skynewspolitics--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Government unveils plan to tackle 'growing crisis' in care homes

The government has announced a package of measures to try and combat the spread of the coronavirus in care homes , amid fears of a `` growing crisis '' in social care .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said this includes increased testing of residents and staff and improved access to personal protective equipment through a supply network of `` unprecedented scale '' .
Fears are growing that hundreds of people are dying with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , in care homes but not being included in daily government updates .
Britain 's biggest care home operator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its homes have been affected and more than 300 people have died in them .
Care England said there have been thousands of cases and deaths in the homes it represents .
Tests have now been pledged to all who need them in care homes - including staff and residents - with the Care Quality Commission charged with coordinating who will get them and when .
Currently the government 's daily deaths update only includes patients who die after testing positive for the virus in hospital .
In its latest update on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 761 patients with COVID-19 have died in UK hospitals , taking the total to 12,868 .
The health secretary also said that ministers were making `` crystal clear '' that it is unacceptable for advanced care plans - including do-not-resuscitate orders - to be applied in a blanket manner to any group of people .
In the Q & A at the briefing , the health secretary was asked by Sky 's Nick Martin about reports that care homes are getting `` pushback '' from hospitals regarding admitting residents - and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly .
Mr Hancock said Sky 's reporting had `` shined a light on an area that often does n't get enough attention '' , and added : `` The decision to admit somebody into hospital must be a clinical decision based on individual circumstances , not a blanket rule .
`` On the discharge , of course the best place for people who clinically are able to be discharged is to get them home .
`` So of course there 's a policy that when people are clinically ready for discharge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the nature of hospitals .
`` But it 's got to be made on that individual , clinical diagnosis of what 's best for that individual patient . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker England 's deputy chief scientific adviser Dame Angela McLean said there was a `` huge question '' about how to protect care homes where there have not yet been cases of COVID-19 .
Meanwhile , Mr Hancock said that families with loved ones dying with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final goodbye to their relatives .
The heath secretary announced `` new procedures '' so that `` wherever possible '' close relatives will be given the `` chance to say goodbye '' to loved ones dying with COVID-19 .
He said `` wanting to be with someone you love at the end of their life is one of the deepest human instincts '' , adding that he wept at reports of 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab , from Brixton , south London , dying without a parent at his bedside .
His funeral went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of them developed symptoms .
In a message to Sky News , Ismail 's older sister said : `` I 'm happy they are going to try and facilitate for families to say goodbye .
I think with everything happening so fast it 's hard to accept reality , especially when you do n't see them during their last moments . ''
Mr Hancock also announced a `` single brand '' with a badge for care workers , which he said may help them access similar perks to NHS staff .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honour in a very real sense , allowing social care staff proudly and publicly to identify themselves , just like NHS staff do with that famous blue and white logo , '' the health secretary said .
`` I know that many businesses will want to offer the same recognition and benefits as they do wonderfully to the NHS . ''
As he spoke the health secretary pointed to a green and white badge spelling out `` Care '' , but it appears to be a badge that was launched last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GMB union , said : `` Our care workers need more than a badge and a pat on their head to define their precious role in society .
`` They need the protective equipment and testing on the front line now to protect their lives . ''
Labour 's shadow minister for social care , Liz Kendall , said : `` For millions of elderly and disabled people and their families , actions will speak louder than words . ''
Cllr Ian Hudspeth , chairman of the Local Government Association 's community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector was playing a `` vital role '' in the outbreak , with staff facing `` huge '' every day .
He added that current arrangements for accessing PPE were `` not fit for purpose '' and said councils will need `` access to additional resources to ensure they can continue to support care providers to deliver care and support to older and disabled people in the coming weeks '' .
One of the criticisms of government in recent weeks has been around the level of testing - but the health secretary said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS staff across the board '' as of last weekend .
He added : `` We have started also testing social care staff , 4,100 social care staff have already been referred for tests . ''
The government said testing capacity now stands at 19,000 people a day , but only 14,982 tests were carried out in the 24 hours up to 9am on Tuesday .
This falls short of a target to reach 25,000 tests a day by the middle of this month , which the health secretary was questioned about at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this deadline existed and said it was originally set for the end of the month before being superseded by the new 100,000 target - despite the 25,000 target being mentioned in one of his own department 's press releases .
Professor Chris Whitty , England 's chief medical officer , told the same briefing that the COVID-19 death toll may rise later this week , but he thinks the UK is `` probably '' reaching the peak of the outbreak .

The government has announced a package of measures to try and combat the spread of the coronavirus in care homes, amid fears of a "growing crisis" in social care.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said this includes increased testing of residents and staff and improved access to personal protective equipment through a supply network of "unprecedented scale".
Fears are growing that hundreds of people are dying with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in care homes but not being included in daily government updates.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:14 Lack of testing puts the 'vulnerable at risk'
Britain's biggest care home operator, C-One, has revealed that two-thirds of its homes have been affected and more than 300 people have died in them.
Care England said there have been thousands of cases and deaths in the homes it represents.
Tests have now been pledged to all who need them in care homes - including staff and residents - with the Care Quality Commission charged with coordinating who will get them and when.
Currently the government's daily deaths update only includes patients who die after testing positive for the virus in hospital.
In its latest update on Wednesday, the Department of Health said another 761 patients with COVID-19 have died in UK hospitals, taking the total to 12,868.
The health secretary also said that ministers were making "crystal clear" that it is unacceptable for advanced care plans - including do-not-resuscitate orders - to be applied in a blanket manner to any group of people.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:48 Care home staff too scared to work
In the Q&A at the briefing, the health secretary was asked by Sky's Nick Martin about reports that care homes are getting "pushback" from hospitals regarding admitting residents - and a subsequent eagerness to discharge them from hospital quickly.
Mr Hancock said Sky's reporting had "shined a light on an area that often doesn't get enough attention", and added: "The decision to admit somebody into hospital must be a clinical decision based on individual circumstances, not a blanket rule.
"On the discharge, of course the best place for people who clinically are able to be discharged is to get them home.
"So of course there's a policy that when people are clinically ready for discharge, that they should be discharged, that's the nature of hospitals.
"But it's got to be made on that individual, clinical diagnosis of what's best for that individual patient."
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England's deputy chief scientific adviser Dame Angela McLean said there was a "huge question" about how to protect care homes where there have not yet been cases of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Mr Hancock said that families with loved ones dying with the coronavirus should be allowed to say a final goodbye to their relatives.
The heath secretary announced "new procedures" so that "wherever possible" close relatives will be given the "chance to say goodbye" to loved ones dying with COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:07 Funeral director on handling COVID-19 crisis
He said "wanting to be with someone you love at the end of their life is one of the deepest human instincts", adding that he wept at reports of 13-year-old Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, from Brixton, south London, dying without a parent at his bedside.
His funeral went ahead without his mother and siblings after two of them developed symptoms.
In a message to Sky News, Ismail's older sister said: "I'm happy they are going to try and facilitate for families to say goodbye. I think with everything happening so fast it's hard to accept reality, especially when you don't see them during their last moments."
Mr Hancock also announced a "single brand" with a badge for care workers, which he said may help them access similar perks to NHS staff.
"This badge will be a badge of honour in a very real sense, allowing social care staff proudly and publicly to identify themselves, just like NHS staff do with that famous blue and white logo," the health secretary said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:28 What lessons can we learn from South Korea?
"I know that many businesses will want to offer the same recognition and benefits as they do wonderfully to the NHS."
As he spoke the health secretary pointed to a green and white badge spelling out "Care", but it appears to be a badge that was launched last year.
And Rehana Azam, national officer of the GMB union, said: "Our care workers need more than a badge and a pat on their head to define their precious role in society.
"They need the protective equipment and testing on the front line now to protect their lives."
Labour's shadow minister for social care, Liz Kendall, said: "For millions of elderly and disabled people and their families, actions will speak louder than words."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 Only 2% of businesses getting emergency loans
Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, said the social care sector was playing a "vital role" in the outbreak, with staff facing "huge" every day.
He added that current arrangements for accessing PPE were "not fit for purpose" and said councils will need "access to additional resources to ensure they can continue to support care providers to deliver care and support to older and disabled people in the coming weeks".
One of the criticisms of government in recent weeks has been around the level of testing - but the health secretary said the UK is now "testing regularly NHS staff across the board" as of last weekend.
He added: "We have started also testing social care staff, 4,100 social care staff have already been referred for tests."
The government said testing capacity now stands at 19,000 people a day, but only 14,982 tests were carried out in the 24 hours up to 9am on Tuesday.
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This falls short of a target to reach 25,000 tests a day by the middle of this month, which the health secretary was questioned about at the news conference.
Mr Hancock denied this deadline existed and said it was originally set for the end of the month before being superseded by the new 100,000 target - despite the 25,000 target being mentioned in one of his own department's press releases.
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, told the same briefing that the COVID-19 death toll may rise later this week, but he thinks the UK is "probably" reaching the peak of the outbreak.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-15--Cut-off date extended for £2,500-a-month furlough support

