skynewspolitics--2020-08-17--Exams U-turn sees teacher grades used - sparking new scramble for university places

A-level and GCSE students in England , Wales and Northern Ireland will be handed exam grades as predicted by their teachers instead of a controversial algorithm .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson apologised following the major government U-turn , which came after growing fury from pupils and Tory MPs about the handling of the results crisis .
But the latest move could lead to further uncertainty for A-level students hoping to go to university , as a rise in the number of people achieving the required entry grades may cause trouble in the admissions process .
Some institutions have already raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffing , accommodation and facilities if numbers increase - especially at a time when universities are trying to be coronavirus-secure .
Leading education body Universities UK has warned of `` challenges at this late stage '' , and Paul Whiteman , of the school leaders ' union NAHT , said delays will have made it harder for universities to find places for students .
He said : `` The big question remains as to why this decision has taken so long to come , as it may already be too late for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their first choice of university and course .
`` Every day of delay is going to have loaded more and more difficulty on to universities and their capacity to meet all of the demand for places that will now inevitably come their way .
For them , the problem is far from over . ''
Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis claimed 70 % of students were placed with their first-choice institution , but said those who are not should `` think carefully about their next steps '' and seek advice from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on universities to be as flexible as possible when looking at who to admit on to a degree course , adding they expect institutions to honour all offers made and met .
The government will remove temporary student number controls - brought in this year to stop over-recruitment due to COVID-19 - to remove potential barriers to students being able to progress .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ministers have been coming under pressure for several days over the system to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic .
In England , nearly 40 % of A-level marks were downgraded , while the system also appeared to advantage private schools , which saw nearly double the number of increases in top marks year-on-year compared to state comprehensives .
The controversial algorithm led to heartbreaking stories from pupils missing out on places based on the performance of their school over recent years .
Sky News heard from students like 18-year-old Holly Barber , from Bradford , who was downgraded from A , A , A to B , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the U-turn announcement that the government had `` completely ruined a lot of kids ' futures '' .
Scotland was the first nation to scrap the moderated grades and allow results to be based on teacher predictions .
Northern Ireland followed suit , followed by Wales and then England at 4pm on Monday afternoon .
Students who were awarded a higher grade by the moderation process will still be allowed to keep it .
The head of exam regulator Ofqual , Roger Taylor , said the changes were made after `` seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distress '' and `` anxiety '' .
`` We realised that we had taken the wrong road here and we needed to change course , '' he said .
`` It became very clear to us that this was not commanding public support . ''
The revised A-level results will be loaded into UCAS ' systems `` by the end of this week '' , Mr Taylor said .
However he did not deny that for some students who accepted offers based on the lower results they received last Thursday , it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the change does not apply to BTEC exam results .
Mr Williamson , who only has jurisdiction for education in England given it is a devolved matter , said he was `` incredibly sorry for all those students who have been through this '' .
`` Over the weekend it became clearer to me the level of the number of students who were getting grades that frankly they should n't have been getting , '' he added .
Pupils who were downgraded and had to take a place at another university will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will still take them - but it is ultimately up to each university , Mr Williamson said .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had defended the algorithm system last week , saying it was `` robust '' and `` dependable '' .
His spokesman also said on Monday : `` Ofqual continues to have the support of the PM . ''
Concerns have been raised about scrapping any form of moderation , with exams watchdog Ofqual saying last week it was needed given some `` generous '' initial assessments that predicted `` implausibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the Education Partnerships and a former government adviser , also said `` many schools deliberately graded down to fit expected distribution '' so the news `` just shifts the unfairness on to the pupils at those schools '' .
Some Tory backbenchers are also holding off giving full endorsement to the announcement given it does not affect BTECs , with one saying : `` Technical education is essential to many young people and to our entire economy . ''
UCAS said it was now working with `` universities , colleges and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options and achieve their place in higher education '' .
`` For those students who were not placed with their firm ( or insurance ) choice university , our advice is that you do n't need to make your decision immediately , '' it said .
`` Speak with your parents , guardians and teachers and then your first conversation will need to be to your firm ( or insurance ) choice university .
`` Once your university has your 'Centre Assessed Grades ( CAG ) ' via exam bodies they can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place at your preferred choice .
`` We will be issuing new advice for students and schools and this will be sent directly to students as soon as they are able to take a decision . ''
Pupils in Mr Williamson 's South Staffordshire constituency angry at the situation marched from their high school to his office on Monday .
They carried placards saying `` sack Gavin '' , `` your algorithm does n't know me '' and `` stop playing postcode politics '' .
Are you a concerned parent with A-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Sky News : : WhatsApp - 07583 000853 : : Email - news @ sky.com : : 'Your Report ' on Sky News apps

A-level and GCSE students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be handed exam grades as predicted by their teachers instead of a controversial algorithm.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson apologised following the major government U-turn, which came after growing fury from pupils and Tory MPs about the handling of the results crisis.
But the latest move could lead to further uncertainty for A-level students hoping to go to university, as a rise in the number of people achieving the required entry grades may cause trouble in the admissions process.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 'Education secretary needs to learn lessons'
Image: Some pupils have called for Gavin Williamson to be sacked
Some institutions have already raised concerns about a lack of capacity, staffing, accommodation and facilities if numbers increase - especially at a time when universities are trying to be coronavirus-secure.
Leading education body Universities UK has warned of "challenges at this late stage", and Paul Whiteman, of the school leaders' union NAHT, said delays will have made it harder for universities to find places for students.
He said: "The big question remains as to why this decision has taken so long to come, as it may already be too late for some A-level students who have already missed out on their first choice of university and course.
"Every day of delay is going to have loaded more and more difficulty on to universities and their capacity to meet all of the demand for places that will now inevitably come their way. For them, the problem is far from over."
Universities UK chief executive Alistair Jarvis claimed 70% of students were placed with their first-choice institution, but said those who are not should "think carefully about their next steps" and seek advice from their preferred university.
Ministers have called on universities to be as flexible as possible when looking at who to admit on to a degree course, adding they expect institutions to honour all offers made and met.
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The government will remove temporary student number controls - brought in this year to stop over-recruitment due to COVID-19 - to remove potential barriers to students being able to progress.
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Ministers have been coming under pressure for several days over the system to grade students whose exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In England, nearly 40% of A-level marks were downgraded, while the system also appeared to advantage private schools, which saw nearly double the number of increases in top marks year-on-year compared to state comprehensives.
The controversial algorithm led to heartbreaking stories from pupils missing out on places based on the performance of their school over recent years.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 A-levels row: 'We shouldn't judge on class'
Sky News heard from students like 18-year-old Holly Barber, from Bradford, who was downgraded from A, A, A to B, C, E. She told Sky News before the U-turn announcement that the government had "completely ruined a lot of kids' futures".
Scotland was the first nation to scrap the moderated grades and allow results to be based on teacher predictions.
Northern Ireland followed suit, followed by Wales and then England at 4pm on Monday afternoon.
Students who were awarded a higher grade by the moderation process will still be allowed to keep it.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 Ofqual apologises after exam grades U-turn
The head of exam regulator Ofqual, Roger Taylor, said the changes were made after "seeing the experience" of students' "distress" and "anxiety".
"We realised that we had taken the wrong road here and we needed to change course," he said.
"It became very clear to us that this was not commanding public support."
The revised A-level results will be loaded into UCAS' systems "by the end of this week", Mr Taylor said.
However he did not deny that for some students who accepted offers based on the lower results they received last Thursday, it may be too late.
He also confirmed the change does not apply to BTEC exam results.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:16 PM defended A-level results as 'robust'
Mr Williamson, who only has jurisdiction for education in England given it is a devolved matter, said he was "incredibly sorry for all those students who have been through this".
"Over the weekend it became clearer to me the level of the number of students who were getting grades that frankly they shouldn't have been getting," he added.
Pupils who were downgraded and had to take a place at another university will be able to ask their initial choices if they will still take them - but it is ultimately up to each university, Mr Williamson said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had defended the algorithm system last week, saying it was "robust" and "dependable".
His spokesman also said on Monday: "Ofqual continues to have the support of the PM."
Concerns have been raised about scrapping any form of moderation, with exams watchdog Ofqual saying last week it was needed given some "generous" initial assessments that predicted "implausibly" high grades.
Sam Freedman, head of the Education Partnerships and a former government adviser, also said "many schools deliberately graded down to fit expected distribution" so the news "just shifts the unfairness on to the pupils at those schools".
Some Tory backbenchers are also holding off giving full endorsement to the announcement given it does not affect BTECs, with one saying: "Technical education is essential to many young people and to our entire economy."
UCAS said it was now working with "universities, colleges and schools to support students to understand their options and achieve their place in higher education".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:34 Education secretary defended grading system last week
"For those students who were not placed with their firm (or insurance) choice university, our advice is that you don't need to make your decision immediately," it said.
"Speak with your parents, guardians and teachers and then your first conversation will need to be to your firm (or insurance) choice university.
"Once your university has your 'Centre Assessed Grades (CAG)' via exam bodies they can make a decision as to whether there is a place at your preferred choice.
"We will be issuing new advice for students and schools and this will be sent directly to students as soon as they are able to take a decision."
Pupils in Mr Williamson's South Staffordshire constituency angry at the situation marched from their high school to his office on Monday.
They carried placards saying "sack Gavin", "your algorithm doesn't know me" and "stop playing postcode politics".
Are you a concerned parent with A-level and GCSE children? Get in touch with Sky News
:: WhatsApp - 07583 000853
:: Email - news@sky.com
:: 'Your Report' on Sky News apps


skynewspolitics--2020-08-17--Exams U-turn fixes a political problem for the government but creates many more practical ones

