reported the highest daily number of coronavirus cases in more than a month - as a quarantine for arrivals from Luxembourg was announced.
A total of 846 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, the highest UK total since 28 June (901 cases).
A further 38 people have died across all settings after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the official death toll to 45,999.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 'Chief medical officer was concerned about Spain'
The 14-day self-isolation requirement for arrivals from Luxembourg has been reintroduced across the UK from midnight on Thursday following a rise in cases in the country.
It comes days after the UK reintroduced the same restrictions for those returning from Spain.
The decision has provoked an ongoing row, with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps saying the government "had to act".
In the wake of the move, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned there are signs a "second wave" is surfacing in Europe.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has echoed this, telling Sky News earlier he is "worried" about another spike of infections, with a "second wave starting to roll across Europe".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:32 Coronavirus: PM warns 'it isn't all over'
Ireland reported 85 new cases of the virus on Thursday, its highest daily total in more than a month.
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Meanwhile, health authorities in France reported 1,377 more cases on Wednesday.
This brings the rolling seven-day average in France above the 1,000 threshold for the first time since May.
In the UK, it was announced on Thursday evening that separate households will be banned from meeting indoors from Friday in Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire after a rise in coronavirus cases.
Earlier, Boris Johnson said coronavirus is "bubbling up" in up to 30 areas across the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 COVID-19: Self-isolation period extended
He said levels of COVID-19 are "going down" in Leicester - the first city subject to a local lockdown - but Britons have to be wary of a "really damaging second wave".
"It's absolutely vital as a country we continue to keep our focus and our discipline and that we don't delude ourselves that somehow we're out of the woods or that this is all over because it isn't all over," the PM warned.
The places with the highest case rates per 100,000 people according to NHS Digital's latest data are Blackburn with Darwen (85.3), Leicester (57.7), Oldham (53.1), Bradford (44.9) and Trafford (39.3).
Behind them are Calderdale (32.4), Rochdale (30.9) and Sandwell (27.5) - which has set up its own contact-tracing system in a bid to contain outbreaks and out of frustration with the one run by Whitehall.
The full list of no-quarantine countries for English holidaymakers is below - while the list of Scottish exemptions can be found here:


skynewspolitics--2020-07-30--Coronavirus 'bubbling up' in up to 30 areas, PM warns

Coronavirus is `` bubbling up '' in up to 30 areas across the UK , Boris Johnson has warned .
The prime minister said levels of COVID-19 are `` going down '' in Leicester - the first city subject to a local lockdown - but Britons have to be wary of a `` really damaging second wave '' .
`` It 's absolutely vital as a country we continue to keep our focus and our discipline and that we do n't delude ourselves that somehow we 're out of the woods or that this is all over because it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The places with the highest case rates per 100,000 people according to NHS Digital 's latest data are Blackburn with Darwen ( 85.3 ) , Leicester ( 57.7 ) , Oldham ( 53.1 ) , Bradford ( 44.9 ) and Trafford ( 39.3 ) .
Behind them are Calderdale ( 32.4 ) , Rochdale ( 30.9 ) and Sandwell ( 27.5 ) - which has set up its own contact-tracing system in a bid to contain outbreaks and out of frustration with the one run by Whitehall .
Mr Johnson also defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - which has seen England named the country with the highest excess death rate in Europe .
Speaking on a visit to North Yorkshire , he said there has been `` a massive success now in reducing the numbers of those tragic deaths '' .
Following news that the self-isolation period is being extended from seven to 10 days , Mr Johnson denied it would leave people confused .
All four of the UK nations ' chief medical officers had approved the rule change because of `` strengthened '' evidence there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is infectious for longer than previously thought .
Those who have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive will still have to stay at home for the same amount of time as before - 14 days .
It aligns the UK closer with some other countries ' policies and those of the World Health Organisation , which says people should be in isolation for 10 days and then an additional three once they stop showing symptoms .
Earlier , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was `` worried '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling Sky News there is a `` second wave starting to roll across Europe '' .

