skynewspolitics--2020-06-26--Lockdown rules look 'inconsistent', minister admits

Some lockdown rules look inconsistent , a government minister has admitted amid scenes of packed beaches and large parties broken up by police yesterday .
Environment Secretary George Eustice implored people to follow social distancing rules , after overcrowding on Bournemouth seafront sparked a major incident warning and illegal raves were broken up in London .
He insisted that broadly the two-metre rule social distancing rule is being followed but added `` clearly people did n't heed that '' in some areas on Thursday .
Mr Eustice insisted there is no mixed messaging from the government , as emergency measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK .
`` The advice is clear and people are heeding it , '' he told Sky News .
`` But it 's inevitably the case that as you start to ease these restrictions and you drop some , the ones that are left sometimes look inconsistent with that .
`` It 's a very difficult thing - if we were just to remove all the restrictions then this virus would start to creep back up .
So we have to do things carefully , cautiously and incrementally .
`` But I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes see an inconsistency - that 's why you get these questions about the rules and guidance that is left . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced earlier this week that `` our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end '' with plans to reopen more shops , restaurants and pubs from 4 July .
Urged by a Brighton MP to appeal for `` destination communities '' to stay `` extra safe '' , Mr Johnson told them to `` show some guts and determination , and to champion their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to and support '' .
So far at least 43,000 people have died with COVID-19 in the UK - one of the highest death tolls in the world .
Mr Eustice said the government had given `` very clear messages '' .
But they had to be reinforced by Prof Chris Whitty , England 's chief medical officer .
`` If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again , '' he said .
`` Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all . ''
The health secretary has even threatened to shut beaches if people do not follow social distancing rules .
In Wales , First Minister Mark Drakeford condemned reports of a mass brawl at a beach Ogmore-by-Sea .
`` We will not be able to continue easing restrictions if scenes like last night continue to happen , '' he tweeted .
`` They threaten the health of people in Wales and undermine the sacrifices the majority of people have made during this ongoing crisis . ''

Some lockdown rules look inconsistent, a government minister has admitted amid scenes of packed beaches and large parties broken up by police yesterday.
Environment Secretary George Eustice implored people to follow social distancing rules, after overcrowding on Bournemouth seafront sparked a major incident warning and illegal raves were broken up in London.
He insisted that broadly the two-metre rule social distancing rule is being followed but added "clearly people didn't heed that" in some areas on Thursday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 'Social distancing is over' says beachgoer
Mr Eustice insisted there is no mixed messaging from the government, as emergency measures are eased to different degrees across the UK.
"The advice is clear and people are heeding it," he told Sky News.
"But it's inevitably the case that as you start to ease these restrictions and you drop some, the ones that are left sometimes look inconsistent with that.
Image: George Eustice said the government was acting 'carefully'
"It's a very difficult thing - if we were just to remove all the restrictions then this virus would start to creep back up. So we have to do things carefully, cautiously and incrementally.
"But I do appreciate that as you do that people sometimes see an inconsistency - that's why you get these questions about the rules and guidance that is left."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced earlier this week that "our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end" with plans to reopen more shops, restaurants and pubs from 4 July.
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Urged by Hove MP Peter Kyle to appeal for "destination communities" to stay "extra safe", Mr Johnson told them to "show some guts and determination, and to champion their communities as venues for people to return to and support".
Mr Kyle told Sky News the response was "bravado not leadership" and the situation was "wholly avoidable".
"Boris Johnson is being reckless with public health and was irresponsible not to accept honest advice from those of us in coastal communities affected by large numbers of visitors," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Brighton visitors keep two metres apart
So far at least 43,000 people have died with COVID-19 in the UK - one of the highest death tolls in the world.
Mr Eustice said the government had given "very clear messages".
But they had to be reinforced by Prof Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer.
"If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again," he said.
"Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is safe for all."
The health secretary has even threatened to shut beaches if people do not follow social distancing rules.
In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford condemned reports of a mass brawl at a beach Ogmore-by-Sea.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:14 Mass brawl on Welsh beach
"We will not be able to continue easing restrictions if scenes like last night continue to happen," he tweeted.
"They threaten the health of people in Wales and undermine the sacrifices the majority of people have made during this ongoing crisis."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-26--Where was the national effort to help our schools?

Coronavirus : Where was the national effort to help our schools ?
Coronavirus : Where was the national effort to help our schools ?
Schools have been closed to most children since March Some extraordinary things have been achieved since the coronavirus changed our lives earlier this year - things that some never thought possible .
Seven new hospitals were created at record speed to ramp up capacity in the NHS .
More than one in four workers are now supported by the government 's furlough scheme in an unprecedented move to protect jobs .
: : Listen to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The country came together in a national lockdown that was tightly obeyed for months .
There has been Herculean effort to help the health service and the economy through the pandemic , supported by billions of pounds from the government .
And yet I ca n't help but wonder why there has n't been a similar Herculean effort to help the millions of children who have been shut out of school .
While teaching unions are quick to point out that classrooms have remained open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupils throughout the pandemic , schools in England wo n't fully reopen until September .
By then , an astonishing nine million children will have been out of the classroom for six months .
It 's hard to quantify the impact that this could have on their education and life chances , but the children 's commissioner has warned of a `` lost generation '' and analysis by the Education Endowment Foundation ( EFF ) found that a decade of progress closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their classmates will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason that we decided to centre our first film on Sophy Ridge On Sunday since the start of lockdown on the impact of coronavirus on education .
We 'll speak to former Ofsted head Sir Michael Wilshaw and scientist Devi Sridhar , plus we 'll get the picture in Wales with First Minister Mark Drakeford .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker This week we visited Ifield Community College in Crawley , West Sussex , where a third of pupils are eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double the national average .
The headteacher is keen to reopen from September because he 's worried about the impact of long-term closure on his pupils , particularly from a mental health perspective .
Government support has been patchy - the guidelines unclear - and well-meaning schemes such as providing laptops for disadvantaged families have n't worked as they should .
More than half of the pupils eligible for the laptops at Ifield still have n't received them - just a couple of weeks before the school breaks up for the summer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school directly to buy the laptops , every child would have one by now .
Visiting Ifield also crystallised for me how impossible it will be to enforce two-metre social distancing - or even one metre - in September .
Classrooms are set up for 12 children spaced two metres apart - but there will need to be 30 children in each room when they are fully open .
There simply is n't room , even at one metre .
Should the government have done more to use empty buildings to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly ?
Could volunteers have been used to help keep class sizes smaller ?
Hundreds of thousands of people volunteered to help the NHS in its time of need .
Businesses answered the call to manufacture ventilators and protective equipment .
Where was the national effort to help our schools ?

Government support is patchy and well-meaning ideas such as laptops for disadvantaged families haven't worked as they should.
Coronavirus: Where was the national effort to help our schools?
Some extraordinary things have been achieved since the coronavirus changed our lives earlier this year - things that some never thought possible.
Seven new hospitals were created at record speed to ramp up capacity in the NHS.
More than one in four workers are now supported by the government's furlough scheme in an unprecedented move to protect jobs.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The country came together in a national lockdown that was tightly obeyed for months.
There has been Herculean effort to help the health service and the economy through the pandemic, supported by billions of pounds from the government.
And yet I can't help but wonder why there hasn't been a similar Herculean effort to help the millions of children who have been shut out of school.
While teaching unions are quick to point out that classrooms have remained open to the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils throughout the pandemic, schools in England won't fully reopen until September. By then, an astonishing nine million children will have been out of the classroom for six months.
It's hard to quantify the impact that this could have on their education and life chances, but the children's commissioner has warned of a "lost generation" and analysis by the Education Endowment Foundation (EFF) found that a decade of progress closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their classmates will be wiped out.
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It's for this reason that we decided to centre our first film on Sophy Ridge On Sunday since the start of lockdown on the impact of coronavirus on education. We'll speak to former Ofsted head Sir Michael Wilshaw and scientist Devi Sridhar, plus we'll get the picture in Wales with First Minister Mark Drakeford.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
This week we visited Ifield Community College in Crawley, West Sussex, where a third of pupils are eligible for free school meals - more than double the national average. The headteacher is keen to reopen from September because he's worried about the impact of long-term closure on his pupils, particularly from a mental health perspective.
Government support has been patchy - the guidelines unclear - and well-meaning schemes such as providing laptops for disadvantaged families haven't worked as they should.
More than half of the pupils eligible for the laptops at Ifield still haven't received them - just a couple of weeks before the school breaks up for the summer. If the money had been handed to the school directly to buy the laptops, every child would have one by now.
Visiting Ifield also crystallised for me how impossible it will be to enforce two-metre social distancing - or even one metre - in September. Classrooms are set up for 12 children spaced two metres apart - but there will need to be 30 children in each room when they are fully open. There simply isn't room, even at one metre.
Should the government have done more to use empty buildings to help children get safely back to school more quickly?
Could volunteers have been used to help keep class sizes smaller?
Hundreds of thousands of people volunteered to help the NHS in its time of need. Businesses answered the call to manufacture ventilators and protective equipment.
Where was the national effort to help our schools?