The government has extended the cut-off date for its scheme to protect furloughed workers ' wages by three weeks .
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme allows employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for a government grant that covers 80 % of each of their employee 's wages , up to £2,500 per month .
It is designed to help businesses refrain from laying off their staff even as the UK economy suffers from the coronavirus lockdown measures .
Initially , in order to qualify for the scheme , employees had to be on a company 's payroll on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following a review , the Treasury has now said the eligibility date has been extended to 19 March - the day before the scheme was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak .
The action follows pressure from people who complained they could not benefit from the scheme because they switched jobs just before the coronavirus crisis .
Business groups had also been putting pressure on ministers , saying their members have to decide by 18 April if they can keep staff on their payroll beyond the end of May .
This is because employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultation period for mass redundancies .
The Treasury expects 200,000 employees will benefit from the date change , while also `` keeping the substantial fraud risk under control '' .
The scheme is expected to be fully operational next week .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt , who is the paymaster general , said she was `` sorry '' the date change was `` not done sooner '' because of `` how worried people will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people and is very welcome , '' she said .
Despite emergency economic measures brought in by Mr Sunak to support the UK economy during the coronavirus crisis , the Office for Budget Responsibility published a scenario on Tuesday in which the UK 's economy could shrink by 35 % and unemployment could jump by two million due to the pandemic .
On the same day , Mr Sunak repeated his warning that the government will not be able to protect every business and household during the coronavirus outbreak , admitting : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be more to come . ''

The government has extended the cut-off date for its scheme to protect furloughed workers' wages by three weeks.
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme allows employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for a government grant that covers 80% of each of their employee's wages, up to £2,500 per month.
It is designed to help businesses refrain from laying off their staff even as the UK economy suffers from the coronavirus lockdown measures.
Initially, in order to qualify for the scheme, employees had to be on a company's payroll on 28 February this year.
But, following a review, the Treasury has now said the eligibility date has been extended to 19 March - the day before the scheme was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:35 'There will be more tough times to come'
The action follows pressure from people who complained they could not benefit from the scheme because they switched jobs just before the coronavirus crisis.
Business groups had also been putting pressure on ministers, saying their members have to decide by 18 April if they can keep staff on their payroll beyond the end of May.
This is because employment law requires companies to declare a 45-day consultation period for mass redundancies.
The Treasury expects 200,000 employees will benefit from the date change, while also "keeping the substantial fraud risk under control".
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The scheme is expected to be fully operational next week.
Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis said that some people will still not be covered by the scheme it only impacts those whose new companies sent HMRC what is known as an "RTI submission" notifying them the employee is on their books now.
He explained: "This can be done at any time between pay days, but typically up to a week before the payroll sate.
"That means those who'd started work and been paid by 19 March are definitely eligible, for those who hadn't it's in the balance."
Sky News political correspondent Rob Powell added: "Many who are paid at the end of the month will still miss out as it's unlikely the employer will have sent the info off in time."
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Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt, who is the paymaster general, said she was "sorry" the date change was "not done sooner" because of "how worried people will have been".
"This will help more people and is very welcome," she said.
Despite emergency economic measures brought in by Mr Sunak to support the UK economy during the coronavirus crisis, the Office for Budget Responsibility published a scenario on Tuesday in which the UK's economy could shrink by 35% and unemployment could jump by two million due to the pandemic.
On the same day, Mr Sunak repeated his warning that the government will not be able to protect every business and household during the coronavirus outbreak, admitting: "These are tough times and there will be more to come."


skynewspolitics--2020-04-15--'Thousands' of care home cases and deaths unreported in daily updates

Fears are growing that hundreds of people are dying with coronavirus in care homes but not being included in daily government updates .
Britain 's biggest care home operator , C-One , revealed two-thirds of its homes have been affected and more than 300 people have died in them .
Meanwhile , Care England said there have been thousands of cases and deaths in the homes it represents .
Care minister Helen Whately explained on Sky News that counting care home deaths quickly is `` much harder than in hospitals '' because the care sector is `` far more fragmented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted outbreaks in care homes were `` almost unavoidable '' - despite government advice issued at the end of February and withdrawn in mid-March that said : `` It remains very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home or the community will become infected . ''
Tests have now been pledged to all who need them in care homes - including staff and residents - with the Care Quality Commission charged with coordinating who will get them and when .
Currently the government 's daily deaths update only includes patients who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hospital .
But stories are emerging every day of care homes announcing residents are dying with COVID-19 symptoms - with not enough tests rolled out to confirm the diagnosis .
The latest deaths occurred at Green Heys Care Home in Waterloo , Merseyside , where eight residents passed away .
Chief executive Mark Adams said it was a `` devastating number '' that `` may have been higher had it not been for the dedicated and selfless response of our team '' .
Sky News has counted at least 134 confirmed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Wednesday that 433 care homes have so far experienced outbreaks of coronavirus .
`` The residents of care homes matter every bit as much to us as people in the community or in hospital , '' she said at a news conference .
`` In fact , I would say it is more important - given their vulnerability and susceptibility to infections spreading - that we do all we can to prevent infection and also to control it when there is an infection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Office for National Statistics revealed nearly one in 10 coronavirus-related deaths in England and Wales happened outside hospitals in the week ending 3 April , and that those 406 deaths were not included in the daily NHS and Department of Health figures .