This is a U-turn long in the making but short in the offing .
As recently as Saturday night , government sources were insisting that , without standardisation , they would be fighting accusations of rampant grade inflation and worthless A-levels .
Ultimately though , the alternative was worse .
A barrage of stories about talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds marked down on the basis of historical difficulties in their schools .
Less levelling up , more dragging down .
A toxic legacy for a prime minister who insists he 's determined to expand opportunity .
Any chance of riding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weekend of chaos over the appeals system that infuriated Conservative MPs .
Worry too that the burden of submitting appeals could disrupt schools restarting again next month .
But while this U-turn fixes one political problem for the government , it creates many more practical ones for higher education .
For the last four days , universities have been allocating hundreds of thousands of places based on standardised grades .
Students unable to get into their preferred choice have been accepting alternatives via the clearing service .
The government says they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there 's no guarantee the universities will take them .
The cap on student numbers has been lifted to boost capacity but that could lead to some universities losing out if there 's a damaging exodus from their courses .
What 's more , falling back on Centre Assessed Grades ( CAGs ) does n't eliminate unfairness from the system .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Different schools will have graded their students using different methods .
Some may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others will have been more optimistic .
There will still be an appeals system in place , though it wo n't allow challenges on the basis of mocks .
The calculation in Westminster is clearly that shifting accountability for unfairness from ministers to teachers is an easier political sell .
But given the chaos in Westminster over the past four days , attention will likely focus on the Education Secretary for England Gavin Williamson .
On a briefing call with reporters , he admitted that it was only over the weekend when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown up by the system .
To justify that , blame is being shifted to the exams regulator Ofqual with the under-fire cabinet minister saying he had been reassured by them at every stage that the process was fair .
But after what happened in Scotland , the fact that no one noticed this political juggernaut coming - and that no one has lost their job as a result - will leave many astounded .
Students across the UK may feel more comfortable with their career prospects this evening .

This is a U-turn long in the making but short in the offing.
As recently as Saturday night, government sources were insisting that, without standardisation, they would be fighting accusations of rampant grade inflation and worthless A-levels.
Ultimately though, the alternative was worse.
Image: Education Secretary Gavin Williamson may be fearing for his job after the U-turn
A barrage of stories about talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds marked down on the basis of historical difficulties in their schools.
Inequalities exacerbated by an algorithm.
Less levelling up, more dragging down.
A toxic legacy for a prime minister who insists he's determined to expand opportunity.
Any chance of riding out the crisis was made impossible by a weekend of chaos over the appeals system that infuriated Conservative MPs.
Worry too that the burden of submitting appeals could disrupt schools restarting again next month.
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But while this U-turn fixes one political problem for the government, it creates many more practical ones for higher education.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:21 Ofqual apologises after exam grades U-turn
For the last four days, universities have been allocating hundreds of thousands of places based on standardised grades.
Students unable to get into their preferred choice have been accepting alternatives via the clearing service.
The government says they will be able to swap back now, but there's no guarantee the universities will take them.
The cap on student numbers has been lifted to boost capacity but that could lead to some universities losing out if there's a damaging exodus from their courses.
What's more, falling back on Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) doesn't eliminate unfairness from the system.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Different schools will have graded their students using different methods.
Some may have scored harshly to account for the algorithm.
Others will have been more optimistic.
There will still be an appeals system in place, though it won't allow challenges on the basis of mocks.
The calculation in Westminster is clearly that shifting accountability for unfairness from ministers to teachers is an easier political sell.
Wales and Northern Ireland have made similar screeching U-turns today.
But given the chaos in Westminster over the past four days, attention will likely focus on the Education Secretary for England Gavin Williamson.
On a briefing call with reporters, he admitted that it was only over the weekend when he became aware of the inequalities being thrown up by the system.
To justify that, blame is being shifted to the exams regulator Ofqual with the under-fire cabinet minister saying he had been reassured by them at every stage that the process was fair.
But after what happened in Scotland, the fact that no one noticed this political juggernaut coming - and that no one has lost their job as a result - will leave many astounded.
Students across the UK may feel more comfortable with their career prospects this evening.
Gavin Williamson probably doesn't.


skynewspolitics--2020-08-17--Ex-chancellor Sajid Javid gets new job with Wall Street giant

Former chancellor Sajid Javid has a new job with Wall Street giant JP Morgan .
The bank revealed on Monday that Mr Javid - who quit as chancellor earlier this year - has been hired as a senior adviser .
Mr Javid is still an MP but will take up a post as a member of the US bank 's advisory council for Europe , the Middle East and Africa ( EMEA ) .
A spokesman for the bank said : `` We are delighted to welcome Sajid back to JP Morgan as a senior adviser , and we look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the business and economic environment to help shape our client strategy across Europe . ''
The MP for Bromsgrove began his 18-year career in finance at Chase Manhattan , which later merged with JP Morgan , and worked in several roles in its currencies and emerging market businesses .
He later joined Deutsche Bank where he ran several of the German lender 's trading businesses in Asia , including in Singapore .
He left Deutsche , where he was reportedly earning about £3m , in 2009 to pursue a career in politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
JP Morgan regularly appoints former government ministers to adviser posts , with ex-prime minister Tony Blair and ex-Finnish prime minister Esko Aho among its previous appointees .
Former Italian finance minister Vittorio Grilli has just become chairman of JP Morgan 's EMEA advisory council .

Former chancellor Sajid Javid has a new job with Wall Street giant JP Morgan.
The bank revealed on Monday that Mr Javid - who quit as chancellor earlier this year - has been hired as a senior adviser.
Mr Javid is still an MP but will take up a post as a member of the US bank's advisory council for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
A spokesman for the bank said: "We are delighted to welcome Sajid back to JP Morgan as a senior adviser, and we look forward to drawing upon his in-depth understanding of the business and economic environment to help shape our client strategy across Europe."
Image: JP Morgan's UK headquarters are in Canary Wharf, London
The MP for Bromsgrove began his 18-year career in finance at Chase Manhattan, which later merged with JP Morgan, and worked in several roles in its currencies and emerging market businesses.
He later joined Deutsche Bank where he ran several of the German lender's trading businesses in Asia, including in Singapore.
He left Deutsche, where he was reportedly earning about £3m, in 2009 to pursue a career in politics and was elected to parliament the following year.
JP Morgan regularly appoints former government ministers to adviser posts, with ex-prime minister Tony Blair and ex-Finnish prime minister Esko Aho among its previous appointees.
Former Italian finance minister Vittorio Grilli has just become chairman of JP Morgan's EMEA advisory council.


skynewspolitics--2020-08-18--Public Health England to be scrapped, health secretary confirms