skynewspolitics--2020-06-26--'The virus is still out there': PM condemns people 'taking liberties'

People are `` taking too many liberties '' as the coronavirus lockdown is eased , Boris Johnson has said after thousands of people flocked to the beaches .
The prime minister urged Britons to refrain from `` mingling too much and not observing social distancing '' .
A major incident was declared in one south coast town after hordes of sun-seekers flocked to the seaside on Thursday .
Speaking on Friday , Mr Johnson said : `` Let me be very clear about the scenes in Bournemouth - it 's very important for people to understand if you look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where people have been coming out of lockdown .
`` I 'm afraid what you 're also seeing is people taking too many liberties with the guidance , mingling too much , not observing social distancing .
`` In some parts of the world - I wo n't name them - you 've got really serious spikes in the instances of the diseases . ''
The prime minister urged people to follow the rules until they change in England next Saturday .
`` It 's crucial people understand that on 4 July we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a balanced way and we recognise the risks , '' he said .
`` You may think you 're not going to get it and you 're immortal and invincible and so on .
And very likely that 's true , particularly if you 're a young person .
`` But the bug you carry can kill elderly people particularly .
It 's still dangerous .
The virus is still out there . ''
Downing Street signaled there are no plans to close beaches , as the health secretary suggested , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in and manage over-crowded destinations .
The prime minister 's spokesman did add that local lockdowns could come into force if rates of the virus shoot up , but not preemptively .
George Eustice , the environment secretary , conceded to Sky News that `` clearly people did n't heed '' two-metres social distancing after the beach overcrowding scenes and illegal raves in London .
`` It 's inevitably the case that as you start to ease these restrictions and you drop some , the ones that are left sometimes look inconsistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several Labour MPs have criticised Mr Johnson sticking by his top aide Dominic Cummings , who police said may have broken lockdown rules for allegedly making a 30-minute drive to test his eyesight while Britons were being told to `` stay at home '' .
Neil Coyle tweeted : `` When he failed to sack Cummings he lost any grounds to criticise anyone else 'taking liberties ' . ''
And Barry Sheerman claimed : `` Someone please tell Boris Johnson no one takes any notice of his advice since his fiasco with rule-breaker @ @ @

People are "taking too many liberties" as the coronavirus lockdown is eased, Boris Johnson has said after thousands of people flocked to the beaches.
The prime minister urged Britons to refrain from "mingling too much and not observing social distancing".
A major incident was declared in one south coast town after hordes of sun-seekers flocked to the seaside on Thursday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 'Social distancing is over' says beachgoer
Speaking on Friday, Mr Johnson said: "Let me be very clear about the scenes in Bournemouth - it's very important for people to understand if you look at what's happening elsewhere in the world where people have been coming out of lockdown.
"I'm afraid what you're also seeing is people taking too many liberties with the guidance, mingling too much, not observing social distancing.
"In some parts of the world - I won't name them - you've got really serious spikes in the instances of the diseases."
The prime minister urged people to follow the rules until they change in England next Saturday.
Image: Boris Johnson told young people 'the bug you carry can kill elderly people'
"It's crucial people understand that on 4 July we get this right and we do this in a balanced way and we recognise the risks," he said.
"You may think you're not going to get it and you're immortal and invincible and so on. And very likely that's true, particularly if you're a young person.
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"But the bug you carry can kill elderly people particularly. It's still dangerous. The virus is still out there."
Downing Street signaled there are no plans to close beaches, as the health secretary suggested, and that it is up to councils to step in and manage over-crowded destinations.
The prime minister's spokesman did add that local lockdowns could come into force if rates of the virus shoot up, but not preemptively.
George Eustice, the environment secretary, conceded to Sky News that "clearly people didn't heed" two-metres social distancing after the beach overcrowding scenes and illegal raves in London.
"It's inevitably the case that as you start to ease these restrictions and you drop some, the ones that are left sometimes look inconsistent with that," he said.
Several Labour MPs have criticised Mr Johnson sticking by his top aide Dominic Cummings, who police said may have broken lockdown rules for allegedly making a 30-minute drive to test his eyesight while Britons were being told to "stay at home".
Neil Coyle tweeted: "When he failed to sack Cummings he lost any grounds to criticise anyone else 'taking liberties'."
And Barry Sheerman claimed: "Someone please tell Boris Johnson no one takes any notice of his advice since his fiasco with rule-breaker Cummings!"


skynewspolitics--2020-06-26--Labour row brews as left-wing MPs demand Starmer reinstate Long-Bailey

Left-wing Labour MPs have urged Sir Keir Starmer to reinstate a sacked frontbencher who shared an alleged `` antisemitic conspiracy theory '' article .
The Socialist Campaign Group said Rebecca Long-Bailey should not have been dropped as shadow education secretary .
After a meeting with Sir Keir on Friday , they said `` significant disagreement remains on this point '' - signalling the Labour leader will not be U-turning .
Their statement added : `` This was a businesslike exchange of views which took place in a mutually-respectful manner . ''
But it includes no news of resignations that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long-Bailey lost her job earlier this week when she tweeted an interview with actress Maxine Peake , which contained a claim police who knelt on George Floyd 's neck learnt the move from `` Israeli secret services '' .
She later clarified the re-tweet `` it was n't intended to be an endorsement of all aspects of the article '' but has resisted calls to apologise .
Peake later herself admitted : `` I was inaccurate in my assumption of American Police training and its sources . ''
Sir Keir 's spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory '' and that `` restoring trust with the Jewish community is a number one priority '' .
So far several prominent members of Jeremy Corbyn 's top team have backed Mrs Long-Bailey .
Ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell shared a petition calling for the Salford MP to be reinstated .
But Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge , who is Jewish , tweeted : `` This is what a change in culture looks like .
This is what zero tolerance looks like .
This is what rebuilding trust with the Jewish community looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's antisemitism adviser and a former Labour MP , added Sir Keir had done `` the decent thing '' and `` the Jewish community will be significantly reassured because they wanted to see action - not just words '' .