Fears are growing that hundreds of people are dying with coronavirus in care homes but not being included in daily government updates.
Britain's biggest care home operator, C-One, revealed two-thirds of its homes have been affected and more than 300 people have died in them.
Meanwhile, Care England said there have been thousands of cases and deaths in the homes it represents.
Image: The Department of Health says so far 12,107 people have died so far
Care minister Helen Whately explained on Sky News that counting care home deaths quickly is "much harder than in hospitals" because the care sector is "far more fragmented" with many different providers.
She insisted outbreaks in care homes were "almost unavoidable" - despite government advice issued at the end of February and withdrawn in mid-March that said: "It remains very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home or the community will become infected."
Image: Minister Helen Whately said outbreaks in care homes were 'almost unavoidable'
Tests have now been pledged to all who need them in care homes - including staff and residents - with the Care Quality Commission charged with coordinating who will get them and when.
Currently the government's daily deaths update only includes patients who die after testing positive for the virus in hospital.
Image: The government has promised to 'ramp up' testing in care settings
But stories are emerging every day of care homes announcing residents are dying with COVID-19 symptoms - with not enough tests rolled out to confirm the diagnosis.
The latest deaths occurred at Green Heys Care Home in Waterloo, Merseyside, where eight residents passed away.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:31 Care home staff show 'heroism coming to work'
Chief executive Mark Adams said it was a "devastating number" that "may have been higher had it not been for the dedicated and selfless response of our team".
Sky News has counted at least 134 confirmed and reported deaths in care homes so far.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Wednesday that 433 care homes have so far experienced outbreaks of coronavirus.
"The residents of care homes matter every bit as much to us as people in the community or in hospital," she said at a news conference.
"In fact, I would say it is more important - given their vulnerability and susceptibility to infections spreading - that we do all we can to prevent infection and also to control it when there is an infection in a care home."
Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics revealed nearly one in 10 coronavirus-related deaths in England and Wales happened outside hospitals in the week ending 3 April, and that those 406 deaths were not included in the daily NHS and Department of Health figures.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-14--'Mistakes were made': Labour calls for lockdown exit strategy

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on the government to reveal its strategy for exiting the coronavirus lockdown this week .
In a letter to Dominic Raab , who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from COVID-19 , Sir Keir said that although millions of Britons had stuck to the rules , they `` need a sense of what comes next '' .
He called on ministers to be `` open and transparent '' about how the stringent coronavirus restrictions - brought in by the PM on 23 March - will come to an end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to protect our NHS and save lives . ''
Sir Keir said in his letter that Labour supported extending the lockdown , which the government is widely expected to do later this week .
But he told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast that `` mistakes were made '' by ministers in the lockdown planning and speed it came into force .
He urged the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency is the best way '' to maintaining trust .
`` Plans need to be in place sooner rather than later , he said .
`` Science in the end ca n't tell you what the political strategy is for coming out of lockdown , because that involves political decisions as well as scientific decisions .
`` If we can get a consensus that this is the right strategy going forward , I think that will give trust to the public as well . ''
To that end , Sir Keir called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criteria the government will use to inform how and when it intends to ease the lockdown ; to publish the exit strategy now or in the coming week ; and to set out which sectors and core public services are most likely to see restrictions eased .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Responding to the letter , a government source said : `` Our strategy is focused on saving lives .
`` We have been clear that all decisions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
`` Talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to protect our NHS and save lives . ''

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on the government to reveal its strategy for exiting the coronavirus lockdown this week.
In a letter to Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from COVID-19, Sir Keir said that although millions of Britons had stuck to the rules, they "need a sense of what comes next".
He called on ministers to be "open and transparent" about how the stringent coronavirus restrictions - brought in by the PM on 23 March - will come to an end.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 No sign of relaxing lockdown measures
But a government source said: "Talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to protect our NHS and save lives."
Sir Keir said in his letter that Labour supported extending the lockdown, which the government is widely expected to do later this week.
But he told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast that "mistakes were made" by ministers in the lockdown planning and speed it came into force.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 How will the lockdown be eventually lifted?
He urged the government to publish its lockdown strategy because "transparency is the best way" to maintaining trust.
"Plans need to be in place sooner rather than later, he said.
"Science in the end can't tell you what the political strategy is for coming out of lockdown, because that involves political decisions as well as scientific decisions.
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"If we can get a consensus that this is the right strategy going forward, I think that will give trust to the public as well."
To that end, Sir Keir called on Mr Raab to commit to laying out the criteria the government will use to inform how and when it intends to ease the lockdown; to publish the exit strategy now or in the coming week; and to set out which sectors and core public services are most likely to see restrictions eased.
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Responding to the letter, a government source said: "Our strategy is focused on saving lives.
"We have been clear that all decisions will be guided by the scientific advice and data.
"Talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to protect our NHS and save lives."


skynewspolitics--2020-04-14--Chancellor warns economy has 'taken a hit' and people will 'feel it in their incomes'

The chancellor has repeated his warning that the government will not be able to protect every business and household during the coronavirus outbreak , admitting : `` These are tough times and there will be more to come . ''
Rishi Sunak told the government 's daily coronavirus news conference that the UK economy was `` fundamentally sound '' and he was confident there would be a `` bounceback in growth '' once the crisis has passed .
It comes after the Office for Budget Responsibility , the independent fiscal watchdog , said Britain 's economy could shrink by 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment jump by two million because of COVID-19 .
Mr Sunak said some of the figures were `` not surprising '' as the country is getting to grips with a crisis `` unlike anything we 've seen before '' .
He said : `` I genuinely do n't believe this is a time for ideology or orthodoxy - this is an unprecedented time and unprecedented crisis and that calls for an unprecedented economic response .
`` So in that sense it 's not surprising to see some of these figures because what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 've seen before which is why we 've put in place the measures we have . ''
The OBR set out an estimate of the potential impact of the pandemic based on a three-month lockdown followed by a three-month period when restrictions are only partially lifted .
But Mr Sunak said that had the government not taken the actions it had , `` the situation would be much worse '' .
`` In other words , our plan is the right plan , '' he declared .
The chancellor acknowledged that things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` This is going to be hard , our economy 's going to take a significant hit and as I 've said before that 's not an abstract thing , people are going to feel that in their jobs and in their household incomes . ''
He added : `` I think the measures we 've put in place will help and then as we get through this it will mean that we can recover quickly and strongly and get our lives and economy back to normal . ''
Questions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the outbreak could be , in particular on the nation 's finances if the UK has a high level of debt .
Mr Sunak said the government would have to `` take stock '' of the public finances and `` make the right decisions '' at that juncture - a hint that cuts could be in the offing .
But the chancellor added : `` We remain very committed to the agenda that we set out before which was about levelling up and spreading opportunity around this country , and indeed I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of how we get back to normal here . ''
And he stressed that government measures to help households and businesses were `` largely temporary '' and `` do not need to be repeated on a year by year basis '' .
Mr Sunak continued : `` So hopefully that will allow us to get to a sustainable position reasonably soon after we exit . ''
A think tank has suggested the government should scrap the pensions triple-lock so the economic burden is spread fairly .
Mr Sunak did not explicitly rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying : `` You 're kind of drawing me into writing future budgets here today which is probably a difficult thing to do . ''
Meanwhile , another 778 patients with the coronavirus have died in hospitals across the UK , the Department of Health has announced .
It takes the nationwide total to 12,107 - but the actual figure will be higher as it does not include deaths in the community .
According to the Office for National Statistics , nearly one in 10 coronavirus-related deaths in England and Wales happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
There are growing calls for care home deaths to be published daily after England 's chief medical officer said 13.5 % of them had recorded coronavirus cases .
The NHS Confederation , which represents organisations across the healthcare sector , has warned that the spread of COVID-19 in care homes `` has largely gone under the radar '' due to the way data on deaths has been collected .
Public Health England medical director Professor Yvonne Doyle said the government would like to have `` much more rapid data '' on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working towards '' having this on a daily basis .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker One focus of the outbreak has been whether the government 's response has been swift enough .
There have , for example , been claims that the UK should have gone into lockdown sooner to try and halt the spread of COVID-19 .
The chancellor acknowledged that mistakes would be made , given the UK was facing an `` unprecedented situation '' .
`` Are we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single thing we do , at the pace we are having to do it ?
Of course not , '' he said .
But Mr Sunak said the government was doing `` what we think is in the best interests of the country and people '' and would be making improvements where necessary .
Professor Doyle acknowledged that the response could have been different if more was known about the coronavirus at an earlier stage .
She added : `` Yes , of course , we could do things better and that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that we can learn that . ''