Public Health England ( PHE ) is being scrapped as part of plans for a new organisation responsible for dealing with pandemics , the health secretary has announced .
Matt Hancock confirmed the decision reported over the weekend to set up a body called the National Institute for Health Protection , which will also work against the threats of biological weapons and infectious diseases .
From this week it will subsume parts of PHE , the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS test and trace , he said in a speech on Tuesday .
Baroness Dido Harding , currently in charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will temporarily head the new body and lead the search for a permanent successor .
Though given the number of people with coronavirus still not being reached , one Liberal Democrat MP branded the appointment a `` reward for failure '' .
Mr Hancock said the pandemic had `` shone a light on our public health system '' and that he has `` learned a lot about ... what needs to change '' .
But he paid tribute to public health experts ' `` incredible work '' and commended PHE 's research as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done '' into COVID-19 .
The change is coming while the latest number of daily infections stands at just over 700 because `` we must do everything we can to fulfil our responsibility to the public to strengthen public health in the UK '' , Mr Hancock explained .
`` If something is the right thing to do then putting off the change is usually the wrong thing to do , '' he added .
It follows several reports that ministers have been frustrated with the way PHE has dealt with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new way of counting daily deaths from COVID-19 , after concerns were raised that the method used by PHE officials overstated them .
41,369 people have died across the UK with the virus , the latest government statistics say , and the Office for National Statistics found England had the highest excess death rate in Europe over the first half of 2020 .
`` A structural reorganisation mid-pandemic is time consuming , energy sapping ; it 's risky , indeed irresponsible , '' he tweeted .
`` And what an insulting way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a paywalled Sunday newspaper leaving them with questions and worries about their jobs .
`` The shift we need is towards a local test and trace system delivering mass testing , finds cases , uses local expertise to trace and supports people to isolate with security . ''
Richard Murray , head of the King 's Fund health think tank , also said PHE `` appears to have been found guilty without a trial '' and it is `` unclear what problem government are hoping to solve '' .
Questions also remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PHE 's responsibilities not being taken over by its successor .
The move will also fuel speculation Downing Street is preparing for the independent inquiry into the UK 's pandemic response promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
Layla Moran , a Lib Dem leadership contender , said the `` lack of public scrutiny or transparent recruitment process '' for promoting Baroness Harding was `` appalling '' .
`` Given we still do n't have an effective test , trace and isolate system , this feels like a reward for failure , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baroness Harding , a former chief executive of Talk Talk , in an interview after his speech .
He said she had `` excellent experience '' outside government and previously worked for the NHS so `` her leadership will be vital in driving this forward '' .
Former Conservative health secretary Andrew Lansley told Sky News last month that senior Tories calling for PHE to be axed were making `` criticism born of ignorance '' .
`` Public Health England is an agency of the Department of Health , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for direct control by the government , by the secretary of state of the activities of Public Health England .
`` So not only does the secretary of state have all the required powers , he also has all the required control . ''

Public Health England (PHE) is being scrapped as part of plans for a new organisation responsible for dealing with pandemics, the health secretary has announced.
Matt Hancock confirmed the decision reported over the weekend to set up a body called the National Institute for Health Protection, which will also work against the threats of biological weapons and infectious diseases.
From this week it will subsume parts of PHE, the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS Test and Trace, he said in a speech on Tuesday.
Image: Test and trace will also be merged into the new organisation
Tory peer Baroness Dido Harding, currently in charge of Whitehall's contact-tracing operation, will temporarily head the new body and lead the search for a permanent successor.
Given the number of people with coronavirus still not being reached, one Liberal Democrat MP branded the appointment a "reward for failure".
Image: Dido Harding will lead the National Institute for Health Protection
Mr Hancock said the pandemic had "shone a light on our public health system" and that he has "learned a lot about... what needs to change".
But he paid tribute to public health experts' "incredible work" and commended PHE's research as "some of the best that's been done" into COVID-19.
The change is coming "to give ourselves the best chance of beating this virus once and for all - and of spotting and being ready to respond to other health threats, now and in the future", Mr Hancock explained.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 'We must strengthen our response' - Hancock
He added it was happening while the latest number of daily infections stands at just over 700 because "if something is the right thing to do then putting off the change is usually the wrong thing to do".
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It follows several reports that ministers have been frustrated with the way PHE has dealt with the coronavirus crisis.
The government adopted a new way of counting daily deaths from COVID-19, after concerns were raised that the method used by PHE officials overstated them.
According to the latest government statistics, 41,369 people have died across the UK with coronavirus, and the Office for National Statistics found England had the highest excess death rate in Europe over the first half of 2020.
Image: 41,369 people have died across the UK with the virus
Labour's shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth said scrapping PHE was "desperate blame-shifting".
"A structural reorganisation mid-pandemic is time consuming, energy sapping; it's risky, indeed irresponsible," he tweeted.
"And what an insulting way to treat hard-working staff who heard about this from a paywalled Sunday newspaper leaving them with questions and worries about their jobs.
"The shift we need is towards a local test and trace system that delivers mass testing, finds cases, uses local expertise to trace and supports people to isolate with security."
Image: Opposition MPs say contact tracing must be improved urgently
Richard Murray, head of the King's Fund health think tank, also said PHE "appears to have been found guilty without a trial" and it is "unclear what problem government are hoping to solve".
Questions also remain over what will happen to some of PHE's responsibilities not being taken over by its successor.
Image: PM Boris Johnson has promised an inquiry into the pandemic
The move will also fuel speculation Downing Street is preparing for the independent inquiry into the UK's pandemic response promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Layla Moran, a Lib Dem leadership contender, said the "lack of public scrutiny or transparent recruitment process" for promoting Baroness Harding was "appalling".
"Given we still don't have an effective test, trace and isolate system, this feels like a reward for failure," she added.
Mr Hancock defended promoting Baroness Harding in an interview after his speech.
He said she had "excellent experience" outside government and previously worked for the NHS so "her leadership will be vital in driving this forward".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Hancock justifies head of PHE replacement
Who is Baroness Dido Harding?
Runs government's coronavirus contact tracing system and chairs NHS Improvement
Became a Conservative peer in 2014
Is a jockey and racehorse owner and served on the board of Cheltenham Racecourse
Ex-chief executive of TalkTalk when it suffered a huge cyber attack in 2015
Formerly held senior roles at Tesco and Sainsbury's
Married to Tory MP John Penrose, board member of 1828 think-tank that called for NHS to be replaced with health insurance scheme
Image: Dido Harding was CEO of TalkTalk when it was hit by a huge cyber attack
Not all Conservatives will welcome the move to abolish PHE.
Former Tory health secretary Andrew Lansley told Sky News last month that those in his own party calling for it to be axed were making "criticism born of ignorance".
"Public Health England is an agency of the Department of Health," he said. "The legislation, the law provides for direct control by the government, by the secretary of state of the activities of Public Health England.
"So not only does the secretary of state have all the required powers, he also has all the required control."
Image: Andrew Lansley dismissed calls to scrap PHE
Analysis: PHE can't be made a scapegoat
By Thomas Moore, science correspondent
It is baffling that such a massive reorganisation of the institution in charge of public health in England should happen in the middle of the worst pandemic in a century.
Just as officials should be preparing for a rise in COVID-19 cases this autumn the organisational structure is being turned on its head. And one can't help wonder whether there is a political motive behind the upheaval.
Yes, there seems to have been group-think at Public Health England that failed to spot the threat of a novel coronavirus to the country, even though the warning signs were there in China. South Korea, Vietnam and other Asian countries responded, the UK did not.
Image: Thomas Moore says failures to tackle coronavirus are cross-government
Yes, PHE stuck its heels in the ground and insisted on testing for the virus in its own labs, even when it was getting left behind by an accelerating epidemic. Germany built up its testing strategy far sooner.
And, yes, it abandoned contact tracing on 12 March just as cases started to rise exponentially, losing all grip on the spread of the virus.
But the failures in the UK's handling of the epidemic are across government, not just PHE. It can't be made the scapegoat.
Matt Hancock insists bringing public health and test and trace together in a single body will streamline the response to the virus. But he wasn't able to articulate how.
Nor was he able to explain how the new health body will tackle obesity, air quality and the shocking level of health inequality exposed by the pandemic. That detail is still to come, he said - despite the urgency of action.
Public health teams on the frontline need to be confident that they have the funding and the support of their political masters. And that's not clear at the moment.


skynewspolitics--2020-08-18--Williamson resists resignation calls but says he is 'incredibly sorry'