Left-wing Labour MPs have urged Sir Keir Starmer to reinstate a sacked frontbencher who shared an alleged "antisemitic conspiracy theory" article.
The Socialist Campaign Group said Rebecca Long-Bailey should not have been dropped as shadow education secretary.
After a meeting with Sir Keir on Friday, they said "significant disagreement remains on this point" - signalling the Labour leader will not be U-turning.
Image: Sir Keir Starmer met with Labour MPs from the Socialist Campaign Group
Their statement added: "This was a businesslike exchange of views which took place in a mutually-respectful manner."
But it includes no news of resignations that were reportedly threatened by other MPs.
Mrs Long-Bailey lost her job earlier this week when she tweeted an interview with actress Maxine Peake, which contained a claim police who knelt on George Floyd's neck learnt the move from "Israeli secret services".
She later clarified the re-tweet "it wasn't intended to be an endorsement of all aspects of the article" but has resisted calls to apologise.
Peake later herself admitted: "I was inaccurate in my assumption of American Police training and its sources."
Sir Keir's spokesman said the article "contained an antisemitic conspiracy theory" and that "restoring trust with the Jewish community is a number one priority".
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Image: Labour is being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission
So far several prominent members of Jeremy Corbyn's top team have backed Mrs Long-Bailey.
Ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell shared a petition calling for the Salford MP to be reinstated.
But Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge, who is Jewish, tweeted: "This is what a change in culture looks like. This is what zero tolerance looks like. This is what rebuilding trust with the Jewish community looks like."
John Mann, the government's antisemitism adviser and a former Labour MP, added Sir Keir had done "the decent thing" and "the Jewish community will be significantly reassured because they wanted to see action - not just words".


skynewspolitics--2020-06-26--Summer hols are back on! UK to scrap quarantine rule for some of our most popular destinations

Britons will be able to go on summer holidays abroad as the government prepares to announce that people travelling to certain countries will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon returning to the UK .
Ministers are poised to clear the way for trips to France , Greece and Spain after confirming the quarantine measures would be changed at Monday 's review .
Officials will replace existing rules with a traffic light system that will see countries placed into green , amber and red categories based on the prevalence of coronavirus in each .
It will mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the red category - where the spread of coronavirus is deemed to be high - will have to self-isolate for a fortnight .
People will still have to reveal the address where they plan to stay on their return , no matter which country they are coming back from .
The government said the changes would provide a `` vital lifeline for UK travel operators and those whose jobs rely on the travel industry '' .
`` Our public health measures at the border were put in place to manage the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of the virus , and will continue to support our fight against coronavirus , '' a government spokeswoman said .
`` Our new risk-assessment system will enable us to carefully open a number of safe travel routes around the world - giving people the opportunity for a summer holiday abroad and boosting the UK economy through tourism and business .
`` But we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if any risks re-emerge , and this system will enable us to take swift action to reintroduce self-isolation measures if new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine measures have attracted widespread derision since their introduction , with critics suggesting they were brought in too late and applied to some countries where COVID-19 was not as rife as in the UK .
Rules implemented from 8 June have meant all passengers - with a handful of exemptions - have been required to go into self-isolation for 14 days at a declared address when they arrive in the UK .
Those who fail to comply can be fined £1,000 in England , with police allowed to use `` reasonable force '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The International Consolidated Airlines Group ( IAG ) described the blanket quarantine measures as `` illogical '' , while budget airline Ryanair labelled them `` idiotic rubbish '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A full list of the low-risk countries in the green and amber categories , where people will be able to enter the UK from without being required to self-isolate , is set to be published next week .
Government sources confirmed countries where people will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 6 July will include France , Spain and Greece .
The Joint Biosecurity Centre , working with Public Health England , has been responsible for categorising the countries .
Government sources said all passengers would be required by law to wear face-coverings on planes and ferries to protect others .
And the Foreign Office is also expected to change its travel advice warning against all but essential travel .

Britons will be able to go on summer holidays abroad as the government prepares to announce that people travelling to certain countries will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon returning to the UK.
Ministers are poised to clear the way for trips to France, Greece and Spain after confirming the quarantine measures would be changed at Monday's review.
Officials will replace existing rules with a traffic light system that will see countries placed into green, amber and red categories based on the prevalence of coronavirus in each.
It will mean only passengers arriving back from nations in the red category - where the spread of coronavirus is deemed to be high - will have to self-isolate for a fortnight.
People will still have to reveal the address where they plan to stay on their return, no matter which country they are coming back from.
The government said the changes would provide a "vital lifeline for UK travel operators and those whose jobs rely on the travel industry".
"Our public health measures at the border were put in place to manage the risk of imported cases and help prevent a second wave of the virus, and will continue to support our fight against coronavirus," a government spokeswoman said.
"Our new risk-assessment system will enable us to carefully open a number of safe travel routes around the world - giving people the opportunity for a summer holiday abroad and boosting the UK economy through tourism and business.
"But we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if any risks re-emerge, and this system will enable us to take swift action to reintroduce self-isolation measures if new outbreaks occur overseas."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Germans arrive in Spain as part of trial scheme
The existing quarantine measures have attracted widespread derision since their introduction, with critics suggesting they were brought in too late and applied to some countries where COVID-19 was not as rife as in the UK.
Rules implemented from 8 June have meant all passengers - with a handful of exemptions - have been required to go into self-isolation for 14 days at a declared address when they arrive in the UK.
Those who fail to comply can be fined £1,000 in England, with police allowed to use "reasonable force" to make sure they follow the rules.
The International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) described the blanket quarantine measures as "illogical", while budget airline Ryanair labelled them "idiotic rubbish".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A full list of the low-risk countries in the green and amber categories, where people will be able to enter the UK from without being required to self-isolate, is set to be published next week.
Government sources confirmed countries where people will be able to travel restriction-free from as soon as 6 July will include France, Spain and Greece.
The Joint Biosecurity Centre, working with Public Health England, has been responsible for categorising the countries.
Government sources said all passengers would be required by law to wear face-coverings on planes and ferries to protect others.
And the Foreign Office is also expected to change its travel advice warning against all but essential travel.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-27--'Project Speed': New taskforce 'to fast-track building of schools, roads and hospitals'

The government is to launch a new taskforce it says will accelerate the delivery of major projects such as new schools , roads and hospitals , as Britain bids to find a way out of the downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The Infrastructure Delivery Taskforce , which Downing Street said would be known as `` Project Speed '' , is due to be announced by Boris Johnson in a speech next week .
The government said the group would be led by Chancellor Rishi Sunak and `` will look across the full range of government 's public investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottlenecks at every step of development and delivery '' .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A Downing Street spokesperson said the NHS Nightingale hospitals set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic showed that `` it does n't have to take years to get essential projects off the ground '' .
`` As we recover from the pandemic we must apply that same urgency to the major projects at the foundations of this country and get them done right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , '' the spokesperson said .
`` There 's now no excuse for delays .
Infrastructure has the power to rebuild and repair our country - and we will do it better , faster and more strategically than before . ''
A spokesman for Number 10 had previously insisted the Nightingale hospitals around the UK were `` absolutely not '' a waste of money , despite admitting they had not been used in a `` significant way '' .
The government said details of the taskforce 's membership would be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It added that the prime minister would also be implementing new cabinet committee structures next week `` to better reflect his priorities and redouble efforts to drive progress '' .
It came as new data showed the Conservative leader was being out-polled by Labour counterpart Sir Keir Starmer on who would make a better prime minister .
Polling company Opinium found that 37 % of voters thought Sir Keir would be better at leading the country than Mr Johnson .
A total of 35 % thought the Tory leader was the better option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir had been enjoying a higher approval rating than Mr Johnson for the past six weeks , it is the first time he has polled higher when asked about who would make the better PM .