The chancellor has repeated his warning that the government will not be able to protect every business and household during the coronavirus outbreak, admitting: "These are tough times and there will be more to come."
Rishi Sunak told the government's daily coronavirus news conference that the UK economy was "fundamentally sound" and he was confident there would be a "bounceback in growth" once the crisis has passed.
It comes after the Office for Budget Responsibility, the independent fiscal watchdog, said Britain's economy could shrink by 35% in the second quarter and see unemployment jump by two million because of COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:20 Chancellor: 'We can't protect every job'
Mr Sunak said some of the figures were "not surprising" as the country is getting to grips with a crisis "unlike anything we've seen before".
He said: "I genuinely don't believe this is a time for ideology or orthodoxy - this is an unprecedented time and unprecedented crisis and that calls for an unprecedented economic response.
"So in that sense it's not surprising to see some of these figures because what we're dealing with here is unlike anything we've seen before which is why we've put in place the measures we have."
The OBR set out an estimate of the potential impact of the pandemic based on a three-month lockdown followed by a three-month period when restrictions are only partially lifted.
But Mr Sunak said that had the government not taken the actions it had, "the situation would be much worse".
"In other words, our plan is the right plan," he declared.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 No sign of relaxing lockdown measures
The chancellor acknowledged that things would be difficult in the short-term, saying: "This is going to be hard, our economy's going to take a significant hit and as I've said before that's not an abstract thing, people are going to feel that in their jobs and in their household incomes."
He added: "I think the measures we've put in place will help and then as we get through this it will mean that we can recover quickly and strongly and get our lives and economy back to normal."
Questions have been asked about what the long-term implications of the outbreak could be, in particular on the nation's finances if the UK has a high level of debt.
Mr Sunak said the government would have to "take stock" of the public finances and "make the right decisions" at that juncture - a hint that cuts could be in the offing.
But the chancellor added: "We remain very committed to the agenda that we set out before which was about levelling up and spreading opportunity around this country, and indeed I believe this can still be a critical part of how we get back to normal here."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:42 On the frontline as doctors treat colleagues
And he stressed that government measures to help households and businesses were "largely temporary" and "do not need to be repeated on a year by year basis".
Mr Sunak continued: "So hopefully that will allow us to get to a sustainable position reasonably soon after we exit."
A think tank has suggested the government should scrap the pensions triple-lock so the economic burden is spread fairly.
Mr Sunak did not explicitly rule out the idea when asked about it, saying: "You're kind of drawing me into writing future budgets here today which is probably a difficult thing to do."
Meanwhile, another 778 patients with the coronavirus have died in hospitals across the UK, the Department of Health has announced.
It takes the nationwide total to 12,107 - but the actual figure will be higher as it does not include deaths in the community.
According to the Office for National Statistics, nearly one in 10 coronavirus-related deaths in England and Wales happened outside hospitals in the week ending 3 April.
There are growing calls for care home deaths to be published daily after England's chief medical officer said 13.5% of them had recorded coronavirus cases.
The NHS Confederation, which represents organisations across the healthcare sector, has warned that the spread of COVID-19 in care homes "has largely gone under the radar" due to the way data on deaths has been collected.
Public Health England medical director Professor Yvonne Doyle said the government would like to have "much more rapid data" on deaths in care homes and was "working towards" having this on a daily basis.
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One focus of the outbreak has been whether the government's response has been swift enough.
There have, for example, been claims that the UK should have gone into lockdown sooner to try and halt the spread of COVID-19.
The chancellor acknowledged that mistakes would be made, given the UK was facing an "unprecedented situation".
"Are we going to be absolutely perfect in every single thing we do, at the pace we are having to do it? Of course not," he said.
But Mr Sunak said the government was doing "what we think is in the best interests of the country and people" and would be making improvements where necessary.
Professor Doyle acknowledged that the response could have been different if more was known about the coronavirus at an earlier stage.
She added: "Yes, of course, we could do things better and that's why we keep talking to our neighbours so that we can learn that."


skynewspolitics--2020-04-14--Labour frontbencher 'appalled' at leaked antisemitism report

Sir Keir Starmer has told his shadow cabinet that he intends to send a message to Labour Party members acknowledging concerns raised by the contents of a leaked report into the party 's handling of antisemitism complaints .
At the start of a shadow cabinet meeting on Tuesday , the Labour leader expressed his disappointment that the report had been put into the public domain , and set out why he had commissioned an urgent independent investigation into its commissioning , its content and how it was leaked .
He also committed to speaking to BAME MPs and members directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice secretary David Lammy and shadow equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova about the content of some of the private WhatsApp messages that were set out in the report .
However , according to one shadow cabinet source , while the conversation was measured and respectful , some left-wing figures made clear they wanted Sir Keir to go further than the commissioning of an independent investigation .
Shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey is understood to have said she was `` appalled '' at what was contained in the report , and that she wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contents of the document have been verified by the investigation .
Cat Smith , shadow minister for voter engagement , also called for an emergency meeting of the party 's governing body so that its officers could set the terms of any investigation .
Later Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner wrote to the Parliamentary Labour Party confirming the National Executive Committee would agree the terms of reference for the investigation , and these would be made public .
The letter also thanked `` all colleagues for the representations that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to confirm MPs and party members would be kept updated on the progress of the inquiry and asked them to `` refrain from drawing conclusions before the inquiry has completed and from commenting publicly on it '' .
The discussion around the leaked report , which has been described by the Campaign Against Antisemitism as a `` desperate last-ditch attempt to deflect and discredit allegations of antisemitism '' , is understood to have lasted around five minutes in a meeting that went on for nearly two hours , and was largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus crisis .
Earlier the shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that the fact the party was consumed with the fall-out from the report was `` immensely frustrating '' .
`` We need to understand the circumstances under which it was leaked , as there is sensitive information in there , individuals are named , there 's an information control issue there , '' she said .
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We also need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that appear to be described in that report and that needs a proper independent review , that is going to be delivered and I think that will answer any questions people have . ''
She added : `` Keir has come in with tremendous professional background , absolutely determined to get Labour Party into that professional space as a professional organisation and I think he 's demonstrated with this decision to have independent review that he means business with that . ''
Asked if there could be expulsions from the party as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shadow chancellor said : `` I would anticipate that disciplinary matters might follow the review , but I think it would be premature to second judge it , the whole point is there needs to be a proper investigation into this .
`` I do n't think it would be helpful to say at this stage until that investigation has occurred what should be done to particular individuals - it 's got to be independent and it 's got to be trusted . ''
The Labour Party does not comment on private @ @ @ @ @ @