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has resisted calls to resign but told Sky News he is `` incredibly sorry for the distress '' the A-level and GCSE results row caused to students .
He said up until results day last week he had `` every confidence '' the controversial algorithm used to grade pupils whose exams were cancelled due to coronavirus would not penalise disadvantaged students .
But over the weekend , when he said `` it became clear there were anomalies '' , the government U-turned .
`` I 'm incredibly sorry for the distress that it 's caused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Kay Burley @ Breakfast on Tuesday .
`` But it was still the right thing to do to make the changes we made yesterday ... '' At the core of it was ensuring there was fairness across the system . ''
Heartbreaking stories immediately began pouring out in the aftermath of results day from students who had lost out on university places - and in the case of one student Sky News spoke to , a bursary .
England was the final UK nation to drop a system of moderated grades and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictions on Monday - following Scotland , Northern Ireland and then Wales .
Angry pupils protested in Westminster and outside Mr Williamson 's South Staffordshire constituency office before the U-turn , demanding his resignation .
But asked why he had not quit , the cabinet minister told Sky News actions he took made a `` real difference '' to ensure students were not treated unfairly .
Mr Williamson was also challenged over a report by an influential Tory MP who chairs the Commons education select committee , which found in July the marking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disadvantaged pupils and those from ethnic minority backgrounds .
But the education secretary denied he missed early warnings from that report and other experts , insisting it was only `` when we saw the results directly coming out '' that it became clear there was a problem .
Admissions tutors are scrambling this morning to respond to nervous students , some of whom will have accepted lower offers based on their moderated grades .
While universities are still figuring out how yesterday 's decision affects their finances and safety when terms begin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Emma Hardy , a Labour shadow education minister , said the U-turn posed particular problems for social distancing in universities dealing with last-minute extra students , particularly given fears of a `` second peak '' of COVID-19 .
`` The problems just keep on coming , and the thing that 's so frustrating about all this is it did n't need to happen , '' she told Sky News .
10 Downing Street has reiterated Boris Johnson , who is on holiday in Scotland , has full confidence in Mr Williamson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Conservative benches , with former minister George Freeman coming the closest yet to calling for Mr Williamson to go .
He said the `` exam shambles '' raises `` worrying '' questions `` about leadership '' at the Department for Education .
The Times reports that the top civil servant at the department - permanent secretary Jonathan Slater - `` faces being ousted '' .
The prime minister had given his full endorsement to the algorithm last Thursday .
He said : `` Let 's be in no doubt about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today are robust , they 're good , they 're dependable for employers . ''
Analysis : The exams debacle is far from over By Tamara Cohen , political correspondent After insisting there would be no U-turns , today Gavin Williamson ate humble pie in the TV studios explaining why he has now performed a huge , screeching one .
His explanation ?
He 's terribly sorry , but he was given assurances by regulator Ofqual that the algorithm used to determine grades was robust .
And it was only on further examination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too many anomalies '' .
Plenty of Tory MPs privately - and in some cases publicly - wonder why this was obvious to plenty of others , including the education select committee , and especially clear after the fiasco in Scotland a week earlier which their party rushed to criticise .
The saga reflects poorly not just on Mr Williamson , but on the government as a whole and its `` levelling up '' agenda , as well as the devolved administrations .
There is no immediate expectation or clamour within the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or resign .
He has Number 10 's full confidence , I 'm told today - and his role in securing the leadership for Boris Johnson is not forgotten .
This is not a government which likes to bow to pressure for heads to roll .
But the exams debacle is far from over - GCSE results this week , the return to school in September and handling the chaos now inflicted on universities will tell us whether he 's weathered the storm .

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has resisted calls to resign but told Sky News he is "incredibly sorry for the distress" the A-level and GCSE results row caused to students.
He said up until results day last week he had "every confidence" the controversial algorithm used to grade pupils whose exams were cancelled due to coronavirus would not penalise disadvantaged students.
But over the weekend, when he said "it became clear there were anomalies", the government U-turned.
Image: Students called for the education secretary to be sacked
"I'm incredibly sorry for the distress that it's caused to those young people," Mr Williamson told Kay Burley@Breakfast on Tuesday.
"But it was still the right thing to do to make the changes we made yesterday...
"At the core of it was ensuring there was fairness across the system."
Image: The U-turn came five days after A-level results day
Heartbreaking stories immediately began pouring out in the aftermath of results day from students who had lost out on university places - and in the case of one student Sky News spoke to, a bursary.
England was the final UK nation to drop a system of moderated grades and instead mark pupils according to teachers' predictions on Monday - following Scotland, Northern Ireland and then Wales.
Angry pupils protested in Westminster and outside Mr Williamson's South Staffordshire constituency office before the U-turn, demanding his resignation.
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But asked why he had not quit, the cabinet minister told Sky News actions he took made a "real difference" to ensure students were not treated unfairly.
Mr Williamson was also challenged over a report by an influential Tory MP who chairs the Commons education select committee, which found in July the marking system "could be unfair" for disadvantaged pupils and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
But the education secretary denied he missed early warnings from that report and other experts, insisting it was only "when we saw the results directly coming out" that it became clear there was a problem.
Image: Universities are scrambling to respond to the new results guidance
Admissions tutors are scrambling this morning to respond to nervous students, some of whom will have accepted lower offers based on their moderated grades.
While universities are still figuring out how yesterday's decision affects their finances and safety when terms begin in the autumn due to changing student numbers.
Emma Hardy, a Labour shadow education minister, said the U-turn posed particular problems for social distancing in universities dealing with last-minute extra students, particularly given fears of a "second peak" of COVID-19.
"The problems just keep on coming, and the thing that's so frustrating about all this is it didn't need to happen," she told Sky News.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:16 From Thursday: PM defends A-level results as 'robust'
10 Downing Street has reiterated Boris Johnson, who is on holiday in Scotland, has full confidence in Mr Williamson.
But that has not quelled anger completely on the Conservative benches, with former minister George Freeman coming the closest yet to calling for Mr Williamson to go.
He said the "exam shambles" raises "worrying" questions "about leadership" at the Department for Education.
The Times reports that the top civil servant at the department - permanent secretary Jonathan Slater - "faces being ousted".
The prime minister had given his full endorsement to the algorithm last Thursday.
He said: "Let's be in no doubt about it: The exam results we've got today are robust, they're good, they're dependable for employers."
Image: Exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
Analysis: The exams debacle is far from over
By Tamara Cohen, political correspondent
After insisting there would be no U-turns, today Gavin Williamson ate humble pie in the TV studios explaining why he has now performed a huge, screeching one.
His explanation? He's terribly sorry, but he was given assurances by regulator Ofqual that the algorithm used to determine grades was robust. And it was only on further examination this weekend that it "threw up too many anomalies".
Plenty of Tory MPs privately - and in some cases publicly - wonder why this was obvious to plenty of others, including the education select committee, and especially clear after the fiasco in Scotland a week earlier which their party rushed to criticise.
The saga reflects poorly not just on Mr Williamson, but on the government as a whole and its "levelling up" agenda, as well as the devolved administrations.
There is no immediate expectation or clamour within the party that the education secretary will be fired or resign.
He has Number 10's full confidence, I'm told today - and his role in securing the leadership for Boris Johnson is not forgotten.
This is not a government which likes to bow to pressure for heads to roll.
But the exams debacle is far from over - GCSE results this week, the return to school in September and handling the chaos now inflicted on universities will tell us whether he's weathered the storm.


skynewspolitics--2020-08-18--Public Health England to be scrapped - but person hired to lead replacement causes controversy