The government is to launch a new taskforce it says will accelerate the delivery of major projects as Britain tries to find a way out of the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Infrastructure Delivery Taskforce charged with fast-tracking the building of schools, hospitals, roads and even prisons is due to be announced by Boris Johnson in a speech next week.
The group, which Downing Street said would be known as "Project Speed", will be led by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
It will "look across the full range of government's public investment projects and cut delivery times by removing bottlenecks at every step of development and delivery".
Image: Rishi Sunak will oversee public investment projects
Mr Johnson - who claimed to be feeling as "fit as a butcher's dog" following his own brush with COVID-19 - told the Mail on Sunday: "This has been a huge, huge shock to the country but we're going to bounce back very well.
"We want to build our way back to health.
"If COVID was a lightning flash, we're about to have the thunderclap of the economic consequences. We're going to be ready."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:33 'The economic pain of COVID-19 will be deep'
The prime minister also insisted the country would "absolutely not (be) going back to the austerity of 10 years ago" seen under former Tory leader David Cameron, with reports saying Mr Johnson is preparing to announce "tens of billions" of pounds of investment.
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The taskforce will be told there is "no excuses for delays" to building programmes after the UK demonstrated it can move at pace during a national emergency.
Downing Street said the speed at which the NHS Nightingale hospitals were created across the country during the pandemic inspired Mr Johnson to set up the group.
A spokesman for Number 10 had previously insisted the Nightingale hospitals around the UK were "absolutely not" a waste of money, despite admitting they had not been used in a "significant way".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 'I've got no work for a year'
The government hopes a building boom will boost jobs and improve connectivity as it looks to drive growth.
It comes as reports suggest a further one million people could become jobless - adding to the 2.8 million already out of work - if further government support is not announced by August.
The Observer said new House of Commons library analysis indicates that unemployment levels could soar to levels not seen since the 1980s, tipping past the peak of 3.3 million recorded in 1984 during Margaret Thatcher's time in Downing Street.
Image: The government said the Nightingale hospitals were 'absolutely not' a waste of money
The government said the taskforce's membership would be "set out in due course".
It added the prime minister would also be implementing new cabinet committee structures next week "to better reflect his priorities and redouble efforts to drive progress".
Meanwhile, new data showed the Conservative leader was being out-polled by Labour counterpart Sir Keir Starmer on who would make a better prime minister.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:56 The key events of three months in lockdown
Polling company Opinium found that 37% of voters thought Sir Keir would be better at leading the country than Mr Johnson.
A total of 35% thought the Tory leader was the better option to have in charge.
While Sir Keir had been enjoying a higher approval rating than Mr Johnson for the past six weeks, it is the first time he has polled higher as preferred prime minister.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-27--University reforms 'must level playing field' for disadvantaged students

The body that manages university admissions says it is `` ready to change and challenge '' the current system , after reports the government is set to overhaul how pupils apply for courses .
UCAS says disadvantaged students should be `` the paramount consideration '' in reforms to the admissions process that are expected in the coming months .
It comes after The Guardian reported that the Department for Education was planning changes in England that would allow students to apply for universities after A-level results are published .
Currently , applications are based on grades that are predicted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But there are concerns that those from disadvantaged backgrounds are frequently given lower predicted grades - causing them to lose out in the admissions process .
Long-discussed changes to the system have frequently stalled over concerns they would be too disruptive and complex .
However some university leaders now believe the drastic impact of COVID-19 on higher education presents an opportunity for a rethink of the process .
The chair of the cross-bench Education Select Committee Robert Halfon says `` radical thinking '' by government should be welcomed .
`` Anything that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help disadvantaged pupils climb the higher education ladder of opportunity is a good thing , '' said the Conservative MP .
Two reviews by the industry group Universities UK and the regulatory body the Office for Students have been taking place into admission reforms , with the latter currently paused because of COVID-19 .
It 's understood that four options , modelled as part of these reviews , have been considered in government .
The models , initially created in 2012 by UCAS and updated in recent months , look at moving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ application process to start after A-level results are published .
Alternatively , the start of term could be delayed until October , with results published earlier than usual - giving an application window in late summer .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously given his backing to the reviews , saying : `` I am glad the Office for Students is looking at whether it would be in students ' interests to apply for their university place after they have their A-level results . ''
Changes to further education are also understood to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drive to put it on an equal footing to university .
While UCAS has said it is `` ready to change '' , a spokesperson also added that tackling inequality went `` far deeper than when students apply and receive offers '' .
`` We need to look at the use of data and the wide-spread adoption of contextual admissions to ensure university offer-making recognises the individual circumstances of an applicant , '' the spokesperson said .
A Universities UK spokesperson said it was continuing to take evidence from education leaders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Admissions Review '' which will report later this year .
The Department for Education said : `` We do not comment on leaks and will not be drawn on speculation . ''

The body that manages university admissions says it is "ready to change and challenge" the current system, after reports the government is set to overhaul how pupils apply for courses.
UCAS says disadvantaged students should be "the paramount consideration" in reforms to the admissions process that are expected in the coming months.
It comes after The Guardian reported that the Department for Education was planning changes in England that would allow students to apply for universities after A-level results are published.
Image: UCAS says it is 'ready to change'
Currently, applications are based on grades that are predicted by teachers before pupils sit their final exams.
But there are concerns that those from disadvantaged backgrounds are frequently given lower predicted grades - causing them to lose out in the admissions process.
Long-discussed changes to the system have frequently stalled over concerns they would be too disruptive and complex.
However some university leaders now believe the drastic impact of COVID-19 on higher education presents an opportunity for a rethink of the process.
The chair of the cross-bench Education Select Committee Robert Halfon says "radical thinking" by government should be welcomed.
"Anything that helps create a level playing field to help disadvantaged pupils climb the higher education ladder of opportunity is a good thing," said the Conservative MP.
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Image: The University of Oxford, which has faced criticism for a lack of opportunities for BAME students
Two reviews by the industry group Universities UK and the regulatory body the Office for Students have been taking place into admission reforms, with the latter currently paused because of COVID-19.
It's understood that four options, modelled as part of these reviews, have been considered in government.
The models, initially created in 2012 by UCAS and updated in recent months, look at moving the university year to January to allow the application process to start after A-level results are published.
Alternatively, the start of term could be delayed until October, with results published earlier than usual - giving an application window in late summer.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously given his backing to the reviews, saying: "I am glad the Office for Students is looking at whether it would be in students' interests to apply for their university place after they have their A-level results."
Image: The University of York
Changes to further education are also understood to be in the pipeline as part of a drive to put it on an equal footing to university.
While UCAS has said it is "ready to change", a spokesperson also added that tackling inequality went "far deeper than when students apply and receive offers".
"We need to look at the use of data and the wide-spread adoption of contextual admissions to ensure university offer-making recognises the individual circumstances of an applicant," the spokesperson said.
A Universities UK spokesperson said it was continuing to take evidence from education leaders and students as part of its "Fair Admissions Review" which will report later this year.
The Department for Education said: "We do not comment on leaks and will not be drawn on speculation."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-27--Kate Green replaces Rebecca Long-Bailey in Labour's shadow cabinet

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Kate Green to replace Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow education secretary .
Ms Long-Bailey was sacked from Labour 's shadow cabinet after sharing an article that `` contained an antisemitic conspiracy theory '' , according to the Labour Party .
She had shared , on Twitter , an interview with actor Maxine Peake - describing her as an `` absolute diamond '' .
In the article , Peake said the tactic of kneeling on the neck used by a US officer charged with killing George Floyd `` was learnt from seminars with Israeli secret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was delighted to appoint Ms Green , the MP for Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester .
`` Kate has spent a lifetime campaigning against child poverty and educational inequalities .
I look forward to working with her in this new role , '' he said .
Ms Green , who has an OBE , said : `` It 's a privilege to have been asked to serve as shadow education secretary .
`` The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on children 's education .
I look forward to working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help ensure we get our children back in school as soon as possible . ''
Ms Green was formerly the chair of the London Child Poverty Commission and was elected as an MP in 2010 .
She has previously spoken out about antisemitism in the Labour Party and chaired Owen Smith 's leadership campaign when he unsuccessfully challenged Jeremy Corbyn in 2016 .
Several prominent members of what was Mr Corbyn 's shadow cabinet have backed Ms Long-Bailey following her sacking .
Ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell shared a petition calling for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` criticism of practices of Israeli state is not antisemitic '' .
But Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge , who is Jewish , tweeted : `` This is what a change in culture looks like .
This is what zero tolerance looks like .
This is what rebuilding trust with the Jewish community looks like . ''