Sir Keir Starmer has told his shadow cabinet that he intends to send a message to Labour Party members acknowledging concerns raised by the contents of a leaked report into the party's handling of antisemitism complaints.
At the start of a shadow cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Labour leader expressed his disappointment that the report had been put into the public domain, and set out why he had commissioned an urgent independent investigation into its commissioning, its content and how it was leaked.
He also committed to speaking to BAME MPs and members directly, after concerns were raised by shadow justice secretary David Lammy and shadow equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova about the content of some of the private WhatsApp messages that were set out in the report.
However, according to one shadow cabinet source, while the conversation was measured and respectful, some left-wing figures made clear they wanted Sir Keir to go further than the commissioning of an independent investigation.
Shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey is understood to have said she was "appalled" at what was contained in the report, and that she wanted to see disciplinary action follow once the contents of the document have been verified by the investigation.
Image: Rebecca Long-Bailey is understood to have said she was 'appalled' at what was in the report
Cat Smith, shadow minister for voter engagement, also called for an emergency meeting of the party's governing body so that its officers could set the terms of any investigation.
Later Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner wrote to the Parliamentary Labour Party confirming the National Executive Committee would agree the terms of reference for the investigation, and these would be made public.
The letter also thanked "all colleagues for the representations that we have received over the weekend".
It went on to confirm MPs and party members would be kept updated on the progress of the inquiry and asked them to "refrain from drawing conclusions before the inquiry has completed and from commenting publicly on it".
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Image: Sir Keir Starmer has commissioned an independent investigation into how the dossier was leaked
The discussion around the leaked report, which has been described by the Campaign Against Antisemitism as a "desperate last-ditch attempt to deflect and discredit allegations of antisemitism", is understood to have lasted around five minutes in a meeting that went on for nearly two hours, and was largely focused on the party's response to the coronavirus crisis.
Earlier the shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds told Sky News that the fact the party was consumed with the fall-out from the report was "immensely frustrating".
"We need to understand the circumstances under which it was leaked, as there is sensitive information in there, individuals are named, there's an information control issue there," she said.
:: Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"We also need to look at the cultures, however, that appear to be described in that report and that needs a proper independent review, that is going to be delivered and I think that will answer any questions people have."
She added: "Keir has come in with tremendous professional background, absolutely determined to get Labour Party into that professional space as a professional organisation and I think he's demonstrated with this decision to have independent review that he means business with that."
Asked if there could be expulsions from the party as a result of the independent investigation, the shadow chancellor said: "I would anticipate that disciplinary matters might follow the review, but I think it would be premature to second judge it, the whole point is there needs to be a proper investigation into this.
"I don't think it would be helpful to say at this stage until that investigation has occurred what should be done to particular individuals - it's got to be independent and it's got to be trusted."
The Labour Party does not comment on private discussions in shadow cabinet meetings.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-13--Government 'doesn't expect' to relax coronavirus lockdown this week

The government does not expect to relax or lift the coronavirus lockdown later this week , Dominic Raab has said .
The foreign secretary , who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from the coronavirus , said there are some `` positive signs '' from the data that show `` we are starting to win this struggle '' .
But he warned : `` We are still not past the peak . ''
He was speaking at the government 's daily COVID-19 press conference on Monday , which came ahead of the first review of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The stringent restrictions , imposed last month in order to try to halt the spread of the virus , are widely expected to be extended .
Ministers have said they want to be certain the UK is past the peak of the epidemic before they ease the conditions of the lockdown .
Mr Raab said the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) would review evidence of the effectiveness of social distancing measures when it meets on Tuesday , two days before the government makes its decision .
`` We do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures currently in place at that point and we wo n't until we 're confident , as confident as we realistically can be , that any such changes can be safely made , '' he said .
Mr Raab also paid tribute to members of the public who have followed government advice and remained indoors over the course of the Easter weekend .
The foreign secretary said the `` overwhelming majority '' of Britons had followed the lockdown rules and added : `` By staying home this weekend , you 've saved lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making all the difference .
And please keep them up - we 've come too far , we 've lost too many loved ones and we 've sacrificed too much to ease up now . ''
The confirmed UK death toll passed 10,000 at the weekend , with a government adviser and infectious diseases expert warning the country could end up being the `` worst affected '' in Europe .
In its latest figures released on Monday , the Department of Health said a further 717 coronavirus patients had died , taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is the lowest increase recorded over the Bank Holiday weekend , after 980 on Friday - which surpassed the worst confirmed daily totals in Italy and Spain - 917 on Saturday and 737 on Sunday .
But the true number of deaths will be higher , as these figures do not include all deaths in the community .
Professor Chris Whitty , England 's chief medical officer , told Monday 's news conference that he would like to see testing increased at care homes .
He said 13.5 % of care homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks reported in 92 of them in the last 24 hours .
Sir Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , said he expects the overall death toll to increase this week before `` plateauing '' .
He said the UK was tracking behind Italy and `` following the same sort of path '' when it comes to hospital deaths , although the number of people in hospital beds with COVID-19 is starting to `` flatten off '' in many parts of the country .
With Boris Johnson now out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative for the virus before being discharged and is now focused on his recovery at his country mansion .
Mr Johnson will not be doing any government work and will only return to his office on the advice of his medical team , Number 10 added .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
The government , meanwhile , has insisted that its testing regime is `` heading in the right direction '' .
Downing Street has pledged to carry out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the month , a target which the PM 's spokesman has said the UK is on course to meet .
A spokesman said 18,000 had been conducted in the 24 hours to Sunday morning and `` good progress '' on getting to 100,000 tests was being made .
On the subject of testing frontline NHS workers , he said there had been `` significant progress '' , with nearly 43,000 staff and their families tested so far .
But the government has fallen well short of the number of ventilators it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's stocks to treat coronavirus patients .
An additional 200 machines - which provide oxygen for people suffering lung failure in severe cases - have been sent out to the NHS in the past week , Downing Street said on Monday .
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock had vowed that around 1,500 ventilators would be acquired in that timeframe .
As well as concerns around ventilators and testing , there have been reports of shortages of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
The situation has prompted the Royal College of Nursing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resort they should refuse to treat patients with COVID-19 if they are not given the right PPE .
Mr Raab said the government understood the `` importance of getting PPE to the front line , whether it 's in care homes or the NHS '' .
The foreign secretary said more than 16 million items of PPE were delivered over the Bank Holiday weekend , adding : `` We are straining every sinew to roll them out even further and even faster . ''