Public Health England ( PHE ) is being scrapped as part of plans for a new organisation responsible for dealing with pandemics , the health secretary has announced .
Matt Hancock confirmed the decision reported over the weekend to set up a body called the National Institute for Health Protection , which will also work against the threats of biological weapons and infectious diseases .
From this week it will subsume parts of PHE , the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS Test and Trace , he said in a speech on Tuesday .
Tory peer Baroness Dido Harding , currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will temporarily head the new body and lead the search for a permanent successor .
Given the number of people with coronavirus still not being reached , one Liberal Democrat MP branded the appointment a `` reward for failure '' .
Mr Hancock said the pandemic had `` shone a light on our public health system '' and that he has `` learned a lot about ... what needs to change '' .
But he paid tribute to public health experts ' `` incredible work '' and commended PHE 's research as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done '' into COVID-19 .
The change is coming `` to give ourselves the best chance of beating this virus once and for all - and of spotting and being ready to respond to other health threats , now and in the future '' , Mr Hancock explained .
He added it was happening while the latest number of daily infections stands at just over 700 because `` if something is the right thing to do then putting off the change is usually the wrong thing to do '' .
It follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the way PHE has dealt with the coronavirus crisis .
The government adopted a new way of counting daily deaths from COVID-19 , after concerns were raised that the method used by PHE officials overstated them .
According to the latest government statistics , 41,369 people have died across the UK with coronavirus , and the Office for National Statistics found England had the highest excess death rate in Europe over the first half of 2020 .
`` A structural reorganisation mid-pandemic is time consuming , energy sapping ; it 's risky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And what an insulting way to treat hard-working staff who heard about this from a paywalled Sunday newspaper leaving them with questions and worries about their jobs .
`` The shift we need is towards a local test and trace system that delivers mass testing , finds cases , uses local expertise to trace and supports people to isolate with security . ''
Richard Murray , head of the King 's Fund health think tank , also said PHE `` appears to have been found guilty without a trial '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hoping to solve '' .
Questions also remain over what will happen to some of PHE 's responsibilities not being taken over by its successor .
The move will also fuel speculation Downing Street is preparing for the independent inquiry into the UK 's pandemic response promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
Layla Moran , a Lib Dem leadership contender , said the `` lack of public scrutiny or transparent recruitment process '' for promoting Baroness Harding was `` appalling '' .
`` Given we still do n't have an effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this feels like a reward for failure , '' she added .
Mr Hancock defended promoting Baroness Harding in an interview after his speech .
He said she had `` excellent experience '' outside government and previously worked for the NHS so `` her leadership will be vital in driving this forward '' .
• Is a jockey and racehorse owner and served on the board of Cheltenham Racecourse • Ex-chief executive of TalkTalk when it suffered a huge cyber attack in 2015 • Formerly held senior roles at Tesco and Sainsbury's • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board member of 1828 think-tank that called for NHS to be replaced with health insurance scheme Not all Conservatives will welcome the move to abolish PHE .
Former Tory health secretary Andrew Lansley told Sky News last month that those in his own party calling for it to be axed were making `` criticism born of ignorance '' .
`` Public Health England is an agency of the Department of Health , '' he said .
`` The legislation , the law provides for direct control by the government , by the secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health England .
`` So not only does the secretary of state have all the required powers , he also has all the required control . ''
It is baffling that such a massive reorganisation of the institution in charge of public health in England should happen in the middle of the worst pandemic in a century .
Just as officials should be preparing for a rise in COVID-19 cases this autumn the organisational structure is being turned on its head .
And one ca n't help wonder whether there is a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there seems to have been group-think at Public Health England that failed to spot the threat of a novel coronavirus to the country , even though the warning signs were there in China .
South Korea , Vietnam and other Asian countries responded , the UK did not .
Yes , PHE stuck its heels in the ground and insisted on testing for the virus in its own labs , even when it was getting left behind by an accelerating epidemic .
Germany built up its testing strategy far sooner .
And , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 March just as cases started to rise exponentially , losing all grip on the spread of the virus .
But the failures in the UK 's handling of the epidemic are across government , not just PHE .
It ca n't be made the scapegoat .
Matt Hancock insists bringing public health and test and trace together in a single body will streamline the response to the virus .
But he was n't able to articulate how .
Nor was he able to explain how the new health body will tackle obesity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health inequality exposed by the pandemic .
That detail is still to come , he said - despite the urgency of action .
Public health teams on the frontline need to be confident that they have the funding and the support of their political masters .
And that 's not clear at the moment .


skynewspolitics--2020-08-18--Who is Dido Harding, the head of England's new public health body?

Baroness Dido Harding has been chosen to head a new organisation responsible for dealing with pandemics .
The Conservative peer will temporarily be in charge of the National Institute for Health Protection and lead the search for a permanent successor .
Announcing the government 's plan to scrap Public Health England ( PHE ) , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Baroness Harding had `` excellent experience '' outside government and had previously worked for the NHS so `` her leadership will be vital in driving this forward '' .
But the appointment has drawn criticism , with one MP saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Baroness Harding has been leading the government 's contact-tracing programme , which aims to track down people who have tested positive for coronavirus and their close contacts .
Since its launch in May , there have been questions about its efficacy and value for money .
An accompanying NHS app has been beset by delays , with a new public trial launched only a few days ago .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock initially said the app would be available in May .
Baroness Harding 's appointment has also drawn criticism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Conservative MP John Penrose , is a board member of the think tank 1828 .
The group has in the past called for the NHS to be replaced by an insurance system .
It has also said PHE should be scrapped , according to the Daily Mirror .
Baroness Harding was head of telecoms giant TalkTalk when it suffered a huge cyber attack in 2015 .
Hackers managed to access the details of 157,000 customers , including their bank account numbers .
TalkTalk was fined £400,000 by the Information Commissioner 's Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costing the company an estimated £77m .
As well as her role with the contact tracing programme , Baroness Harding is chairman of NHS Improvement .
She has also held senior roles at Tesco and Sainsbury 's , along with time spent at Kingfisher plc and Thomas Cook Limited .
Baroness Harding was appointed to the operating board of Sainsbury 's in 2008 after a stint at Tesco which saw her hold a variety of senior roles both in the UK and international businesses .
She has served on the board of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trustee of Doteveryone , as well as a member of the UK National Holocaust Foundation Board .
Baroness Harding became a peer in 2014 and has sat on the upper chamber 's Economic Affairs Committee since 2017 .
She has served on the board of Cheltenham Racecourse and is a jockey and racehorse owner .
Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Cheltenham Festival went ahead earlier this year , with 15,000 people attending the event .
It ended 10 days before the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should not have gone ahead .
However , the government said it followed the advice that was available at the time .
And Cheltenham Racecourse 's medical director said it was not possible to know how and where people had caught COVID-19 .

Baroness Dido Harding has been chosen to head a new organisation responsible for dealing with pandemics.
The Conservative peer will temporarily be in charge of the National Institute for Health Protection and lead the search for a permanent successor.
Announcing the government's plan to scrap Public Health England (PHE), Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Baroness Harding had "excellent experience" outside government and had previously worked for the NHS so "her leadership will be vital in driving this forward".
Image: Baroness Harding's appointment has been criticised, with one MP saying it was a 'reward for failure'
But the appointment has drawn criticism, with one MP saying it was a "reward for failure".
Baroness Harding has been leading the government's contact-tracing programme, which aims to track down people who have tested positive for coronavirus and their close contacts.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:47 Hancock scraps Public Health England
Since its launch in May, there have been questions about its efficacy and value for money.
An accompanying NHS app has been beset by delays, with a new public trial launched only a few days ago.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock initially said the app would be available in May.
Baroness Harding's appointment has also drawn criticism in light of the fact that her husband, Conservative MP John Penrose, is a board member of the think tank 1828.
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The group has in the past called for the NHS to be replaced by an insurance system.
It has also said PHE should be scrapped, according to the Daily Mirror.
Image: Baroness Harding's husband is John Penrose, Conservative MP for Weston-super-Mare
Baroness Harding was head of telecoms giant TalkTalk when it suffered a huge cyber attack in 2015.
Hackers managed to access the details of 157,000 customers, including their bank account numbers.
TalkTalk was fined £400,000 by the Information Commissioner's Office over the breach, which ended up costing the company an estimated £77m.
As well as her role with the contact tracing programme, Baroness Harding is chairman of NHS Improvement.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Trials of second contact-tracing app launched
She has also held senior roles at Tesco and Sainsbury's, along with time spent at Kingfisher plc and Thomas Cook Limited.
Baroness Harding was appointed to the operating board of Sainsbury's in 2008 after a stint at Tesco which saw her hold a variety of senior roles both in the UK and international businesses.
She has served on the board of the British Land Company plc and is a trustee of Doteveryone, as well as a member of the UK National Holocaust Foundation Board.
Baroness Harding became a peer in 2014 and has sat on the upper chamber's Economic Affairs Committee since 2017.
She has served on the board of Cheltenham Racecourse and is a jockey and racehorse owner.
Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The Cheltenham Festival went ahead earlier this year, with 15,000 people attending the event.
It ended 10 days before the coronavirus lockdown was introduced, with some saying it should not have gone ahead.
However, the government said it followed the advice that was available at the time.
And Cheltenham Racecourse's medical director said it was not possible to know how and where people had caught COVID-19.


skynewspolitics--2020-08-18--Scottish harassment policy was not 'designed to get' Alex Salmond, inquiry hears