Coronavirus is "bubbling up" in up to 30 areas across the UK, Boris Johnson has warned.
The prime minister said levels of COVID-19 are "going down" in Leicester - the first city subject to a local lockdown - but Britons have to be wary of a "really damaging second wave".
"It's absolutely vital as a country we continue to keep our focus and our discipline and that we don't delude ourselves that somehow we're out of the woods or that this is all over because it isn't all over," he warned.
The places with the highest case rates per 100,000 people according to NHS Digital's latest data are Blackburn with Darwen (85.3), Leicester (57.7), Oldham (53.1), Bradford (44.9) and Trafford (39.3).
Behind them are Calderdale (32.4), Rochdale (30.9) and Sandwell (27.5) - which has set up its own contact-tracing system in a bid to contain outbreaks and out of frustration with the one run by Whitehall.
Image: The self-isolation period is being increased from seven to 10 days
Mr Johnson also defended his government's handling of the pandemic - which has seen England named the country with the highest excess death rate in Europe.
Speaking on a visit to North Yorkshire, he said there has been "a massive success now in reducing the numbers of those tragic deaths".
Following news that the self-isolation period is being extended from seven to 10 days, Mr Johnson denied it would leave people confused.
All four of the UK nations' chief medical officers had approved the rule change because of "strengthened" evidence there is a "real possibility" anyone with the virus is infectious for longer than previously thought.
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Those who have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive will still have to stay at home for the same amount of time as before - 14 days.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Hancock says he is 'worried' about a second coronavirus wave
It aligns the UK closer with some other countries' policies and those of the World Health Organisation, which says people should be in isolation for 10 days and then an additional three once they stop showing symptoms.
Earlier, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was "worried" about another spike of coronavirus infections, telling Sky News there is a "second wave starting to roll across Europe".


skynewspolitics--2020-07-30--Why the self-isolation rule is changing and what impact it will have

The UK is changing its rules on how long anyone with suspected coronavirus has to self-isolate for .
But why has the decision been made to increase the time from seven to 10 days and what effects might it have ?
What were the old rules ?
Until 30 July , if someone had symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test result they had to self-isolate for seven days .
And anyone who came into close contact with them would then also have to stay at home for 14 days .
So what are the new rules ?
Now anyone with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for ten days .
The two-week period for those they 've come into close contact with remains the same .
The UK 's four top scientists - the chief medical officers of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland - have said evidence has `` strengthened '' to suggest that people might be infectious for longer than previously thought .
They still think that someone with the coronavirus is most likely to be able to pass it on just before and for a few days after they start showing symptoms - which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever or loss of taste or smell .
But they also said they now believe someone with the virus has `` a low but real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset '' .
Are there other reasons ?
The scientists hinted the advice is also changing as the country gears up for winter , when a recent government-commissioned report warned there may be a second wave bigger than the first that kills 120,000 people .
They added that with a much higher number of tests available and given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days '' .
How does that differ from official World Health Organisation ( WHO ) advice ?
The WHO has been telling countries since 27 May that people with symptoms should isolate for 10 days - plus at least three days once they stop displaying symptoms .
For those with no symptoms , it still says they should isolate for 10 days after receiving their positive test .
The WHO said at the time that evidence showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop self-isolating after those periods because of the `` rarity '' of virus still left in the respiratory system .
What do other experts make of the decision ?
Dr Tom Wingfield , senior clinical lecturer and honorary consultant physician at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , said it moves the UK 's position closer to the policies of `` many other countries '' .
He said it was `` particularly timely and welcome '' given local flareups and warnings of the beginnings of a second wave growing in Europe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the increase in the isolation period , '' he added .
`` These include additional loss of income for UK households and difficulties accessing support for day-to-day activities such as shopping for vulnerable people .
`` It is vital that these are proactively addressed to avoid further hardship . ''
Dr Julian Tang , honorary associate professor in respiratory sciences at the University of Leicester , has also said evidence isolation should last 10 days `` has been around for some months already '' .
`` There have been concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - because it just did n't tally with the evidence .
Finally , now it does , '' he said .
And Rowland Kao , professor of veterinary epidemiology and data science at the University of Edinburgh , said lockdown easing will likely lead to `` the opportunity for greater contact '' between people .
`` This is therefore a sensible precautionary measure to reduce the risk from potentially infected individuals in order to prevent more generalised restrictions from being necessary , '' he added .