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Kate Green to replace Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow education secretary.
Ms Long-Bailey was sacked from Labour's shadow cabinet after sharing an article that "contained an antisemitic conspiracy theory", according to the Labour Party.
She had shared, on Twitter, an interview with actor Maxine Peake - describing her as an "absolute diamond".
In the article, Peake said the tactic of kneeling on the neck used by a US officer charged with killing George Floyd "was learnt from seminars with Israeli secret services".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:37 Long-Bailey sacked over antisemitism row
Sir Keir said he was delighted to appoint Ms Green, the MP for Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester.
"Kate has spent a lifetime campaigning against child poverty and educational inequalities. I look forward to working with her in this new role," he said.
Ms Green, who has an OBE, said: "It's a privilege to have been asked to serve as shadow education secretary.
"The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on children's education. I look forward to working with teachers, unions, parents and councils to help ensure we get our children back in school as soon as possible."
Ms Green was formerly the chair of the London Child Poverty Commission and was elected as an MP in 2010.
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She has previously spoken out about antisemitism in the Labour Party and chaired Owen Smith's leadership campaign when he unsuccessfully challenged Jeremy Corbyn in 2016.
Several prominent members of what was Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet have backed Ms Long-Bailey following her sacking.
Ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell shared a petition calling for the Salford MP to be reinstated, claiming "criticism of practices of Israeli state is not antisemitic".
But Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge, who is Jewish, tweeted: "This is what a change in culture looks like. This is what zero tolerance looks like. This is what rebuilding trust with the Jewish community looks like."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-27--Green, amber or red? Which countries you might be able to visit under traffic light system

The government is preparing to announce that people travelling from certain countries will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival - meaning people will be able to go on holiday there .
The government plans to introduce a traffic light system that would classify countries as safe or otherwise , depending on the prevalence of coronavirus .
Countries will either be graded green , meaning they are safer than the UK ; amber , meaning they are less safe than green countries ; or red , which will result in any passengers returning from them still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It comes as the European Union also finalises a list of countries whose citizens will be allowed to enter .
The UK government list of `` air bridge '' destinations is not yet known , but countries are expected to be classified as follows .
For comparison , the UK 's two-week infection rate - meaning the number of new cases per 100,000 in the previous 14 days up to 22 June - is 27.3 .
France has been seeing a significant decline in the number of cases of COVID-19 in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tower , signalling its desire to see the tourism sector revived .
Greece expressed its wish to open an air bridge last week , in an indication of the country 's eagerness to reopen to tourists , citing its generally low levels of coronavirus infection .
Despite that , cases rose sharply in the last fortnight , compared to the previous one .
Spain 's hard-hit tourism sector had to receive a morale booster from King Felipe VI last week , who visited a Canary Islands beach , after its hospitality industry was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world 's highest death tallies but is seeing infections fall steadily .
Italy was another country that was ravaged by the disease , with many outbreaks across Europe blamed on people coming from early-hit northern Italy .
It has seen infection rates continue to fall .
The Dutch government announced last week that it would be further easing lockdown measures to allow group visits to restaurants and some crowds at sports , after the country saw small but sustained falls in the number of cases .
Turkey has said its daily infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe enough to warrant reintroducing eased restrictions , having seen rates - which are still fairly high - fall significantly .
Current two-week infection rate : too small to be statistically significant Although Croatia 's rates of infection since the start of the crisis are relatively low - 56.7 cases/100,000 overall - the number of infections being reported has been oscillating sharply , with 70 in the fortnight up to 22 June and just 3 in the two weeks before that .
Infections rates in Finland are improving dramatically , with nearly 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 22 June compared with the fortnight before .
Belgium has the worst case fatality rate in the world , and had a high rate of infection during the European peak , but in recent weeks has seen steady declines in rates .
Apart from localised outbreaks , such as at a meat-processing factory in the Gutersloh area , Germany has seen its rates fall slowly , from a relatively low level in the outset .
Norway went into lockdown early which appears to have paid off as it has relatively low rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fall slowly .
Portugal , which appeared early on to be less badly affected than its neighbour Spain , has been seeing rates pick up in recent weeks , so that in the last two weeks it has one of the worst rates of infection in Europe .
There are reports of people not heeding lockdown restrictions .
Even worse than Portugal is Sweden , with a two-week rate approaching that of many South American countries , after the country was criticised for failing to lock down in the same way as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the USA will be categorised red but the fact that its two-week infection rate is nearly as high as Sweden 's , and it is not expected to be on the EU 's list of countries whose citizens can enter the EU , suggests it may also be categorised red .

The government is preparing to announce that people travelling from certain countries will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival - meaning people will be able to go on holiday there.
The government plans to introduce a traffic light system that would classify countries as safe or otherwise, depending on the prevalence of coronavirus.
Countries will either be graded green, meaning they are safer than the UK; amber, meaning they are less safe than green countries; or red, which will result in any passengers returning from them still needing to isolate for a fortnight.
It comes as the European Union also finalises a list of countries whose citizens will be allowed to enter.
The UK government list of "air bridge" destinations is not yet known, but countries are expected to be classified as follows.
Green or Amber
For comparison, the UK's two-week infection rate - meaning the number of new cases per 100,000 in the previous 14 days up to 22 June - is 27.3.
France
Current two-week infection rate (as of 22 June): 5.8 cases /100,000 people
France has been seeing a significant decline in the number of cases of COVID-19 in the last fortnight and has recently reopened the Eiffel Tower, signalling its desire to see the tourism sector revived.
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Greece
Current two-week infection rate: 2.5 cases/100,000 people
Greece expressed its wish to open an air bridge last week, in an indication of the country's eagerness to reopen to tourists, citing its generally low levels of coronavirus infection. However, it has since delayed allowing UK tourists into the country until 15 July at the earliest, with the possibility of extending the restrictions afterwards. Cases in Greece rose by 25% in the last fortnight, compared to the previous one, but numbers remain low.
Spain
Current two-week infection rate: 10.1 cases/100,000 people
Spain's hard-hit tourism sector had to receive a morale booster from King Felipe VI last week, who visited a Canary Islands beach, after its hospitality industry was pulverised. The country had one of the world's highest death tallies but is seeing infections fall steadily.
Italy
Current two-week infection rate: 6.3 cases/100,000 people
Italy was another country that was ravaged by the disease, with many outbreaks across Europe blamed on people coming from early-hit northern Italy. It has seen infection rates continue to fall.
Netherlands
Current two-week infection rate: 11.7 cases/100,000 people
The Dutch government announced last week that it would be further easing lockdown measures to allow group visits to restaurants and some crowds at sports, after the country saw small but sustained falls in the number of cases.
Turkey
Current two-week infection rate: 21.3 cases/100,000 people
Turkey has said its daily infections are higher than anticipated but are not severe enough to warrant reintroducing eased restrictions, having seen rates - which are still fairly high - fall significantly.
Croatia
Current two-week infection rate: too small to be statistically significant
Although Croatia's rates of infection since the start of the crisis are relatively low - 56.7 cases/100,000 overall - the number of infections being reported has been oscillating sharply, with 70 in the fortnight up to 22 June and just 3 in the two weeks before that.
Finland
Current two-week infection rate: 2.9 cases/100,000 people
Infections rates in Finland are improving dramatically, with nearly 60% fewer cases in the fortnight up to 22 June compared with the fortnight before.
Belgium
Current two-week infection rate: 11.6 cases/100,000 people
Belgium has the worst case fatality rate in the world, and had a high rate of infection during the European peak, but in recent weeks has seen steady declines in rates.
Germany
Current two-week infection rate: 6.7 cases/100,000 people
Apart from localised outbreaks, such as at a meat-processing factory in the Gutersloh area, Germany has seen its rates fall slowly, from a relatively low level in the outset.
Norway
Current two-week infection rate: 3.7 cases/100,000 people
Norway went into lockdown early which appears to have paid off as it has relatively low rates overall, and is seeing rates continue to fall slowly.
Red
Portugal
Current two-week infection rate: 43.2 cases/100,000 people
Portugal, which appeared early on to be less badly affected than its neighbour Spain, has been seeing rates pick up in recent weeks, so that in the last two weeks it has one of the worst rates of infection in Europe. There are reports of people not heeding lockdown restrictions.
Sweden
Current two-week infection rate: 111.7 cases/100,000 people
Even worse than Portugal is Sweden, with a two-week rate approaching that of many South American countries, after the country was criticised for failing to lock down in the same way as other nations.
The USA
It is not known if the USA will be categorised red but the fact that its two-week infection rate is nearly as high as Sweden's, and it is not expected to be on the EU's list of countries whose citizens can enter the EU, suggests it may also be categorised red.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Protesters and partygoers slammed for 'unacceptable' lockdown rule breaches