Scotland 's top civil servant has denied that a government harassment policy was `` designed to get '' former first minister Alex Salmond .
Leslie Evans has been giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into the Scottish government 's handling of complaints against Mr Salmond .
She was asked if an incident at Edinburgh airport , involving the former first minister and investigated by Sky News , had helped `` engineer '' the policy .
MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton questioned Ms Evans : `` Was this targeted policy engineered to fit any complaint ... was it designed to get Alex Salmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , absolutely not . ''
`` Concerns , not complaints '' regarding Mr Salmond had been raised at the same time that a government harassment policy was being developed in November 2017 .
The inquiry at Holyrood is examining how the Scottish government handled complaints made about Mr Salmond .
It centres on the internal investigation into two complaints from staff , which dated back to when he was in office as first minister of Scotland .
Mr Salmond successfully launched a judicial review against the government in January 2019 .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Session , which concluded the investigation had been `` tainted with apparent bias '' .
The inquiry into how it was handled was started but put on hold when criminal charges of sexual assault were brought against Mr Salmond .
He was acquitted on all counts in March , just before the coronavirus lockdown began .
Ms Evans , permanent secretary to the Scottish government , is the first witness to appear before the inquiry .
She said that the initial investigation into harassment complaints against Mr Salmond had been `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the government had acted in `` good faith '' , but apologised `` unreservedly '' for a `` procedural failure '' .
That failure relates to the fact that an investigating officer for the government had prior contact with two women making complaints before the inquiry began .
Ms Evans told the committee : `` When complaints were raised it would have been unconscionable , and a failure in our duty of care , not to investigate those complaints .
`` It was accepted at judicial review that one part of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' She added : `` We have already learned early lessons from this experience as part of work being led by our people directorate . ''
Other witnesses due to be called to give evidence to the inquiry include First Minister Nicola Sturgeon , her husband Peter Murrell , who is SNP chief executive , and Mr Salmond himself .
Ms Sturgeon has already ordered an internal review of part of the government 's harassment procedure and triggered an independent review to decide whether she broke the ministerial code in her dealings with @ @ @

Scotland's top civil servant has denied that a government harassment policy was "designed to get" former first minister Alex Salmond.
Leslie Evans has been giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into the Scottish government's handling of complaints against Mr Salmond.
She was asked if an incident at Edinburgh airport, involving the former first minister and investigated by Sky News, had helped "engineer" the policy.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:02 Alex Salmond: 'God help us all'
MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton questioned Ms Evans: "Was this targeted policy engineered to fit any complaint...was it designed to get Alex Salmond?"
She responded: "No, absolutely not."
"Concerns, not complaints" regarding Mr Salmond had been raised at the same time that a government harassment policy was being developed in November 2017.
The inquiry at Holyrood is examining how the Scottish government handled complaints made about Mr Salmond.
It centres on the internal investigation into two complaints from staff, which dated back to when he was in office as first minister of Scotland.
Mr Salmond successfully launched a judicial review against the government in January 2019.
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He was awarded £500,000 in expenses by the Court of Session, which concluded the investigation had been "tainted with apparent bias".
Image: Leslie Evans has denied a government harassment policy was 'designed to get' Alex Salmond.
The inquiry into how it was handled was started but put on hold when criminal charges of sexual assault were brought against Mr Salmond.
He was acquitted on all counts in March, just before the coronavirus lockdown began.
Ms Evans, permanent secretary to the Scottish government, is the first witness to appear before the inquiry.
She said that the initial investigation into harassment complaints against Mr Salmond had been "the right thing to do".
She said the government had acted in "good faith", but apologised "unreservedly" for a "procedural failure".
That failure relates to the fact that an investigating officer for the government had prior contact with two women making complaints before the inquiry began.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Relief to give evidence to Salmond inquiry - Sturgeon
Ms Evans told the committee: "When complaints were raised it would have been unconscionable, and a failure in our duty of care, not to investigate those complaints.
"It was accepted at judicial review that one part of our procedure should have bee applied differently."
She added: "We have already learned early lessons from this experience as part of work being led by our people directorate."
Other witnesses due to be called to give evidence to the inquiry include First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, her husband Peter Murrell, who is SNP chief executive, and Mr Salmond himself.
Ms Sturgeon has already ordered an internal review of part of the government's harassment procedure and triggered an independent review to decide whether she broke the ministerial code in her dealings with Mr Salmond.


skynewspolitics--2020-08-19--PM told to 'get a grip' by Heathrow boss as airport unveils coronavirus testing facility

Boris Johnson has been told to `` get a grip '' of his coronavirus quarantine policy as Heathrow Airport pushes for the 14-day isolation period to be shortened .
The travel hub 's chief executive told Sky News the prime minister needs to act swiftly to stop `` holding back the recovery of the UK economy '' due to the restrictions on many travellers arriving in the country .
The airport has revealed plans for a new testing facility which it hopes will lead to the end of the two-week mandatory quarantine for those returning from countries removed from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be able to book coronavirus swab tests and have results sent to them within seven hours .
Those testing negative could leave quarantine five to eight days after landing .
Heathrow said it has been working with aviation services company Collinson and logistics firm Swissport on a testing facility which is now `` ready for use '' , adding that the positive economic impact would be `` significant '' .
More than 13,000 passenger tests can be carried out each day , which can be further scaled with demand .
The pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available as a private service to anyone with a flight landing at Terminal 2 , and within a few weeks for those arriving at Terminal 5 , it said .
The COVID-19 tests , which are identical to the swabs used by the NHS , would be booked online and cost £150 .
It is hoped this could fall to £50 a passenger - with a state subsidy .
Travellers can then do a second test at home a few days later and leave quarantine early if they pass both checks .
Similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries , including Germany and Iceland .
But the proposal needs government approval before it can begin in the UK .
Heathrow Airport CEO John Holland-Kaye said on Wednesday that `` having started well '' by introducing different policies for travellers coming from different countries based on risk , the UK has `` now fallen behind '' .
`` We need to move quickly to get people moving through the UK again to help us to recover the UK economy , '' he told Ian King Live .
`` This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question for Number 10 to get a grip of our border policy to make sure that business can start flowing again ... '' This is holding back the recovery of the UK economy and putting thousands and thousands of jobs at risk .
`` The government needs to act now to allow testing as an alternative to quarantine so we can get the economy kick-started . ''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed ministers are thrashing out details on the feasibility of such a regime .
He told Sky News : `` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this project .
`` The challenge is - because the virus can incubate inside your body without coming forward and without therefore a test being positive even if you 've got it - the challenge is how to do that testing in a way that we can have confidence enough to release the quarantine .
`` It is absolutely a project that we are working with Heathrow on .
`` I clearly understand the impact of quarantine on so many people 's lives .
It is not something anybody would want to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project can bear fruit . ''
A Heathrow spokesman last week accused the government of playing `` quarantine roulette '' after a surge of coronavirus cases in France and other countries saw ministers suddenly remove them from the UK 's travel corridor list , sparking a mass exodus as hundreds of thousands of British tourists rushed back home .
Documents released on Friday from the government 's advice group known as SAGE show a meeting on 18 June found `` double testing of travellers significantly reduces the risk of false negatives and could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days '' .
Analysis published by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday found that only around 28 % of people testing positive for COVID-19 reported any evidence of symptoms at the time of their swab test , or at either the preceding or subsequent tests .
The remaining 72 % of positive cases either did not report having any of the specific or general symptoms on the day of their positive swab test , preceding or subsequent swab tests , or did not answer both questions , the ONS added .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` potentially large number '' of asymptomatic cases .
Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair has also called for much wider testing to try to trace and control the virus given `` we 're not going to be able to eradicate this disease '' .
He told Sky News on Wednesday that airport testing `` would give you a much , much better way of avoiding the strictness of the lockdown and the quarantine rules that are going to do so much damage to business '' .