The UK is changing its rules on how long anyone with suspected coronavirus has to self-isolate for.
But why has the decision been made to increase the time from seven to 10 days and what effects might it have?
What were the old rules?
Until 30 July, if someone had symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test result they had to self-isolate for seven days.
And anyone who came into close contact with them would then also have to stay at home for 14 days.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:53 Some of UK 'bubbling up a little' with COVID-19
So what are the new rules?
Now anyone with symptoms or a positive test must self-isolate for ten days.
The two-week period for those they've come into close contact with remains the same.
Image: Scientists thing someone with the virus may be infectious for longer
Why the change?
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The UK's four top scientists - the chief medical officers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - have said evidence has "strengthened" to suggest that people might be infectious for longer than previously thought.
They still think that someone with the coronavirus is most likely to be able to pass it on just before and for a few days after they start showing symptoms - which are a new, continuous cough, fever or loss of taste or smell.
But they also said they now believe someone with the virus has "a low but real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset".
Image: There are fears of how the virus could spread during winter
Are there other reasons?
The scientists hinted the advice is also changing as the country gears up for winter, when a recent government-commissioned report warned there may be a second wave bigger than the first that kills 120,000 people.
They added that with a much higher number of tests available and given the gradual lockdown easing, "it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days".
How does that differ from official World Health Organisation (WHO) advice?
The WHO has been telling countries since 27 May that people with symptoms should isolate for 10 days - plus at least three days once they stop displaying symptoms.
For those with no symptoms, it still says they should isolate for 10 days after receiving their positive test.
The WHO said at the time that evidence showed "it appears safe" for people to stop self-isolating after those periods because of the "rarity" of virus still left in the respiratory system.
What do other experts make of the decision?
Dr Tom Wingfield, senior clinical lecturer and honorary consultant physician at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said it moves the UK's position closer to the policies of "many other countries".
He said it was "particularly timely and welcome" given local flareups and warnings of the beginnings of a second wave growing in Europe.
"However, there will be downsides to the increase in the isolation period," he added.
"These include additional loss of income for UK households and difficulties accessing support for day-to-day activities such as shopping for vulnerable people.
"It is vital that these are proactively addressed to avoid further hardship."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:25 Hancock fears 'big spike' in Spain
Dr Julian Tang, honorary associate professor in respiratory sciences at the University of Leicester, has also said evidence isolation should last 10 days "has been around for some months already".
"There have been concerns about the former seven-day isolation cut-off for sometime now - because it just didn't tally with the evidence. Finally, now it does," he said.
And Rowland Kao, professor of veterinary epidemiology and data science at the University of Edinburgh, said lockdown easing will likely lead to "the opportunity for greater contact" between people.
"This is therefore a sensible precautionary measure to reduce the risk from potentially infected individuals in order to prevent more generalised restrictions from being necessary," he added.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-28--'Naughty Tory' found guilty of sexual assault - as wife reveals she has left him