The home secretary has said the behaviour of protesters and partygoers breaking distancing rules is `` unacceptable '' and warned that anyone assaulting police officers would `` face the full force of the law '' .
Priti Patel condemned the assault against 30 officers who were hurt while shutting down an illegal rave and pockets of violence at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in recent weeks .
She also urged sunseekers to `` think about other people '' and not spread COVID-19 , after thousands packed Bournemouth beach days ago .
Ms Patel said there were 30,000 assaults on police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing to double sentences for attacks on emergency service workers .
She added the number of protests and parties as coronavirus emergency measures are eased is `` growing '' .
`` I would urge people not to participate in gatherings of that nature or protest , '' she told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday .
`` If people do assault police officers , they will face the full force of the law .
That is absolutely the right approach .
`` It is simply unacceptable to have people gathering in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing . ''
Ms Patel denied some may feel they were given licence to ignore the rules by the prime minister defending his chief aide Dominic Cummings for making a 30-minute trip police say may have broken the rules to allegedly test his eyesight while everyone was being told to `` stay at home '' .
`` Of course it 's not '' true , she said .
`` That issue has been and gone . ''
Appealing to beachgoers not to pack on to seafronts and break social distancing rules , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to think about other people as well in terms of spreading the virus .
`` They themselves may not know they 're carrying the virus and they could be spreading that within the community and passing that on to other people '' We all have to take responsibility , we all have to act conscientiously . ''
But the UK government came under fire from Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford , who accused Boris Johnson of telling people `` it 's all over and you can go back to doing what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy in England was to make announcements first , then figure out how to make them work , but `` we will continue to do things in the way we 've done things in Wales - carefully , cautiously , one step at a time '' .
Sir Mark Walport , a former chief scientific adviser , did say ministers in Whitehall `` have been listening to the science throughout '' .
But when asked if lockdown came too late , said : `` History will probably show that it did . ''

The home secretary has said the behaviour of protesters and partygoers breaking distancing rules is "unacceptable" and warned that anyone assaulting police officers will "face the full force of the law".
Priti Patel condemned the assault against 30 officers who were hurt while shutting down an illegal rave, pockets of violence at a Black Lives Matter demonstration and counter-protests including by far-right activists in recent weeks.
She also urged sunseekers to "think about other people" and not spread COVID-19, after thousands packed Bournemouth beach days ago.
Ms Patel said there were 30,000 assaults on police last year and that she will be pushing to double sentences for attacks on emergency service workers.
She added the number of protests and parties as coronavirus emergency measures are eased is "growing".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:34 Chaos as police confront street party
"I would urge people not to participate in gatherings of that nature or protest," she told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
"If people do assault police officers, they will face the full force of the law. That is absolutely the right approach.
"It is simply unacceptable to have people gathering in some of these awful ways we've been seeing."
Image: The home secretary said mass gatherings were 'simply unacceptable'
Ms Patel denied some may feel they were given licence to ignore the rules by the prime minister defending his chief aide Dominic Cummings for making a 30-minute trip police say may have broken the rules to allegedly test his eyesight while everyone was being told to "stay at home".
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"Of course it's not" true, she said. "That issue has been and gone."
Appealing to beachgoers not to pack on to seafronts and break social distancing rules, the home secretary added: "The public need to think about other people as well in terms of spreading the virus.
Image: A major incident was declared in Bournemouth
"They themselves may not know they're carrying the virus and they could be spreading that within the community and passing that on to other people
"We all have to take responsibility, we all have to act conscientiously."
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But the UK government came under fire from Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, who accused Boris Johnson of telling people "it's all over and you can go back to doing what you did before".
He claimed the policy in England was to make announcements first, then figure out how to make them work, but "we will continue to do things in the way we've done things in Wales - carefully, cautiously, one step at a time".
Sir Mark Walport, a former chief scientific adviser, did say ministers in Whitehall "have been listening to the science throughout".
But when asked if lockdown came too late, said: "History will probably show that it did."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Majority of Britons think government doing bad job handling COVID-19 - poll

A majority of Britons still think the government is doing a bad job handling coronavirus , after Boris Johnson announced further lockdown easing measures last week .
A YouGov poll for Sky News found 51 % said the government was doing a bad job , while 44 % said it was doing a good job .
This seven-point gap is smaller than the government 's worst moment - an 18-point deficit two weeks ago .
However , it is still much worse than in March , when Boris Johnson 's administration enjoyed sky-high approval ratings , with more than 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of voters who supported the Tories in the December general election think Mr Johnson 's government is doing a bad job handling coronavirus .
Asked about a number of specific areas , the public endorsed the government 's approach to protecting jobs , with 65 % backing it , while 54 % supported its approach to the economy .
But only 30 % thought Mr Johnson 's government had done a good job minimising deaths from COVID-19 .
More than a third - 28 % - approve of the way it handled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontline staff , while only 23 % think it is doing a good job testing and tracing those with the virus .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer gets a broad endorsement , with 42 % saying he is doing a good job and 22 % saying a bad job , while 36 % do not know .
Sir Keir 's decision not to attack every element of the government plan too aggressively also gets broad support .
Just 5 % say he is too supportive , with 19 % saying he is too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to supporting the government is `` about right '' .
Just under a third - 32 % - did not know .
YouGov interviewed 1,663 adults across Great Britain on Wednesday and Thursday last week .

A majority of Britons still think the government is doing a bad job handling coronavirus, after Boris Johnson announced further lockdown easing measures last week.
A YouGov poll for Sky News found 51% said the government was doing a bad job, while 44% said it was doing a good job.
This seven-point gap is smaller than the government's worst moment - an 18-point deficit two weeks ago.
However, it is still much worse than in March, when Boris Johnson's administration enjoyed sky-high approval ratings, with more than 70% backing its approach.
Even 24% of voters who supported the Tories in the December general election think Mr Johnson's government is doing a bad job handling coronavirus.
Asked about a number of specific areas, the public endorsed the government's approach to protecting jobs, with 65% backing it, while 54% supported its approach to the economy.
But only 30% thought Mr Johnson's government had done a good job minimising deaths from COVID-19.
More than a third - 28% - approve of the way it handled the distribution of personal protective equipment to frontline staff, while only 23% think it is doing a good job testing and tracing those with the virus.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer gets a broad endorsement, with 42% saying he is doing a good job and 22% saying a bad job, while 36% do not know.
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Sir Keir's decision not to attack every element of the government plan too aggressively also gets broad support.
Just 5% say he is too supportive, with 19% saying he is too opposed, while 44% say his approach to supporting the government is "about right". Just under a third - 32% - did not know.
YouGov interviewed 1,663 adults across Great Britain on Wednesday and Thursday last week.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Dozens of Labour MPs accused of racism by home secretary

Dozens of ethnic minority Labour MPs have been accused of racism by the home secretary .
Priti Patel hit back at a letter from opposition politicians which claimed that she used her `` heritage and experiences of racism to gaslight the very real racism faced by black people and communities across the UK '' .
Shadow communities secretary Naz Shah organised the letter in response to a statement by Ms Patel on demonstrations against racial inequality in the UK in the wake of George Floyd 's killing .
She took issue with the home secretary saying at the time that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexism , tolerance for social justice I will not take lectures from the other side of the house '' .
The 32 MPs who signed it told Ms Patel that `` being a person of colour does not automatically make you an authority on all form of racism '' .
They urged her to `` reflect on your words and to consider the impact it had towards black communities in the UK trying to highlight their voices against racism '' .
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday , Ms Patel said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected .
`` They clearly take the stance and the position that I just do n't conform to their preconceived idea or stereotypical view of what an ethnic minority woman should stand for and represent , '' she told Sophy Ridge on Sunday .
`` That in itself is racist .
`` It 's very disappointing .
I 'm not going to dignify that letter any further . ''
The government has pledged to set up a Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities to look at tackling inequalities further after the Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab antagonised campaigners after he said he thought the `` taking a knee '' phenomenon started by a American footballer to protest racial injustice was actually from Game of Thrones .
He added it was a `` symbol of subjugation and subordination '' .