The government does not expect to relax or lift the coronavirus lockdown later this week, Dominic Raab has said.
The foreign secretary, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he recovers from the coronavirus, said there are some "positive signs" from the data that show "we are starting to win this struggle".
But he warned: "We are still not past the peak."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:50 'We've still got a long way to go'
He was speaking at the government's daily COVID-19 press conference on Monday, which came ahead of the first review of the UK's lockdown measures on Thursday.
The stringent restrictions, imposed last month in order to try to halt the spread of the virus, are widely expected to be extended.
Ministers have said they want to be certain the UK is past the peak of the epidemic before they ease the conditions of the lockdown.
Mr Raab said the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) would review evidence of the effectiveness of social distancing measures when it meets on Tuesday, two days before the government makes its decision.
"We don't expect to make any changes to the measures currently in place at that point and we won't until we're confident, as confident as we realistically can be, that any such changes can be safely made," he said.
Mr Raab also paid tribute to members of the public who have followed government advice and remained indoors over the course of the Easter weekend.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 People defy lockdown rules on Good Friday
The foreign secretary said the "overwhelming majority" of Britons had followed the lockdown rules and added: "By staying home this weekend, you've saved lives.
"Thank you, your efforts are making all the difference. And please keep them up - we've come too far, we've lost too many loved ones and we've sacrificed too much to ease up now."
The confirmed UK death toll passed 10,000 at the weekend, with a government adviser and infectious diseases expert warning the country could end up being the "worst affected" in Europe.
In its latest figures released on Monday, the Department of Health said a further 717 coronavirus patients had died, taking the UK's total to 11,329.
It is the lowest increase recorded over the Bank Holiday weekend, after 980 on Friday - which surpassed the worst confirmed daily totals in Italy and Spain - 917 on Saturday and 737 on Sunday.
But the true number of deaths will be higher, as these figures do not include all deaths in the community.
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, told Monday's news conference that he would like to see testing increased at care homes.
He said 13.5% of care homes have been affected so far, with outbreaks reported in 92 of them in the last 24 hours.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:09 PM: 'It could have gone either way'
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said he expects the overall death toll to increase this week before "plateauing".
He said the UK was tracking behind Italy and "following the same sort of path" when it comes to hospital deaths, although the number of people in hospital beds with COVID-19 is starting to "flatten off" in many parts of the country.
With Boris Johnson now out of hospital, Downing Street has said he tested negative for the virus before being discharged and is now focused on his recovery at his country mansion.
Mr Johnson will not be doing any government work and will only return to his office on the advice of his medical team, Number 10 added.
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The government, meanwhile, has insisted that its testing regime is "heading in the right direction".
Downing Street has pledged to carry out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of the month, a target which the PM's spokesman has said the UK is on course to meet.
A spokesman said 18,000 had been conducted in the 24 hours to Sunday morning and "good progress" on getting to 100,000 tests was being made.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Health Secretary tackled over lack of care home testing
On the subject of testing frontline NHS workers, he said there had been "significant progress", with nearly 43,000 staff and their families tested so far.
But the government has fallen well short of the number of ventilators it planned to immediately add to the UK's stocks to treat coronavirus patients.
An additional 200 machines - which provide oxygen for people suffering lung failure in severe cases - have been sent out to the NHS in the past week, Downing Street said on Monday.
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock had vowed that around 1,500 ventilators would be acquired in that timeframe.
As well as concerns around ventilators and testing, there have been reports of shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The situation has prompted the Royal College of Nursing to tell its members that as a last resort they should refuse to treat patients with COVID-19 if they are not given the right PPE.
Mr Raab said the government understood the "importance of getting PPE to the front line, whether it's in care homes or the NHS".
The foreign secretary said more than 16 million items of PPE were delivered over the Bank Holiday weekend, adding: "We are straining every sinew to roll them out even further and even faster."


skynewspolitics--2020-04-14--Another 200k sign on for Universal Credit - taking total to 1.4 million

Another 200,000 people have signed on for benefits because of the coronavirus crisis - taking the total number of Universal Credit claimants to 1.4 million .
The figure revealed by Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey shows the number of claimants is still rising at much higher than average speeds since lockdown measures were phased in on 16 March .
In normal times around 50,000 people apply for Universal Credit a week .
Ms Coffey told Sky News the welfare system is `` capable of processing and managing '' the influx amid concerns about financial hardship for those stuck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she warned Britain 's battle with coronavirus `` is n't going to be over in weeks , it will take months '' and added `` we have n't hit the peak of the infections '' .
All Universal Credit claimants are not necessarily unemployed , as it is possible to apply while still in work or if someone is self-employed .
Those signing up will have to wait at least five weeks for their first payment .
The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) said the first payments for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown measures began will be processed on 15 April and money will land in people 's bank accounts from 22 April .
Claimants can also request an advanced payment ; 365,000 of these have been made so far .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker When the DWP 's top civil servant - permanent secretary Peter Schofield - was asked about the average time it takes to receive that advance at the start of April , he did not offer a figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` committed to delivering advances as soon as possible '' to those who have requested them .
In the United States , the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefit shot up to a record high of over three million in the week ending 21 March .
That dwarfed the previous peak of 665,000 in a week in 1982 .

Another 200,000 people have signed on for benefits because of the coronavirus crisis - taking the total number of Universal Credit claimants to 1.4 million.
The figure revealed by Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey shows the number of claimants is still rising at much higher than average speeds since lockdown measures were phased in on 16 March.
In normal times around 50,000 people apply for Universal Credit a week.
Image: The numbers are measured from 16 March
Ms Coffey told Sky News the welfare system is "capable of processing and managing" the influx amid concerns about financial hardship for those stuck in lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak.
But she warned Britain's battle with coronavirus "isn't going to be over in weeks, it will take months" and added "we haven't hit the peak of the infections".
All Universal Credit claimants are not necessarily unemployed, as it is possible to apply while still in work or if someone is self-employed.
Those signing up will have to wait at least five weeks for their first payment.
Image: Therese Coffey said the welfare system can cope with the influx
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said the first payments for those who signed up around a month ago when lockdown measures began will be processed on 15 April and money will land in people's bank accounts from 22 April.
Claimants can also request an advanced payment; 365,000 of these have been made so far.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
When the DWP's top civil servant - permanent secretary Peter Schofield - was asked about the average time it takes to receive that advance at the start of April, he did not offer a figure.
He confirmed that the government is "committed to delivering advances as soon as possible" to those who have requested them.
In the United States, the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefit shot up to a record high of over three million in the week ending 21 March.
That dwarfed the previous peak of 665,000 in a week in 1982.


skynewspolitics--2020-04-13--Starmer launches 'urgent' investigation into leaked Labour dossier