Boris Johnson has been told to "get a grip" of his coronavirus quarantine policy as Heathrow Airport pushes for the 14-day isolation period to be shortened.
The travel hub's chief executive told Sky News the prime minister needs to act swiftly to stop "holding back the recovery of the UK economy" due to the restrictions on many travellers arriving in the country.
The airport has revealed plans for a new testing facility which it hopes will lead to the end of the two-week mandatory quarantine for those returning from countries removed from the UK's safe list.
Arriving passengers will be able to book coronavirus swab tests and have results sent to them within seven hours.
Those testing negative could leave quarantine five to eight days after landing.
Heathrow said it has been working with aviation services company Collinson and logistics firm Swissport on a testing facility which is now "ready for use", adding that the positive economic impact would be "significant".
More than 13,000 passenger tests can be carried out each day, which can be further scaled with demand.
The pilot of the new testing procedure could be available as a private service to anyone with a flight landing at Terminal 2, and within a few weeks for those arriving at Terminal 5, it said.
The COVID-19 tests, which are identical to the swabs used by the NHS, would be booked online and cost £150. It is hoped this could fall to £50 a passenger - with a state subsidy.
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Image: Heathrow Airport bosses want passenger testing to replace the UK mandatory 14-day quarantine
Travellers can then do a second test at home a few days later and leave quarantine early if they pass both checks.
Similar double-testing schemes are being used in several other countries, including Germany and Iceland.
But the proposal needs government approval before it can begin in the UK.
Heathrow Airport CEO John Holland-Kaye said on Wednesday that "having started well" by introducing different policies for travellers coming from different countries based on risk, the UK has "now fallen behind".
"We need to move quickly to get people moving through the UK again to help us to recover the UK economy," he told Ian King Live.
"This is a cross-government decision, and this is a question for Number 10 to get a grip of our border policy to make sure that business can start flowing again...
"This is holding back the recovery of the UK economy and putting thousands and thousands of jobs at risk.
"The government needs to act now to allow testing as an alternative to quarantine so we can get the economy kick-started."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:05 Heathrow boss: 'Virus test passengers twice'
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed ministers are thrashing out details on the feasibility of such a regime.
He told Sky News: "We are working with Heathrow and other airports on this project.
"The challenge is - because the virus can incubate inside your body without coming forward and without therefore a test being positive even if you've got it - the challenge is how to do that testing in a way that we can have confidence enough to release the quarantine.
"It is absolutely a project that we are working with Heathrow on.
"I clearly understand the impact of quarantine on so many people's lives. It is not something anybody would want to do.
"So I hope that this project can bear fruit."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:05 Britons rush to beat quarantine deadline
A Heathrow spokesman last week accused the government of playing "quarantine roulette" after a surge of coronavirus cases in France and other countries saw ministers suddenly remove them from the UK's travel corridor list, sparking a mass exodus as tens of thousands of British tourists rushed back home.
Documents released on Friday from the government's advice group known as SAGE show a meeting on 18 June found "double testing of travellers significantly reduces the risk of false negatives and could enable quarantine duration of less than 14 days".
Analysis published by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday found that only around 28% of people testing positive for COVID-19 reported any evidence of symptoms at the time of their swab test, or at either the preceding or subsequent tests.
Image: Heathrow executives say a double-testing regime of passengers would help protect the economy
The remaining 72% of positive cases either did not report having any of the specific or general symptoms on the day of their positive swab test, preceding or subsequent swab tests, or did not answer both questions, the ONS added.
It said the findings suggested there was a "potentially large number" of asymptomatic cases.
Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair has also called for much wider testing to try to trace and control the virus given "we're not going to be able to eradicate this disease".
He told Sky News on Wednesday that airport testing "would give you a much, much better way of avoiding the strictness of the lockdown and the quarantine rules that are going to do so much damage to business".


skynewspolitics--2020-08-19--Health secretary 'recognises' concerns over medical student places

The health secretary has pledged to do `` everything we can '' to ensure A-level medical students unfairly downgraded can still get a place at university .
Matt Hancock told Sky News `` I absolutely recognise '' the concerns raised by the Royal College of GPs that pupils whose marks were lower than their teachers ' predictions are missing out on their top choice for further study .
It is just one of the many practical problems thrown up by the exams U-turn earlier this week .
Professor Martin Marshall , chair of the Royal College of GPs , claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students '' have missed out on their university place due to the decision that came five days after results were released last Thursday .
He said it was `` deeply worrying '' that students affected may come from areas which are under-doctored .
The number of places are `` strictly limited '' due to a government cap on funding , Prof Marshall added .
At least 20 % more places to study medicine are needed just to ensure there are enough GPs in the future , he continued .
The group is calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already filled course places can still take students who initially missed their offer because of the controversial algorithm , scrapped after fury from pupils .
Responding , Mr Hancock told Sky News `` we 're doing everything that we can and we 're working on this issue right now '' .
He added : `` I acknowledge the issue , I absolutely recognise it .
`` These are difficult challenges and this is something we 're working on now . ''
Mr Hancock also threw his support behind Education Secretary Gavin Williamson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his resignation but had it rejected by Number 10 .
He said the embattled cabinet minister facing calls to resign was trying to do his best in `` difficult circumstances '' and the focus should remain on reopening schools in September .
`` I do n't think we should be distracted from that task now , '' he told Kay Burley @ Breakfast .
Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Downing Street has said since the debacle that it has full confidence in Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Whitehall department have not denied he did offer to quit .
The Department for Education put out a new statement on Wednesday afternoon which confirmed Mr Williamson had `` full confidence '' in England 's exam regulator , Ofqual .
`` The decision they took to move from moderated grades to centre assessed grades was one that we agreed with , '' a spokesperson added .
Boris Johnson , who is on holiday in Scotland , last week defended the algorithm that saw nearly 40 % of results in England downgraded and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of top grades handed to them compared to state comprehensives by double , year-on-year .
The prime minister had said the system was `` robust '' and `` dependable '' .

The health secretary has pledged to do "everything we can" to ensure A-level medical students unfairly downgraded can still get a place at university.
Matt Hancock told Sky News "I absolutely recognise" the concerns raised by the Royal College of GPs that pupils whose marks were lower than their teachers' predictions are missing out on their top choice for further study.
It is just one of the many practical problems thrown up by the exams U-turn earlier this week.
Image: The U-turn came after fury from students
Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, claimed a "large number of potential medical students" have missed out on their university place due to the decision that came five days after results were released last Thursday.
He said it was "deeply worrying" that students affected may come from areas which are under-doctored.
The number of places are "strictly limited" due to a government cap on funding, Prof Marshall added.
At least 20% more places to study medicine are needed just to ensure there are enough GPs in the future, he continued.
The group is calling for more funding so that universities who have already filled course places can still take students who initially missed their offer because of the controversial algorithm, scrapped after fury from pupils.
Responding, Mr Hancock told Sky News "we're doing everything that we can and we're working on this issue right now".
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:04 Hancock backs Williamson over A-levels fiasco
He added: "I acknowledge the issue, I absolutely recognise it.
"These are difficult challenges and this is something we're working on now."
Mr Hancock also threw his support behind Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who the i newspaper reports offered his resignation but had it rejected by Number 10.
He said the embattled cabinet minister facing calls to resign was trying to do his best in "difficult circumstances" and the focus should remain on reopening schools in September.
"I don't think we should be distracted from that task now," he told Kay Burley@Breakfast.
Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Downing Street has said since the debacle that it has full confidence in Mr Williamson.
But the education secretary and his Whitehall department have not denied he did offer to quit.
The Department for Education put out a new statement on Wednesday afternoon which confirmed Mr Williamson had "full confidence" in England's exam regulator, Ofqual.
"The decision they took to move from moderated grades to centre assessed grades was one that we agreed with," a spokesperson added.
Boris Johnson, who is on holiday in Scotland, last week defended the algorithm that saw nearly 40% of results in England downgraded and appeared to favour private schools by increasing the number of top grades handed to them compared to state comprehensives by double, year-on-year.
The prime minister had said the system was "robust" and "dependable".


skynewspolitics--2020-08-19--PM's 'move parliament to York' idea rejected

Boris Johnson 's suggestion of temporarily moving parliament to York while repair work is carried out on the Palace of Westminster has been rejected .
The body in charge of organising the maintenance said the idea proposed last month will not be one of the options included in their review of where MPs and peers should decant to .
They had been asked by the prime minister to consider a `` possible location outside London '' for MPs to work , debate and vote while the crumbling palace is mended .
But the Restoration and Renewal Sponsor Body and Delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peers to decide where they should sit .
They also confirmed the York decant will not form part of their review .
The body said the speakers of both the Commons and the Lords told them that `` as the location of the houses is a matter for parliament , it does not form part of the programme 's scope , and consequently would be inappropriate for us to explore further '' .
In a letter to the Prime Minister , sponsor body chief Sarah Johnson and delivery authority head David Goldstone said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving MPs and peers outside London `` which makes this a matter for both Houses to determine rather than for our review '' .
`` This option will not , therefore , be considered as part of the scope of the strategic review , '' the note added .
Number 10 sources said Mr Johnson had made his views clear that it was a matter for parliament to decide .
But they added politicians `` should also consider options outside SW1 '' - the Westminster postcode .
Ministers are still considering establishing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which prompted Mr Johnson to suggest the city as a possible temporary venue for parliament .
MPs and peers agreed in 2018 to a plan that would see both houses move to temporary facilities near the existing site - a `` full decant '' - to allow essential repairs and upgrades to be made to the Victorian palace .
A spokesman for the `` restoration and renewal programme '' said : `` The Houses of Parliament are falling apart faster than they can be fixed ... '' The option of locating parliament outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the speakers of both Houses have stated , this means it is a matter for both houses to determine rather than for our review . ''