Dozens of ethnic minority Labour MPs have been accused of racism by the home secretary.
Priti Patel hit back at a letter from opposition politicians which claimed that she used her "heritage and experiences of racism to gaslight the very real racism faced by black people and communities across the UK".
Shadow communities secretary Naz Shah organised the letter in response to a statement by Ms Patel on demonstrations against racial inequality in the UK in the wake of George Floyd's killing.
Image: Priti Patel came under fire for comments on Black Lives Matter protests
She took issue with the home secretary saying at the time that "when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance for social justice I will not take lectures from the other side of the house".
The 32 MPs who signed it told Ms Patel that "being a person of colour does not automatically make you an authority on all form of racism".
They urged her to "reflect on your words and to consider the impact it had towards black communities in the UK trying to highlight their voices against racism".
Image: A commission will be set up to looking into racial inequality
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Ms Patel said she was disappointed at the claims, which she rejected.
"They clearly take the stance and the position that I just don't conform to their preconceived idea or stereotypical view of what an ethnic minority woman should stand for and represent," she told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
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"That in itself is racist.
"It's very disappointing. I'm not going to dignify that letter any further."
The government has pledged to set up a Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities to look at tackling inequalities further after the Black Lives Matter protests.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:53 Raab defends stance against 'taking the knee'
But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab antagonised campaigners after he said he thought the "taking a knee" phenomenon started by a American footballer to protest racial injustice was actually from Game of Thrones.
He added it was a "symbol of subjugation and subordination".


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Leicester could be first city to go into local lockdown amid 'spike' in COVID-19 cases

The home secretary has confirmed that Leicester could be the first city to go into a local lockdown , over reports of a spike in COVID-19 cases .
Priti Patel , when asked on BBC One 's The Andrew Marr Show whether the city was going to see new restrictions imposed , said : `` Well , that is correct .
`` We have seen flare-ups across the country in recent weeks , in just the last three or four weeks in particular . ''
The Department of Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) said on Sunday that Leicester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to be vigilant against the virus .
It stopped short of saying a local lockdown was likely , but The Sunday Times reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock had been examining legal aspects of the shutdown following a rise in cases .
There have been reports that Leicester had 658 new cases in the two weeks to 16 June .
Public Health England , however , says there have been 50 cases reported in the city in the 10 days to 26 June , taking the total to 1,046 since the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra testing facilities would be provided in the city as part of efforts to boost the test and trace system .
Pressed on the Leicester lockdown , Ms Patel added : `` There will be support going into Leicester and in fact the health secretary was in touch with many of us over the weekend explaining some of the measures , the support on testing , resources that will go into the local authority as well .
`` With local flare-ups it is right we have a localised solution in terms of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the tools actually within the Public Health England space which will come together to control the virus . ''
Reports of a spike in cases have prompted alarm in the city 's BAME community .
Many of the cases are reported to have been in east Leicester , which , like the city , has a large South Asian-origin population .
Office for National Statistics figures have shown that BAME populations have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic , with the chance of death significantly higher .
A DHSC spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local partners in Leicester to help prevent further transmission of the virus .
`` We have deployed four mobile testing sites and made thousands of home testing kits available , to ensure anyone in the area who needs a test can get one .
`` NHS Test and Trace will contact anyone testing positive to help them identify their recent contacts and advise who may have been near to someone with the virus to stay at home to prevent the spread .
`` We urge the people of Leicester to continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regularly , get tested immediately if they have symptoms and follow the advice they receive if contacted by NHS Test and Trace .
This advice is there to protect communities and save lives . ''
According to Sky News analysis of PHE data , the number of cases occurring in Leicester in the last fortnight is well behind many other towns , cities and local authority areas .
It raises the prospect of potential local lockdowns in other areas .
Former government chief scientific officer Sir Mark Walport told Sky News it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as clusters begin to reappear .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He said : `` The ... thing that is becoming clear now is that when outbreaks occur , they typically occur in clusters and we 're seeing certain work environments , for example food-processing factories , as being fairly common places for those clusters to arise .
`` In Korea for example , they found that places of worship were places that clusters have arisen and the common denominator being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for prolonged periods of time and noisy environments where people are coughing and shouting and so there is more droplet transmission .
`` And so , again , it comes back to local control being really important to identify those clusters when they happen and clamp down on them quickly . ''

The home secretary has confirmed that Leicester could be the first city to go into a local lockdown, over reports of a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Priti Patel, when asked on BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show whether the city was going to see new restrictions imposed, said: "Well, that is correct.
"We have seen flare-ups across the country in recent weeks, in just the last three or four weeks in particular."
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said on Sunday that Leicester was an area of concern and urged residents to be vigilant against the virus.
It stopped short of saying a local lockdown was likely, but The Sunday Times reported that Health Secretary Matt Hancock had been examining legal aspects of the shutdown following a rise in cases.
There have been reports that the Leicester area had 658 new cases in the two weeks to 16 June.
Public Health England, however, says there have been 50 cases reported in the city in the 10 days to 26 June, taking the total to 1,046 since the start of the pandemic, but that figure does not include the results of tests which are carried out by what PHE calls commercial partners.
The DHSC said extra testing facilities would be provided in the city as part of efforts to boost the test and trace system.
Pressed on the Leicester lockdown, Ms Patel added: "There will be support going into Leicester and in fact the health secretary was in touch with many of us over the weekend explaining some of the measures, the support on testing, resources that will go into the local authority as well.
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"With local flare-ups it is right we have a localised solution in terms of infection control, social distancing, testing and many of the tools actually within the Public Health England space which will come together to control the virus."
Reports of a spike in cases have prompted alarm in the city's BAME community.
Many of the cases are reported to have been in east Leicester, which, like the city, has a large South Asian-origin population.
Office for National Statistics figures have shown that BAME populations have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with the chance of death significantly higher.
Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe told the LeicestershireLive website her constituency should be put into local lockdown.
She said: "Schools have had to close in Leicester East because of coronavirus and a supermarket had to close. We know the problem is in Leicester East, not spread across the city... I don't know how it would work but they have to implement a local lockdown."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 PM warns against taking lockdown 'liberties'
A DHSC spokesman said: "We are supporting the council and local partners in Leicester to help prevent further transmission of the virus.
"We have deployed four mobile testing sites and made thousands of home testing kits available, to ensure anyone in the area who needs a test can get one.
"NHS Test and Trace will contact anyone testing positive to help them identify their recent contacts and advise who may have been near to someone with the virus to stay at home to prevent the spread.
"We urge the people of Leicester to continue to practice social distancing, wash their hands regularly, get tested immediately if they have symptoms and follow the advice they receive if contacted by NHS Test and Trace. This advice is there to protect communities and save lives."
According to Sky News analysis of PHE data, the number of cases occurring in Leicester in the last fortnight is well behind many other towns, cities and local authority areas.
It raises the prospect of potential local lockdowns in other areas.
Former government chief scientific officer Sir Mark Walport told Sky News it would be necessary to "clamp down" as clusters begin to reappear.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He said: "The... thing that is becoming clear now is that when outbreaks occur, they typically occur in clusters and we're seeing certain work environments, for example food-processing factories, as being fairly common places for those clusters to arise.
"In Korea for example, they found that places of worship were places that clusters have arisen and the common denominator being indoors, being crowded, being there for prolonged periods of time and noisy environments where people are coughing and shouting and so there is more droplet transmission.
"And so, again, it comes back to local control being really important to identify those clusters when they happen and clamp down on them quickly."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Tackle education gap or face youth violence, says ex-watchdog