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has launched an urgent inquiry into the leak of a bombshell report that has sparked a fresh party row .
The 860-page report , seen by Sky News , concluded factional hostility towards former leader Jeremy Corbyn amongst ex-senior officials contributed to `` a litany of mistakes '' that hindered the effective handling of antisemitism allegations .
The investigation , which was completed in the last month of Mr Corbyn 's leadership , claimed to have found `` no evidence '' of antisemitism complaints being treated differently to other forms of complaint , or of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by antisemitic intent '' .
The dossier , which includes 10,000 separate emails and thousands of private WhatsApp communications , also claims these private messages show senior former staff `` openly worked against the aims and objectives '' of the party 's leadership .
At the 2017 general election , the report alleges `` some key staff even appeared to work against the party 's core objective of winning elections '' .
Allegations of antisemitism within the party was one of the dominant issues of Mr Corbyn 's four-and-a-half years as Labour leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Mr Corbyn - that the party 's leadership did not do enough to tackle the problem .
: : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The leaking of the report has sent shockwaves through the party and sparked bitter recriminations among supporters and opponents of Mr Corbyn .
Richard Burgon , who was shadow justice secretary under Mr Corbyn , said the revelations had `` shocked '' many party members and prompted them to consider leaving .
But he implored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Labour government , organise to defend our socialist manifesto and push for action over this sordid sabotage '' .
Faiza Shaheen , a candidate for the party at the last two elections , said simply : `` I feel sick .
And so angry . ''
One party member told Sky News : `` Some members are leaving , resentful that their membership fees were paying the salaries of people who were working against the party .
`` For me I see this report and the reaction to it as the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' A staff member said they were `` sickened at the level of nastiness at the top of the party , but also shocked at the stupidity '' .
`` It feels like everyone is just taking everyone else down with them , '' they added .
Sir Keir , who became Labour leader earlier this month , released a joint statement with deputy leader Angela Rayner .
They said the contents and release of the dossier raised a `` number of matters of serious concern '' and required an `` urgent independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would look at the `` background and circumstances '' in which the report was commissioned , as well as the `` contents and wider culture '' contained in it and how the dossier was leaked .
`` We have also asked for immediate sight of any legal advice the Labour Party has already received about the report , '' the statement added .
`` In the meantime , we ask everyone concerned to refrain from drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete and we will be asking the general secretary to put measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party members and party staff who are concerned or affected by this report . ''
As Sky News reported at the weekend , the dossier will not be submitted to the Equality and Human Rights Commission following an intervention by party lawyers .
Those involved insist the report was intended to provide additional context to the equalities watchdog and supplement the party 's main submissions to the investigation into institutional antisemitic racism .
It was put together after its authors went through emails and private WhatsApp communications between former senior party officials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's BBC Panorama investigation on antisemitism within Labour singled out for criticism .
These include the former general secretary Lord McNicol and Sam Matthews , the former acting head of the governance and legal unit .
The investigation accuses Lord McNicol and other senior figures of providing `` false and misleading information '' to Mr Corbyn 's office in relation to the handling of antisemitism complaints , which the report claims meant `` the scale of the problem was not appreciated '' by the leadership .
Responding to the messages cited and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , Lord McNicol said : `` The energy and effort that must have been invested in trawling 10,000 emails rather than challenging antisemitism in the party is deeply troubling . ''
He added that the report was a `` petty attempt to divert attention away from the real issue '' , adding : `` I have repeatedly stood by the professional staff of the Labour Party who I worked with over the seven and a half year period I was general secretary , and continue to do so . ''
: : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The report claims Mr Matthews , who served first as head of disputes and then as acting head of the governance and legal unit , `` rarely replied or took any action , and the vast majority of times where action did occur , it was prompted by other Labour staff directly chasing this themselves '' .
In a statement to Sky News , Mr Matthews said : `` This latest episode comes as no surprise to me , as an effort by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their attempts to blame others in order to distract from matters that will be investigated by the EHRC and the courts . ''
He added that `` proper examination of the full evidence '' will show that he did his `` level best to tackle the poison of anti-Jewish racism which was growing under Jeremy Corbyn 's leadership '' .

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has launched an urgent inquiry into the leak of a bombshell report that has sparked a fresh party row.
The 860-page report, seen by Sky News, concluded factional hostility towards former leader Jeremy Corbyn amongst ex-senior officials contributed to "a litany of mistakes" that hindered the effective handling of antisemitism allegations.
The investigation, which was completed in the last month of Mr Corbyn's leadership, claimed to have found "no evidence" of antisemitism complaints being treated differently to other forms of complaint, or of current or former staff being "motivated by antisemitic intent".
Image: The investigation was completed in the last month of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership
The dossier, which includes 10,000 separate emails and thousands of private WhatsApp communications, also claims these private messages show senior former staff "openly worked against the aims and objectives" of the party's leadership.
At the 2017 general election, the report alleges "some key staff even appeared to work against the party's core objective of winning elections".
Allegations of antisemitism within the party was one of the dominant issues of Mr Corbyn's four-and-a-half years as Labour leader.
There were accusations - strenuously denied by Mr Corbyn - that the party's leadership did not do enough to tackle the problem.
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The leaking of the report has sent shockwaves through the party and sparked bitter recriminations among supporters and opponents of Mr Corbyn.
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Richard Burgon, who was shadow justice secretary under Mr Corbyn, said the revelations had "shocked" many party members and prompted them to consider leaving.
Image: Allegations of antisemitism within Labour dominated Jeremy Corbyn's time as leader
But he implored them to stay and "fight for a Labour government, organise to defend our socialist manifesto and push for action over this sordid sabotage".
Faiza Shaheen, a candidate for the party at the last two elections, said simply: "I feel sick. And so angry."
One party member told Sky News: "Some members are leaving, resentful that their membership fees were paying the salaries of people who were working against the party.
"For me I see this report and the reaction to it as the first real test of Starmer's leadership."
A staff member said they were "sickened at the level of nastiness at the top of the party, but also shocked at the stupidity".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:58 What direction will Labour head in now?
"It feels like everyone is just taking everyone else down with them," they added.
Sir Keir, who became Labour leader earlier this month, released a joint statement with deputy leader Angela Rayner.
They said the contents and release of the dossier raised a "number of matters of serious concern" and required an "urgent independent investigation".
They said the investigation would look at the "background and circumstances" in which the report was commissioned, as well as the "contents and wider culture" contained in it and how the dossier was leaked.
"We have also asked for immediate sight of any legal advice the Labour Party has already received about the report," the statement added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 Sir Keir: I will build an effective opposition
"In the meantime, we ask everyone concerned to refrain from drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete and we will be asking the general secretary to put measures in place to protect the welfare of party members and party staff who are concerned or affected by this report."
As Sky News reported at the weekend, the dossier will not be submitted to the Equality and Human Rights Commission following an intervention by party lawyers.
Those involved insist the report was intended to provide additional context to the equalities watchdog and supplement the party's main submissions to the investigation into institutional antisemitic racism.
It was put together after its authors went through emails and private WhatsApp communications between former senior party officials, with whistleblowers who gave evidence to last year's BBC Panorama investigation on antisemitism within Labour singled out for criticism.
These include the former general secretary Lord McNicol and Sam Matthews, the former acting head of the governance and legal unit.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:31 Starmer apologises for 'grief' caused by antisemitism
The investigation accuses Lord McNicol and other senior figures of providing "false and misleading information" to Mr Corbyn's office in relation to the handling of antisemitism complaints, which the report claims meant "the scale of the problem was not appreciated" by the leadership.
Responding to the messages cited and the allegations made against him in the report, Lord McNicol said: "The energy and effort that must have been invested in trawling 10,000 emails rather than challenging antisemitism in the party is deeply troubling."
He added that the report was a "petty attempt to divert attention away from the real issue", adding: "I have repeatedly stood by the professional staff of the Labour Party who I worked with over the seven and a half year period I was general secretary, and continue to do so."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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The report claims Mr Matthews, who served first as head of disputes and then as acting head of the governance and legal unit, "rarely replied or took any action, and the vast majority of times where action did occur, it was prompted by other Labour staff directly chasing this themselves".
In a statement to Sky News, Mr Matthews said: "This latest episode comes as no surprise to me, as an effort by a disgruntled faction who are floundering in their attempts to blame others in order to distract from matters that will be investigated by the EHRC and the courts."
He added that "proper examination of the full evidence" will show that he did his "level best to tackle the poison of anti-Jewish racism which was growing under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership".