Boris Johnson's suggestion of temporarily moving parliament to York while repair work is carried out on the Palace of Westminster has been rejected.
The body in charge of organising the maintenance said the idea proposed last month will not be one of the options included in their review of where MPs and peers should decant to.
They had been asked by the prime minister to consider a "possible location outside London" for MPs to work, debate and vote while the crumbling palace is mended.
Image: Ministers are considering establishing a government hub in York
But the Restoration and Renewal Sponsor Body and Delivery Authority said it is for MPs and peers to decide where they should sit.
They also confirmed the York decant will not form part of their review.
The body said the speakers of both the Commons and the Lords told them that "as the location of the houses is a matter for parliament, it does not form part of the programme's scope, and consequently would be inappropriate for us to explore further".
In a letter to the Prime Minister, sponsor body chief Sarah Johnson and delivery authority head David Goldstone said there are "constitutional implications" for moving MPs and peers outside London "which makes this a matter for both Houses to determine rather than for our review".
Image: The Commons and Lords are 'falling apart faster than they can be fixed'
"This option will not, therefore, be considered as part of the scope of the strategic review," the note added.
Number 10 sources said Mr Johnson had made his views clear that it was a matter for parliament to decide.
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But they added politicians "should also consider options outside SW1" - the Westminster postcode.
Image: Boris Johnson suggested the idea in July
Ministers are still considering establishing a government hub in York, the plan which prompted Mr Johnson to suggest the city as a possible temporary venue for parliament.
MPs and peers agreed in 2018 to a plan that would see both houses move to temporary facilities near the existing site - a "full decant" - to allow essential repairs and upgrades to be made to the Victorian palace.
A spokesman for the "restoration and renewal programme" said: "The Houses of Parliament are falling apart faster than they can be fixed...
"The option of locating parliament outside London has constitutional implications.
"And as the speakers of both Houses have stated, this means it is a matter for both houses to determine rather than for our review."


skynewspolitics--2020-08-19--University offers cash to students willing to defer for a year

A university is offering money to students who volunteer to defer their entry for a year , amid chaos around admissions following the A-level results debacle .
Durham University has promised to honour all offers that were met by would-be undergraduates , but said it would provide incentives to those willing to delay their studies .
In an email sent to students and posted on the university 's website , a statement said `` capacity issues caused by this unprecedented situation '' meant it was possible some of those who only fulfilled their offer requirements after the government U-turn on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start .
It said students willing to defer until 2021 would benefit from guaranteed accommodation , and bursaries `` to help with their transition to university life '' .
The amount available under the bursaries has not been specified , but the statement added that students who had already had places confirmed for this year would also be eligible for the incentives .
It came as the Institute for Fiscal Studies ( IFS ) warned less prestigious universities could face `` financially crippling '' losses due to the exams fiasco , describing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` clear fail '' .
A-level students in England were told on Monday they could use teachers ' recommended grades if they were higher than moderated grades they received four days before .
But an IFS briefing note warned that while leading universities would now be `` awash '' with students , many lower-ranked establishments could lose a significant chunk of their intake .
It added that the government 's failures would have `` repercussions for universities and students '' for years to come .
: : Listen to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker '' A-level results should never have been released before being subject to scrutiny beyond Ofqual , '' the IFS said .
`` The government should not have had to rely on shocked 18-year-olds on results day to realise there was a problem . ''
Other leading universities have warned that students who now have higher grades could still be asked to defer their place if there is no space left on their preferred course .
On courses such as medicine and dentistry , institutions may not be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are capped .
Gavin Williamson has resisted widespread calls for him to resign over the failures , but insisted he was `` incredibly sorry '' .

A university is offering money to students who volunteer to defer their entry for a year, amid chaos around admissions following the A-level results debacle.
Durham University has promised to honour all offers that were met by would-be undergraduates, but said it would provide incentives to those willing to delay their studies.
In an email sent to students and posted on the university's website, a statement said "capacity issues caused by this unprecedented situation" meant it was possible some of those who only fulfilled their offer requirements after the government U-turn on Monday would have to wait until 2021 to start.
It said students willing to defer until 2021 would benefit from guaranteed accommodation, and bursaries "to help with their transition to university life".
The amount available under the bursaries has not been specified, but the statement added that students who had already had places confirmed for this year would also be eligible for the incentives.
It came as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned less prestigious universities could face "financially crippling" losses due to the exams fiasco, describing the government's handling of the situation as a "clear fail".
A-level students in England were told on Monday they could use teachers' recommended grades if they were higher than moderated grades they received four days before.
But an IFS briefing note warned that while leading universities would now be "awash" with students, many lower-ranked establishments could lose a significant chunk of their intake.
It added that the government's failures would have "repercussions for universities and students" for years to come.
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"A-level results should never have been released before being subject to scrutiny beyond Ofqual," the IFS said.
"The government should not have had to rely on shocked 18-year-olds on results day to realise there was a problem."
Other leading universities have warned that students who now have higher grades could still be asked to defer their place if there is no space left on their preferred course.
On courses such as medicine and dentistry, institutions may not be able to admit more students this year as numbers are capped.
Gavin Williamson has resisted widespread calls for him to resign over the failures, but insisted he was "incredibly sorry".


skynewspolitics--2020-08-20--Cap lifted on uni places for medical students after results fiasco

The cap on university places to study medicine has been temporarily lifted as A-level students scramble to get onto courses because of the algorithm fiasco .
All those who may have missed out on their first choice of further study will be entitled to go there either this coming academic year or next .
The government made the decision after stories of pupils being unfairly downgraded due to a controversial algorithm marking them in lieu of exams cancelled because of coronavirus .
Ministers were facing pressure after the Royal College of GPs said a `` large number of potential medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` deeply worrying '' proportion come from areas which are already under-doctored .
The organisation warned at least 20 % more places to study medicine are needed just to ensure there are enough GPs in the future .
And students who were on track to get good enough grades said they had been left in limbo .
One , Chris Byrne , said : `` I managed to get the offers and it 's still been ripped away from me by something out of my control , which is incredibly frustrating .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a lot of uncertainty about what 's going to happen . ''
Then on Thursday , the Department for Education announced the cap would be lifted on medicine , dentistry , veterinary science and teaching courses for all domestic students .
Extra funding will also be handed to universities for them to be able to handle the increase in pupils .
But the government said UCAS may not share applicants ' revised grades with universities until `` the end of the week '' , making the timing even trickier for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final places .
Universities minister Michelle Donelan admitted it is an `` incredibly difficult time for students '' .
She reassured them that `` every effort is being made to make sure all those who planned to , can move on to higher education '' .
Ms Donelan added : `` This pandemic has highlighted more than ever the importance of our fantastic healthcare services and the need to invest in them .
`` So I am pleased we are removing the cap on these courses and providing additional funding so more students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become our future doctors and healthcare professionals . ''

The cap on university places to study medicine has been temporarily lifted as A-level students scramble to get onto courses because of the algorithm fiasco.
All those who may have missed out on their first choice of further study will be entitled to go there either this coming academic year or next.
The government made the decision after stories of pupils being unfairly downgraded due to a controversial algorithm marking them in lieu of exams cancelled because of coronavirus.
Image: An algorithm was initially used which unfairly downgraded some pupils
Ministers were facing pressure after the Royal College of GPs said a "large number of potential medical students" had been affected and a "deeply worrying" proportion come from areas which are already under-doctored.
The organisation warned at least 20% more places to study medicine are needed just to ensure there are enough GPs in the future.
Image: Results may not be passed on to universities until the end of the week
And students who were on track to get good enough grades said they had been left in limbo.
One, Chris Byrne, said: "I managed to get the offers and it's still been ripped away from me by something out of my control, which is incredibly frustrating.
"I'm stuck waiting... There's just a lot of uncertainty about what's going to happen."
Then on Thursday, the Department for Education announced the cap would be lifted on medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and teaching courses for all domestic students.
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Extra funding will also be handed to universities for them to be able to handle the increase in pupils.
Image: Some students hoping to study medicine were left in limbo
But the government said UCAS may not share applicants' revised grades with universities until "the end of the week", making the timing even trickier for those who want to get on with confirming their final places.
Universities minister Michelle Donelan admitted it is an "incredibly difficult time for students" .
She reassured them that "every effort is being made to make sure all those who planned to, can move on to higher education".
Ms Donelan added: "This pandemic has highlighted more than ever the importance of our fantastic healthcare services and the need to invest in them.
"So I am pleased we are removing the cap on these courses and providing additional funding so more students can take up their places now and become our future doctors and healthcare professionals."