Failing to make up the education time lost as a result of the pandemic will cause social unrest and unprecedented youth violence , a former schools watchdog has warned .
Cautioning over the `` profound '' consequences for society , Sir Michael Wilshaw stressed the need for a large-scale recovery plan for pupils , particularly those from poor backgrounds .
The former Ofsted chief made the call as he lambasted the government over its handling of the crisis facing schools , closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic , branding much of it `` inept '' .
After the Tory administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread criticism , Boris Johnson has said it is his intention that children of all ages in England should be able to return to school on a five-days-a-week basis in September .
The prime minister has also unveiled a £1bn plan to help youngsters catch up with their learning after spending months at home during the coronavirus lockdown .
This includes £350m to fund tutoring for the most disadvantaged pupils in schools .
However , speaking to Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme , Sir Michael said more than two million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's work a day and their online learning programmes were `` nowhere near adequate '' .
He said : `` The consequences for youngsters , particularly those from poor backgrounds , the consequences for our society and for our education system is going to be profound , and we need to recognise that .
`` Everyone involved in education needs to recognise that and put in large-scale recovery and remedial programmes to make sure that the great gains that we 've made over the last few years are not lost .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go backwards .
And there will be all sorts of problems in terms of social unrest , violence amongst young people that we 've not seen before . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sir Michael was also deeply critical of the leadership at the Department for Education in dealing with the issue .
He said : `` I do n't think it 's been led particularly well .
I think much of it has been inept and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the leadership of the department . ''
`` It 's a bit like a school .
Schools succeed or fail on the basis of whether it 's got strong leadership .
The same for the Department for Education . ''

Failing to make up the education time lost as a result of the pandemic will cause social unrest and unprecedented youth violence, a former schools watchdog has warned.
Cautioning over the "profound" consequences for society, Sir Michael Wilshaw stressed the need for a large-scale recovery plan for pupils, particularly those from poor backgrounds.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:06 Schools need 'clarity' on plans to open
The former Ofsted chief made the call as he lambasted the government over its handling of the crisis facing schools, closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, branding much of it "inept".
After the Tory administration ditched its previous reopening target, drawing widespread criticism, Boris Johnson has said it is his intention that children of all ages in England should be able to return to school on a five-days-a-week basis in September.
The prime minister has also unveiled a £1bn plan to help youngsters catch up with their learning after spending months at home during the coronavirus lockdown.
This includes £350m to fund tutoring for the most disadvantaged pupils in schools.
However, speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Sir Michael said more than two million children are getting less than one hour's work a day and their online learning programmes were "nowhere near adequate".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:27 PM wants September full-time school return
He said: "The consequences for youngsters, particularly those from poor backgrounds, the consequences for our society and for our education system is going to be profound, and we need to recognise that.
"Everyone involved in education needs to recognise that and put in large-scale recovery and remedial programmes to make sure that the great gains that we've made over the last few years are not lost.
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"If that doesn't happen then we will go backwards. And there will be all sorts of problems in terms of social unrest, violence amongst young people that we've not seen before."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sir Michael was also deeply critical of the leadership at the Department for Education in dealing with the issue.
He said: "I don't think it's been led particularly well. I think much of it has been inept and that must stop. Headteachers must have confidence in the leadership of the department."
"It's a bit like a school. Schools succeed or fail on the basis of whether it's got strong leadership. The same for the Department for Education."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "From the outset, we have worked across government and with the sector to make sure no child falls behind as a result of coronavirus.
"The best place for children to learn is in school, which is why nurseries, schools and colleges have remained open to the most vulnerable children and those of critical workers throughout the pandemic.
"All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 are now able to attend school, and next week we will set out details for schools and parents on the return of all children to school in September.
"We have also invested more than £100m remote education and launched a £1bn COVID catch up fund to directly tackle the impact of lost teaching time as a result of the pandemic, which headteachers and school leaders have the flexibility to decide how to spend in the best interests of their students."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Schools in England to benefit from 10-year rebuilding programme

Some of England 's crumbling schools and colleges are to benefit from a 10-year rebuilding programme under plans to be set out by the prime minister on Monday .
Representing the first major rebuilding programme to be launched since 2014 , schools will benefit from additional investment .
Schools and colleges will also receive funding this year to refurbish buildings in order to continue raising standards across the country .
The first wave of money will be spent in former red wall communities in the North and Midlands where voters showed their support for the Conservatives in the 2019 general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All children deserve the best possible start in life - regardless of their background or where they live .
`` As we bounce back from the pandemic , it 's important we lay the foundations for a country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed , with our younger generations front and centre of this mission .
`` This major new investment will make sure our schools and colleges are fit for the future , with better facilities and brand new buildings so that every child gets a world-class education . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £1bn to fund the first 50 projects starting this year .
The projects will be confirmed in the autumn , and construction on the first sites will begin from September 2021 .
Earlier this month , Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced a £1bn COVID catch-up plan to tackle the impact of lost teaching time , a move which did not extend to colleges .
The Association of Colleges Chief Executive , David Hughes , said : `` This is a good first step by the government to support colleges to be central players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After being excluded from the catch-up funding , colleges needed some good news this week to boost morale .
`` Colleges will provide training , skills and education to over two million young people and adults next year , many of whom will need advice , support , and high quality teaching to be able to prepare for what will be a tough labour market . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Dr Simon Uttley , headteacher at Blessed Hugh Faringdon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government announcement a cautious welcome .
`` This money is very welcome .
For years , there has been underfunding in terms of per pupils funding and also underfunding when it comes to the buildings .
`` This is very important because over a number of years we feel like we 've been forgotten .
`` It is n't enough to solve the problem of the building infrastructure in our schools across the country .
`` It is a step in the right direction but I think it is now a case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past . ''

Some of England's crumbling schools and colleges are to benefit from a 10-year rebuilding programme under plans set out by the prime minister.
Representing the first major rebuilding programme to be launched since 2014, schools will benefit from additional investment.
Schools and colleges will also receive funding this year to refurbish buildings in order to continue raising standards across the country.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:27 PM wants September full-time school return
The first wave of money will be spent in former red wall communities in the North and Midlands where voters showed their support for the Conservatives in the 2019 general election.
Boris Johnson said: "All children deserve the best possible start in life - regardless of their background or where they live.
"As we bounce back from the pandemic, it's important we lay the foundations for a country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, with our younger generations front and centre of this mission.
"This major new investment will make sure our schools and colleges are fit for the future, with better facilities and brand new buildings so that every child gets a world-class education."
Speaking during a visit to Ealing Fields High School in west London, the PM said he wanted to spend a "huge amount" on schools and today's announcement was "just the beginning".
"We're acutely conscious of the need to refurbish and repair," Mr Johnson said.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Starmer on schools: 'Govt fell asleep at wheel'
"We see the advantage of putting in long-term investment for the country, but also driving job creation now."
But Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Layla Moran called the PM's announcement "spin over substance".
"The funding is nowhere near the £7bn the National Audit Office has said is needed to repair our schools," said the MP.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the money was welcome, but the detail was "very vague".
He told Sky News there should be a budget next month focused on jobs and called for an extension of the furlough scheme for certain sectors.
The government has committed to spend more than £1bn to fund the first 50 projects starting this year.
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The projects will be confirmed in the autumn, and construction on the first sites will begin from September 2021.
Earlier this month, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced a £1bn COVID catch-up plan to tackle the impact of lost teaching time, a move which did not extend to colleges.
The Association of Colleges Chief Executive, David Hughes, said: "This is a good first step by the government to support colleges to be central players in the country's recovery.
"After being excluded from the catch-up funding, colleges needed some good news this week to boost morale.
"Colleges will provide training, skills and education to over two million young people and adults next year, many of whom will need advice, support, and high quality teaching to be able to prepare for what will be a tough labour market."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 Failure to reopen schools is 'astonishing'
Dr Simon Uttley, headteacher at Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School in Reading, has given the government announcement a cautious welcome.
"This money is very welcome. For years, there has been underfunding in terms of per pupils funding and also underfunding when it comes to the buildings.
"This is very important because over a number of years we feel like we've been forgotten.
"It isn't enough to solve the problem of the building infrastructure in our schools across the country.
"It is a step in the right direction but I think it is now a case of making up for what happened in the past."
Meanwhile, schools in Wales have welcomed more pupils back.
The Welsh government said schools will operate with staggered starts and breaks for "check in, catch up and prepare" sessions for all year groups.