skynewspolitics--2020-04-12--PM 'focusing on recovery' after shaking coronavirus

Boris Johnson tested negative for coronavirus before leaving hospital for his country retreat and is now focused on his recovery .
The prime minister will not be doing any government work and only return to his office in Number 10 on the advice of his medical team , Downing Street said .
He is current at the 16th-century Buckinghamshire mansion known as Chequers after a seven-night stay in London 's St Thomas ' Hospital .
He had been taken to hospital after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened and spent three nights in intensive care .
So far more than 10,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK amid a warning by a member of the government 's scientific advice committee the UK could end up being the `` worst affected country in Europe '' .
Speaking in a video released shortly after he was discharged from hospital on Easter Sunday , Mr Johnson admitted there was a 48-hour period when `` things could have gone either way '' .
He paid tribute to the NHS , saying there is `` no question '' it saved his life .
He thanked the `` utterly brilliant '' doctors and praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , singling out two in particular - Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal - who stood by his bedside .
The PM said : `` I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life , no question .
`` It 's hard to find the words to express my debt - but before I come to that , I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making . ''
He thanked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-isolate , saying : `` I do believe that your efforts are worth it , and are daily proving their worth . ''
While he said the `` the struggle is by no means over '' , he appeared to offer some hope .
`` We are making progress in this national battle because the British public formed a human shield around this country 's greatest national asset - our National Health Service , '' he said .
Mr Johnson will be enjoying Chequers and its 1,000-acre estate with his pregnant fiancee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the prime minister will be back at work but Number 10 has said he will `` not be returning to work immediately '' .
Up until his admission to hospital , Mr Johnson had been in isolation and conducting meetings remotely .
It comes after the official number of UK deaths from the coronavirus passed 10,000 on Easter Sunday , described by Health Secretary Matt Hancock as a `` sombre day '' .
The UK 's strict social distancing measures are due to be reviewed on Thursday and it is not known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those discussions .
Downing Street has said it will only consider lifting restrictions on the word of science and medical advisers .
But , according to the Telegraph and the Times , Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to present modelling on the economic impact of extending the restrictions .
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research produced a report suggesting 25 % of the UK economy could be lost by the summer due to the current controls , and the Times reported that Mr Sunak has told colleagues GDP could fall by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Meanwhile , nearly 200 members of the armed forces are being deployed to help NHS ambulance services in their work during the pandemic .
Their duties will include driving ambulances and taking calls from the public .
Eighty of the group will be sent to the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to drive emergency response vehicles , larger ambulances , and work at the response centre .
In London , 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport patients between intensive care units .
Army engineers will support the London Ambulance Service to maintain suction units in ambulances and 60 soldiers in Wales are ready to assist paramedics there with non-clinical tasks .
Thirty-seven military personnel have been deployed to the East of England Ambulance Service to assist with tasks including driving and logistics .
The group all volunteer as emergency responders in their free time and have trained with the service .

Boris Johnson tested negative for coronavirus before leaving hospital for his country retreat and is now focused on his recovery.
The prime minister will not be doing any government work and only return to his office in Number 10 on the advice of his medical team, Downing Street said.
He is current at the 16th-century Buckinghamshire mansion known as Chequers after a seven-night stay in London's St Thomas' Hospital.
He had been taken to hospital after his COVID-19 symptoms worsened and spent three nights in intensive care.
So far more than 10,000 people have already died with COVID-19 across the UK amid a warning by a member of the government's scientific advice committee the UK could end up being the "worst affected country in Europe".
Speaking in a video released shortly after he was discharged from hospital on Easter Sunday, Mr Johnson admitted there was a 48-hour period when "things could have gone either way".
He paid tribute to the NHS, saying there is "no question" it saved his life.
He thanked the "utterly brilliant" doctors and praised the nurses for their "astonishing" care, singling out two in particular - Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal - who stood by his bedside.
Image: Boris Johnson is continuing his recovery at Chequers
The PM said: "I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question.
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"It's hard to find the words to express my debt - but before I come to that, I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making."
He thanked the public for continuing to socially distance and to self-isolate, saying: "I do believe that your efforts are worth it, and are daily proving their worth."
While he said the "the struggle is by no means over", he appeared to offer some hope.
"We are making progress in this national battle because the British public formed a human shield around this country's greatest national asset - our National Health Service," he said.
Image: The prime minister was discharged from hospital over the weekend
Mr Johnson will be enjoying Chequers and its 1,000-acre estate with his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds.
It is not clear when the prime minister will be back at work but Number 10 has said he will "not be returning to work immediately".
Up until his admission to hospital, Mr Johnson had been in isolation and conducting meetings remotely.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Health Secretary tackled over lack of care home testing
It comes after the official number of UK deaths from the coronavirus passed 10,000 on Easter Sunday, described by Health Secretary Matt Hancock as a "sombre day".
The UK's strict social distancing measures are due to be reviewed on Thursday and it is not known what part Mr Johnson might have in those discussions.
Downing Street has said it will only consider lifting restrictions on the word of science and medical advisers.
But, according to the Telegraph and the Times, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to present modelling on the economic impact of extending the restrictions.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research produced a report suggesting 25% of the UK economy could be lost by the summer due to the current controls, and the Times reported that Mr Sunak has told colleagues GDP could fall by a third in the second quarter.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Meanwhile, nearly 200 members of the armed forces are being deployed to help NHS ambulance services in their work during the pandemic.
Their duties will include driving ambulances and taking calls from the public.
Eighty of the group will be sent to the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to drive emergency response vehicles, larger ambulances, and work at the response centre.
In London, 21 medical personnel from the armed forces will transport patients between intensive care units.
Army engineers will support the London Ambulance Service to maintain suction units in ambulances and 60 soldiers in Wales are ready to assist paramedics there with non-clinical tasks.
Thirty-seven military personnel have been deployed to the East of England Ambulance Service to assist with tasks including driving and logistics.
The group all volunteer as emergency responders in their free time and have trained with the service.