Former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been found guilty of three counts of sexual assault - with the judge warning he faces the `` very real possibility '' of jail time .
Elphicke , 49 , was found guilty of one charge relating to an incident with a woman in her early 30s at his home in 2007 , and two involving a parliamentary worker in her early 20s in 2016 .
He will be sentenced at a later date .
His wife , Natalie Elphicke , who succeeded him as Dover MP in 2019 , was not in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But she wrote in an emotional tweet that the decision had brought `` profound sorrow '' .
`` It ends my 25 year marriage to the only man I have ever loved .
I would ask for some personal space and time to come to terms with the shocking events of the last 3 years , '' she said .
The former MP had tried to kiss and grope the parliamentary worker after they shared a drink in Westminster in April 2016 , Southwark Crown Court heard .
The complainant , who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her afterwards : `` I 'm so naughty sometimes . ''
The victim said : `` He had his mouth open , continually trying to kiss me .
It was like a disgusting , slobbery mess . ''
She told jurors that she had rejected his advances and that Elphicke said he had `` not been happy for years '' in his marriage .
She also alleged he had run his hand up her thigh towards her groin the following month .
The other woman claimed Elphicke had kissed and groped her at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while his wife Natalie was away for the night and his children were asleep .
Breaking down in court , the woman said : `` He tried to kiss me and I moved my head , he pushed me down by my shoulders , he had his knee between my legs and he was groping my breast .
`` I was just shocked - really , really shocked . ''
Elphicke , who was MP for Dover between 2010 and 2019 , had then chased her around his home chanting `` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grab her bottom , the woman said .
She described how it had felt `` like a race '' and that Elphicke was `` very animated , excited and clearly enjoying himself '' .
The woman later phoned her sister , who later told police the episode sounded like `` a sketch from The Benny Hill Show '' .
He told jurors he was under a `` misapprehension '' when he kissed the woman in his home and claimed he had stopped when she rejected his advances .
The father-of-two said he wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who he was `` besotted '' with , but denied sexually assaulting her and said he had not touched her inappropriately .
He also had an affair with a third woman , the court heard , between 2015 and 2017 .
Elphicke did not tell his wife until March 2018 when he was questioned by police .
The court heard he had initially denied any knowledge of the allegations about the parliamentary worker when he was summoned in front of Tory whips in January 2017 .
He later called on `` friend '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accompany him to a second meeting , but failed to mention to Mr Grieve that he had strong feelings for the woman .
The former MP also admitted to lying to police about the same issue .
He told jurors he had to come clean about his `` emotional attachment '' to the woman when legally qualified Mrs Elphicke looked over the case files during lockdown .
Elphicke had the Conservative Party whip suspended in 2017 when the allegations against him first emerged , but he was controversially reinstated a year later .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer when he was charged with sexual assault .

Former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been found guilty of three counts of sexual assault - with the judge warning he faces the "very real possibility" of jail time.
Elphicke, 49, was found guilty of one charge relating to an incident with a woman in her early 30s at his home in 2007, and two involving a parliamentary worker in her early 20s in 2016.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
His wife, Natalie Elphicke, who succeeded him as Dover MP in 2019, was not in the courtroom when the verdicts were returned.
But she wrote in an emotional tweet that the decision had brought "profound sorrow".
"It ends my 25 year marriage to the only man I have ever loved. I would ask for some personal space and time to come to terms with the shocking events of the last 3 years," she said.
Image: Charlie Elphicke with his wife, Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke
The former MP had tried to kiss and grope the parliamentary worker after they shared a drink in Westminster in April 2016, Southwark Crown Court heard.
The complainant, who cannot be named, said Elphicke told her afterwards: "I'm so naughty sometimes."
The victim said: "He had his mouth open, continually trying to kiss me. It was like a disgusting, slobbery mess."
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She told jurors that she had rejected his advances and that Elphicke said he had "not been happy for years" in his marriage.
She also alleged he had run his hand up her thigh towards her groin the following month.
The other woman claimed Elphicke had kissed and groped her at his London home in summer 2007, while his wife Natalie was away for the night and his children were asleep.
Breaking down in court, the woman said: "He tried to kiss me and I moved my head, he pushed me down by my shoulders, he had his knee between my legs and he was groping my breast.
"I was just shocked - really, really shocked."
Elphicke, who was MP for Dover between 2010 and 2019, had then chased her around his home chanting "I'm a naughty Tory" and trying to grab her bottom, the woman said.
She described how it had felt "like a race" and that Elphicke was "very animated, excited and clearly enjoying himself".
The woman later phoned her sister, who later told police the episode sounded like "a sketch from The Benny Hill Show".
Image: The former MP leaves Southwark Crown Court
Elphicke had denied all charges.
He told jurors he was under a "misapprehension" when he kissed the woman in his home and claimed he had stopped when she rejected his advances.
The father-of-two said he wanted an affair with the parliamentary worker, who he was "besotted" with, but denied sexually assaulting her and said he had not touched her inappropriately.
He also had an affair with a third woman, the court heard, between 2015 and 2017.
Elphicke did not tell his wife until March 2018 when he was questioned by police.
Image: Natalie Elphicke says their marriage is over
The court heard he had initially denied any knowledge of the allegations about the parliamentary worker when he was summoned in front of Tory whips in January 2017.
He later called on "friend" and former attorney general Dominic Grieve to accompany him to a second meeting, but failed to mention to Mr Grieve that he had strong feelings for the woman.
The former MP also admitted to lying to police about the same issue.
He told jurors he had to come clean about his "emotional attachment" to the woman when legally qualified Mrs Elphicke looked over the case files during lockdown.
Elphicke had the Conservative Party whip suspended in 2017 when the allegations against him first emerged, but he was controversially reinstated a year later.
The whip was withdrawn again the following summer when he was charged with sexual assault.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-30--Furloughed workers to get full redundancy payments under new law

Workers on furlough who lose their jobs will get redundancy pay based on their normal wage , under new laws in force from today .
The move means employees should avoid losing out by being given a reduced rate due to being on furlough .
Ministers say it will mean staff are not short-changed and that they want to provide reassurance `` during this difficult time '' .
The furlough scheme has protected the jobs of millions of workers during the coronavirus pandemic , with the government subsidising 80 % of their salary .
But the support is being wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the government has been asking firms to pay anyone they make redundant based on their normal wage .
Most have complied but some have not , he added .
`` We urge employers to do everything they can to avoid making redundancies , but where this is unavoidable it is important that employees receive the payments they are rightly entitled to , '' he said .
Other changes coming into force will ensure basic awards for unfair dismissal cases are based on full pay rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary Frances O'Grady said the government should be focused on `` stopping job losses in the first place '' .
She added : `` We urgently need targeted support for hard-hit industries , and extension of the furlough scheme beyond October for those who need it - without this , we risk an avalanche of redundancies in the autumn and undermining the economic recovery . ''
New figures published on Thursday also revealed around one in three furloughed workers returned to work in the first two weeks of July , as the hospitality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the largest number of workers returning was accommodation and food services businesses , where 18 % returned to work - though 43 % remained on furlough .

Workers on furlough who lose their jobs will get redundancy pay based on their normal wage, under new laws in force from today.
The move means employees should avoid losing out by being given a reduced rate due to being on furlough.
Ministers say it will mean staff are not short-changed and that they want to provide reassurance "during this difficult time".
Image: The new law will stop employers getting a lower redundancy payout
The furlough scheme has protected the jobs of millions of workers during the coronavirus pandemic, with the government subsidising 80% of their salary.
But the support is being wound down from August and stopped altogether in October.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the government has been asking firms to pay anyone they make redundant based on their normal wage.
Most have complied but some have not, he added.
"We urge employers to do everything they can to avoid making redundancies, but where this is unavoidable it is important that employees receive the payments they are rightly entitled to," he said.
Other changes coming into force will ensure basic awards for unfair dismissal cases are based on full pay rather than wages under the scheme.
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Image: 43% of food and accommodation workers are still on furlough
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the government should be focused on "stopping job losses in the first place".
She added: "We urgently need targeted support for hard-hit industries, and extension of the furlough scheme beyond October for those who need it - without this, we risk an avalanche of redundancies in the autumn and undermining the economic recovery."
New figures published on Thursday also revealed around one in three furloughed workers returned to work in the first two weeks of July, as the hospitality industry started to reopen.
The sector with the largest number of workers returning was accommodation and food services businesses, where 18% returned to work - though 43% remained on furlough.